Birds and Bugs

[Bobobird]

Of one kind or other....

Some misc stuff from the past couple of days.

[Ken Curtis]

If this were a game of What Does Not Belong, I would choose the Bimmer - no wings.

I like the bottom two images of the bird catching dinner. They are nice action shots, but if you can, I would try a more powerful lens to zoom in closer next time. The images do not need as much water in the foreground or reeds in the background to tell an interesting story. You may disagree, and that's OK. Just my two cents worth.

[Bobobird]

Thanks Ken - that is where the bug in the title comes from.

But it does have wings - under the hood! This is a 335i and can go 0->100 in ~7 secs. Actually it has stronger wings then a M3.

Yes I know about the lens - this is at 300mm and the far shore is about 70-100m away. Without going for another lens could knock on the door of the house on the other side and ask to use their backyard. I wonder if that is feasible.....

[jprzybyla]

Hi Bobo, a 335i hmmmmmm...wonders if you go 0-100 in 7 seconds. I long ago gave up my sports cars now I go for comfort.

Anyways, the bird appears to be a Osprey and the fish looks like a giant gold fish. If someone is raising them they will be unhappy. That distance is really pushing a 300mm. Thats the lens I use all the time, with the 1.5 crop sensor it will get out to 450mm, but still 70 to 100 meters is I think is too far. I know you probably shot it because you saw it, didn't want to miss it and captured it. Been there done that...way too many times. Now I try not to, I hate cropping that severly and throwing away pixels. For that distance you did well. Keep shooting and posting.

[terrib]

I love those last 2 shots and I'd have tried them no matter what lens I had on the camera! How exciting that you got to see that bird in action. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[jeeperman]

Well done on that last Osprey shot Bobo, That is a shot you just can't pass up. At least I couldn't

[Bobobird]

Thanks Joe, me? not ever but that one sure can so that makes up what I lack.

Thanks Paul and Terri.

There are 2 osprey that fish in this pond so there is no lack of opportunity. The tall reed however prevents anyone from going to somewhere closer to where they normally fish. The parts without reeds are all private backyards so no go. Before I used to see them about 200m out and shots with the 300 were just specks. Last week I decided to go around the reeded area to see if there was any opening and luckily found one. In theory they should be fishing about 50m from that spot but not on the day the shots were taken. Given their size 50m should be good for the 300 so will retry this week and hopefully they go back to the middle like before.

[cliffmccartney]

Nice shots Bobo.

I love the bimmer but the birds are better (how's that for an aliteration?)

#5 is my favorite. The straight line from the top of the bird's wing the bottom of the fish's fin complements the tall and straight reeds but the shape of the bird and the color of the fish is a nice visual contrast to all the 'straightness.'.

I might have cropped it just a bit tighter, but that's just me.

Well done!

[Ken Curtis]

Yes I know about the lens - this is at 300mm ...

Trade in the BMW and buy an 800 mm lens. Where are your priorities!

[Bobobird]

Thanks Cliff, Ken.

Both excellent suggestions .

1 - closer crop - tried, not good.
2 - replace car with 800. And carry that monster around on the shoulders?? I rather the wife remained happy...

[Panama Hat & Camera]

Hi Bobo,
You shot nice pictures. Please inform exif data.
Antonio.

[Bobobird]

Thanks Antonio.

Exif for the bird shots
#2 - 1/1250, f5.6, ISO100, 300mm
#4 and #5 - 1/1250, f5.6, ISO800, 300mm.