Some more bad pictures of beautiful birds

[BillM]

I'm in a serious slump since seeing the dead herron. Two days ago I see my first Bald Eagle in the wild and i couldn't get close enough for anything worth posting then last night I saw my first Grey Ghost and got him right where I wanted and missed the shot. Then another Harrier took pity on me and just handed me a perfect shot, but nope, I couldn't get that one done either. I even ran into a pair of Wood Ducks, not much i could do there as the sun is where the sun is. All in all I think I just need to put the camera down for a day or two and see if I can start over, sort of recharge the batteries. I don't know, just needed to vent, thanks for listening :blushing:

Grey Ghost






Northern Harrier




Wood Ducks

 

[sm4him]

Well, if it makes you feel ANY better, those are MUCH better pictures of a Harrier than I've ever gotten, and I kinda like that first Wood Duck shot. The sunlight illuminating their wings and the little drops of water coming off of them; that one's pretty cool, actually.

I *often* find myself in the same kind of slump though, and yes, sometimes just walking away from it for a day or two, or even an entire week, helps to get me going again.

 

[DLeeT]

Those darn birds. Always in the sun, behind a branch, won't look the right way, always fly away two milliseconds before shutter release, won't pause in flight, etc. But the thing that really gets me -- they're "bird brains," right? So how do they know when I take the lens cap off?

By the way, I redid those "feeder fight" shots. Of course the quality is still lacking, but if you get the chance, take a look and see if you think them better as far as PP. Thanks, Lee

 

[BillM]

Thanks, just frustrated that i couldn't capture what I was seeing. It was right there in front of me, and it was beautiful. I got there a little after 5 PM and stayed until the sun went behind the trees at 7 PM.

 

[baturn]

Looks to me like you did a pretty good job of making lemonade etc. As I still struggle with BIFs I find these pretty damned good under the circumstances. I especially like the light on the Harrier.

 

[BillM]

Thanks, I think I am just in one of those moods as I am wrestling with the thought of spending a serious amount of money on a lens. Anyone ever use the Sigma 500MM f/4.5 ?

 

[coastalconn]

Harriers are such a PITA! It looks like you have good focus on them. Looks like the female has a bit too much noise reduction? I don't have very many shots of them either.. The ducks look nice, don't think there is much you could have done with the lighting... I've wondered about the Siggy 4.5, but I would be hesitant. There were rumors that Sigma might be releasing some big boys this year.. What are you shooting with now?

 

[Parker219]

OP - Have you thought about trying to make the birds pop a little more in post processing, clearing up the background noise, and getting rid of the CA? Maybe something like this...

Original-


Edit-

 

[MSnowy]

I agree Harriers are a PITA. They have unbelievable sight, once they get a glimpse of you they change direction. Bill you might be to busy for birding tomorrow shoveling snow.

 

[nzmacro]

Oh I think we all have days like that. I just smile and dream of the next day, The Harrier shots came out well. Nice in flight shots and I really like the lighting.

All the best and don't sweat it, we are all in the same boat

Danny.

 

[BillM]

Nice job on the edit Parker :thumbup:

I have to admit I didn't do any post processing on the wood ducks, just minor pp on the harriers. I was still discouraged from trying to make something usable out of my Bald Eagle shots from the previous day. First one I have ever seen in the wild and it just wouldn't cooperate.

You may want to avert your eyes

 

[BillM]

I agree Harriers are a PITA. They have unbelievable sight, once they get a glimpse of you they change direction. Bill you might be to busy for birding tomorrow shoveling snow.

Up early and there isn't even enough snow to call it a dusting

 

[sm4him]

^That's really not bad.

THIS was my first ever Eagle in the wild shot, taken in Sept. 2012. Looking back at some of my old bird photos kinda makes me cringe...

 

[BillM]

That's a nice shot :thumbup:

 

[coastalconn]

Since we are on the subject of first bald eagles, don't feel bad, here is mine from Feb 2012... I had to dig through flickr to find this one... cringes..