What have you seen

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  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited June 2018 #1682

    I surrendered and traded in the Canon for Nikon. Fingers firmly crossed.

  • greylag
    greylag Club Member Posts: 585
    Name Dropper
    edited June 2018 #1683

    We wait with bated breath.  No matter what you find out, there is no way I can afford/justify changing to Nikon.  As I do nothing with my images except pat myself on the back when I get something special, I do not show them ect...the Canon will have to do.  I'm pretty sure it is me and not the outfit.

    This poor period has coincided with hot sunny weather......heat haze?

    I have in the past had some really sharp images, just seem to have gone off the boil.

    My daughters boyfriend uses Nikon and gets very sharp images, but I do know he processes them.

    Today I went to a new vantage point across the river...just found out its common land, but no one ever goes there...except me.  Sun is behind me, marsh in front and Marsh Harriers flying low right in front of me.  If I can't get sharp shots now I never will.

    BM I really hope you get the results you want from your new outfit.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2018 #1684

    So did you get the 500 BM, what lenses did you get?

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited June 2018 #1685

    I went for the D850 with a 80/400mm and waiting for the 1.4 converter and a 300mm 2.8. I got a very good deal at T4 cameras in Swindon, although I really did not want to loose my tried and trusted Canon lenses. Took it for its first outing today with the Avon Gorge Peregrines. waited and waited but not one took to the air. Having a day out at Ham Wall tomorrow and hoping for some harriers within range of the zoom.

    GL

    I agree about justifying the expense, but having been disappointed so many times, I could not face taking more and more rubbish with only the occasional crisp image.

    Do not beat yourself up on the problem being you. It is very common practice around the guys I meet to have the same issues with Canon and several have changed to Nikon for the same issues we are having. 

    If you recall our earlier post about Canon needing post processing, can I suggest that you google AA filter for cameras, you will find yourself joining Boyfriend in post processing, it is essential to get the sharpest images. Nikon have been supplying options on some with and without and I believe the filter is being removed from some future cameras.

    It filters out the high frequency end of the capture which is what we need for sharp bird pics. The 5D S R does not have this filter and gives sharper images than the 5D mk4.

     

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2018 #1686

    Whilst browsing cameras for bird photography I came upon this website.  What I like about it is that they show photographic samples for each camera recommended

    https://birdwatchinghq.com/best-cameras-wildlife-photography/

  • greylag
    greylag Club Member Posts: 585
    Name Dropper
    edited June 2018 #1687

    Thanks for that BM.

    Harriers were not doing what they should, had to settle for this Hare, about to go back up the river.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited June 2018 #1688

    We've just been sited by the Gt Ouse so have had some great views of the dragonfly population emerging in this recent hot weather. Hundreds of Banded Demoiselles, just three on here and a Broad Bodied Chaser amongst others. 

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited June 2018 #1689

    Thanks for the link on this one OP. It is not obvious from the pics, but as I have been reviewing many pics to understand my lack of skill, there is some clarification on mine and GL's problem here.

    If you scan through the pics for both cameras that are in essence the Dogs from both stables, it is very rare to see images of small to medium sized brown birds set against a muddled background, if any at all. In the main the pics are set against either sky or a couple against water.

    The markings of Harriers and similar birds are in reality some form of camouflage and this then set against trees and similar colourings to the birds gives the camera a hard time. 

    Big lumpy animals of any sort are much easier to capture as firstly they fill the frame more and secondly they do not move as fast as a bird in flight. 

    The conditions we are trying to capture images of this subject are fairly extreme and the point of a heat haze mentioned earlier by GL certainly could be a factor, making things even more tricky.

    However the number of discussions I have had on this come up with the same results. There is a high bin rate for this type of pic but the higher rate seems to belong to Canon owners which is why several guys I know have changed to the Nikon as it seems to handle this issue better.

    The trip to Ham Wall yesterday was not very rewarding as the birds have almost hibernated from the sun and any that did take to the skies kept well away from the hides. I did feel that the focus system was more effective in keeping track of the distant harriers but the cropping would be to severe to think about posting.

    Better luck next time after I have learnt the controls a bit better, everything is opposite to the Canon and 30 years is a long time to unlearn.

    Booked in to Red Kite Touring week after next, hoping to catch an Osprey and Red Kites.

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited June 2018 #1690

    Apologies, but I failed to claify that I was reffering to in flight pics in paragraph 2 above.

    OP / GL have you seen that a Fin Whale hasbeen sighted near Kings Lynn?

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2018 #1691

    Doesn't sound particularly good news for the Fin!frown  Hope it's okay!

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited June 2018 #1692

    I took this a while back & just thought it unusual, I’ve recently found out it’s a natural phenomenon called-a ‘sun pillar’, caused by the sun’s rays reflecting off ice crystals. The natural World is astounding👍🏻

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited June 2018 #1693

    That looks a very sharp pic to me GL, Camera working ok?

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,644 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited June 2018 #1694

    Not one of mine but a pair bred in a nest box in a friend's Eucalyptus Tree.

  • greylag
    greylag Club Member Posts: 585
    Name Dropper
    edited July 2018 #1695

    Almost there...................

    Stand in a hedge for a couple of hours..............

  • greylag
    greylag Club Member Posts: 585
    Name Dropper
    edited July 2018 #1696

    Last one......I think I am getting the sharpness back.

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited July 2018 #1697

    Nice to see you are getting sharper pics. the Barn Owl is a beautiful bird to watch and record. Thought you might like to know that several togs have been commenting about the effect heat haze has had on their pics of late, so you were onto something with your thoughts.

    Been struggling to find any birds in flight lately. Slimbridge yesterday gave me a nice surprise, but unable to get pics as the birds were hidden among thick foliage, but watching 2 Reed Warblers knocking themselves out feeding a juvenile Cuckoo was fascinating. The birds had to sit on the juveniles back to reach its mouth.

    Today I tried for the Peregrines again but was only able to see one perched. The juveniles are still not worried by humans, but it won't last much longer I suspect.

  • greylag
    greylag Club Member Posts: 585
    Name Dropper
    edited July 2018 #1698

    Had a look at the many pic's of the BO and most have a catchlight in the eye and although most are too far away....they are sharp.

    It really is a mystery, I just seemed to go through a bad patch.

    I will try tomorrow and go to where the harriers are dropping into their nestsite with food...that should provide some testing examples.

    Another MH nest found today, all the young had been predated, only feathers left.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2018 #1699

    It's just good to see all of your interesting photos, you might be a bit dissatisfied but seeing these birds on here is a real treat for a lot of us! Thanks. smile

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited July 2018 #1700

    Just for you Brue.

    As the Peregrines are neighbours of one of your relatives, thought you might like to see what else is about at Slimbridge yesterday

    couple of juvenile Avocets of different ages

    Jackdaw juvenile finishing off the crumbs of my Lemon and Elderflower cake.

    Juvenile Pied Wagtail showing off its dance moves.

    and the lovely markings of the Little Ringed Plover

     

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2018 #1701

    All taken with the new camera Blue?

  • Yertiz
    Yertiz Forum Participant Posts: 324 ✭✭✭
    edited July 2018 #1702

    Saw these two at Blenheim last week but can anyone tell me what they are, please?

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited July 2018 #1703

    They are Zebra Finches I believe. Not sure if they are native or escaped birds. Were they wild or captive?

     

     

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited July 2018 #1704

    Hi OP

    Yes they were with the new camera, beginning to think I made the right decision. But sure the next Canon revisions will make me wonder if waiting was better.

    Although flight shots of Harriers etc are yet to be proven, very pleased so far with statics. Took a distant shot of a crane at about 150 metres and when cropped, there was reasonable detail in the eye and feathers. 

  • Yertiz
    Yertiz Forum Participant Posts: 324 ✭✭✭
    edited July 2018 #1705

    Cheers for that Bluemalaga, sounds about right wink

    They were captive, I'm afraid. They live in the butterfly house at Blenheim Palace along with these fella's

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2018 #1706

    The Butterfly on the leaf looks like a type of Swallowtail

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2018 #1707

    All camera gear cleaned for this weekend.  Going to do a lot of miles as besides going to Skomer will also take a look at Ospreys at Dyfi and quite possibly go to the Red Kite feeding station.  Going to go down Friday night and probably come back on Monday night.laughing

  • greylag
    greylag Club Member Posts: 585
    Name Dropper
    edited July 2018 #1708

    Did Skomer last year....Make sure you get to the boat early 08.00?.  Only 5 boatloads go over per day and they book up fast.

  • greylag
    greylag Club Member Posts: 585
    Name Dropper
    edited July 2018 #1709

    Haven't seen the youngsters yet, but judging by the size of meal, won't be long.

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited July 2018 #1710

    OP

    We are at Red Kite Touring from Sunday and apart from Skomer will be visiting the same sites. Which Red Kite station do you visit?

    Went back to Slimbridge today still trying for flight shots but no luck again. However the most unfair brood of all was a bit more open today. Reed Warbler feeding a huge Cuckoo.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2018 #1711

    We did it last year as well. This year is a special guided tour .  We get a special boat and get to spend 7.5hrs on the island so really looking forward to it.