Wildlife program birds

[ajosteve]

Here at the canyon they had a special wildlife program on Nov.1 and there were many hawks and other animals brought in from the Adobe Mt. Wildlife Center. I had a hard time shooting inside, but here are a couple. The first is a Ferruginous Hawk, and the second a Black-crowned Night-heron. That heron was so close you could touch it...what a beautiful bird. Anyway, I had to go to work and could only be there for 20 minutes, so couldn't really get my shots worked out.

[sparker1]

Wow, Steve, these are two SUPERB shots. What lens did you use that close? Don't you hate when work gets in the way?

[Shar824]

Steve.....these are gorgeous shots!!.....doesn't look like you had to hard of a time, at least on these 2 it doesn't.



Sharon

[ajosteve]

Originally Posted by sparker1

Wow, Steve, these are two SUPERB shots. What lens did you use that close? Don't you hate when work gets in the way?

Thanks Stan, I was using for the first time, my new 28-135 IS. Work is a problem...ha..ha..

[ajosteve]

Originally Posted by Shar824

Steve.....these are gorgeous shots!!.....doesn't look like you had to hard of a time, at least on these 2 it doesn't.



Sharon

Thanks Sharon, I tossed out about 30 shots. I've never shot birds in a room before, and most were moving around. The light wasn't that great, and I sure didn't know what settings to use. I tried everything. I didn't have enough time to get it together. And I only took the one lens, should have taken the 18-200mm and gave it a spin. First time to see this Heron or any Heron up close....very cool bird!

[Duane N]

I'm sure using a flash wouldn't have been a good idea either...tough shooting indoors. These two are great...and I can't believe how sharp they are considering the shutter speed.

[Redrib]

Wow Steve...these are just beautiful! I would love to see these birds one day...well done!

[ajosteve]

Originally Posted by Duane N

I'm sure using a flash wouldn't have been a good idea either...tough shooting indoors. These two are great...and I can't believe how sharp they are considering the shutter speed.

Thanks Duane, They didn't mind anybody using a flash, the birds didn't even flinch. All I have is the pop-up on the xti and it just washed it all out. I was lucky to save these 2 shots out of 30....he..he..

[ajosteve]

Originally Posted by Redrib

Wow Steve...these are just beautiful! I would love to see these birds one day...well done!

Thanks Redrib, There were about 8 species of hawks, kestrels, a peregrine falcon that was out of this world...1 turkey vulture..very cute up close. No owls this time. They will do this program again next May 09. I hope to be there and get better shots!

[PastorBBC]

great shots

[ajosteve]

Originally Posted by PastorBBC

great shots

Thanks David...I really got lucky to get even these! he..he.. Don't know a thing about shooting in a dim room!

[jlcarnagey]

Nice ones for a quick indoor shoot. Interesting details on the herons bill.

[ajosteve]

Originally Posted by jlcarnagey

Nice ones for a quick indoor shoot. Interesting details on the herons bill.

Thanks Joe, not sure about the bill, seems to be scaley, maybe they are all like that. Never have seen one before...very mellow bird, sat nice and still and didn't try to bite or anything. At one point I was only 2 feet away from it, must be use to seeing people. No fear. The little kestrels seemed to get more freaked out by people. The large hawks just perched there and looked at everybody. It was a fun 20 minutes...

[downywp]

Neat to see birds so up close and personal - Nice job here, indoor photography is tough without the proper set up!

p.s. that first shot isn't a Ferruginous Hawk...looks more like a Cooper's Hawk or Sharp-shinned to me...

[Lawrencemull]

Berautiful shots Steve.
Law