Canon 20D, Canon 100-400mm L I.S. @ 400mm, 1/160 sec @ f5.6.
Raw, iso 800.
Gitzo 1548/B1, Fensman hide.
A fraction off the right, levels, hue-saturation, noise reduced in Lightroom.
Hi,
One from a couple of days ago.
I noticed a pair of Grey Wagtails were frequently using a certain boulder to perch on so decided to try for some images.
The boulder was situated under a bridge so the light levels were pretty low with only literally 5 minutes of sunlight falling on the perch shortly after sunrise. I prefer the softer light of non-direct sunlight for bird portraits anyway so wasn't overly concerned about the location. Besides I wouldn't have to worry about the direction of the light or of it becoming too harsh.
Went down to the location at 1.00am to set up my hide under the cover of darkness (to avoid any disturbance from the public more than anything ).
Decided to set the hide up about 6.5 feet away from the perch so if the worst came to the worst and the light levels were ridiculously low at least I could use the 5D with it's better noise handling than the 20D at high iso's, or alternativelly try and shift my chair back a foot or two to use the 20D with it's crop factor and advantageous increased working distance.
Got home at 2.00am, bed at 2.30am, alarm set for 3.30am In the hide at 4.00am.
Didn't have to wait long with the Wagtail's up and about at 5ish for sunrise.
This one was from a bit later on at 6.45am as the male was calling out to his partner as she flew past.
Had an enjoyable morning despite the lack of sleep and good to watch their coming's and going's from such close quarters.
All comments always welcome and appreciated.
Posted by Andy Astbury on June 14, 2008 at 6:02 PM
Now there's dedication for you
Different wag shot from the norm Justin and great to get this close
Have to admire your dedication Justin
Still the effort was worth it , a very nice shot with good composition sharp and with good feather detail. Only nit is the backgrounds a litle bit bit noisy.
I like this one a lot Justin and the effort involved must have added to it for you. All that prep is what people don't see. You can't buy that sort of effort from Warehouse Express or everybody would have it. Excellent behaviour shot as well. Eric
Top marks for your efforts Justin. Nice pose but might have been better if we could see the tail as well.
Major.
Posted by Elliott Neep on June 17, 2008 at 6:26 AM
10/10 for effort and 11/10 for dedication Like the behaviour caught here. Reminds me of a juv calling for food. Sharp and colourful (agree maybe a little too much punch in the processing). I have two concerns: 1. the tail isn't showing and it is the tail that defines 'the wagtail' so it is important to have it in frame. 2. (very minor) The noise or moire in the background is quite prevalent - probably more jpeg compression than anything else.
Discussion
13 repliesRaw, iso 800.
Gitzo 1548/B1, Fensman hide.
A fraction off the right, levels, hue-saturation, noise reduced in Lightroom.
Hi,
One from a couple of days ago.
I noticed a pair of Grey Wagtails were frequently using a certain boulder to perch on so decided to try for some images.
The boulder was situated under a bridge so the light levels were pretty low with only literally 5 minutes of sunlight falling on the perch shortly after sunrise. I prefer the softer light of non-direct sunlight for bird portraits anyway so wasn't overly concerned about the location. Besides I wouldn't have to worry about the direction of the light or of it becoming too harsh.
Went down to the location at 1.00am to set up my hide under the cover of darkness (to avoid any disturbance from the public more than anything
Decided to set the hide up about 6.5 feet away from the perch so if the worst came to the worst and the light levels were ridiculously low at least I could use the 5D with it's better noise handling than the 20D at high iso's, or alternativelly try and shift my chair back a foot or two to use the 20D with it's crop factor and advantageous increased working distance.
Got home at 2.00am, bed at 2.30am, alarm set for 3.30am
Didn't have to wait long with the Wagtail's up and about at 5ish for sunrise.
This one was from a bit later on at 6.45am as the male was calling out to his partner as she flew past.
Had an enjoyable morning despite the lack of sleep and good to watch their coming's and going's from such close quarters.
All comments always welcome and appreciated.
Different wag shot from the norm Justin and great to get this close
That's just this particular pose Ian. Everytime his partner flew past he would adopt this fluffed up pose and quiver his wings.
Still the effort was worth it , a very nice shot with good composition sharp and with good feather detail. Only nit is the backgrounds a litle bit bit noisy.
Ian
I like it a lot.
Greetings,
Bertl
Excellent detail, and an interesting moment caught
Alan
Dave
Major.