Bird shots from this morning

[Otavio]

Hi. Some bird shots from this Sunday morning, taken with a Kodak Z990. C&C welcome. Thanks for watching.

1 - A vulture taking off


2 - Sand and shells


3 - Frigate bird


4 - Egret


5 - Seagull


Regards...

[JPS]

Hi Otavio,
thank you for sharing your pictures.
Number 4 'the Heron' is the winner for me, very nice.
Regards
John

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Otavio,

I guess you used the Z990 over the D5100 for the enhanced zoom?

#1 I think the jpg capture has lost some dtail in the shadowy blacks on the hind quarters, if mine, I would crop 10-15% off the bottom edge, enough to lose the distracting stick on right.

#2 shadows look long, you must have been up very early!

#3 Nice composition, but again I fear the jpg has lost highlight and shadow detail on this very contrasty shot

#4 The Heron, or Egret as it might be known here in UK, looks good, it might have stood a little more exposure, but I know how difficult it is shooting white, then black, birds alternately in sunshine and shadow.

#5 Nice light coming through the wings and waves

[Otavio]

Thanks, John. This one was about to get his "lunch"!

[Otavio]

Hi Dave! Thanks for your (always) valuable feedback!

Comments:
I guess you used the Z990 over the D5100 for the enhanced zoom?: That's right. I am buying a 300mm lens for my D5100 (what will give me a 450mm, 35mm equivalent, due to the 1.5 Nikon crop). That will allow me to use the D5100 for this type of picture, as the kit lens 18-55mm VR is definitely not enough to capture these guys, flying high and distant!

#1. Below is the crop version, as per your suggestion. The stick was really distracting.


#2 shadows look long, you must have been up very early!: That's also right! I managed to reach the place at 6 o'clock in the morning!

#3 Nice composition, but again I fear the jpg has lost highlight and shadow detail on this very contrasty shot: Yes, that is the problem of small sensors. The Z990 can shoot raw but the time between pictures increases hugely (even with class 10 cards).

#4 The Heron, or Egret as it might be known here in UK, looks good, it might have stood a little more exposure, but I know how difficult it is shooting white, then black, birds alternately in sunshine and shadow.: This one is really an Egret, my mistake!

#5 Nice light coming through the wings and waves
: Thanks!!

[Panama Hat & Camera]

Hi, Otavio.
Thanks for sharing the pictures.
Very good shots! (And you are using only a Kodak Z990!)
My favorites are #4 (very beautiful) and #5 (the seagull is flying!).
Antonio.

[Otavio]

Hi, Antônio. Thanks for viewing and I am glad you liked them. Yes, it is a hard job doing this kind of picture with such a camera (small sensor limitations). Regards...

[stelin]

The other alternative if you prefer the balance of the original, is to clone the stick out.
Personally I prefer the crop

[Cantab]

Otavio, my favourite is probably the Egret, followed very very closely by the the vulture in take-off mode.

[Otavio]

Thank you very much, Steven and Bruce!

[jamn4ex]

I agree with John the egret stands out for best . nice capture

[Otavio]

James, many thanks for your reply.

[davidedric]

OK I think the vulture is the one for me. Lovely action shot - hard to get. FWIW the white bird is a snowy egret (assuming it's in Brazil). Closely related to the old world .little egret

[Otavio]

Dave, thanks for viewing. Just to confirm your assumption, it was shot in the city of Macaé, Brazil. They are pretty common here. Regards.