Birds of Theler Wetlands including an Osprey

[AJ Montgomery]

I managed about an hour today at Theler prior to a lunch date with my wife. It started off slow, just the typical RWBB's and ducks, however, as I neared the estuary, an Osprey decided to give me a little show.

All with the 20D, 400/5.6L at ISO-200

RWBB
http://www.kajmonty.com/gallery/albums/Theler_061505/IMG_7998.sized.jpg

Osprey
http://www.kajmonty.com/gallery/albums/Theler_061505/IMG_8050.sized.jpg

http://www.kajmonty.com/gallery/albums/Theler_061505/IMG_8093.sized.jpg

http://www.kajmonty.com/gallery/albums/Theler_061505/IMG_8110.sized.jpg

http://www.kajmonty.com/gallery/albums/Theler_061505/IMG_8117.sized.jpg

Barn Swallow
http://www.kajmonty.com/gallery/albums/Theler_061505/IMG_8130.sized.jpg

Belted Kingfisher
http://www.kajmonty.com/gallery/albums/Theler_061505/IMG_8140.sized.jpg

Mother and little ones
http://www.kajmonty.com/gallery/albums/Theler_061505/IMG_8145.sized.jpg

[CyberDyneSystems]

Nice!

Impressive work on the swallow.. one of the harder flight shots to nail!!!

And I just love the Osprey landing shot :)

[montreal]

I agree... those little swallows sure are hard to catch. I tried several times but never managed to get one in focus. Any tricks you can share?

[cfcRebel]

Nice captures AJ! They are all interesting birds to see.

[stoneylonesome]

Beautiful series of shots. Well done. :)

[tupe]

Very impressive!

[AJ Montgomery]

Nice!

Impressive work on the swallow.. one of the harder flight shots to nail!!!

And I just love the Osprey landing shot :)
CDS, the Swallow and the Belted Kingfisher are tough birds to shoot. The swallow was skimming the surface of the water and this allowed for an opportunity. I only got a couple "keepers"!

[LazyPhotographer]

All nice shots!

[Maureen Souza]

Nice.... how do you get them to pose so nice for you????

[AJ Montgomery]

I agree... those little swallows sure are hard to catch. I tried several times but never managed to get one in focus. Any tricks you can share?
Thanks for the comment. As for a pointer, I have found that swallows are more likely to fly level and straight around water, as is in this case. Using AI servo, focus on the water at the equivalent focal length and track the bird shooting as many frames as possible. In this moment, I shot a half dozen frames and got two keepers. It is tough and requires an ounce or two of luck!

[montreal]

Using AI servo, focus on the water at the equivalent focal length and track the bird shooting as many frames as possible.

So what you're saying is... you're not "following" the bird all along? You're focusing in the water and... then what? :o Can you dumb it down for me please?

[Airedale1]

Very nice captures all. I particularly like the 2nd.

[AJ Montgomery]

So what you're saying is... you're not "following" the bird all along? You're focusing in the water and... then what? :o Can you dumb it down for me please?
Sort of, as the bird skims the surface of the water, it is flying less erratically then if in the air at higher elevation. Also, since the water is always flat and has substance, you can focus on it, whereas the air has no surface and cannot be focussed on. So, as a result, if your camera does not focus directly on the bird, it will focus on what ever is behind it. So, use the water as a focal point, just choose a point in the water where the focal length is roughly equivalent to the distance that the bird is from you. Therefore, your focal plane will include the bird and viola, you have an in focus shot of the bird. The closer the bird is to the water, the easier it is. Since your focal point is relatively stationary, the water, all you have to do is keep the bird visible in the viewfinder. Does that help?

[montreal]

Okay, got it! Thanks! :)

Btw it's "voilà" :D

[AJ Montgomery]

Okay, got it! Thanks! :)

Btw it's "voilà" :D
OK, BTW, thanks for the grammar help!!! I guess viola is an orchestral instrument, huh?!?!? Leave it to me to foul that up!!