Bufflehead Glider

Gallery: AvianPosted February 9, 2015158 views9 comments

I was sitting at the edge of the lake watching the sitting Buffleheads, when this gal came rocketing across the lake a few feet off the water. I managed to obtain focus and squeeze off a few shots. I think this was the best of the three images I captured. It's not perfect, but I was pretty proud of it since it was like trying to photograph a rocket.

Processed using Lightroom 5 and Photoshop CC 2014. Comments and critiques welcome.

Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 200-400 f4 L IS
f7.1
1/1000s
ISO 400
Focal Length 560mm (Teleconverter Engaged)

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on February 9, 2015 at 10:51 PM

Well detailed BIF Jerry, especially at 1/1000s. Good light and the exposure was spot on as well.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by keith mitchell on February 10, 2015 at 3:56 AM

Jerry you have caught this spot on! lots of fine detail.

Keith.

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Kellermeyer on February 10, 2015 at 7:55 AM

The detail and BG are great. I love the way the duck gives the feeling he looking at you. Very well done.

Registered on March 19, 2013, 52 Posts, 161 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on February 10, 2015 at 8:32 AM

A flying bullet for sure. Sounds like a tough situation with no time to prepare. If the head were a bit sharper this would be even better.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on February 10, 2015 at 1:07 PM

Hi Jerry, this is polls ahead, very nice indeed.

The colour palette balances out well and ties in nicely, clean BKG just adds prominence to the subject. However, LOL, I do agree with Keith, a hint more USM on the head would step this up a run and if the subject was just that little bit more parallel to you, not going away. Overall I do like it.

Make sure you have the right Stabiliser setting set with the 200-400 for BIF.

TFS
Steve

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on February 10, 2015 at 7:55 PM

Excellent panning Jerry, with just the right amount of blur in the wingtips to signify motion. If you hadn't moved just right and smoothly, the blur on the Bufflehead would have eaten you up at 1/1000 sec.

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on February 11, 2015 at 3:07 AM

Jerry,
A like the almost "comical" appearance of this shot, whist not perfectly sharp it does not detract.
I wonder what the correct stabiliser setting should be, it remains a mystery to me

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 11, 2015 at 5:40 AM

Fantastic Jerry - looks like a torpedo

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on February 11, 2015 at 7:20 AM

Ken,

Thanks for your comments. There are three stabilizer modes on the Canon 200-400.

Mode 1: Stationary subjects
Mode 2: Used for panning with a subject. In this mode, only 1 axis of stabilization is provided – allowing a linearly-moving subject to be tracked.
Mode 3: Image stabilization is active and ready for use the moment the shutter releases, but actual stabilization is not in effect until that precise time

I use Mode 3, when shooting BIF, when I remember. (smile)

Jerry

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments