Post your Bird Portraits

Eurasian Spoonbill

arsurendran wrote in post #18534925
Thanks will keep that in mind during next visit, I think IS must also be the factor as you said... I was using a monopod with IS on, shou have tried with off.

Usually it is best to have IS on when using a monopod.

Sometimes it is possible to get sharp pics at 1/200 or slower. But if you are testing a lens for sharpness and having sharpness problems, and if there is plenty of light, then increase the shutter speed. That eliminates a variable at least.

Black Oystercatcher.

arsurendran wrote in post #18534875
Used 1.4xTC first time...all pics came out very soft...it must be me, have to give it few more tries before deciding...these pics were sharpened...

Your shutter speed is the initial source of blur here (you just posted like 6~8+ photos with 1/200s shutter on all of them) especially if you and your subject were moving (which they all nearly all were).
If shooting totally manual, set your shutter to 1/800S~1/1000s for that focal length (600mm-ish), set focal-ratio, then float ISO to whatever it takes to get a proper exposure to taste.
Otherwise, if using something semi-auto, push ISO so that shutter speed is significantly faster.

You can get away with very, very slow shutter speeds from a monopod with a long lens if your subject is not moving very much. But that takes a lot of bracing and practice. Until you're to this point, just use a faster shutter with a higher ISO.

Very best,

Black Crowned Night Heron

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/21T6​ZUH

Boat-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus major)

New lifer for me is this Laughing Gull - (Larus atricilla) which I saw today. It is only 7th record for Denmark (You may laugh on the other side of the pond...;o)) )

Trik wrote in post #18534446
Lovely, PC! Is this a recent shot? If so, I think a trip across the border to Somerset is a must, as this bird is high on my wish list.

Hi Trik, I took this photo at RSPB Greylake just before Christmas. They are not often seen there but the best place to definatley see them is Westhay Moor and RSPB Ham Wall in Sept/Oct/Nov. The Link below details exactly the location.

http://heathersnaturen​otes.blogspot.co.uk …tits-at-westhay-moor.html

American white Ibis (Eudocimus albus) - Juvenile

arsurendran wrote in post #18534875
Funny pose...

Used 1.4xTC first time...all pics came out very soft...it must be me, have to give it few more tries before deciding...these pics were sharpened...

I totally agree with Archibald and MalVeaux......

IS should be on when using a Monopod. I only ever use a Monopod. I also always have a 1.4x TC permanently on my 500mm. It never comes off.
I cannot get a decent shot when hand holding......So only monopod and NOT a tripod.
The Majority of my photo's are taken in Woods where the light is poor and in the UK every location I goto especially this time of year it is a challenge.
Many of my photo's are taken between 1/80s - 1/400s in Wood/forest locations. I do not ever go above ISO 1000 and I have a technique that seems to work and not let me down. As an example the photos below are at 1/80s & 1/100s ISO 800 @700mm

PCousins wrote in post #18535096
Hi Trik, I took this photo at RSPB Greylake just before Christmas. They are not often seen there but the best place to definatley see them is Westhay Moor and RSPB Ham Wall in Sept/Oct/Nov. The Link below details exactly the location.

http://heathersnaturen​otes.blogspot.co.uk …tits-at-westhay-moor.html

Thanks for the info, PC. I'll check out the Westhay Moor link, but I believe that they have been seen at Keyhaven, Hants, but no specific location mentioned, and it's a big area with lots of reedbeds. We were supposed to be going to Andalucia next weekend, to include a site where the birds are regulars, but, unfortunately, our contact in Spain has had to cancel.

Bjarne Hemmingsen wrote in post #18535071
New lifer for me is this Laughing Gull - (Larus atricilla) which I saw today. It is only 7th record for Denmark (You may laugh on the other side of the pond...;o)) )

Hosted photo: posted by Bjarne Hemmingsen in
./showthread.php?p=185​35071&i=i89039541
forum: Birds

Another rare gull seen today - Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) (Seen in Denmark every year, but only a few specimen)

Hosted photo: posted by Bjarne Hemmingsen in
./showthread.php?p=185​35071&i=i157793990
forum: Birds

Beautiful gull photos. I love both these species.

PCousins wrote in post #18535119
I totally agree with Archibald and MalVeaux......

IS should be on when using a Monopod. I only ever use a Monopod. I also always have a 1.4x TC permanently on my 500mm. It never comes off.
I cannot get a decent shot when hand holding......So only monopod and NOT a tripod.
The Majority of my photo's are taken in Woods where the light is poor and in the UK every location I goto especially this time of year it is a challenge.
Many of my photo's are taken between 1/80s - 1/400s in Wood/forest locations. I do not ever go above ISO 1000 and I have a technique that seems to work and not let me down. As an example the photos below are at 1/80s & 1/100s ISO 800 @700mm

Hosted photo: posted by PCousins in
./showthread.php?p=185​35119&i=i24563714
forum: Birds

Hosted photo: posted by PCousins in
./showthread.php?p=185​35119&i=i212721357
forum: Birds

I second your observation on the light at this time of year. I must get a monopod. That Goldcrest shot is fab.

Trik wrote in post #18535126
Thanks for the info, PC. I'll check out the Westhay Moor link, but I believe that they have been seen at Keyhaven, Hants, but no specific location mentioned, and it's a big area with lots of reedbeds. We were supposed to be going to Andalucia next weekend, to include a site where the birds are regulars, but, unfortunately, our contact in Spain has had to cancel.

Radipole Lake in Weymouth also has Beardies. They are not very easy to see (are they ever?) but the best spot is the corner between the main path and the start of the second path to the Buddleia Loop (that's the one by the stone bridge), though I have also seen them on the left, just as you approach this corner. They don't show when it's windy though.