Osprey flight portrait

Gallery: AvianPosted May 11, 2013140 views11 comments

I have plenty of full bird flight shots of ospreys. You can only see so much detail when you fit the whole bird in the frame. So, I do try for some very close flight shots even though the wings get cut off, you can really see the detail in the other parts of the bird. Makes for a very dynamic look at this awesome angler of the sky.

Some will not like the cut off wings, but the purpose of this image is to show detail (I will post a full bird next time).

The really good high ISO (well I call 1000 high) capability of the 1Dx allows for the needed shutter speed and DOF for really close shots like this. This is almost full frame.

Please view larger version for max detail.

Canon 1Dx
500mm f/4 + 1.4x TC
ISO 1000
1/2000s
f/10
manual exposure
hand held from my boat.

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Claude Dagenais on May 11, 2013 at 5:56 PM

You succeeded very well in showing the details Ron. A great shot as when you are very close they pass quite fast.

Registered on April 10, 2013, 56 Posts, 571 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on May 11, 2013 at 5:59 PM

Definitely shows the detail. Nice exposure as well.

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

Comment posted by Peter Cross on May 11, 2013 at 6:09 PM

Definitely a nice image. Comp is well chosen and the remainder of the wings are easy to visualize. Can almost read the numbers on the band. Great action shot. Wonder if he'll get balled out for only bringing home half of the bacon?

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on May 11, 2013 at 6:16 PM

Peter, thanks for the comment. It is typical for the bird that catches the fish to eat the head off of the carcass before taking it back to the nest. I can think of a couple of reasons why ospreys do this. First, if he brings the fish back to the nest before he eats any, he won't get any. Mom and the kids will take it all, and that makes for a very hungry male. Second, a fish that is still flopping around can injure new hatch-lings, so eating the head makes sure all the "kick" is out of the fish before it goes to the nest. So, no, mom does not mind it coming to the nest less than whole. Just in case you were interested in my thoughts on this subject.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Kirk Greene on May 11, 2013 at 8:00 PM

I personally like this closer view. As Peter said, it's easy to visualize the rest of the wings. Well done!

Registered on May 12, 2004, 191 Posts, 1578 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on May 11, 2013 at 10:57 PM

Yeah, half a fish... half a bird.

Still, no better way to show the detail

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on May 11, 2013 at 11:01 PM

Very pleasing image Ron! Love the close flight shots and happy to see you posting one. I personally like seeing people doing and trying different things. Love the action (as always) and great detail.
BTW...didn't know you sprung for the 1DX. Sounds like you are happy with the move. I need to sell a couple of things in order to upgrade.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on May 12, 2013 at 12:19 AM

I do like this as presented! Congrats on the new camera, which I think is the best that I've used and I've gone to ISO2000 with very good results.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on May 12, 2013 at 7:16 AM

I agree Ron. Your image reveals details not often seen in a flight shot.. It makes for a great 'dynamic look' as you say.
So that makes you a very skillful 'angler' of this 'awesome angler of the sky'

And that's some excellent company to keep - Nice!

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

Comment posted by Suzanne Huot on May 12, 2013 at 12:15 PM

Funny how we never post images such as this one because we are afraid it would not be appreciated for clipping the wings .Well done on posting this one for all the reasons you mentioned ,.Plus on large
Raptors like this it is often the only way to capture the moment .great detail. and good detail.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 32 Posts, 240 Comments

Comment posted by William Baer on May 13, 2013 at 9:00 AM

Wow! What a great action shot! Super clear and sharp! Beautiful bird! I might have liked it just a tiny bit better if I could see both wings end to end. But at any rate it's a great shot! Nice composition. I know sometimes you get what you get when that shutter clicks!

Registered on April 1, 2013, 60 Posts, 51 Comments