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Magee Marsh Palm Warbler

Discussion

11 replies
Posted by Brian Vance on April 30, 2009 at 7:24 PM
Magee Marsh Palm Warbler
THe first wave of warblers arrived in norhtern Ohio last weekend. I had been reading Toledo area bird alerts (link below) and decided I couldn't wait for May to arrive, since the birds didn't.

http://www.rarebird.org/forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=1

This Palm Warbler was very close and didn't seem to mind my flash going off repeatedly as he hopped around looking for nothing but enough bugs to eat before continuing his migration north. Thanks for looking, c&c welcome.

40D, 100-400L/IS@400, f6.3, 1/125, +.3ev, ISO200, flash and tripod
Posted by Anthony Vincent on April 30, 2009 at 8:06 PM
Love the chestnut colored strip on his head. Makes me wish I had a telephoto
:frown: , someday. Nice shot Brian
Posted by Brian Vance on April 30, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Thanks Anthony and Cindy! I really appreciate the feedback. Cindy, I'm not much of a cloner, and my hope is always to capture the moment as is, and live with the branches, distractions and whatever else was actually there in the field, causing me fits!! I think the natural light on the eye and the catch-light are an authentic representation of what and how I captured this lovely little creature. Thanks again, and three cheers for the glory of spring migration! :wavey:
Posted by Bernie Kasper on April 30, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Beautiful detail and color Brian, love the pose this little guy is striking !!
Posted by Bruce Palla on May 1, 2009 at 12:30 AM
Nice detail and capture of this guy. Thanks
Posted by Kendall Hetrick on May 1, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Glad you got this guy where you did, looks good to me.
Posted by Philip Schwarz on May 1, 2009 at 10:03 PM
You were lucky he was in the mood to pose for shots.
Posted by Kerry Leibowitz on May 2, 2009 at 7:06 PM
Nicely done, Brian.
Posted by Michael Kuran on May 4, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Nice shot Brian :) How much did you crop it? Where headed up middle of next week. Did you happen to see any eagles when you were there? Thanks

Mike K
Posted by Brian Vance on May 4, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Michael, thanks for the comments. This is about 75% of the original. He was inside of ten feet from me easily. I have some others that are full frame - thats how close you can get to them at Magee! I wasn't looking for eagles, but they are around and other's have seen them there. There is a nest in Sandusky that several people were talking about, where you might be able to get good eagle shots. You can check the following link for updates and locations:

http://www.rarebird.org/forum/default.asp
Posted by Michael Kuran on May 4, 2009 at 8:20 PM
Thanks Brian going to check it out :) If you had to guess what would be the average range of the birds from your camera lens?

Mike K
Posted by Brian Vance on May 4, 2009 at 9:13 PM
I can point my camera at any bird and trip the shutter, but I know from experience that I'm only going to be interested in keeping warbler images taken from 6 to 20 feet. I'm shooting full frame at 6 feet and seriously cropped at 20 feet. I long for the day when I can compete with the 600 f4 lenses I see all the time at Magee Marsh in May, but my mission is to simply get the most out of the gear I have, which is seriously limiting. Still, I know of nowhere else in the continental US where I can consistently shoot small birds from within ten feet. Magee Marsh rocks! Have a blast and then post some of your best here. I might run into you there, who knows. Looking forward to seeing your results!