Angry Birds

Gallery: AvianPosted March 14, 2013130 views8 comments

Actually, they're not really angry. This image was captured on the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado during the annual migration of Sandhill Cranes. This is an amazing spectacle that I felt privileged to witness and hope to see again next year. I'm told these birds have come through this area for thousands of years on their way to the nesting grounds in Canada.

Nikon D600, Nikon 70-200 f2.8 with Nikon TC20E, 400mm, 1/1000 at f8. Processed in Lightroom 4. Many internet posts report it is impossible to get sharp, contrasty images with this lens/TC combination, but it was my experience that technique proved more critical than equipment limitations. Your opinion? I think the larger version is worth peeking at although the file size isn't much bigger than the smaller image.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on March 14, 2013 at 12:40 PM

Good sharpness in the center as far as I can tell. Good capture of the action. Maybe this should be in the avian gallery?
Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Russell Colletta on March 14, 2013 at 12:45 PM

Thanks John, yup it probably belongs over there.

Registered on October 31, 2009, 114 Posts, 1008 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Frye on March 14, 2013 at 3:06 PM

Looks sharp to me and I like the interaction -- might straighten the horizon just a bit

Registered on February 3, 2007, 387 Posts, 1136 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on March 14, 2013 at 4:37 PM

I have no quarrel with this as far as detail and action go. I could wish for less grouping and more isolated action, but the birds obviously disagreed with me.

I agree totally with your statement about technique. I deal with a cranky 80 to 400mm, and I am finally learning the technique to get decent photos with it.

As for the horizon, I assume there isn't one shown, as it is somewhere behind the range of mountains.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Russell Colletta on March 14, 2013 at 7:14 PM

Thanks Phil, you're right. These birds tend to flock and there were thousands of them. Single or paired birds just simply never happened.

Registered on October 31, 2009, 114 Posts, 1008 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on March 14, 2013 at 7:51 PM

Great interaction and the main subjects are nice and crisp, Russ. I do find myself wishing for a little more separation from the bg birds. The lens combination looks like it's working for you.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Danny on March 15, 2013 at 1:59 AM

Interesting reading and I would love to see something like this, sounds fascinating to see so many of them, especially considering we will never see these here. Excellent shot and behaviour, beautiful display and work.

Danny.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 165 Posts, 1345 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 15, 2013 at 11:08 AM

I think there is always a learning curve no matter which lens you use. It took me a while to get use to using a 300 f4 with a 1.4 TC. Wonderful image with the mountains in the background. I like the wing spread with beaks open and the image is sharp where it needs to be, well done.

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