Birds 2013

[mvanrheenen]

Magnificent shot of that vulture Doc! Very vivid colors and nice contrast in the plumage!

I like the Rook shot the most Lionel, mostly because it's a bird which is quite rare around these parts. Actually never seen one. Same goes for it's smaller cousin the Raven. Only saw one once and that was abroad :S

Mark

[Omega892]

I like the Rook shot the most Lionel,
Mark

Thanks Mark

That beak, one wicked weapon. Now if Hitchcock had featured those I think we would all be going around in armour.

As for the Raven, yes. We have had a solitary Crow around these parts for some years which bears a resemblance to a Raven and had me guessing which it were. I have been trying to shoot him, with a camera that is, but he is a willy old bird.

Meanwhile here is another trio of images
Chaffinch with Dynax 7D and Minolta 75-300mm 4.5 - 5.6 D



Female Blackbird with Sony Alpha 100 and Minolta 75-300mm 4.5 - 5.6 D



Young Robin with A700 and Sony 70-300mm 4.5 - 5.6 G SSM




When that Robin landed on the shed roof I was down at the bottom of the garden using the 70-300mm in its manual close focus (3 metre) mode taking shots of Painted Lady butterflies that were coming in. They were landing high on the shrubbery so there was no chance of getting closer. This was with the light almost behind the subject. My attention was drawn to the Robin and so I turned and advanced down the garden adjusting camera settings as I went to auto-focus and changing exposure compensation. I got very close taking shots and this one is not far off full frame. Just as I had everything optimum I must have got within its comfort zone and it took off.

That Sony 70-300mm 4.5 - 5.6 G SSM is the quickest, fastest focusing lens I have, beating the Minolta 80-200mm f2.8 High Speed APO, and if the Sony 70-400mm is a quick and quiet as that I would be tempted despite the price and weight. Trouble is getting hold of one now. I wonder if anybody is still selling the phased out issue I which I would guess is what you are using Mark?

Is it suitable for full frame like the 70-300mm SSM?

[Omega892]

Had to grab this unfolding event quick so had to go with the A77 with the lens attached being the Sony 70-300mm G SSM. Not particularly spectacular shots, the light was poor and getting worse, but a story unfolds.

Is this the gathering for the Match of the Day?



must be



Ah! That's nice

[Omega892]

Yes I am watching you



Ooh! Now! Steady on!



Voyeur? Moi!

[Omega892]

Well!

I wasn't expecting this!



That's it. Job done I'm off. Did I ruffle some feathers?

[Birma]

I love that Blackbird with a beak-full!

[Dr. Harout]

Well, it's part bird...

Lone feather by Dr. Harout, on Flickr

[sury]

Good one Doc. One is allowed to take poetic licenses Doc.

Sury

[Dr. Harout]

Good one Doc. One is allowed to take poetic licenses Doc.

Sury

[Birma]

Nice one Doc

[mvanrheenen]

From yesterday.

This one was the only one in flight of a larger group. I was making a lot of racket, probably to warn others of my precense as it kep circling around my position.


Grutto / Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) by markvanrheenen, on Flickr

[Omega892]

This one was the only one in flight of a larger group.

What a beaut'. Nice one indeed. With that 70-400mm again I suppose?

Chance would be a fine thing.

[mvanrheenen]

What a beaut'. Nice one indeed. With that 70-400mm again I suppose?

Chance would be a fine thing.

A bit of luck, and good hearing I suppose. I heard the bird from the other side of this part of the Woods

It was shot with my 70-300G, I have both.

Mark

[sury]

Nice shot Mark. Great capture.

Sury

[mvanrheenen]

Thanks sury.