I actually got some bird pictures that aren't black blobs!
Mar 12, 2020 16:24:34 #
mopitts
Loc: South Carolina
I'm impressed, they look great! When I shoot birds this size, I get great sharp in focus twigs, but the bird is out of focus. I find it hard to lock in the focus on the little birds. Or sometimes I think I've got them in focus, but then when I look at them later, then not so much. Pretty much a novice, so would love to hear what settings you used, and did you use a tripod? thanks!
Mar 12, 2020 16:28:24 #
Mar 12, 2020 18:23:38 #
vonzip wrote:
I like the image of the Vermilion Flycatcher. I've never even seen one. vz
I have seen them. But I had never had opportunity to shoot one. Thanks.
Mar 12, 2020 18:32:32 #
Enjoyed viewing your bird shots, even on download they look good to me! Wish we had those colorful birds out here. To get closer to the birds, especially hummingbirds, I drag up a stool or chair closer and closer to the feeder or flowers and let them get used to me sitting there. Of course, this takes lots of time but its usually worth it. I can't afford the 400 to 600 lens. Not that you asked, but thought I would mention it.
Mar 12, 2020 19:08:28 #
AzPicLady wrote:
I am SO not a bird photographer. I find it hard to even SEE the little buggers! But I have managed to capture a few lately that are recognizable! (You may not want to pixel peep, though.)
Kathy, the photos are good, however, some cropping would be a huge help in viewing them.
Greg
Mar 12, 2020 20:14:29 #
mopitts wrote:
I'm impressed, they look great! When I shoot birds this size, I get great sharp in focus twigs, but the bird is out of focus. I find it hard to lock in the focus on the little birds. Or sometimes I think I've got them in focus, but then when I look at them later, then not so much. Pretty much a novice, so would love to hear what settings you used, and did you use a tripod? thanks!
The flycatcher was shot with my 5D MK III with a 28-135 lens. I had been shooting landscapes, and I don't think I remembered to change any settings except perhaps to up the ISO a bit. I'll have to go back into LR to check on that. I shoot in aperture preferred mode with that camera.
The hummers were done with my new 1DX Mk II. I think earlier I said it had the 28-300 Tamron attached, but in retrospect that was wrong. It was my 28-135. There were two of them and they were intent on the aloe that was in bloom, but would come to the feeder frequently. I stood there for a good long time. Most of what I got was just them sitting. I tried a couple in flight and gave up quickly. I was in TV (shutter speed preferred), and I think the ISO was set at 800 because they were in deep shadow.
Usually, my camera focuses on the twigs and can't even find the bird. The 1DX was set with center-weighted focusing, and I simply put that square on the birds. That seemed to work. On the flycatcher, I think I just got lucky!!!!! And no, I didn't use a tripod for either shoot.
My longest lens is 300. That's long enough to get from the finish line to the starting gate, which is mostly what I need. I don't need longer enough to warrant the expense of a bigger lens.
Mar 12, 2020 20:19:22 #
CWS wrote:
Enjoyed viewing your bird shots, even on download they look good to me! Wish we had those colorful birds out here. To get closer to the birds, especially hummingbirds, I drag up a stool or chair closer and closer to the feeder or flowers and let them get used to me sitting there. Of course, this takes lots of time but its usually worth it. I can't afford the 400 to 600 lens. Not that you asked, but thought I would mention it.
Getting closer to the feeder or flowers would be a good idea. And they do tend to get accustomed to one sitting there. Unfortunately, I'm one of those impatient souls that can't sit still that long. And in most of the places I might shoot birds, there's no way to actually do that without dragging a stool along with me on the hike (which may be long). I've often though one of those walkers that has a seat on it might be useful, but I'm not willing to admit I'm there YET! Thanks so much for looking in.
Mar 12, 2020 20:20:35 #
CLF wrote:
Kathy, the photos are good, however, some cropping would be a huge help in viewing them.
Greg
Greg
Truthfully, these are cropped a bit. I didn't want to go too much further, as I thought the soft focusing wouldn't stand up to any more cropping. Also, I do like to see birds in their surroundings, so I tend to like them with a bit of tree (or lots of tree) around them. Thanks.
Mar 12, 2020 21:46:28 #
AzPicLady wrote:
We decided it was a scarlet tananger - according to my friend's bird book! Thanks. He was pretty friendly.
Actually, the bird is more of a Vermillion Flycatcher, an equally great bird. You must be out west. In any case, a nice shot.
Mar 12, 2020 23:27:17 #
Fred F wrote:
Actually, the bird is more of a Vermillion Flycatcher, an equally great bird. You must be out west. In any case, a nice shot.
Thanks, Fred. I actually photographed that bird in Ecuador. It was in the town of Cotacachi which is in the northern part of Ecuador in the mountains. Does that help any?
Mar 13, 2020 12:02:31 #
Mar 13, 2020 12:27:57 #
Fred F wrote:
That's OK - they're a tropical species that come up as far as AZ, and as far S as n Ecuador.
The first ones of these I ever saw were in southern AZ. There was one that nested at Tumacacori. And along the San Pedro River there were several darting around. They looked like dots of brilliance against the greenery.
Mar 13, 2020 14:37:11 #
Mar 13, 2020 14:57:47 #
Sylvias wrote:
The red certainly stands out, very nice set Kathy.
Thanks, Sylvia. He really stood out flying in and out of the trees. We followed him through the park awhile. He finally settled a bit in one tree, so I could get some shots of him.
Mar 15, 2020 16:16:03 #
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