Show your Bird Portraits
- Thread starter 1982chris911
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Orangutan:
I'll check my metadata. Maybe it was 5.6 after all. Sometimes I forget. ;D
I only have two "tricks" for bird photography. (1) Get as close to the bird as possible and (2) try to keep the sun behind me. For every successful shot I get I must have 100 failures!!! That Ferruginous Hawk is a good example. The bird has hung out on the same utility pole at the same intersection in a very rural area for the last three years. The bird is plainly visible from a long distance away but of course the opposite is true, it can always see me coming. My tactic with this bird is to drive within about 100 yards, then approach the bird on foot with the sun behind me. But, here's the reality. 99% of the time it's going to fly before I get my shot. I've tried shooting that bird at least a dozen times a year for three years and, out of my many efforts, I have -- at most -- a half dozen decent images.
I'll check my metadata. Maybe it was 5.6 after all. Sometimes I forget. ;D
I only have two "tricks" for bird photography. (1) Get as close to the bird as possible and (2) try to keep the sun behind me. For every successful shot I get I must have 100 failures!!! That Ferruginous Hawk is a good example. The bird has hung out on the same utility pole at the same intersection in a very rural area for the last three years. The bird is plainly visible from a long distance away but of course the opposite is true, it can always see me coming. My tactic with this bird is to drive within about 100 yards, then approach the bird on foot with the sun behind me. But, here's the reality. 99% of the time it's going to fly before I get my shot. I've tried shooting that bird at least a dozen times a year for three years and, out of my many efforts, I have -- at most -- a half dozen decent images.
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Nancy P., I LOVE that shot! Aside from being a terrific image, the sign adds more than a bit of irony.
If anyone is successful in stalking these little raptors on foot I'd love to hear the story. I don't think I've ever gotten one of these birds except by shooting from my car's window. And, even then . . . . those little devils seem to anticipate me almost every time and fly before I can get the lens out of the window.
If anyone is successful in stalking these little raptors on foot I'd love to hear the story. I don't think I've ever gotten one of these birds except by shooting from my car's window. And, even then . . . . those little devils seem to anticipate me almost every time and fly before I can get the lens out of the window.
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illadvisedhammer, they are very nice. Don't worry, we're not a fanatical group. The most fun comes from shooting and experiencing the outdoors anyway.
Steven, that makes me feel better. We tend to think the other guy has it easy!
Jack
Steven, that makes me feel better. We tend to think the other guy has it easy!
Jack
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Hi Guys a few more portraits/ close ups... 
I know the sparrows are quite common and its not a portrait but its one off my favorite pics... hope you guys enjoy!!!
I know the sparrows are quite common and its not a portrait but its one off my favorite pics... hope you guys enjoy!!! Attachments
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fabio said:Hi Guys a few more portraits/ close ups...
Hi Fabio,
They all are great, but the first one is my favorite
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Click said:
I like that one too. Although, there are things I like about both. I wanted to hear whether members here preferred the light or dark background near the head.
Thanks.
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Another bird from our local desert, this is a Rock Wren. Not rare, but rarely seen due to its lifestyle. Rock Wrens spend their lives poking around in dense underbrush and rarely show up in the open. When they do, they have a penchant for perching on rocks (hence, their name). This is the first one I've seen and photographed in three years although I've probably hiked right past them on numerous occasions without seeing anything.
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having a blast here in florida and i have another 3 weeks left.
little blue heron
5DIII
400mm
f9
1/1000
ISO 1600
5D3_6079 by Stuart Edwards, on Flickr
little blue heron
5DIII
400mm
f9
1/1000
ISO 1600
5D3_6079 by Stuart Edwards, on Flickr
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