Show your Bird Portraits

800mm. I'm testing the lens extensively in the field and will probably report on it.
I just put my EF 800L back in its case as I don't see it getting used for much outside of Astro or maybe whale migration (where 2x TC is needed) at this point. The 200 to 800 is very close in IQ and eminently hand-holdable (not to mention the zoom part).
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3 users
Upvote 0
Not even a slight flu-like infection could stop me from finally taking advantage of the cloudless weather yesterday. So I set off before sunrise and found these 4 great egrets in their roosting tree. So far, I have never seen more than 2 at the same time in my territory.

R6m2, @500mm +cropping, f/7.1, 1/250, ISO1600-2500

No, I didn't tweak the sky
egret_2024_01.JPG

A few minutes and meters later, there was already more light
egret_2024_02.JPG

Don't lose your balance in the tree ;)
The egret really had to work hard
egret_2024_03.JPG
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: 9 users
Upvote 0
So I set off before sunrise and found these 4 great egrets in their roosting tree. So far, I have never seen more than 2 at the same time in my territory.
A cormorant was sitting in the next tree

R6m2, @500mm +cropping, f/7.1, 1/640, ISO1600
cormorant_2024_01.JPGcormorant_2024_02.JPG

This time not balancing but stretching
cormorant_2024_03.JPG
 
  • Like
Reactions: 10 users
Upvote 0
First long tailed tit of the year.

R6m2, @500mm +cropping to almost 1:1, f/7.1, 1/640, ISO6400
PP just with DPP. I couldn't imagine so much detail in the feathers at ISO6400. Wow!

Hey there!
tit_long_tailed_2024_01.JPG

WAAH! JUMP!!!
tit_long_tailed_2024_02.JPG
 
  • Like
Reactions: 7 users
Upvote 0
We had a good snow last night here in New Hampshire. After taking care of the driveway and right before work, I noticed the sun peaking out just for a few minutes. So far, I like these two images out of the set.

R5, RF 200-800 @ 742 mm, 1/1000, f/9, ISO 1600


small--21.jpg

@800mm
small--22.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: 13 users
Upvote 0
Cute little fellow. :) Beautiful shots with the snow.
a025.gif
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Upvote 0
This shot shows why super fast lenses are not always what is needed. R7, 200-800 @800mm f/9 and you can see that the beak and back third of the bird are out of focus. This is still about 3 ft out from MFD, so If I have the light (which was not the case here on a very dark day) , my preference is f/11 or f/12 for near MFD shots of these very small subjects.

E57A2178-Enhanced-NR-Edit.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: 7 users
Upvote 0
I had never seen a breeding plumage male Black Scoter, until yesterday. It sure is a cool looking duck! It was calling and displaying for a female Greater Scaup, haha! 7D mkll / EF600 f4 / 1.4x lll

Jeremy

View attachment 214559View attachment 214560View attachment 214561View attachment 214562View attachment 214563
"It was calling and displaying for a female Greater Scaup, haha!".
Funny: I would expect some mishap with the Common Scooter (females of both species are somewhat similar)! Anyway his calls and display are obviously not successful! I'm not aware of any proven case of hybridization with other species!
My favorite is the first photo (with the cocked tail :)) but the last photo is explaining better what you are talking about! This guy may need glasses for reading (very short distances) like me :D!
 
Upvote 0