quail: take two

pilgrim · Jul 20, 2004

Well I just got in from photographing the quails again.
Here's a couple.

The photo isn't actually slanted, the fence is in fact that steep.
I tried to use malachite's advice with the gettin more dof, but it wasn't working out. :? The forest was so close behind the quail, and with the telephoto it just blured. And I was shooting at f8.0, if I went any smaller the exposure was just to slow and the shots weren't turning out good. :?

I like this one because it really makes me wanna try and see what the quail is looking at. I think it would make it even more intresting if it had more dof, and I had something to actually look at in the background. But the blurry background did come out kinda neat..

any comments, ideas, etc..?

Troy

molested_cow · Jul 20, 2004

For the first photo I would like the fence in the fore ground to be more defined. That will help your dof.

photonoob · Jul 20, 2004

the first ones nice i like it

Lungfarmer · Jul 20, 2004

Great photos

The backgrounds look like paintings, mreminds me of a fresco.

craig · Jul 21, 2004

I love the look of the quail in the first frame. You captured a moment. To me, it is rough seeing the birds back in the second frame.

drdan · Jul 21, 2004

Where were these pictures taken? Those look a little like Gambel's quail which I don't think go as far north as BC. I'm not very familiar with Valley quail and Gambel's quail differentiation but I thought Gambel's Quail had the chestnut crown.

malachite · Jul 21, 2004

I tried to use malachite's advice

Oh, good lord! You can listen to me, but don't take me seriously

You did get the DOF field down with this second set. I love the background the way you got it with these. Awsome contrast........

But it's killing me that I can't see the whole bird. I'm dying to see some side and side-front shots of these guys. You've got me tempted to break out the 300mm and do this myself now :wink:

I'd totally buy the right print from you.............

Alison · Jul 21, 2004

I love the 1st shot, looks like the quail was talking to someone! You've got nice DOF in these shots.

mentos_007 · Jul 21, 2004

great photos! but if you want, try to catch'em a bit more from one side... I mean, dont take their backs or front, but sides

pilgrim · Jul 21, 2004

Thanks for the comments everyone

Dr. dan, these were taken from my home, british columbia. I'm not to sure if they are gambel's quail or not.. malachite was mentioning something about them, I reckon he will know something.

speaking of malachite, dude, pull out the 300mm!!

next shoot i'll focus more on side shots, trying to show the entire bird.

thanks again for all the input

drdan · Jul 22, 2004

Must be Valley (California) Quail then with a little different coloring. Gambels quail are confined to the southwest US and Mexico. Here is Valley quail distribution.

malachite · Jul 22, 2004

Must be Valley (California) Quail then with a little different coloring.

This has actually been driving me crazy. California Quail in Canada is the only thing I can come up with. I found one mention of Valley Quail summering in Canada and wintering in California. For a bird that can only fly short distances and can actually run just as fast, I have no idea just how far they travel. I'm at a loss............

speaking of malachite, dude, pull out the 300mm!!

Gambel's Quail in AZ stay in AZ but know to stay under stuff during the days of summer. It was only 108 degrees today but humid so it was miserable. I'll be sticking with my night time regimen and lightweight wide angle stuff for the next few months

Here's a Valley (California) Quail that's actually in California. A little smaller than Gambel's and more brown than red and darker grey body.

hope this guy doesn't mind me linkin' his pic :wink: