Lucky shots

[Bobobird]

Lucky to catch these shots.

Just sharing, I know they are not great shots!

Woodpecker just as he sunk his beak into the tree.


Kestrel as it lifted off to run away from me.

[tameigh]

My favorite "lucky shot"

[Bobobird]

Hey Tim, that looks like a great shot but is too small and I cannot make out what is going on. Can you post a link to a larger version?

Thanks.

Everyone with "LUCKY" shots please chip in and post away....

[tameigh]

I am not sure why you don't see it. The bird is pretty small, but the image looks the same size as yours to me. It's a snow bunting looking at me as I took its picture.

[DianeD]

This was the first and last time (so far) I had the opportunity to shoot an Owl. There were two just looking at us I actually had to run back to the cottage and grab the camera we had just gone to see a neighbouring place that was for sale.



Diane

[Bobobird]

I am not sure why you don't see it. The bird is pretty small, but the image looks the same size as yours to me. It's a snow bunting looking at me as I took its picture.

Yes I see that but was wondering what was happening elsewhere in the pic. It is a superb image - wish I get such an opportunity one day. Snow Buntings are around but have just not been much seen around these parts - who would think Ontario has had literally no snow all winter!

Cool shot Diane - out in the open too. Never had that kind of luck...

[tameigh]

The image was cropped pretty hard. My camera kit is nothing to brag about. But the way I got this was to shoot on automatic and follow the flock, and out of about 200 pics, I had two with the bird looking at me, this one being the best.

The milkweed in the image was part of the luck. Those smudges in the background are cut off cornstalks poking through the snow.

[Bobobird]

Thanks Tim - one does not need great gear for great shots. Just luck...

I bet you had that one printed and framed and is hanging around on the center wall! If not, then it should. Really!

[jamn4ex]

Bobo I like the kestral that was great luck indeed, I also like those buntings Tim thats a hard shot to duplicate. I am posting a female red bellied woodpecker . I felt lucky to get the shot cause she surprised me and stayed long enough to yell at me .

[ScoutR]

You are really having a good time aren't you These are great. The only woodpecker I've seen around here is the little downy woodpecker and they seem to be quite common. I've never seen one like this. As for the kestrel. I see them in the air, but never perched. Could be I'm just not looking in the right places. Great job, I don't think luck has anything to do with it.

Wendy

[Bobobird]

Good catch Jam.

Wendy - yes they are there to be found but the luck was not actually photographing them but photographing them doing something but rarely caught doing if you know what I mean.

For example we see million of wp shots, some even pecking the wood or grabbing an insect, but I have never seen one with the beak embedded. Same with the kestrel - perched yes, in flight yes, eating yes, grabbing a meal yes, lift off seldom.

[jeeperman]

These photos hurt me every time I see them! lol I was lucky for sure to see this Comorrant catch a 14+ inch catfish and then....I failed horribly...forgetting to up my shutter speed. I was over 1000 but for these guys you need around !/1600th of a sec. if not more. I bow and graciously accept my flogging. Yes he did get the fish down on his second go.

[Bobobird]

That is one great series.
With birds quality is sometimes quite hit and miss. Next time we will be wiser.

[Bobobird]

Blink blink. The eye should be much smokier but pp killed that somewhat.

[Shadowman]

Lucky to catch these shots.

Just sharing, I know they are not great shots!

Woodpecker just as he sunk his beak into the tree.


Kestrel as it lifted off to run away from me.

You are doing a "Big Year".

[jamn4ex]

Nice hawk Bobo. I got some around me but like the owls I have a real hard time getting close to them .Wow paul thats lucky to see and catch the cormorant with the catfish.

[Teton Chuck]

Testing the herd.

This is a photo of a gray wolf testing an elk herd in Grand Teton National Park this fall. I had been watching an elk herd for nearly an hour when seven wolves appeared and chased the elk. I was lucky to get one shot off just to document the moment. Not great photography, but a wonderful moment.

[Bobobird]

Awesome catch Chuck. Agreed very lucky to have grabbed this.

Thanks John, James. It is only Feb so far.

An accomplished wildlife/bird photographer once said to me - if the subject is not doing anything it is just a pic, if it is it is a story. That said it is never easy getting the story.

[Teton Chuck]

Thanks Bobo. I like your hawk. Is it a juvenile Red-tailed Hawk? I don't recall seeing any western red-tailed hawks with that particular pattern. Here is a photo of a juvenile Swainson's hawk in flight.

[Teton Chuck]

Paul, great shots of the cormorant and the catfish. Sometimes it is enough to simply document the moment. I bet he couldn't fly for quite a while.