Show your Bird Portraits
- Thread starter 1982chris911
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Me too Don! Chickadees are the sweetest of all birds. I used to think they were perfect angels but now I know even they can be aggressive, but I forgive them, after all they have to survive! 
I now have a special place with a small electric space heater where I can watch the birds in a slightly more natural environment. This brainwave just popped into my head one day as I noticed the birds always flew from my deck to the trees near the barn. And I'm shooting north, which gives better lighting. Retirement has its advantages.
When this guy visits I quickly shift my focus from the chickadees and nuthatches, however.
BTW the Downys come and look me in the eye through the see through mirror and the other day a chickadee attacked it flying face first into it. For a second I thought I was going to have a chickadee bill imbedded in my forhead! The Downys also grab on to the observatory corner and tap away.
The photo doesn't include the cloth bellows that now helps to hide the lens as it protrudes hanging from the gimbal. Maybe these shots will encourage someone to do something similar - it's a lot of fun up there!!
Jack
I now have a special place with a small electric space heater where I can watch the birds in a slightly more natural environment. This brainwave just popped into my head one day as I noticed the birds always flew from my deck to the trees near the barn. And I'm shooting north, which gives better lighting. Retirement has its advantages.
When this guy visits I quickly shift my focus from the chickadees and nuthatches, however.
BTW the Downys come and look me in the eye through the see through mirror and the other day a chickadee attacked it flying face first into it. For a second I thought I was going to have a chickadee bill imbedded in my forhead! The Downys also grab on to the observatory corner and tap away.
The photo doesn't include the cloth bellows that now helps to hide the lens as it protrudes hanging from the gimbal. Maybe these shots will encourage someone to do something similar - it's a lot of fun up there!!
Jack
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Jack Douglas said:
Hi Jack,
mmm, this gives me some ideas for a setup in the garden as I'm just busy to do some changes over there.
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I have a small hunting blind for the yard... with a power cord for the space heater, a comfy chair, and a 2" thick slab of hard foam under it. It is almost time to set it up again for the winter.....FEBS said:
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Don, there is nothing wrong with that setup, that's basically what I was doing on my deck. What I especially like now is the inverted gimbal and being 12+ feet in the air with trees behind. Of course I happened to have a shed with an attic and no neighbors to complain.
Whatever works, the main thing is we're shooting birds and happy as a chicadee at a feeder! .... or nutty waiting his turn.
Jack
Whatever works, the main thing is we're shooting birds and happy as a chicadee at a feeder!
.... or nutty waiting his turn.Jack
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Thanks Click, wish I could share the experience with you in person. The bottom of my mirror is covered in saliva from birds that like to share their food - setting a good example for the photographer. I'll have to see if I can get a shot through the mirror but it's hit and miss on that one.
Here's something like what you'd see peaking out my "observatory" The cost rises as the word spreads.
Jack
Here's something like what you'd see peaking out my "observatory"
The cost rises as the word spreads.Jack
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@Jack: Sweet setup! I love it! I think your perspectives are definitely better. Must be nice to be at bird level, eh?
One thing I would recommend, is loosen up your framing a bit. Your shots tend to be extremely tight, and I think they could be positively impacted by a bit looser framing, with some negative space around the birds.
Anyway, great shots. Looking forward to seeing what kind of photos you get now.
One thing I would recommend, is loosen up your framing a bit. Your shots tend to be extremely tight, and I think they could be positively impacted by a bit looser framing, with some negative space around the birds.
Anyway, great shots. Looking forward to seeing what kind of photos you get now.
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Thnks jrista,
Honest I still remember that recommendation from before but something seems to make me focus on maximizing the bird, for detail I guess. I'll loosen up. How's this Downy?
In case anyone wonders, my recent shots have all been 70-200 F2.8 II with X1.4. The zoom has been handy compared to my 300.
Jack
Honest I still remember that recommendation from before but something seems to make me focus on maximizing the bird, for detail I guess. I'll loosen up. How's this Downy?
In case anyone wonders, my recent shots have all been 70-200 F2.8 II with X1.4. The zoom has been handy compared to my 300.
Jack
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Osprey Landing With Fish IMG_0396 by Keith Breazeal Photography, on Flickr
Osprey 2 Adult 2 Chicks IMG_0454 by Keith Breazeal Photography, on Flickr
Osprey fish lunch- looking at me by Keith Breazeal Photography, on Flickr
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Click said:
Thanks Click. Thought I's post a few to prove that I don't just shoot biker babes and planes. :
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Nice shots all.
The frost drew me outside before breakfast to freeze my fingers but no complaints. I think this qualifies as a Red Shafted Flicker (I've only seen/shot Yellow Shafted around here). Pretty heavy crop.
And the Chickadee was just too cute - for Don.
Jack
The frost drew me outside before breakfast to freeze my fingers but no complaints. I think this qualifies as a Red Shafted Flicker (I've only seen/shot Yellow Shafted around here). Pretty heavy crop.
And the Chickadee was just too cute - for Don.
Jack
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