American Avocet - my first try at bird photography

I was attending a half-marathon in Newport, RI today, and as I was waiting for my wife to cross the finish line, I saw 3 photographers with 600mm lenses shooting what looked like small birds. So I went over and started talking to the photographers: they traveled 4 hours from Connecticut to photograph this small group of Avocets, and they let me get as close as I could, without bothering them, or the birds. They said this small group had been on this beach for 15 days.

I don't normally do bird photography, so I hope these came out ok.

Please let me know if good or bad, I always love to learn!

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/kenjancef/62514​12913/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/kenjancef/62519​40468/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/kenjancef/62514​15099/

Getting lower would have been better...

neilrohrbacker wrote in post #13258909
Getting lower would have been better...

Oh yea, true. Darn... Thanks for the reply!

What do you mean "they (meaning the photographers) let me get as close as I could"?!? I don't care who they are and what kind of gear they own, as long as you are being quiet and respectful of the wildlife and environment where you are shooting (and it sounds like you were) you have as much right to be there as they do.
In my experience, high dollar equipment does not always or automatically equal great photograper.

I'm glad you went over and got these shots of those very cool birds.
Looks like the lighting was a bit challenging (not your fault) but you did well.
The exposures look fine, and the setting is nice.
#2 is my favorite. The first one is kind of butt shots, but that's what happens when these guys are in a group resting.

Keep at it, practice is key. For a first time out you got some very respectible shots which you should be happy with.
And you sure can't argue with having Avocets as your first subject.
It could be worse, many people start with pigeons. Heh heh

I've been photographing birds for almost a year now with my 400mm f5.6. You did a nice job for your first time! #2 is my favorite. #3 seems a bit soft.

Gator Stealth wrote in post #13259124
What do you mean "they (meaning the photographers) let me get as close as I could"?!?

Keep at it, practice is key. For a first time out you got some very respectible shots which you should be happy with.
And you sure can't argue with having Avocets as your first subject.
It could be worse, many people start with pigeons. Heh heh

Well, I always respect other photographers. They were there for the sole purpose of the birds, I was there to shoot my wife at a half-marathon. The one guy I talked to, who looked more like a seafaring fisherman than a photographer, was VERY nice. We talked gear for a while, then actually took me over, not just for me to shoot, but to,also see if they would respond to me being there by splitting up the group. They don't startle easy, but they were having problems because they never seemed to break the group apart, they were looking for single bird shots, not group. I was just afraid of getting in the way, that's just me.

By the way, being I was at the beach, I don't have pigeons, but I do have the token "seagull standing on the beach" shot...

I don't know too much about birds, but I'm glad my first try was a species that didn't move around a whole heck of a lot!

Thanks for the reply, it was much appreciated.

Joanne85016 wrote in post #13259212
I've been photographing birds for almost a year now with my 400mm f5.6. You did a nice job for your first time! #2 is my favorite. #3 seems a bit soft.

Thank you very much!

I agree, the third one was soft, and I even sharpened it a bit. My post-processing skills are being honed too, so at the moment I pretty much just sharpen. And I guess you probably figured by reading my signature that I used the 70-200 f/2.8. And to make it even more confusing/worse... I pick today to set my 7D for back-button focusing, so some shots I had were OOF because I kept forgetting to hit the darn button!

Why try a little at a time, right??

Very Nice, I do like number two as well the best pose for sure.

Garry Gibson wrote in post #13259360
Very Nice, I do like number two as well the best pose for sure.

Thanks!

In talking to the photographer he described the long beaks, so I tried the best I could to show it, all while trying to stay in good light without getting soaked!

I have to agree with Gator above, well done and congrats on the catches

BGgraphy wrote in post #13260725
I have to agree with Gator above, well done and congrats on the catches

Thank you very much. But it was pure luck. Glad I saw them though, and learned a lot from the photographer I spoke to, so that was a bonus.

Great shots for the first try! The exposure is quite nice too. I was also fortunate enough this year to catch these guys in their pale plumage before they migrate south; usually I only catch them in their spring-summer orange/cinammon colour.

As one of the commentor said, try to shoot at a lower angle, if possible, for these kind of birds. Also try to have the bird's head face toward the camera or at 90° angle (as in facing left or right). Finally try to shoot with the lighting behind your back for the ultimate feather details. Early in the morning or late in the evening provide great soft lighting for that.

Bird photography is quite fun and addicting to get that perfect moment. Hope you enjoy after this experience.

Muteki wrote in post #13262526
Great shots for the first try! The exposure is quite nice too. I was also fortunate enough this year to catch these guys in their pale plumage before they migrate south; usually I only catch them in their spring-summer orange/cinammon colour.

As one of the commentor said, try to shoot at a lower angle, if possible, for these kind of birds. Also try to have the bird's head face toward the camera or at 90° angle (as in facing left or right). Finally try to shoot with the lighting behind your back for the ultimate feather details. Early in the morning or late in the evening provide great soft lighting for that.

Bird photography is quite fun and addicting to get that perfect moment. Hope you enjoy after this experience.

I enjoy shooting anything! And thanks for the tips. I would have gotten the light behind me but then the Atlantic Ocean would have been behind me too! Just happened at that location the sun was over the water and the tide was rolling in. And thank you very much on the comments of the pics.

Very nice results for your first time in birds photography!

Charles Roy wrote in post #13262673
Very nice results for your first time in birds photography!

Thanks! I appreciate that. I'm not sure what Rhode Island has to offer for any kinds of special birds. All we get are geese, robins, geese, blue jays, and geese... Last week I saw a flock of wild turkeys crossing a pretty major road through here, and unfortunately someone hit one.