Big Bird; I messed up

[constablebob]

I was walking aound a marsh area when this "giant bird" flew up near me. I swung around to my right and got off a shot, but as you can see, it didn't come out too well. I took one other distant shot which is better. Question: On the first shot would it be better to anticipate the flight direction and hold steady ahead of the crane shooting in burst mode, letting him fly into my focus point? I presume that this is a sandhill crane which is rare for me to witness in northern Wisconsin. Actually, I've never seen one in flight up here in 28 years. I was using a 5d and 135 F2L.

[Rohape]

I'm no professional. But take mostly wildlife/nature shots.
I usually find it easier to let the bird fly in to frame. I guess it also depends on the look your going for and situation. In the attached pic I kept the same frame and set for burst and let the crane fly in during about 6 burst shots. I just got lucky that I saw him flying in from a distance and he just flew right under the moon.

[constablebob]

Nice shot. I'll give that method a try next time...I know it takes practice and maybe a little luck.

[Tom Reichner]

I always aim right at the bird and pan with it. Of course, make sure your focus is set on the AI mode. And of course you always want the fastest drive mode (or "burst") possible. That way you should get at least a few images where the bird is in perfect focus - if your hand/eye coordination is able to keep the active AF point on the bird (which is often extremely difficult).

There's actually alot of talk about methods for shooting birds in flight over in the "birds" section of this forum. To the best of my knowedge, never has anyone suggested letting the bird fly into the frame. Tracking the bird with the focus mode on "AI" is really the only way I know of to assure perfect focus.

No matter the method used, there seems to be no substitute for practice - and alot of it. I "miss" at least 80% of the birds in flight that I attempt to photograph, and I would think this is a normal percentage for most experienced BIF enthusiasts.

Here are a couple examples using AI focus mode and panning with the bird:

[lord-paul]

With wildlife you need to have eyes every where as it easy to miss "that special picture".
With Swans they are a bit easier to capture due to their size.

[Rohape]

Originally Posted by lord-paul

With wildlife you need to have eyes every where as it easy to miss "that special picture".
With Swans they are a bit easier to capture due to their size.

I agree having your eyes everywhere.
I was snapping shots at an Egret and nest. It was getting irritated with my presence, even though I was about 100' away. It being irritated was a plus though because it was screeching at me. It finally flew off, I walked off thinking that was it. I heard a strange noise, turned around and there it was. It had made a big arc and was spread eagle belly towards me stopping mid-flight right at the edge of the trees. Amazing shot missed.

[constablebob]

Some good comments....really nice photos.....maybe someday; practice, practice.

[D2Sports]

Originally Posted by constablebob

I presume that this is a sandhill crane which is rare for me to witness in northern Wisconsin. Actually, I've never seen one in flight up here in 28 years.

Sandhills rare?

Come to north Florida:

[Tom Reichner]

Originally Posted by D2Sports

Sandhills rare?

Come to north Florida:

Many thousands of them here, too, in the Pacific Northwest.

[chauncey]

tracking in AI Servo is generally better

[constablebob]

All I can say is ...wow!
Bob

[lord-paul]

chauncey

Lovely picture.

Any details on how it was done as I have my own ideas but would be good to hear from you.
Thanks.

[denhamcla]

Originally Posted by lord-paul

chauncey

Lovely picture.

Any details on how it was done as I have my own ideas but would be good to hear from you.
Thanks.

Damn, whats the chance that 10 of the same bird would line up like that eh?

[Hntr]

Originally Posted by constablebob

I was walking aound a marsh area when this "giant bird" flew up near me. I swung around to my right and got off a shot, but as you can see, it didn't come out too well. I took one other distant shot which is better. Question: On the first shot would it be better to anticipate the flight direction and hold steady ahead of the crane shooting in burst mode, letting him fly into my focus point? I presume that this is a sandhill crane which is rare for me to witness in northern Wisconsin. Actually, I've never seen one in flight up here in 28 years. I was using a 5d and 135 F2L.

We have a lot of sandhills down here in central Wisconsin. Early fall before they migrate you might see up to a hundred in a field. Getting close is another matter.