horrible BIFs on manual focus and kitty-man with kitty-cats **pic heavy**

[Raj_55555]

So I took part in the "Great nature project" organized by the National geographic, and I definitely learned a thing or two. The D100 saw some decent action that day

Now, I know people here won't even look twice at such images, but as horrible as they might be, I'm quite proud of these for a few reasons.
For the BIFs, I've been trying to get a few decent ones for quite sometime, but the autofocus couldn't catch on with the speed of the birds, so I went full manual this time and did manage to get a couple (which reminds me, where's Danny??).
The cormorants really didn't like me, and kept flying away whenever I tried to get close to them. I literally crawled in mud to get as close as I did, and I got pretty close, took quite some time.. even then realizing how different it is to photograph animals in the zoo and out in the wild. I wish I had a little more reach, but these will have to do for now, next time I'll carry my SX50.

A few non-BIFs:

#1. Stay away from me

#2. Indian Pond heron- fishing

#3. A gulp of cormorants - yes, gulp is the collective noun used for cormorants, don't ask me!

Now the BIFS:
#1. Indian Pond Heron

#2. Cormorant

Now we move on to the other part of the story, I noticed a skink near trying to hide and started photographing it, to my surprise another photographer came over and started hitting it with small rocks.. I was furious and made that amply clear to him, his response "but he isn't posing properly!!" And he calls himself a wildlife photographer, luckily the skink managed to run away as did I as far away from him as possible.

It was only after this that I found the gulp of cormorants sitting there, but the path was through someones house. I quickly befriended them, took a few pictures and went ahead with their permission. They even invited me back to their place, and I promised to get them the prints. These two gentlemen lived alone with 6 pet dogs and 2 kitties which are fed on the fish they catch.. I find that beyond awesome! And I finally figured out fill flash..

#1 Kitteh

#2 Kitteh

#3. Kitteh Man

#4. Kitteh Man

#5. Kitteh Family

Oh, and here's the bonus pic with the team we took at the end of it all, spot me yet?

 

[JacaRanda]

Yes, spotted you right away

Looks like a fun group.

Shooting in a non zoo environment can be very much a different challenge. You often end up cursing the animals we love.

 

[baturn]

Great picture story! And I learned something. Gulp of cormorants. Cool.

 

[Braineack]

cool stuff! love #3.

 

[sm4him]

I think you did pretty well with the lens you had available--yes, it's VERY different to get bird shots in the wild! That's why "normal" people think us bird photographers are nuts! Not saying they're wrong, mind you…

I like the story you tell here as much as the photos; sounds like a fabulous experience!
I'd have been tempted to start pelting the skink-abuser dude with little rocks and tell him HE wasn't posing right either! It just burns me up when Nature photographers exhibit no respect for the very nature they want to get good images of.

 

[pjaye]

I see you! Really well done job Raj. I love the skink? (what the heck is a skink?) That is a fantastic shots. You are still doing better than I am at BIF. I've given up on those.

The kitties are adorable.

ETA: the skink abuser should have his @ss kicked. Seriously, I would have started throwing rocks at him!

 

[pgriz]

Hah, Raj - you're easy to spot - the best looking guy there, hands down. As for the story - wonderful as always. I find #5 (the family) really evocative - they are relaxed, the kitten is obviously loved, and the place feels genuine. As for the bird shots, yours are still better than mine. Perhaps not yet at the level of Kris and Sharon and some others here, but pretty decent. Thanks for posting - I look forward to both your photos and your stories.

 

[Raj_55555]

Yes, spotted you right away

Looks like a fun group.

Shooting in a non zoo environment can be very much a different challenge. You often end up cursing the animals we love.

Yeah, it was a fun group, I also learned that longer lens doesn't necessarily make you a good photographer.. but let's not get into that!

Great picture story! And I learned something. Gulp of cormorants. Cool.

Thanks Brian.. How about these - "pandemonium of parrots", "drunkenship of cobblers" and "Superfluity of Nuns".

cool stuff! love #3.

Thanks Braineack.

 

[baturn]

Well, damn! Now I need a photo of a superfluity of nuns.

 

[Raj_55555]

I think you did pretty well with the lens you had available--yes, it's VERY different to get bird shots in the wild! That's why "normal" people think us bird photographers are nuts! Not saying they're wrong, mind you…

I like the story you tell here as much as the photos; sounds like a fabulous experience!
I'd have been tempted to start pelting the skink-abuser dude with little rocks and tell him HE wasn't posing right either! It just burns me up when Nature photographers exhibit no respect for the very nature they want to get good images of.

Thanks Sharon.. I'm sure I'll get some decent shots with the sx50 there, just have to make some time to visit that place again. That skink abuser dude (brown T-shirt behind me) was really something,hate him to the core!!
Always my pleasure to share a few stories with you guys

I see you! Really well done job Raj. I love the skink? (what the heck is a skink?) That is a fantastic shots. You are still doing better than I am at BIF. I've given up on those.

The kitties are adorable.

ETA: the skink abuser should have his @ss kicked. Seriously, I would have started throwing rocks at him!

Thanks for the nice words Barb , skinks are basically lizards that look like a mix with a snake.. very cute species! The kitties were really friendly, it's funny that even the rich couldn't afford to feed there pets fish everyday in the city yet these kitties are fed primarily on fish as the owners are fishermen!!
And don't worry, I'll complete your wish next time I catch him doing something like this..

Hah, Raj - you're easy to spot - the best looking guy there, hands down. As for the story - wonderful as always. I find #5 (the family) really evocative - they are relaxed, the kitten is obviously loved, and the place feels genuine. As for the bird shots, yours are still better than mine. Perhaps not yet at the level of Kris and Sharon and some others here, but pretty decent. Thanks for posting - I look forward to both your photos and your stories.

These people were truly amazing, looking forward to my next visit there, I really need to commit to my new camera/lens.. and not even daring to compare my pics with Kris or Sharon.. not that crazy yet!
Thanks for the nice words Paul, you guys always make my day :mrgreen:

 

[mmaria]

I was afraid that I wouldn't find anything for me here... but there are some people in the thread!

me happy and you did good!

and I always enjoy your writing

 

[jkzo]

I think you did pretty well with the lens you had available--yes, it's VERY different to get bird shots in the wild! That's why "normal" people think us bird photographers are nuts! Not saying they're wrong, mind you…
I do agree with.....even after trying to get a decent photo of BIF I am not able to get one.....you know how much perseverance, consistent hard work is needed........

 

[Raj_55555]

I was afraid that I wouldn't find anything for me here... but there are some people in the thread!
me happy and you did good!
and I always enjoy your writing

Well, if you're happy then my work is done here
Thanks Maria, you're always so nice to me!!

I do agree with.....even after trying to get a decent photo of BIF I am not able to get one.....you know how much perseverance, consistent hard work is needed........

Well I'm sure you have taken better photos than you let us see.. why don't you post a few, hyderabad has such diverse beauties for birding..

 

[BillM]

Real nice shots and a great story Raj

 

[Raj_55555]

Real nice shots and a great story Raj

Thanks Bill, glad you like these