One from this morning although not what you would call a classic image or even critically sharp, it is one I have been after for quite a long time, this image is the result of over 12 hours of patiently waiting over two days, I previously had a wooden mockup in place for two days, so this particular image has taken four days with two days of planning and two days waiting.
The 200 F2 was set up and a 10m cable release was used to trigger it, I did try a infrared remote-control but it wasn't reliable enough to guess when it was going to land,I used a small telescope prefocused so when the bird flew past the pre focused spot I pressed the cable release calculating the distance it would travel before landing on the perch was quite difficult as I didn't have a very clear view.
Out of 168 images this is the only one that I feel is reasonably acceptable and worth posting.
Phil.
d300 200 f2+1.7 tc 1/1000 @ f3.3 wide open iso 400
With the 1.5 crop of the camera and the converter it gives you the same view as a 500 on full frame.
PP in Bibble Pro & CS2
Posted by Karen Summers on March 18, 2010 at 11:07 AM
well I say well done you it is sometimes nice to see such behavioural shots and your patience has paid off
Posted by Barry Southon on March 18, 2010 at 12:36 PM
Hi Barry no very unlikely as this is the only time I prefer to do this type of photography, at the most for a couple of days so as not to disturb the birds while they are in the process of nest building, I won't bother photographing them again until the young have are close to fledgling.
There's always next year, even though there is another pair further down the river building a nest I won't bother them.
Posted by John Robinson on March 18, 2010 at 2:03 PM
Good stuff Phil and I commend you on your attitude over the disturbance possible when the birds are nest building. Pity all photographers didn't feel the same. Wev'e had problems here with that very thing.
Cheers
JohnR
Pleased your time and effort was rewarded Phil. A great moment you've caught here.
Just one question though. Why did you not remove, or position the lens to avoid the out of focus 'twig' between lens and bird?
Hi Justin I didn't cut them away as they are part of the nesting environment and offer protection and concealment when they have leaves on them as for the position it is the only spot where the dipper is flying straight towards the branch so it was either cut some of the bracken away or just live with it, I decided just to live with it.
Thanks Phil, I thought that might have been the case. Doesn't spoil it for me, it gives the impression that you're peering through the vegetation and witnessing a special and undisturbed moment in the Dippers life.
Posted by Paul Rosser on March 19, 2010 at 11:45 AM
Discussion
16 repliesThe 200 F2 was set up and a 10m cable release was used to trigger it, I did try a infrared remote-control but it wasn't reliable enough to guess when it was going to land,I used a small telescope prefocused so when the bird flew past the pre focused spot I pressed the cable release calculating the distance it would travel before landing on the perch was quite difficult as I didn't have a very clear view.
Out of 168 images this is the only one that I feel is reasonably acceptable and worth posting.
Phil.
d300 200 f2+1.7 tc 1/1000 @ f3.3 wide open iso 400
With the 1.5 crop of the camera and the converter it gives you the same view as a 500 on full frame.
PP in Bibble Pro & CS2
Well worth the effort many more to come I trust.
There's always next year, even though there is another pair further down the river building a nest I won't bother them.
Phil.
Cheers
JohnR
Bob.
Speak soon
Mark
Just one question though. Why did you not remove, or position the lens to avoid the out of focus 'twig' between lens and bird?
Phil.
Paul.