Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher Family

[Jim Victory]

I came across a family of Scissor-Tails while out shooting. I watch them for awhile while dad stood guard over the nest and mom hunted for insects.

Heres the family!

Dad standing guard: f/8, 1/800, ISO500, 560mm
http://www.victoryphoto.net/ST/_mg_0272p_std.jpg

Mom catching dinner: f/8, 1/800, ISO400, 560mm
http://www.victoryphoto.net/ST/_mg_0323p_std.jpg

Mom attending to the brood: f/8, 1/250, ISO400, 560mm
http://www.victoryphoto.net/ST/_mg_0317p_std.jpg

Hungry chicks: f/8, 1/250, ISO500, 560mm
http://www.victoryphoto.net/ST/_mg_0134p_std.jpg

Chick closeup: f/8, 1/500, ISO400, 840mm
http://www.victoryphoto.net/ST/_mg_2464p_std.jpg

[Stephen Stephen]

Jim, this is a wonderful series. We don't get these beautiful birds up here. The first 4 shots look a little bright on my monitor but thaks for sharing.

[skydolphins]

What a wonderful series I truly enjoyed each photo, well done.

[Mitcon]

Fantastic series, really love that 2nd image, what a catch for both of you and the last photo of the hatchlings is another winner. Brilliant

[Anthony J Howe]

A good series all in good order as the mother catches dinner and cares for her young ones. All taken with good photography, well done.

[dancinec]

Excellent series Jim, a beautiful bird well cataloged in images. Well done.

[Reyno]

Great captures Jim. I like em all but #2 is just amazing, good timing.

[cfcRebel]

Beautiful series of the STF! It really shows the family story.
There's a little halo around the bird in #1, but really like the pose. #2 is excellent, and the meal is a bonus.

[Sindri Skulason]

Amazing series. Shot number two is my favorite but they are all good. :-)

[Epluim]

Wonderful shots! you are definitely talented. The first one isn't my favorite but the rest are dead on!

[Jim Victory]

Thanks everyone for your comments and observations. I agree these are not the best of shots but I went more for the story and what I observed.

The lighting conditions were very harsh and I didn't have my flash with me for fill so I had to rely on adjusting the shadows and highlights in PP and that is never a good idea.:)

Thanks again!

[ngannet]

Those are very nice shots of beautiful birds. I saw my first one last weekend! I love the 3rd shot and of course the nestlings are so cute and very well taken.

[Ferco]

nice one!!! awsome pics!!! were you using a teleconvertor? you got to 840mm? awsome!!!

[Jim Victory]

nice one!!! awsome pics!!! were you using a teleconvertor? you got to 840mm? awsome!!!

Thanks!

I was using the 5D for the 560mm shots on a 100-400 with a 1.4xTC.

On the 840mm shot I was using the 30D with a 600 f/4L IS + 1.4xTC. That is a 1344mm FOV.

[Gary Fairhead]

Considering the harsh light they came out nicely. The second image in particular works nicely and seems less affected by the light. The last image with the 600mm is nicely exposed (spot metered with the 30D?).

[Jim Victory]

Considering the harsh light they came out nicely. The second image in particular works nicely and seems less affected by the light. The last image with the 600mm is nicely exposed (spot metered with the 30D?).

Thanks Gary!

Thats right on the spot meter. With the light coming in through the leaves I really needed to get the exposure on the subject.

In that first shot the subject was higher up and the angle of the sun's influence was greater really blowing out the top edge of the bird. In the 2nd shot I was able to get the sun at a better angle. Natural light can be a pain to manage properly sometimes.

[RonnF]

Wonderful shots, Jim. This is a bird I've never had a chance to see but would love to. Image #2 is terrific, showing the successful results of a "food grab". Nice job!

Ron

[Jim Victory]

Wonderful shots, Jim. This is a bird I've never had a chance to see but would love to. Image #2 is terrific, showing the successful results of a "food grab". Nice job!

Ron

Thanks ron!

I really appreciate it.