Egrets, pelicans, avocets, and blue herons

[erich6]

I caught these at the Bolsa Chica Reserve in CA last January. I found it difficult taking shots of birds. They were either too blurry or couldn't get enough dynamic range. These were all taken handheld.

http://hbphoto.smugmug.com/photos/15676355-L.jpg (http://hbphoto.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=23255349)

http://hbphoto.smugmug.com/photos/15392454-L.jpg (http://hbphoto.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=23255349)

http://hbphoto.smugmug.com/photos/15676353-L.jpg (http://hbphoto.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=23255349)

http://hbphoto.smugmug.com/photos/15676356-L.jpg (http://hbphoto.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=23255349)



How do you guys do it other than using the more expensive L-series telephotos?

Thanks,:confused

Erich

[BigAl]

The pelican is great :thumb

I've just bought a monopod, and find that I probably need it for more than I originally thought.

regards
alan

[MuskyDude]

That second shot is tack sharp, nice composition. Love the light... :thumb



AJ

[GREAPER]

The pelican is Wonderful. Excellent protrait.

The others aint bad either.

I cant speak for anyone else, but I take a LOT of bad ones to get the few good ones I get, and I work at it contantly.

[Allen]

The pelican shot is prime!:clap

I keep returning the the 3rd one with the sandpipers?. The lighting on them is really mystical.
Al

[jwear]

the pelican is :clap :thumb did you shoot this on the wooden bridge ?? nice set of shots

[pathfinder]

That second shot is tack sharp, nice composition. Love the light... :thumb



AJ

The late afternoon sunlight on the pelican is great - warm, soft, subdued. Very nice. Sharp image - lovely.

As for shooting birds without good teles - think patience, slow approach, feed them something, luck, persistence. If you do this long enough, L glass begins to look less expensive :rofl :D :D

[Khaos]

Fantastic lighting on that pelican. Primo!

[Harryb]

Good set Erich. The pelican shoot is outstanding. :clap I've been shooting birds for around a year now. The secret is to shoot and shoot and shoot. Experience is the best teacher.

Harry

[erich6]

Thank you all for the comments and the vote of confidence. I think patience is the key here as well as lots of practice. I remember every time I thought I had a shot the excitement level would go up and it just didn't feel right when I pressed the shutter button...almost like I was hurried. I can see that with patience (and time) shots would turnout better just from relaxing (I think this would reduce camera shake too).

Since birds are in motion tripods don't seem to be a viable solution. I have a monopod but I can't seem to get much benefit in speed from it. It seems that I still end up with camera shake.

Do you guys use a remote shutter trigger instead?

Erich

[erich6]

the pelican is :clap :thumb did you shoot this on the wooden bridge ?? nice set of shots
Actually, I shot these on the trail on the northern end of the marsh. The pelican I shot on the cement bridge on the North end.

Erich

[jeff lapoint]

Actually, I shot these on the trail on the northern end of the marsh. The pelican I shot on the cement bridge on the North end.

Erich
sweet serieshttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif is this where you usually shoot wildlife? please share any other locational gems in the LA area!

[erich6]

sweet serieshttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif is this where you usually shoot wildlife? please share any other locational gems in the LA area!
There are some nice trails in Malibu Canyon as well.