Little Egret catching a fish - 300 2.8 with 2x

[paulhillion]

Not sure if I'm ever going to get chance to see how the 300 2.8 performs WITHOUT an extender fitted because it's so good with the 2x fitted I've rarely taken it off since buying the lens a few weeks a go! This shot was taken with the 2x fitted, hand-held @ f/8 1/250th on a very blustery day!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/hillion/little_egret_with_fish.jpg

[Billginthekeys]

nice shot. i know how you feel. i tried out a 2x extender on my 300 this weekend. i dont think ill be able to shoot nature without one again lol.

[Kiddpsychotic]

Nice shot, I felt the same way with my 300, I have hardly used mine without a TC too, I don't use my 2x that often if I can help it, I mostly use my 1.4x. But I can tell you this, with some of the images that I've seen lately on this forum, I may just change that and start using my 2x more often.

[Reyno]

Very good timing on that nicely captured Egret.

[paulhillion]

I'm really glad I decided to get the 100-400 to have along side, I can keep the extenders fitted on the 300 and have the 100-400 ready for closer subjects. They make a good team!

[reewik]

I agree 100%... Always have it one there....

[ZipDude66]

I've always wanted to try the 300 2.8 on deer, never thought of it as a bird lens until lately. Some of the shots being posted here using the 300 2.8 are very good, including this one.

Zip
Wild66.com

[md_129]

Very nice shot sharp and crisp :)

[Gary Fairhead]

Nice composition and action/pose in this image. I find the whites on top to be on the warm side but it still works.

[Anthony J Howe]

You did well with the combination of the lens to take this shot Paul, nicely composed shot and timed well with the tiny meal in the bill, well done.

[paulhillion]

Thanks everybody for your comments. Gary, when I was adjusting the WB in Photoshop Raw I did add a little bit of warmth to it as it just looked a little too cold, it was a very dull grey day.

[dazzlebea]

That fish needs to go back in the pond and grow a bit, but the pic is a keeper :)

[paulhillion]

Thanks Bea. I was in a local bird hide a few days a go and I was telling this guy about the Little Egrets that frequent the bay opposite my house. He was adamant that Egrets purely eat insects and not fish, maybe I should show him this photo :)

[lev]

Nice catch Paul, did you get this at vazon? I seem to be spending all my limited time around richmond at the moment.

[paulhillion]

No this was taken in Belle Greve Bay. I live in the Foresters Arms pub which overlooks the bay, which means everytime I look out the window and see something like an Egret for instance I grab my camera and run through the bar like a mad man :)

I agree, Richmond is a great place to be at the mo!

[dazzlebea]

He was adamant that Egrets purely eat insects and not fish:)

Seriously?!? That guy must have some huge insects where he lives, I don't think it is possible for an egret to eat enough of your regular size bugs to survive long, especially at the rate egrets eat :rolleyes: