Reflecting Birds

[Geoff F]

Calm day on Friday and some good light from the right angle so I tried for a few reflection photos. Some were a bit too distant and wouldn't stop running around to give me a chance with the focus and having sufficient shutter speed. A shutter above 1/800 is usually required for moving birds. All with Canon 7D and Sigma 150-600 Sport lens at 600.

Curlew



1/640 F11 Iso 400

Greenshank



1/1600 F11 Iso 800



Little Egret. The light was really a bit on the harsh side so I struggled to retain feather detail, even with a bit of under exposure compensation; and the birds were running past, not stopping and posing for a portrait.



1/1000 F11 Iso 400

The Redshank, which were a bit distant, also hurried past with their odd jerky movement and several images which I originally thought were satisfactory had blurred feet.



1/800 F11 Iso 800

[rudi]

Good captures Geoff,
I like the third one most. You captured it at the right moment...

[Cantab]

A good set. I thought the second one would be my favourite because of the bird's bill almost meeting its reflection -- but then I saw the third photo, which almost made be laugh.

I spent some time trying to work out the anatomy of the legs of the greenshank in #2. It almost appears to have three legs!

[Otavio]

Hi, Geoff. Very nice set. I especially like number 2 and 3.

PS.: Regarding #4, I usually use -0,3 or -0,7 for these big white birds (such as this beautiful snowy egret).

Regards,

[Shadowman]

Nice shots.

[Wavelength]

Classic images!

[Geoff F]

Thanks for the comments.

With the Little Egret shot, Otavio, I dropped the Iso from 800 to 400 and set the exposure to -1 in an attempt to retain feather detail. But I always struggle with over exposure of the fine details on these birds when in bright light. Ideally, I like to have a lightly overcast sky for photographing them.