Post your bird photos here - Ducati.ms

Bill_Anderson · May 6th, 2010, 3:45 am

There is no reason why I should hold a bird photo monopoly on Ducati.MS. Post your (non Duc) bird photos here. Pack your camera with you on your next ride and start snapping away.

Bill_Anderson · May 6th, 2010, 4:25 am

I'll start out with some photos of a leucistic crow I photographed locally in Marina Park. A leucistic bird looks like an albino, but has normal (not pink) eyes.

Although they are rare, this is the second leucistic bird I have photographed. I photographed a leucistic Canada goose at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge on Christmas day last year.

SS904 · May 6th, 2010, 9:04 am

I have one. Not much into wild life photography, but I shot this while I was goofing around in the back yard with my 300 f/4, which I stupidly sold. I liked it more for the colorful bokeh than for the bird, but...

How are you liking that 7D?

Bill_Anderson · May 6th, 2010, 12:45 pm

I like the 7D. I think its best feature is the "Q screen", which allows me to change any setting quite easily.

It is hard to bring out the feather detail when photographing large, dark birds like eagles in good light, and very difficult to bring it out in the lousy light I often find up here. The Q screen allows me to experiment with aperature/shutter speed/ISO settings easliy.

The main drawback I find is trying to hold focus on flying birds. The "AI Focus" autofocus feature is supposed to do this, but you can tell from some of my photos that it has not. I am not above admitting that it may be operator error.

SS904 · May 7th, 2010, 7:11 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill_Anderson

The main drawback I find is trying to hold focus on flying birds. The "AI Focus" autofocus feature is supposed to do this, but you can tell from some of my photos that it has not. I am not above admitting that it may be operator error.

AI Focus isn't known for its accuracy. It should really be avoided. It's leaving critical decisions (is the target moving or not) to the camera. Like "green box" mode, forget it’s there. For BIF, AI Servo is really your best bet. AI Servo is predictive. It sets focus for where the target will be at the next shutter click, so you need to be tracking before you click. Cameras like your 7D can establish that lock lightning fast, but it is still something that you need to be aware of. The other thing to try, if you’re not already, is manually selecting a focus point. If you leave that up to the camera to decide, it may grab something with more contrast in the background. Pick a point, put it on the bird, lock focus, fire away! As I said, BIF and wildlife isn’t my thing, but I do shoot ice hockey. These methods have worked well for me to be able to lock on and track one player in a mess of activity. BTW, you have some nice shots!

04749s · May 7th, 2010, 10:20 pm

Here's a few , not the best but keepers still

Bill_Anderson · May 9th, 2010, 11:52 am

Here are some first photos. Things should get better in another month when they have to dive for fish more frequently off Sunset Ave. to feed their young.

DuckMan · May 9th, 2010, 8:34 pm

These aren't exactly "travel" shots but at least they are birds. Shot from my front porch.

jeremyh007 · May 10th, 2010, 7:07 am

caught this bald eagle on a lake in Georgia

**st2lemans** · May 10th, 2010, 7:18 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill_Anderson

There is no reason why I should hold a bird photo monopoly on Ducati.MS. Post your (non Duc) bird photos here. Pack your camera with you on your next ride and start snapping away.

Ummm, you do realize that a 'bird' in Italian refers to a certain part of the male anatomy? (uzèl in dialect, uccello in Italian)

Tom