A Goldeneye was diving in the Yellowstone River between Mary Mountain and Lake a couple of weeks ago. I took this shot but wasn't able to hold the contrast. It's also cropped quite a bit because of the limitations of 300mm even with a 1.4 TC. Pentax K20D, Sigma 100-300 f/4 + 1.4 TC. 420mm, 1/640 @ f/10, ISO 1600. C&C always welcome.
More lens would have been nice because this is an attractive bird and an attractive pose. And these guys can be difficult to capture at closer range since they dive at the blink of an eye.
It's a nice documentary photo and I think that you got the most out of your gear to make this image. Birds are tough without big glass unless your hidden in a blind. BTW, this is a Barrow's Goldeneye. The common goldeneye has a round white spot on each side of the face and mostly white scapulars.
Thanks Gail and Dave. Gail, I was watching them for awhile and they do dive in the blink of an eye and stay underwater for a long time. Dave, thanks for the ID. I'm saving my pennies for a longer lens.
Consider a used piece of BIG GLASS. That's how I was able to buy a 600mm. My 1st was a manual 600, which I sold 4 years later for the purchase price. I then bought an AF 600 on E-bay - it's probably 10 years old now and as sharp as ever! Good luck!
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6 repliesConsider a used piece of BIG GLASS. That's how I was able to buy a 600mm. My 1st was a manual 600, which I sold 4 years later for the purchase price. I then bought an AF 600 on E-bay - it's probably 10 years old now and as sharp as ever! Good luck!