Little Egret Chasing Prey

[Geoff F]

This bird was running through the shallows then leaping in the air while attempting to pounce on its prey.







A tricky fast action scene in reduced light so I didn't expect perfection, but I had a go anyway.

7D Mk II with Sigma 150-600 lens on tripod.

[Shadowman]

Nice captures.

[Bobobird]

Fine set of shots despite the conditions. That lens seems good eh?

Might get one just for more mobility though I am covered at those ranges.

[bnnrcn]

Very nice and successsful shots

[Brownbear]

Great action series... #2 & 3 running on water superb action moments.

[John 2]

Great Catch Geoff. It's not easy to tell a story with wild life but you have managed it here.

[Wavelength]

Awesome series.... fantastic

[Geoff F]

Thanks for the comments.

I had been using the Sigma 150-500, Bobo, which worked reasonably OK but so often I found it wasn't quite big enough. So I went for the 150-600 Sport version which is quite a bit heavier and more expensive than the 'basic' version or the Tamron alternative.

So far it has worked well. Not a lot better than the 150-500 at the image centre when shooting with a tripod in good light, but a noticeable improvement under poor conditions or towards the image edges.

These shots were using a tripod but even when hand held it seems to be giving me good results.

[Geoff F]

From the same day, here is a flying Oystercatcher.

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Great series Geoff.
I'm wondering how/what kind of head you have on your tripod that would allow you to follow the action so well. I've tried it with my pistol grip ball head and it's not that easy to do.

[Geoff F]

I know what you mean, Alan. My 'easy carry' tripod which folds up small enough to fit inside my backpack has those twist to lock handles, one for each direction, so I really struggle with it for wildlife particularly when doing quick macro shots.

When I was using a pistol grip ball head (still have it) I reversed the handle so I could control it with my left hand while my right index finger was always on the shutter button. Easier with auto focusing but at least I could just let go of the handle and manual focus if the subject was stationary.

Now I have a Manfrotto fluid head 468MGRC4. It is possible to finely adjust the tension so I can use it as fairly rigid but totally tiltable platform and a very small tweak of the large adjusting knob gives total lockability. Then I tend to shoot moving subjects by holding the camera/lens rig in much the same way as I would for hand held shots.

But that head isn't cheap; and if you aren't careful when picking up your tripod, and hold it just under the camera base, the head will swivel round and bite your fingers!

OK if you remember to securely tighten beforehand though.

[IzzieK]

Excellent action shot of the Egret, Geoff...As for the tripod for travelling, I have the El Cheapo pistol grip ballhead Manfrotto and suits me well...very versatile...and light. So light that I have a put a bean bag on top of my 150-500mm lens.

[Rebel]

Great captures Geoff

[Ziggy]

Great captures of the action. Like #2 with both feet out of the water.