More avian pics (quite a few)

[Maestro]

X-posted in Lounge.

Man, if only I could just quit my job and travel the world taking wildlife pictures. Oh well, there is the weekend. :)

Brown pelicans perching





Brown pelicans flying



Roseate Spoonbill that I watched over a four day period. It was pretty shy and did not give me many opportunities for good shots.















And lastly, a baby killdeer that was in the wetlands making all sorts of noise with mom nearby.





More to come...Enjoy and protect our wildlife and land from over zealous developers wherever you can.

[JeffR]

1. Great as always

The last shot of the spoonbill is excellent.
:toast:

[Maestro]

4. Thanks JeffR

I was hoping it would turn out. I had never photographed a spoonbill before. Thanks for looking.

[soup]

2. Your spoonbill catches are wonderful!

Oddly configured and strikingly beautiful bird. Love their coloring.

And what a cutie that killdeer is.

There's been a spoonbill hanging out by the pond this last week, but it keeps it's distance. It's a joy just to see it there - which is a good thing, because my attempts at getting a decent shot have not gone so well.

Always look forward to your bird photos and never disappointed. Thank you for sharing these.

[Maestro]

5. Thank you for the kind words soup.

That killdeer chick was just chirping up a storm in the wetlands. Its momma was always nearby not letting it stray too far. Keep trying to capture that spoonbill. One day it will "slip up" and let you take that picture. :rofl:

[intheflow]

3. Spoonbills are nortoriously hard to shoot!

I spent many hours on vacation in Florida last year trying to get a good shot of a spoonbill, but it refused to move close enough to my vantage point for me to get a good shot. These shots are beautiful!

I also love the second of the pelican shot, the detail of eye and feathers is very striking.

[Maestro]

7. Thanks intheflow

The pelicans were very friendly. I suppose with so many visitors to the island, they have acclimated to all the shutterbugs and such. The spoonbill on the other hand just wanted to be left alone. I really can't blame him/her, but when you are so bright with a unique bill, well, we just have to take a picture, right? :)

[Blue_In_AK]

6. These are great, as usual.

I love the pink bird and your two pelicans flying. I don't know how you get them so sharp.

[Maestro]

10. I just make sure that the Canon AF system

is focusing correctly. If it isn't, I move to manual. For the flight pics, I use AI Servo which is what you are supposed to use if the subject is definitely moving such as birds in flight. AI Focus works for the most part even if the subject moves a bit. One Shot mode is ONLY for stationary subjects. Then in post processing I apply a bit of USM but not too much. I used to overdo it, but I have come to realize that "just enough" looks best.

[Blue_In_AK]

11. Thanks for the info...

I'm so used to doing landscapes, which don't normally move all that much -- at least not in the time it takes to shoot a picture. I'm going to have to work on these other skills. Tomorrow at my grandson's fifth birthday might be a good time; my guess is he'll be flitting around just like these birds. :)

[Maestro]

12. One thing I forgot to mention is that I shoot with a tripod

much of the time which keeps the camera very steady. Or if I am hand-holding using my 100-400mm zoom I have the IS on.

[pipoman]

8. I love wetlands birds

the the only one of these species we get to see out here on the prairie are kill deer. I like the spoonbill and the pelicans too. These are all well shot.

We send a little donation each year to Ducks Unlimited. I don't hunt ducks except with a camera occasionally, but they have done wonders in giving money to save wetlands and lobbying for better funding of public wetlands. We have two large natural wetlands within 100 miles of our home. DU (the other one) has been instrumental in securing Fed and State funding to improve and maintain them. They have also helped many threatened duck species (and other migratory waterfowl) populations improve through their work.

[Maestro]

9. That is good to hear.

I give to Sierra, Defenders of Wildlife and National Wildlife Foundation. I also buy state passes for my family to the state parks here in Texas. Whatever little I can do to help.

[Eurobabe]

13. Nice photos, love the spoonbill

I saw some baby loons today, but my camera was in the car. Too bad. :(

[Maestro]

14. Loons are beautiful!

I have never seen one in the flesh, only pictures. I really would love to take a picture of one in the wild.