Bernie, Huan, and the Hawk

[Harryb]

Hi you'll,

On Saturday I had the privilege of shooting with Bernie Campoli (aka Popeye) of Panama City, Florida and Huan Pham of California. Bernie is an extraordinary photographer who did some work with the Kennedy Space Center setting up their cameras to record launches. I met Huan at my Reznick Workshop last year.
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/44532700-L.jpg

You will note that Bernie shoots with an 800mm lens and needs a tripod for the lens and a mono pod for the camera body. Don't you just hate those show-offs with their long glass. :D To all you westies out there we had pizza for lunch and Huan had the good taste not to order a pineapple pizza.

During the day I ran into this broad-winged hawk three times. He loved to perch on signs but hated being photographed.
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/44532707-L.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/44532714-L.jpg

At the end of the day I said Good-by to Bernie and Huan and tehre was enough time for me to do one final run through the Wetlands. On my way out I looked at a fence post and there was that hawk again
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/44532717-L.jpg

I was going to get that hawk this time! So I stealthily exited my car, bent low and slid down the embankment on my butt and took some shots.
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/44532722-L.jpg

I wanted more so I crawled a little closer and took some more shots.
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/44532727-L.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/44532733-L.jpg

Suddenly I realized that the whole time i had been sliding and crawling the hawk had been watching my every move, I decided to stand up and take a step toward him and I took a pic
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/44532737-L.jpg

The simple fact was that all of my stealth had been wasted. The hawk didn't care, I could have stood and walked and he wouldn't had flown. I think he enjoyed watching me make a fool out of myself. Birds are evil creatures

[jeff lapoint]

Outstanding series!

You know you're good when you get sharp shots using 700mm focals and 1/320 shutter speed! Tell me you at least had a monopodhttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/eek7.gif

And please refrain from mentioning yur butt in future postshttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/yelrotflmao.gifhttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/lol8.gifhttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/tdo3.gifhttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/BUTTkissass.gif

http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/peepwall.gif

[Osprey Whisperer]

It's not the size of the lens...but rather the color. I notice it's not white..like the good guys wear. :rofl That's some serious glass. Damn. He'd probably laugh at my 200mm. :huh I like the challenge of getting close. :uhoh

Some nice pics, Harry. I'm not diggin' that post but what a purdy bird. Maybe photoshop a "real" tree stump over that man made post? Oh well...at least you have raptor shots...unlike some others here. :cry

[jwear]

I see that you all shoot real close to the trunk ,well all but the butt sliding [more ifo than needed:huh mental image :uhoh ]it may have been a shot I can add to the collection :rofl great work Harry .I have found if they let you into the zone then you can get close until they leave .Great shots ,oh and the easty westy that is why no pineapple :D I do not want to carry a 500 ,tripod and a sidekick around but we walk 5 miles some days .very good shooting mr h :thumb

[Harryb]

Outstanding series!

You know you're good when you get sharp shots using 700mm focals and 1/320 shutter speed! Tell me you at least had a monopodhttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/eek7.gif

And please refrain from mentioning yur butt in future postshttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/yelrotflmao.gifhttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/lol8.gifhttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/tdo3.gifhttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/BUTTkissass.gif

http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/peepwall.gif
Thanks Jeff. I regret to inform you that all the shots were handheld. There was just no way I could bring the ole tripod on this mission.

If you want to talk butts you have to talk to Jeff the "Butt King". Just be grateful that all my butt regerence were in text. The next time they could be photographs. :rofl

[Osprey Whisperer]

If you want to talk butts you have to talk to Jeff the "Butt King". Just be grateful that all my butt regerence were in text. The next time they could be photographs. :rofl


Ahh I didn't realize you had an ULTRA WIDE ANGLE lens in your bag.
:rofl
:hide

Sorry.....that was evil of me. Couldn't resist.

[ehughes]

Great series Harry ( as always ) I really like the "One Way" shot

[ginger_55]

Good shots, Harry!

I am seeing raptors here. Why?

also, a car? You got a car into the wilderness?

I love the shots!

Butt shots are fine with me if they are commendable in some other way.

ginger

[Thusie]

The simple fact was that all of my stealth had been wasted. The hawk didn't care, I could have stood and walked and he wouldn't had flown. I think he enjoyed watching me make a fool out of myself. Birds are evil creatures
Hum..Yea I would say 4 & 6 are certainly the hawk 'stupid human' look:D

Nice shots Harry:thumb

[Harryb]

It's not the size of the lens...but rather the color. I notice it's not white..like the good guys wear. :rofl That's some serious glass. Damn. He'd probably laugh at my 200mm. :huh I like the challenge of getting close. :uhoh

Some nice pics, Harry. I'm not diggin' that post but what a purdy bird. Maybe photoshop a "real" tree stump over that man made post? Oh well...at least you have raptor shots...unlike some others here. :cry

Thanks Mike. I was happy he was on a fence post that was a major improvement over the signs he had been sitting on the first 3 times I saw him.

[Ric Grupe]

I like seeing shots like that first one.:clap

It gives me insight into your world....a very interesting one!:D

Bernie does have a big one....:rofl ....a Sigma, I think.

[Harryb]

I see that you all shoot real close to the trunk ,well all but the butt sliding [more ifo than needed:huh mental image :uhoh ]it may have been a shot I can add to the collection :rofl great work Harry .I have found if they let you into the zone then you can get close until they leave .Great shots ,oh and the easty westy that is why no pineapple :D I do not want to carry a 500 ,tripod and a sidekick around but we walk 5 miles some days .very good shooting mr h :thumb
Thanks Jeff. You never really know with raptors what will set them off. I had an eagle take off on me yesterday and I was pretty far away from him. This hawk flew off three times before when I wasn't as close as I was during our last encounter.

[Osprey Whisperer]

Thanks Mike. I was happy he was on a fence post that was a major improvement over the signs he had been sitting on the first 3 times I saw him.
Actually...I like that "One Way" shot. Albeit...not a "natural wildlife lookng shot"..it does speak to many..I'm sure. ..nice captures. :thumb

[Harryb]

Ahh I didn't realize you had an ULTRA WIDE ANGLE lens in your bag.
:rofl
:hide

Sorry.....that was evil of me. Couldn't resist.
Cheap shot! :pissed

I really expect better of you Mike. I want a little more imagination and effort on these put downs. :deal

Seesh, if you let one slide the whole forum will go to the dogs. God anything but the dogs.

[Osprey Whisperer]

I was trying to butter you up for the challenge selection, Harry. I'll try harder next time. :wxwax

[Michael Allen]

Nice shots Harry, it's not fair! I can walk half a day and not see the raptors you get.
1- you guys pull up in a car
2- pop the trunk
3- pull out those telescopes
4- set up tripods
5- set up monopods
6- finally shoot

I'm definately doing something wrong. http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/ne_nau.gif

[Angelo]

Very nice shots Harry./

[Harryb]

Great series Harry ( as always ) I really like the "One Way" shot
Thanks a lot Ed.

[ginger_55]

Well, mentioning my favorite shot, it is of the bird all messed up from shaking himself, or whatever it is that birds do: shaking it all about?

I do like the first shot, too. For different reasons than the other shots.

ginger

[bfjr]

Good Set Harry neat story/background
Little butt sliding is good for you :lol
I am sorry that you would not let poor Huan enjoy a proper pizza, but I commend him for his politeness :thumb

[Harryb]

Good shots, Harry!
Thank you

I am seeing raptors here. Why?Because raptors live in your part of the USA.

also, a car? You got a car into the wilderness?Its not easy but the roads through the wetlands help a tad. http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/yelrotflmao.gif

I love the shots!Thank you very much

Butt shots are fine with me if they are commendable in some other way.I'm afraid that any shot of my butt would have nothing to commend it. http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/bncry.gif

[Harryb]

Hum..Yea I would say 4 & 6 are certainly the hawk 'stupid human' look:D

Nice shots Harry:thumb
Thanks. That hawk watched every move I made. I'm sure he enjoyed the show.

[Harryb]

I like seeing shots like that first one.:clap

It gives me insight into your world....a very interesting one!:D

Bernie does have a big one....:rofl ....a Sigma, I think.
Hiya Ric,

Bernie's lens is a Nikon. I alway enjoy getting the chance to shoot with other photographers.