2 birds from this morning

[avkomp]

juvenile black shouldered kite

superb fairy wren

Both d70, 80-400vr @ 400, metz 60ct1, handheld.

[thaddeus]

Very nice - the wren looks quite on edge, doesn't it?

[avkomp]

I think these things are fairly highly strung at the best of times, was hopping from branch to branch as they do.

Besides, you would have been nervous also if you saw some big ugly mug like me, trying to look inconspicuous, pointing a longish lens.

Steve

[kipper]

Will take a look at these again Steve when I'm out of 640x480 mode (just reinstalling linux for the 1000000 time - distro hopping). So far they look pretty good though at this res

I like the Wren the most as the lighting seems to be the best. The juv Black Shouldered seems a bit in shadow and could of done with some fill flash (or more flash output if you were using a flash).

[petermmc]

I particularly like the wren because I know how difficult it is to capture one for a split second. Those things dart and dodge but are one of the prettiest little critters in the flying world.

Great shots and inspiring.

Peter Mc

[avkomp]

have reposted the image with photoshop shadow hightlight tool run.
plus a little digital velvia for some saturation.

I normally use -1ev fill but may have used less (cant remember now and dont have one of those smart talk to camera flashes)

The main nit I had with this is the fact that I shoulda used more fill

And of course the fact that the kite perched exactly where the wren was but after I had moved and was on my way out. Doh!!

[NikonUser]

Awesome shots. I love thw wren!! I sure appreciate how hard they are to take.

What was the lens you used? You must have been pretty close (assuming these aren't 100% crops )

Paul

[avkomp]

Paul: The wren was taken with the nikkor 80-400vr @ 400mm handheld.
Range was about 3 metres.

Took around 2 hours to get a shot where all was well. was hiding in wet reedy stuff. luckily no leeches or other nasties

Steve

[Manta]

Beautiful results for your efforts Steve. Well done.

[kipper]

Avkomp well done and the persevernce pays off. As you're probably starting to notice you have to spend time in an area for the bird(s) to come accustomed to your presence (some will, some won't).

[Killakoala]

They look absolutely beautiful. The wren is magnificent.

[Cows Go Moo]

I like the wren. Went hunting some birds this afternoon over near Newington. I could hear them and catch glimpses but couldn't quiet catch one....

[Manta]

Welcome Cows Go Moo - what a cool forum name!

[Slider]

Awesome shots. Love the 1st.

[avkomp]

Cows go moo: I found that the birds around there are skittish, same around the park here but are more relaxed around the boat ramp.

Wrens are hard to get though I have been trying the walk around technique and photographing targets of opportunity, but with them it never happens.

you need somewhere with good light and good perches and then when you see them, you have to wait and hope a shot presents itself. you also need to make sure that you get plenty of shots too because these things move often and suddenly resulting in blur.

I had to sit in long wet grass for ages to get the wren.

The kite was a fluke though, I thought it was going to be too far away and turned out amazingly sharp considering it was handheld and taken from a standing position. must remember to send mr nikon a thankyou for VR.

Not convinced the 80-400vr is the go for flight shots though. takes ages to focus (at least on the d70). You need also to make sure that you use the af limit switch on the lens. If you dont use it when shooting flight shots and you happen to move the af zone off the target, then the lens hunts thru both max and min focus ranges, this causes the image in the viewfinder to blur and you wont be able to track the target. With the limit engaged though, it will only hunt in the general range in which focus was lost and you wont lose the target in your viewfinder and you can quickly reacquire the subject and hopefully get the shot.

Steve