This wildbird photography ain't easy!

[paulhillion]

I spent 4 hours this afternoon mostly sitting in my car staring into various hedgerows and a bit of walking around. I came back with the grand total of one decent photo. Oh well better luck tomorrow :)

A Linnet I believe? Taken using the 100-400L with a 1.4x extender at full stretch.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/hillion/linnet.jpg

[Paul A]

Nice shot, boy you're telling me it's tough but that's what makes it rewarding. Keep it up!!
Paul

[cjm]

Yeah it sure is. Obviously something that is easier than it looks. Great shot though. So you're getting there :)

[BlueTit]

Well that shot looks like it was worth the effort and look at all the fresh air you got. Any idea what the bird is?

[paulhillion]

Well that shot looks like it was worth the effort and look at all the fresh air you got. Any idea what the bird is?Well according to my 'Collins Complete Book Of British Birds' it's a male Linnet, one of the Finch family.

Thanks all for your comments,

Paul

[CyberDyneSystems]

It's a beautifull shot though!

[tupe]

I spent 4 hours this afternoon mostly sitting in my car staring into various hedgerows and a bit of walking around. I came back with the grand total of one decent photo. We need to work on having real lives. :)

I know the feeling. Driving slowly around likely spots, worrying who might think I'm some kind of perv. Stopping in the middle of the road, waiving the traffic on.

But for a shot like this, I'd do it again. Nice one.

[John Trogdon]

You did good. I admire the time and patience that goes into bird shots. Glad you got such a nice one.

[Grainy]

Nice job. I would love to get shots like that. I love your lens arsenal too.

[Richard51]

We need to work on having real lives. :)

I know the feeling. Driving slowly around likely spots, worrying who might think I'm some kind of perv. Stopping in the middle of the road, waiving the traffic on.

But for a shot like this, I'd do it again. Nice one.


Yeah, don't you just hate being looked at like you're doing something wrong?:D Just because you're lurking around someone's hedgerow,:lol: driving around the same block 10 times,:lol: :rolleyes: with an 18 inch camera lens stuck out the window,:lol: holding up traffic,:lol: and not paying attention to your driving, :oops: (oops, how did I get up on the sidewalk?):confused: :oops: I don't see anything abnormal about that!!!:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Richard

(The second the shutter clicks, your pictures are "HISTORY")

[cfcRebel]

Paul, it's well worth the wait! It is a great shot!

I was once questioned by a police officer when I wandered around outside of an office building next to a highway. I was actually waiting for a regular visitor in that area - a hawk. He told me someone in the building made a 911 call. He said he has to check when a 6ft male carrying a black bag, holding a camera and was seemed shooting the highway. I was like "What the .....?" :confused:

[mrclark321]

Great shot Paul, more lense envy!

Dan

[guitarman3]

Love the shot Paul! I'm real new at this but just from the couple of times I've been out shooting so far I understand completely the difficulty in getting these kinds of shots. You did good! Was this shot one of your first or last of the outing?

[paulhillion]

Was this shot one of your first or last of the outing?It was the very last, I had been parked up in a coastal headland carpark for about an hour hoping to get some nice shots. I had my lens aimed at an area that I thought would provide a good backdrop, my beanbag propped up on the window at the ready, but alas...no birds. Anyway as I was driving off to go home this little fella appeared so it was a case of quickly stop the car, plunk the beanbag on the window, extend the lens, focus & shoot off a couple shots, all in about 30 seconds before it flew off!

Thanks for all your comments.

Paul.

[jimtfoto]

I spent 4 hours this afternoon mostly sitting in my car staring into various hedgerows and a bit of walking around. I came back with the grand total of one decent photo. Oh well better luck tomorrow :)


Paul:
I know the feeling!! After many hours of patient birdwatching, waiting for the moment, I have discovered that the one way to guarantee a bird will finally perch in that spot you hoped for:
Set up gear in area you have spotted the bird you're after. Wait for an hour. Pack up gear, get ready to move to another location ... bird sits on perch!!
cheers,
jim

[paulhillion]

Paul:
I know the feeling!! After many hours of patient birdwatching, waiting for the moment, I have discovered that the one way to guarantee a bird will finally perch in that spot you hoped for:
Set up gear in area you have spotted the bird you're after. Wait for an hour. Pack up gear, get ready to move to another location ... bird sits on perch!!
cheers,
jim :D Perfectly described!

[five-o]

Nice shot. I agree that birds are difficult especially while driving. I always carry my camera with me while on patrol on Sunday mornings, because out in the township there are a lot of hawks etc. If I'm not shooting radar, I'm shooting pictures. I try not to let people see me doing it though:o Just don't tell my Sgt. LOL

[loebas]

I spent 4 hours this afternoon mostly sitting in my car staring into various hedgerows and a bit of walking around. I came back with the grand total of one decent photo. Oh well better luck tomorrow :)

A Linnet I believe? Taken using the 100-400L with a 1.4x extender at full stretch.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/hillion/linnet.jpg

Wildlife and nature photography takes a lot of patience.
I like the photo you posted. Personally I'm very fond of wildlife photograpy and this hobby eats all my time.
You reacted on my post of the wildlife photos i took with a 100-400, Have been out every evening for one week to spoth. I knew he should be there somewhere. On saturday evening I spotted him pure by luck. The deer was far away I was sitting down lens fully extended. Although you have IS it is rather difficult to get the eyes of the deer in focus (exitement, bodybalance, focus hunting due to trees, darkness) I took several photo's and only one was ok.

If you see the photo and you keep in mind how much effort you put in this photo you reward it even more.

Keep the photos comming

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=75050

[Bald Eagle]

Boy, do I agree with that statement, We go on Bald Eagle "safaris" . You go to an area that is supposed to have Bald Eagles in it and start searching, except its usually 4 hours of hiking, But, its all worth it at the end of the day, if you can get just one good photo out of a bunch. :)

[MarkoPolo]

Very, very nice. You are too right about how hard it is to get good bird photos. Thanks for sharing.