Kingfishers, getting closer

[Stagecoach]

I am now obsessed with capturing these little fellas and have found a closer position down in the garden to capture them as they emerge just after sunrise.

Progress on investigating the D800 images and softness with AF focusing has not drawn any conclusions yet other than I'm convinced, shutter speed and ISO did not cause the problems of the other day.

All taken using a monopod.

No 1
D800, 1/320s, f/8, ISO 800, 550mm


No 2
D300, 1/50s, f/8, ISO 640, 550mm


No 3
D300, 1/20s, f/8, ISO 640, 550mm


No 4
D300, 1/20s, f/8, ISO 640, 550mm


Comments and suggestions are welcome as always.

Grahame

[TonyW]

These are nice pictures. This bird is only slightly different to the forest kingfisher we get here.

[Dave Humphries]

I am now obsessed with capturing these little fellas and have found a closer position down in the garden to capture them as they emerge just after sunrise.

Progress on investigating the D800 images and softness with AF focusing has not drawn any conclusions yet other than I'm convinced, shutter speed and ISO did not cause the problems of the other day.

All taken using a monopod.

Hi Grahame,

Those shutter speeds (1/20s, 1/50s and even 1/320s) are very slow for 550mm focal length, even on a monopod and with VR.

That said, I see you used flash in the slower ones - was that as the main light source, with the slow shutter speed merely to add some (ambient lit) background detail (in place of blackness otherwise)?
Can I also ask where the flash was mounted?

I ask because I am interested in your technique, since considering trying something like this myself, alas, it won't be on Kingfishers (at least, not in my garden).

Thanks, Dave

PS great shots, which seem sharp enough despite my querying the shutter speed choice.

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[Stagecoach]

These are nice pictures. This bird is only slightly different to the forest kingfisher we get here.

Thank you Tony.

I have been studying up on the species we get here, some info states only one type another states three. Pics 3 and 4 are of one of the young ones.

[Stagecoach]

Hi Grahame,

Those shutter speeds (1/20s, 1/50s and even 1/320s) are very slow for 550mm focal length, even on a monopod and with VR.

That said, I see you used flash in the slower ones - was that as the main light source, with the slow shutter speed merely to add some (ambient lit) background detail (in place of blackness otherwise)?
Can I also ask where the flash was mounted?

I ask because I am interested in your technique, since considering trying something like this myself, alas, it won't be on Kingfishers (at least, not in my garden).

Thanks, Dave

PS great shots, which seem sharp enough despite my querying the shutter speed choice.

Hi Dave.

Yes, very low shutter speeds as I wanted to limit ISO (especially on the old D300) and that's wide open with the lens and TC. Exposures were determined by not allowing any clipping (monitored the blinkies) on the breast feathers and with the dappled early morning sunlight hitting the birds in No's 2,3 and 4 straight on this is what caused the dark backgrounds.

No flash was used in any of the pics, the background (at quite a distance away) is a massive tree of the variety you buy in garden centres there in pots and call a rubber plant

I think a monopod if held correctly can give some surprising results when paired with a good VR lens.

Grahame

[Stagecoach]

Nice series.

Thanks John.

[Dave Humphries]

No flash was used in any of the pics, the background (at quite a distance away) is a massive tree of the variety you buy in garden centres there in pots and call a rubber plant

I think a monopod if held correctly can give some surprising results when paired with a good VR lens.

Hi Grahame,

Yes, I am surprised, amazed the critters sat that still to get the feather detail.

I was fooled by the catchlight in the eye of #2 and the light angle on the others, but I guess it must have been the sun coming up behind you.

Thanks for the info (and I take my hat off to your monopod + camera holding skills), Dave

[Wavelength]

Excellent set of images

[bnnrcn]

I'm amazed by those images Grahame , as they were shot nicely with such slow shutter speeds.#3 is my fav with good feather detail,sharpness and composition

[IzzieK]

One has to study your shots to appreciate it more and each time I go back to them, the more that I like it. I will have to inspect my rubber tree plant. I have one growing in a large pot which we winterize each year. I feed it with leftover coffee and coffee grains each day and it loves the sunshine. My favourites here are #3 and #4. I was about to ask if these are males or females. The feather details are excellent. I like the expression of #1 best.

[Stagecoach]

Excellent set of images

Thank you Nandakumar

[Stagecoach]

I'm amazed by those images Grahame , as they were shot nicely with such slow shutter speeds.#3 is my fav with good feather detail,sharpness and composition

I'm also surprised at the result from such low shutter speeds Binnur but at the time these were shot there was no breeze at all and these guys remain fairly steady at times other than there tails moving. A bit of luck I think

[Stagecoach]

One has to study your shots to appreciate it more and each time I go back to them, the more that I like it. I will have to inspect my rubber tree plant. I have one growing in a large pot which we winterize each year. I feed it with leftover coffee and coffee grains each day and it loves the sunshine. My favourites here are #3 and #4. I was about to ask if these are males or females. The feather details are excellent. I like the expression of #1 best.

Hi Izzie.

When I look at the massive rubber tree here, which is in my neighbours garden, I always laugh at the small ones I used to buy in pots back in the UK

I have not worked out any difference between male and female yet but my picture collection of them is growing so I may get to a answer.

It's No 3 for me so far