Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM - AKA The Dust Pump

I also use it (in partnership with the 24-105) to cover a day's pheasant shooting...

keith breazeal wrote in post #16713997
ISS

This is incredible!

Scrumhalf wrote in post #16715884
It's a 4.5-6.3 lens, so not exactly fast. If you need high SS to freeze action, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment with a 500D, since you are in a part of the world not renowned for very good light! I used the lens in India last summer and it was phenomenal but the light there was, pardon the pun, a revelation, given that I am from Oregon which gives Blighty a run for its money in terms of gloomy weather. But back home here, it will struggle on very dark and cloudy days for birding, which is what I use it for. The alternative however, is a big white, like a 500/4 or 400/2.8, which is in a different league, cost wise.

you've made a good point,

I might look towards a 70-200 f:2.8

salsa-king wrote in post #16720934
you've made a good point,

I might look towards a 70-200 f:2.8

Except for the fact that the lens is 4.5-5.6 not 6.3. Just 1/3 of a stop though....

Scrumhalf wrote in post #16713871
Great shots, Sharad! I'm thinking of visiting India this winter. Would that be a good time to visit Bandipur?

sharad.medhavi wrote in post #16715080
Summer, that is late April and May, is a good time. The undergrowth dries up so you can actually see the animals. Also that the animals move more in search of water, so the probability of seeing them is higher. You can consider going to Kabini, in addition to Bandipur, or even instead of Bandipur. There are more animals at Kabini during summers due to that river being the only water source in the region that still has water. It is close to Bandipur.
In winters you see more birds than animals.

Beg to disagree with Sharad... winter would be a good time to visit Bandipur... Agree with Sharad that the chances of big cat sightings are better during the warmer months, but if you get lucky, there are equally good chances of wildlife sightings if you are "nicely" positioned near the waterholes around dusk and the langoors and barking deer don't play spoilsport... usually safari folks know the spots well. The problem with summers is that you don't really get a great composition due to lack of any green in the background or you get really lucky to spot one crossing.
EDIT: Here's a set from my trip in Mar 2013, when summer is usually just about to start.

http://www.flickr.com …e/sets/72157633​229129009/

IMO during the winters, Tiger reserves like Kanha and Bandhavgarh in central India and Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary and Tal Chhapar Grasslands in North-western India make for a much better itinerary, assuming time and budget permit you to consider them!!

Thanks, Nikhil! We are definitely thinking of Rajasthan for our next trip, although my birder son is dead set on Vedanthangal. We'll see.. so much to see, so little time!

These are more 'snapshots', than 'award winning bird shots', but they tell a cool story.
They also show the versatility of this lens, with each one at a different focal length.
My 11 year old and her 'wild' friend.

Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

7D, 100-400L IS + 1.4x Extender

Lady Lacrosse

IMAGE LINK: https://www.flickr.com …s/cnu_sports/12​878979054/

Just got a nice used copy of this lens. Pretty cool lens!

Different kind of bird...

Beautiful cardinals and junco, rndman!