Osprey

Gallery: AvianPosted January 16, 2012176 views13 comments

I have many, many flight shots of ospreys. In the past, I have concentrated mostly on getting shots with the entire bird in the frame and with the bird carrying some sort of accessory, such as fish. This morning, I decided to try something different. To get dynamic shots of a different sort. My goal was to get very close flight shots to maximize detail and emotional impact; not worring about getting the entire bird in the frame. My recent very close shot of the barred owl is what got me thinking about changing my philosophy on flight shots for a bit.

Here is one of a few shots I got this morning that I think has very nice detail and good impact. This bird just plucked a branch with hanging Spanish moss off of a cypress tree to bring back to its nest. What do you think?

Please view larger version for max details.

Canon 1DM4
500mm f/4 +1.4x TC
ISO 640
1/2000s
f/7.1
Manual exp.
Hand held from my boat
62% of FF

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by dan elster on January 16, 2012 at 5:40 PM

The amount of detail in your images astounds me. I think it's a good idea to change up your composition goals from time to time...it certainly works well in this case.

Registered on September 23, 2005, 299 Posts, 2443 Comments

Comment posted by wade pettitt on January 16, 2012 at 6:05 PM

Ron , this is great. It is good to shake things up a bit from time to time. For some reason I am wanting to see more of the branch it is carrying.

Registered on May 6, 2009, 184 Posts, 471 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 16, 2012 at 6:23 PM

In your face! Terrific detail. Nice action. Perfect exposure.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 16, 2012 at 6:29 PM

I like where you're going with this new philosophy Ron..I want more

There's a high degree of impact or "intensity" in this type of closeup, that you will not find from further away..
Very nice.

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 16, 2012 at 6:38 PM

love the view of the eyes and bill, Ron! different, but I like it. the three lines leaving the frame create an interesting comp.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 16, 2012 at 9:40 PM

Impressive detail, the closest I have ever been to an osprey. Interesting to see the details in the claws and those yellow eyes really draw you in. I keep on going back and forth about seeing the wings going out of the image but I also like seeing this close up, good to see something different, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on January 16, 2012 at 11:53 PM

Beautifully sharp and clear.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Schiebelbein on January 17, 2012 at 12:07 AM

I too like this type of shot. I think they give the most impact when the bird is looking directly at the viewer. Nevertheless the detail especially the view of those huge feet and amazingly long claws is special.

Registered on November 8, 2008, 55 Posts, 393 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 17, 2012 at 8:50 AM

I think it's those piercing eyes that really make this approach so effective, Ron. We don't mind the loss of body parts then. Successful experiment.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Eirini Pajak on January 17, 2012 at 11:39 AM

I can't say I love having the wings cut off, but I understand completely why you did. It is really awesome to get such a close look at his face, something you can't normally see as closely when the wings fit in the frame!

Registered on December 13, 2011, 216 Posts, 1671 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on January 17, 2012 at 8:14 PM

Nice close image of this osprey. Given the detail and the eyes, I'm good with the entire bird not appearing in the image. I recently had a close interaction where the circled my head about 50 feet away 3 or 4 times. Never posted the images, but they have quite the stare down like this one. It was a little scary.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Kleinfelder on January 19, 2012 at 7:53 AM

Very nice Ron! I would say you goals were meet with this shot!

Registered on September 6, 2011, 14 Posts, 71 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on January 19, 2012 at 12:41 PM

I am longing for a full body but this does work as well. It draws attention to the expression and killer eyes

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments