Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM

shots of BOP in the wild are very difficult, I'd say you'd done well to spot the bird in the first place! A definite case for manual focus though, AF will really struggle

Yes, we learn the hard way. But pointing straight up and shivering in -10c temps is no guarantee of a good focus.

But they are very hard to spot I could only approximate where its head was. From below the only way to tell was that they are a slightly darker shade then the surroundings.

Pah - excuses excuses, a real photographer would get someone else to take the shot for them!

Good work under the conditions - I hate shooting in cold grey conditions - but it has to be done

There -was- a friend with me who showed me where they were. Without him I could have roamed the entire woods and still not noticed any.

He took a couple of tripod mounted shots but really way to dark under the dense canopy to get anything decent.

I am sure dang good pics can be had if I could put some light in there but the LEOs are very very skittish and a flash would be quite a nightmare if it scared them into some dangerous action in trying to get away.

Got the pic bad as it may be. Pretty sure I can get better ones in milder weather and with a tripod.

This was an ISO 1600, f5.6, 1/640 test shot and the battery died a couple of shots later. Since they dont move much in the daytime, a f8-f11 to cancel out the low dof, 1/200 or less, and a lower iso is most certainly possible.

a few more from my visit to the Hawk Conservancy. I'm particularly pleased with the shots of the little Kestrel as its a very small and fast moving little Hawk. The Tawny Eagle is swooping to take a"Motorised Rabbit" - great fun and no Bunnies are hurt during filming!

Beautiful shots.

Wonderful shots oldcanon. I will be paying a visit to the conservancy later this year as my wife wants the chance to fly a BOP as a birthday present.

So I hope to get some pictures as good as yours.

Re-do.

Better ? Worse ?

for me its better, more detail and I can see the eyes, nice work Bobobird
Thanks "BM"

Thanks oldcanon. Took a bit of work - thanks goodness for the latitude in RAW.

I agree, being able to see his eyes makes a big difference.

Thanks Mike.

Good job, have to agree much better.

Just a quick one through my window. Really like this lens on a Crop Sensor body, tons of reach!

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …owphotography/6​732774619/

Beautifully taken. Angle just right to catch the raised feathers etc. Well done.