Posted by John Robinson on April 13, 2008 at 2:13 PM
Bathing Blackbird.
It can be amazing how some birds go mad in the water but the head often stays still. Like it does on a branch in the wind. !
In the days of my flash use the droplets would have been frozen but at least the slower shutter speeds make them nice and blurry and the wings too ..
D200 Sigma 100-300mm
iso 800 80th second
f7.1
Posted by Daniel Read on April 13, 2008 at 2:50 PM
Hi John,
the sharpness in the eye really makes this. I'm really enjoying all these pool shots. keep them coming!
Dan.
Posted by Austin Thomas on April 13, 2008 at 2:54 PM
Great one John,
One day I hope to post this type of image. If it half as sharp on the eye as your is I will be very happy indeed.
How close are you to the pond? Is this at the 300mm end of your lens?
Cheers
Austin
Posted by David Taylor on April 13, 2008 at 2:56 PM
Great sense of movement and sharpness of the eye. Yes keep them coming.
Posted by John Robinson on April 13, 2008 at 3:29 PM
Thanks all
Austin
The hide is about 6 foot away from the pool and believe me the noise of a D200 is loud to say the least. It is my biggest problem with close hide work and I have tried all sorts of baffles. Old jumpers -polystyrene -expanded foam- you name it -I've tried it !
The lens is on 150- to 200mm for a shot of a bird this size. I don't like frame fillers if I can avoud it anyway. Prefer the extra depth of field with the shorter focal lengths.
Cheers
john
PS Forgot to mention. If you build a permanent wooden hide like all mine are, ddon't use a wooden shelf in the front to mount the camera on like I do sometimes. It acts like a sounding board and a tripod is much quieter ! The other thing ,is let the birds get used to your methods. I never let others use the pool hides for that reason. If you do and someone spooks the birds it can undo months of work.I know by bitter experience !
Posted by Austin Thomas on April 13, 2008 at 4:23 PM
Thanks for the advise John. It is very helpful
I have constructed a semi-portable pool for now until I determine the best location and height etc. then I will make it a more permanent feature.
Watch this space....
Cheers
Austin
Posted by Paul Inglis on April 13, 2008 at 6:25 PM
Hi John,
Very nice shot! (You've spurred me on too as my pond is under construction 18' x 25' - ready in autumn!). I'll use a dome hide then I can move it around!
Posted by John Robinson on April 13, 2008 at 6:54 PM
Thanks all.
Looks like we will be "swamped " with wet dickie pics !
JohnR
Its all been said John...........another special shot
Alan
Posted by eric weight on April 15, 2008 at 2:13 PM
Another fantastic shot John. These birds in your pool are very vulnerable and most creatures are able to keep their heads still either to provide accuracy in the strike when hunting or to retain awareness of what is going on around them when they might be at risk. It always fascinates me to see a cheetah travelling flat out, its whole body flexing and stretching and its head, rock steady. You have caught the birds actions perfectly in this shot and I take my hat off to you - again. Eric
Discussion
14 repliesIt can be amazing how some birds go mad in the water but the head often stays still. Like it does on a branch in the wind. !
In the days of my flash use the droplets would have been frozen but at least the slower shutter speeds make them nice and blurry and the wings too ..
D200 Sigma 100-300mm
iso 800 80th second
f7.1
the sharpness in the eye really makes this. I'm really enjoying all these pool shots. keep them coming!
Dan.
One day I hope to post this type of image. If it half as sharp on the eye as your is I will be very happy indeed.
How close are you to the pond? Is this at the 300mm end of your lens?
Cheers
Austin
Austin
The hide is about 6 foot away from the pool and believe me the noise of a D200 is loud to say the least. It is my biggest problem with close hide work and I have tried all sorts of baffles. Old jumpers -polystyrene -expanded foam- you name it -I've tried it !
The lens is on 150- to 200mm for a shot of a bird this size. I don't like frame fillers if I can avoud it anyway. Prefer the extra depth of field with the shorter focal lengths.
Cheers
john
PS Forgot to mention. If you build a permanent wooden hide like all mine are, ddon't use a wooden shelf in the front to mount the camera on like I do sometimes. It acts like a sounding board and a tripod is much quieter ! The other thing ,is let the birds get used to your methods. I never let others use the pool hides for that reason. If you do and someone spooks the birds it can undo months of work.I know by bitter experience !
I have constructed a semi-portable pool for now until I determine the best location and height etc. then I will make it a more permanent feature.
Watch this space....
Cheers
Austin
Very nice shot! (You've spurred me on too as my pond is under construction 18' x 25' - ready in autumn!).
Looks like we will be "swamped " with wet dickie pics !
JohnR
John
Another nice pool shot John , lovely sharp eye
Andy...
Alan