| Moderated by: chrisbet, | Page: 1 2   |
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| Bird Photography 2020Replacing the previous Bird topic of 2019. | Rating: 
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| Author | Post |
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Jan 31st, 2020 03:45 | 1st Post |
| JK said last bird topic is getting too large so lets start a new one for 2020. Come on members lets see some more super bird photography.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Jan 31st, 2020 03:53 | 2nd Post |
Eric has been working on my Little Owls from the old Bird topic so here is his skilled Photoshopping!
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Fri Jan 31st, 2020 07:13 | 3rd Post |
| Not sure it's that good, there are several errors I couldn't be bothered to correct. But as I said in my email to you Graham...it poses an interesting conundrum when it comes to wildlife photography. Where do you draw the line with regard to a natural shot? If a free flying bird lands on a water bath in your garden...is it 'wrong' to remove the concrete bath for a branch to make it more natural? We put food out to attract birds, then try to photograph them on a posing stick next to the food. Isn't that bending nature itself? I personally feel that it's the finished photograph that matters, not how it was achieved. Take for example Barrie....  Barrie was tethered to a block with Jessies in an open grass area with other hawks waiting for his turn at the free flying display. Crowds of people in the background, other birds, mowed grass etc. So I removed the Jessie's, cropped the post and replaced the background with a barn. I liked the final image because I had introduced BACK a more natural setting. Is that 'wrong'? In this instance I was on the marsh in Norfolk trying to photograph spoonbills. You can see one in the background. Couldn't hope to get closer and not having massive lenses back then it was a nothing image. But on visiting a bird reserve with walk through aviary I was fortunate enough to have a spoonbill fly across in front of me. So the caged background was edited out and the bird superimposed over my marsh image. Was that wrong?  Well it was actually wrong in one way....Mike (my birding expert) pointed out it was not a European spoonbill (think it's Asian) and if that had been on the marsh the whole Twitching world would have been there too. Should I have removed my patio from this natural visitor?  Not just birds. I have visited several breeding centres for big cats and wolves where chaperoned close access enabled the lens to go through the wire fences....being abruptly dragged back when the animals came too close. (I backed away myself from one approach and my rugsack came so close to the fenced area behind i was nearly grabbed by a snow leapoard poking its paw through to get me.    Does Where and How matter more than the result??
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by jk: Fri Jan 31st, 2020 07:54 | 4th Post |
| Answering Eric's points I tend to think that it is a question of content. Removing distractions is fine, adding new backgrounds/compositing is not. However who am I to judge if it pleases the taker/poster.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Eric: Fri Jan 31st, 2020 08:11 | 5th Post |
jk wrote:Answering Eric's points I tend to think that it is a question of content.I confess I have merely tarted up photos in recent times...but not from a feeling it was wrong to go further. I am simply being lazy. I however don't think it's wrong to replace detail. Infra red photos are heavily edited to get the results. I've never had anyone say they are contrived and unreal.....because they ARE inherently unreal. We use HDR and selective masking for sharpness, noise reduction, adding dof lens blur and who knows what else. I don't see that as interfering with the subject....merely enhancing it with respect to its surroundings. So why not change the perch or even the background? Like I said, of late I have been trying to get it good enough in the camera to use 'as is'. But I have some cracking long tail tit shots...bathing and drinking in a concrete water bath which Graham tells me would be 'marked down' in a competition for not being natural enough. I could set up an infinity pool with moss covered stones for a more natural look. But that's surely no different to redoing the setting in PS. 
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Fri Jan 31st, 2020 08:13 | 6th Post |
| Sorry for thread drift Graham...no more furry critters.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Jan 31st, 2020 12:12 | 7th Post |
Now this IS a wild pair of African Spoonbills in the bush in Africa in eary morning sun. No messing in Photoshop apart from levels.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Jan 31st, 2020 12:35 | 8th Post |
Just to get things moving another wild bird for you, a Scarlet Ibis
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Jan 31st, 2020 12:49 | 9th Post |
Then there were more!
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by jk: Fri Jan 31st, 2020 13:26 | 10th Post |
I like the 'more' picture better. 
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Feb 1st, 2020 03:53 | 11th Post |
| I agree they are a bit in your face.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Sat Feb 1st, 2020 04:18 | 12th Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:I agree they are a bit in your face.I suppose people who are colour blind won't even see them. 
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Sat Feb 1st, 2020 06:38 | 13th Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:Now this IS a wild pair of African Spoonbills in the bush in Africa in eary morning sun. No messing in Photoshop apart from levels.Are yes...maybe mine was an African one, not Asian? Either way it was a lot less distance to see ...in Surrey.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Sat Feb 1st, 2020 06:39 | 14th Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:Then there were more!That shows the benefit of having the zoom lens, Graham.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by jk: Sat Feb 1st, 2020 10:22 | 15th Post |
| I think the Nikon 200-500 AFS VR is probably one of my best purchases. I resisted the 80-400 as the original lens was somewhat soft. This new version however seems to be top notch. I think I need to go and sell my Nikon 400mm f2.8 AFS and D3S, I think I will trade it on for the next Fuji body I get which will be either Fuji X-H1 or XT4. The XT4 is rumoured to have IBIS (In Body Image Stabilisation), and with my Z7, D850 and D500 my Nikon system is perfect. I am very impressed by the Z7 with its IBIS, so much better and more useful than VR.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Eric: Sat Feb 1st, 2020 10:55 | 16th Post |
jk wrote:I think the Nikon 200-500 AFS VR is probably one of my best purchases. I resisted the 80-400 as the original lens was somewhat soft. This new version however seems to be top notch.I have resisted any trade ins of late because WEX (who are my nearest dealer) don't give you cash for the equipment...you have to take the full value as a PX. I discovered Harrison's do! In fact they give the same valuation for a trade in or a cash purchase! The quotes are the same as WEX and much better than the nett amount you would get from eBay. May be doing some thinning out soon myself. 
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by jk: Sat Feb 1st, 2020 11:00 | 17th Post |
| Thanks. Harrison's are located where? Sheffield? https://www.harrisoncameras.co.uk/
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Eric: Sat Feb 1st, 2020 11:28 | 18th Post |
jk wrote:Thanks. On line quote enquiry form....https://www.harrisoncameras.co.uk/sell-camera-equipment/ if acceptable they pick up the equipment for assessment. Then give you final price or return equipment to you.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by jk: Sat Feb 1st, 2020 13:13 | 19th Post |
| Enquiry sent. Thanks Eric.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by blackfox: Sun Feb 2nd, 2020 05:24 | 20th Post |
that Harrisons link looks interesting ,a good heads up ... anyway back on thread we had gale force winds on the Irish Sea and the dee estuary yesterday , and as I was driving to my venue (which lasted 15 minutes after arrival due to the winds) I spotted this kestrel in its usual lamp post lookout . pulled the car over and it took off hunting but was struggling against the wind this meant it was hovering at just above head height and allowed a very close approach pleased with the results . although this 15fps does tend to run away with you still got around 50 shots to edit if I can be bothered .  
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Feb 2nd, 2020 06:15 | 21st Post |
Jeff those 3 shots are super. This is another pix of the African Sloonbill for Eric. His shot was a Eurasian Spoonbill that has black legs and grey bill with black tip to tail. The African one as you can see has red legs and face and is white all over. This shot was in the Nairobi Game Park.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Feb 2nd, 2020 06:37 | 22nd Post |
Jeff thoese Kestrel pixs were very good I just tickled this on in Photoshop and bit of USM brings the detail up. Keep up the good work your new camera is pulling in some super shots for you.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Feb 2nd, 2020 11:08 | 23rd Post |
More Yellow-billed Storks with "friendly" crock from my Kenya trip
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Iain: Mon Feb 3rd, 2020 08:37 | 24th Post |
One from today. I50_0557-Edit by Iain Clyne, on Flickr
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon Feb 3rd, 2020 17:22 | 25th Post |
| Good quality clean and good detail, is this the full frame?
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Iain: Tue Feb 4th, 2020 02:35 | 26th Post |
| D500 Graham.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Feb 5th, 2020 11:39 | 27th Post |
Blashford Lakes today better weather but very little about but got some reasonable Chaffinch shots. D850 500mm AF-S f5.6 FL Lens plus x1.4 = 700mm 1/400 sec f14 ISO 1250
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Feb 5th, 2020 11:40 | 28th Post |
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Feb 5th, 2020 11:42 | 29th Post |
This one for Eric as he is a bit more space man!
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Feb 5th, 2020 11:44 | 30th Post |
There were also about 12 Linnets but we could not get as close.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Wed Feb 5th, 2020 13:21 | 31st Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:This one for Eric as he is a bit more space man!Perfect.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Feb 6th, 2020 09:45 | 32nd Post |
Male Blackcap on feeder bottom of our garden come mid pm for last few day this is best I could do through glass, it was 40 feet away so even with 700mm big blow up D850 1600 ISO. Stays less than 60 sec.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by blackfox: Thu Feb 6th, 2020 13:53 | 33rd Post |
some red kite shots from yesterday at nant-y-arian mid Wales   
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| Posted by jk: Thu Feb 6th, 2020 15:05 | 34th Post |
| Is the kite attacking the grebe?
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Iain: Thu Feb 6th, 2020 15:27 | 35th Post |
| No it won't be JK it isn't strong enough. There will be something on the water it will be after. About the only thing they can kill is mice.
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| Posted by jk: Thu Feb 6th, 2020 15:37 | 36th Post |
| Thanks Iain.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Eric: Thu Feb 6th, 2020 17:30 | 37th Post |
jk wrote:Is the kite attacking the grebe?Looks like a lady Goosander. 
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Thu Feb 6th, 2020 17:50 | 38th Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:Male Blackcap on feeder bottom of our garden come mid pm for last few day this is best I could do through glass, it was 40 feet away so even with 700mm big blow up D850 1600 ISO. Stays less than 60 sec.What's that in the feeder, Graham? Try pinning an apple on a branch with the skin cut away a bit. Blackcaps often hang about longer on apples. Not a good shot through blinds, but this lady sat here for some time. 
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Fri Feb 7th, 2020 15:36 | 39th Post |
| Speaking with Mike about Jeff's Red Kite photo, he said it was quite possible the Goosander caught a fish and being a sawbill, left a portion of the fish behind or was simply scared off by the cruising Kite....which swooped in and picked up the remnant.21:31:06
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Fri Feb 7th, 2020 15:45 | 40th Post |
Spent some time at a woodland reserve this morning. Hoping for Redpolls but the cold weather or lack thereof has meant none have ventured this far south this winter. So I had to put up with the usual cast......   
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Fri Feb 7th, 2020 15:48 | 41st Post |
The funniest one was this Great Tit. One peck at its seed/nut and it shot off the branch. Managed to capture the bemused moment ...
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Feb 7th, 2020 16:36 | 42nd Post |
| I like these very good crisp images. Eric what is bird no 3? I will put an apple out. Jeff liked your red kite pixs too thanks!
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Fri Feb 7th, 2020 18:24 | 43rd Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:I like these very good crisp images. Eric what is bird no 3? I will put an apple out. Jeff liked your red kite pixs too thanks!It's a Reed Bunting. I dropped the file size at the upload interface on the first 3 images so they aren't as sharp as the originals. The last one of the bemused tit, is actual file size....heavily cropped just to join the close cropping trend. Very pleased with the D850 and 500mm. It's become clear to me that if the light is excellent, and the ISO is obviously much lower, the D500 and D850 are very similar IQ. But as the light drops the need for higher ISO causes the D500 to lag behind in the noise stakes. So the noise level is not only more obvious but the ability to lift shadow detail or under exposed raw images, falls away. It's my considered opinion that despite the D500's much heralded superior performance for wildlife, it comes in a definite second to the D850 on results and processing capability, when the light drops...as it tends to do in UK winter woodlands! Of course the alternative is to only use the D500 when the sun is on the subject matter...then it doesn't matter.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Fri Feb 7th, 2020 18:30 | 44th Post |
Three more to share...  
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Feb 8th, 2020 17:08 | 45th Post |
| More good pixs Eric. Agree with all you say about D850 and 500mm PF lens and your results say it all.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Feb 9th, 2020 11:13 | 46th Post |
I'm after Kingfishers again this week before they go up river to breed. This was from this time last year on a very dull day Nikon D850 with 500mm f5.6 AV-S PF Lens & x1.4 = 700mm 1/320 sec f9 ISO 2500 I'm booked to go in the hide this Wed so hope weather improves by then. 
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Sun Feb 9th, 2020 11:37 | 47th Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:I'm after Kingfishers again this week before they go up river to breed. This was from this time last year on a very dull day Nikon D850 with 500mm f5.6 AV-S PF Lens & x1.4 = 700mm 1/320 sec f9 ISO 2500 I'm booked to go in the hide this Wed so hope weather improves by then.It's going to be hard to better that photo, Graham
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Feb 9th, 2020 11:42 | 48th Post |
I've showing this as this is taken seconds before he caught the fish and exact same camera position and settings. I think this shows what Eric and I have been talking about the D850 with this lens is very good with retaining quality when you need to blow up a small bird like this simply because there is no easy way you will ever get much closer 90% of the time. 
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by jk: Sun Feb 9th, 2020 14:10 | 49th Post |
| I agree with Eric. That is another exceptional photo. Hope the weather clears for you and you have good light and cooperative subjects.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Eric: Mon Feb 10th, 2020 10:41 | 50th Post |
In between repairing the neighbours carport, propping up my fence and fighting Ciara....I took some time to grab some more images. Poor lighting but in the middle of a storm beggars can't be choosers....  
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Mon Feb 10th, 2020 10:47 | 51st Post |
I wondered where the fat balls I rolled out for the blackbirds and magpies, had gone...
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by jk: Mon Feb 10th, 2020 10:50 | 52nd Post |
| Down in one!
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by chrisbet: Mon Feb 10th, 2020 11:11 | 53rd Post |
| Knowing gulls as I do, it will probably come out in one too ...
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by Iain: Tue Feb 11th, 2020 08:47 | 54th Post |
| By the look of my car I think a few of them gulls have deposited those fat balls on it.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Feb 11th, 2020 10:54 | 55th Post |
| More good ones Eric love the Gull and fatball. After the Kingfishers and Kestrel in the morning so hope this good weather holds. Hope to be posting some more pixs soon.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Tue Feb 11th, 2020 12:11 | 56th Post |
Iain wrote:By the look of my car I think a few of them gulls have deposited those fat balls on it.People pay a fortune for waxy protective coatings on their cars. I am providing a free product via an independent delivery service.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Iain: Tue Feb 11th, 2020 16:03 | 57th Post |
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| Posted by Iain: Wed Feb 12th, 2020 02:44 | 58th Post |
One from this week. DI5_0170 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr
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| Posted by jk: Wed Feb 12th, 2020 06:26 | 59th Post |
| Good shot Iain. Love the lichen on the tree.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Feb 12th, 2020 13:14 | 60th Post |
Shoot went well with plenty of wild birds and good winter sunshine. The afternoon with Kingfishers not very good and I think with Kestrel about they kept clear also first thing ice on water! D500 with 500 f5.6 AF-S PF and x1.4. Plenty more to come after I have a sort through.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Feb 12th, 2020 13:17 | 61st Post |
Very pleased to see a Yellow Wagtail and plenty of more to come lots of reasonable images to sort through.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Wed Feb 12th, 2020 14:29 | 62nd Post |
| Excellent images Graham. I cannot offer anything of that quality but I did today manage to capture a very rare visitor from North America It's a Trump Duck.... 
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Feb 13th, 2020 06:12 | 63rd Post |
I had been asked to get some Blackbird pix for a member of my family while I was on yeaterdays shoot. 
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Feb 13th, 2020 06:13 | 64th Post |
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Feb 13th, 2020 07:28 | 65th Post |
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Feb 13th, 2020 07:30 | 66th Post |
Bullfinch Male above and this is Female. Same shoot Nikon D850 and 500mm f5.6 AF-S PF Lens 1/640 sec F10 ISO 800
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Feb 13th, 2020 09:24 | 67th Post |
Got a shock when this Buzzard landed just after the Kestrel had gone. Yes sorry Eric should have more bleed this is all the pix the 500mm was too much lens and it was only there for 5 sec so no chance to put the 80-400 on.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Iain: Thu Feb 13th, 2020 11:58 | 68th Post |
| Nice images Graham.
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| Posted by Eric: Thu Feb 13th, 2020 16:35 | 69th Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:Got a shock when this Buzzard landed just after the Kestrel had gone. Yes sorry Eric should have more bleed this is all the pix the 500mm was too much lens and it was only there for 5 sec so no chance to put the 80-400 on.Hell's teeth Graham, you are forgiven. That's superb! Who needs to go to Africa?
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Feb 13th, 2020 17:49 | 70th Post |
A Robin was there, but plenty of Finches and Logtailed Tits but they all stayed on the feeders not for photography! Eric thanks for you kind remarks it was worth the 8 hours in a cold hide weather was good with light and quality shows through. I may have miss-named the Yellow Wagtail, looking at my bird book just now I think with Grey Head and longer tail it was a male Grey Wagtail?
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by blackfox: Tue Feb 18th, 2020 04:04 | 71st Post |
few from me . been playing with topaz de-noise and sharpen Ai for a week or two .. seems to work extremely well with the smaller olympus sensors  
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| Posted by blackfox: Tue Feb 18th, 2020 04:06 | 72nd Post |
| some superb shots on here lately
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Feb 19th, 2020 13:04 | 73rd Post |
It was raining today so I asked the Owl to come into the studio. D850 with Elinchrom studio flash!
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Feb 20th, 2020 05:53 | 74th Post |
Later we were joined in the studio by a friendly Barn Owl that was also fed up with the rain. Daughter Clare and randson Oli also enjoyed photographing them, Clare used her D300 and Oli used my D500. We had hoped to be photographing the Owls in the woods but the weather was not on our side. 
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Feb 20th, 2020 10:54 | 75th Post |
The Kestrel lost interest in us when she was given her evening meal!
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Feb 20th, 2020 16:22 | 76th Post |
This has just been accepted for the 2020 RPS Nature Group Exhibition: "Little Owl With 2 Young"
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by chrisbet: Thu Feb 20th, 2020 17:34 | 77th Post |
Well done 
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by Robert: Fri Feb 21st, 2020 03:30 | 78th Post |
| Very good Graham, congratulations!
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Feb 21st, 2020 03:37 | 79th Post |
Close up of the Barn Owl. Would you ever get this close to a live Owl outside the studio?
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Feb 21st, 2020 08:23 | 80th Post |
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Fri Feb 21st, 2020 12:08 | 81st Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:Lovely detail of the amazing world of 'soundproofed' feathers. Nature is outstandingly clever and beautiful. Well done. Just one comment Graham, on the full owl photos.....do you not find the white balance temperature a bit warm? (Modelling light?) 
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Fri Feb 21st, 2020 12:22 | 82nd Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:The Kestrel lost interest in us when she was given her evening meal!I see it was Ratatouille for evening meal. Was that shot indoors as well Graham?
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Feb 21st, 2020 17:27 | 83rd Post |
| Yes indoors Kestrel all three done in Pete's studio and his electronic flash is slightly warmer than my older kit and my setting were for my Elinchrom and there was no time to reset my camera as the birds are bought in for a very limitedf time and we had to work fast. No problem have adjusted the NEFs now but I pulled these JPGs off quickly to share them with you all.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Mon Feb 24th, 2020 08:39 | 84th Post |
| Against all my acquired knowledge and common sense, when birding friend Mike said there was a Gt Grey Shrike 15min drive away, I agreed to accompany him. He's trying to get see over 250 local birds this year (having seen 230 last year) so it was a case of b@gger the 45mph gale and torrential rain. [Aside: Ive never understood the logic in classifying rain showers ....they are ALL 'heavy' showers...or it wouldn't come down 😆 ]. Of course gales mean the rain in Norfolk hits you horizontally. Still it gave the camera a good wash! It was so windy we actually watched the GGShrike hovering like a Kestrel....something we had never seen before...  The days photos were not very good given conditions, subject distance, bird size and skittiness. But they were a decent enough record shots for Mike.  The poor bird was as disheveled as we were .... and we only got out of the car for 10mins. A Red Kite cruised past .....  Nothing to write home about, but at least it got us out and rearranged our hair.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by jk: Mon Feb 24th, 2020 13:32 | 85th Post |
| Sounds like just the weather for a beach holiday! I think you did well to get the Great Grey Shrike. The Red kite is good as well. ISO 128000 for UK
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Eric: Mon Feb 24th, 2020 16:12 | 86th Post |
jk wrote:Sounds like just the weather for a beach holiday!Not quite, but HUGE crop, even with 500mm. ☹ï¸
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Feb 25th, 2020 17:34 | 87th Post |
Some interesting windy shots there Eric. Another of Last weeks Kestrel shots just as she landed.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Wed Feb 26th, 2020 13:55 | 88th Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:Some interesting windy shots there Eric. Another of Last weeks Kestrel shots just as she landed.Well interesting is about the limit of their 'worth'. I am afraid I haven't been able to get anywhere with good weather and close enough proximity to do anything of real merit. 
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Feb 27th, 2020 18:10 | 89th Post |
My 15 year old grandson Oli was in the studio with me last week and used a DSLR for the first time (My D500 with 18-140mm AF-S Lens) I set the camera up for him and like me he was hand holding and got plenty of good pictures of the very active Tawny Owl. Quality as good as my D850 pix as posted above!
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Iain: Sun Mar 1st, 2020 07:31 | 90th Post |
A couple of in flight shots from this week. DI5_1522 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr DI5_1440 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Mar 1st, 2020 10:08 | 91st Post |
| Those are super Ian.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Sun Mar 1st, 2020 13:29 | 92nd Post |
Please send those blue skies down here Iain. I see you are using the d500 again...what's happening with the Olympus?
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Sun Mar 1st, 2020 15:09 | 93rd Post |
Still waiting for blue skies but a couple more garden birds...and a duck!   
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Iain: Sun Mar 1st, 2020 15:09 | 94th Post |
| I couldn't get away with the electronic viewfinder and poor noise control compared to the D500 Eric.
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| Posted by jk: Sun Mar 1st, 2020 15:26 | 95th Post |
| Eric what camera are you using these days? I think you got rid of the Fuji but have you moved back to D850 or D500?
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Eric: Sun Mar 1st, 2020 15:58 | 96th Post |
jk wrote:Eric what camera are you using these days?Correct. I've got both. I am trying to use the D850 exclusively for everything at the moment...to see if I can dispense with the D500. I prefer the feel of the D850, it has better low light noise control, greater dynamic range and (pixel) detail. I haven't found it especially slower to lock and hold focus, than the D500....I find 'I' am slower than both. Cropping a D850 image is slightly better than a straight D500 image when lighting is less than ideal. In bright lighting they are virtually indistinguishable. I got rid of all the Fuji gear except the IR body and a wide angle zoom that doesn't hotspot. In truth I have tired of IR, so it may go in my next clear out with my DX equipment. I am basically an FX guy. 😆 I haven't ruled out a Z camera. But I see no point in adding one while I have the D850. Besides, I am not using my cameras enough at the moment. One unused camera on the shelf, is better than two unused ones on the shelf.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Mar 6th, 2020 12:33 | 97th Post |
Super weather today for a change so to Chichester Harbour and walked in at low tide to a remote area. Birds at medium distance so there D850 images are about 25% of full frame 500 f5.6 AF-S FL 1/800 sec at F13 800 ISO. 
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Mar 6th, 2020 12:34 | 98th Post |
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by jk: Fri Mar 6th, 2020 12:40 | 99th Post |
| Wow that curlew is very sharp and detailed. Great shot Graham.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Mar 6th, 2020 12:50 | 100th Post |
It was there for some time so was spoilt for choice!
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Mar 7th, 2020 05:28 | 101st Post |
Slightly better comp of the Redshank pix.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Mar 8th, 2020 07:11 | 102nd Post |
I have posted this to show how big a blow up the above shot was and same for Curlew pixs. As I have said many times all you need for birds is a Nikon D850 and the 500mm f5.6 A-FS PF Lens. As previous Chichester Harbour pixs this good winter late pm light sun with haze 1/800 sec F13 800 ISO one spot focus AF-C hand held with VR on.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by jk: Sun Mar 8th, 2020 08:38 | 103rd Post |
| Graham, looking at your exposure data, you are using 1/800 sec, F13, 800 ISO. F13 is possibly suboptimal for diffraction effects. Or do you think that effects are not really noticeable until f16. https://www.slrlounge.com/diffraction-wedding-photography-something-to-worry-about/ I try to adjust my exposure so that I use f8 or max f11. I know f13 is very close to f11. Also as a rule of thumb I use max f8 on APS-C (DX) compared to f11 on FF (FX) What are your thoughts?
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Mar 8th, 2020 09:34 | 104th Post |
| You made me go back and look at the info for the days shoot. Early in day I was getting F13 and was on 800 ISO but these shots as posted were as light was going and were at 1000 ISO still 1/800 sec (I nearly always shoot shutter priority and fixed ISO) sorry as posted shot: F11 or F10. With this lens I am very happy if I can get to f16 as dof is a major problem with birds and very long lenses as I was shooting all day with 500mm plus x1.4 = 700mm. I agree with shorted focal length lenses F11 is best news but deffraction with small f nos does not seem to be the same problem is was with the older lenses in film days. Then when I did a lot of studio work with 4x5 and 8x10 view cameras I often shot at f32 and got very sharp pix but it was with long focal lenses and the hole is much larger for the same f no with a small camera! Deffraction is the bending of light round a small hole is about tec as I get! I was talking to another serious bird photographer and was interested to hear he always shoots with aperture priority and auto ISO. (He is a Canon person!!!)
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Sun Mar 8th, 2020 13:11 | 105th Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:You made me go back and look at the info for the days shoot. Early in day I was getting F13 and was on 800 ISO but these shots as posted were as light was going and were at 1000 ISO still 1/800 sec (I nearly always shoot shutter priority and fixed ISO) sorry as posted shot: F11 or F10. With this lens I am very happy if I can get to f16 as dof is a major problem with birds and very long lenses as I was shooting all day with 500mm plus x1.4 = 700mm. I agree with shorted focal length lenses F11 is best news but deffraction with small f nos does not seem to be the same problem is was with the older lenses in film days. Then when I did a lot of studio work with 4x5 and 8x10 view cameras I often shot at f32 and got very sharp pix but it was with long focal lenses and the hole is much larger for the same f no with a small camera! Deffraction is the bending of light round a small hole is about tec as I get!I have tended to err on the side of caution at f11 even with the 500mm. As a result on small bird shots the dof hasn't always been enough. I have also been concerned going smaller aperture would mean compromising on shutter speed or ISO....both of which bring their own potential negative effects. I suppose at the end of the day (or even on a UK winter midday 😆) we have to decide which of the three 'priorities' is going to be sacrificed. (ie Shutter speed, aperture or ISO) I often set the camera to Manual and the ISO to auto. I then have selection choice of both shutter speed and aperture... at the expense of the ISO, which is less of a concern with the D850. Even so, something still has 'to give' if lighting is poor....... 1/400th (too slow for small bird) @ f11 (too wide for a small bird) and 4500 ISO (starting to show noise even with the D850). Perhaps the answer is not to bother taking the photo, if this is all the light allows you. 
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by jk: Sun Mar 8th, 2020 14:27 | 106th Post |
| Still plenty of detail there for a good A4 print, Eric.
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| Posted by Iain: Sun Mar 8th, 2020 16:22 | 107th Post |
| Interesting reading this as I use f5.6 to f8 for my wildlife shots.
|
| Posted by jk: Sun Mar 8th, 2020 17:00 | 108th Post |
| Being a geeky sort of nerd I have an app and it says in general terms that diffraction effects start for FF at f11 and for APS-C at f8. Of course unless you are nerdy enough to go and shoot with each lens on each format at every aperture in 1/3 stop increments then look in pixel peeping mode you probably wont notice it or even see it in real life use!
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| Posted by Eric: Sun Mar 8th, 2020 17:30 | 109th Post |
Iain wrote:Interesting reading this as I use f5.6 to f8 for my wildlife shots.I suspect there are many situations when the critters are big enough or distant enough to give sufficient dof at wider apertures. It's really only an issue using the 500+1.4xtc at close range. 720mm focused at 5m and f11 means just 30mm dof.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Robert: Sun Mar 8th, 2020 17:45 | 110th Post |
Eric wrote:Perhaps the answer is not to bother taking the photo, if this is all the light allows you.Well, perhaps but this is a superb image, in my opinion at least, it's spectacular and finely detailed, while you are complaining about some aspects, my only complaint is the 'camera shake' effect on the large tree in the background. That I find objectionable, never mind the bird, that's fine, look at the background. I assume it's a 'feature' of the PF lens causing this effect, I never seen this with conventional telephoto's, or never noticed it anyway... I imagine a quick application of a blur brush would fix it. I think you are all too critical of the minutiae in these images while missing the 'whole picture' occasionally. My eye is drawn instantly to the apparent camera shake on the tree, which it obviously isn't! As for enlarging it to A4, I just viewed it full width of my 27" iMac, the bird was 14" long from tail to tip of beak and it still looked superb. I guess that's twice to three times life size?
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by jk: Sun Mar 8th, 2020 18:19 | 111th Post |
| Think you are probably correct Robert. Wood for the trees! I hadnt noticed the shake on the trees. Easy to get rid of especially with Eric's Photoshop skills. Of course it is all about the light, the image, the subject!
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| Posted by Eric: Sun Mar 8th, 2020 19:00 | 112th Post |
Robert wrote:Well, perhaps but this is a superb image, in my opinion at least, it's spectacular and finely detailed, while you are complaining about some aspects, my only complaint is the 'camera shake' effect on the large tree in the background. That I find objectionable, never mind the bird, that's fine, look at the background. I assume it's a 'feature' of the PF lens causing this effect, I never seen this with conventional telephoto's, or never noticed it anyway... I imagine a quick application of a blur brush would fix it.Hmmm. That's me told off. I take your point....something else for me to bitch about....the branches. 😆 It seems like a rim lighting effect. It's there on the nef file so it's obviously not software or processing related. Maybe it is an effect of the fractal lens resolving back lighting when out of focus? It's reminiscent of colour fringing without the colour.Ive just spent a bit of time looking back at my garden birds files and came across some that were perfectly alright. No sign of this edge effect. I then looked at the exif ....and they were taken on the Fuji I sold.  Don't let JK see this post ....I will never hear the last of it. 
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Robert: Mon Mar 9th, 2020 03:23 | 113th Post |
Eric wrote:Hmmm. That's me told off. Say no more!!!
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon Mar 9th, 2020 06:03 | 114th Post |
Has this bit of noise reduction in Photoshop raw filter correction?
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by jk: Mon Mar 9th, 2020 06:45 | 115th Post |
Eric wrote:Hmmm. That's me told off.Haha I saw it! I can sell you a nice XT2 if you like but I actually suggest that you get an XT4 when it arrives as that also has IBIS (no not the bird, but In Body Image Stabilisation) but it is more expensive than the XT3 but it also has a bigger battery. Bad luck I am no1 on the list to get one from Wex/FixationUK when it arrives in April/May. I have to say that IBIS like that found in the Nikon Z7/Z6 and Fuji XH1 is a wonderful find. So much better than the VR offered by Nikon on F mount lenses. I am wondering if the new S mount lenses are more about the IBIS in the camera than the ability to make better lenses if they have a wider lens/camera body throat.
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| Posted by blackfox: Mon Mar 9th, 2020 14:24 | 116th Post |
ah well I'm still plodding on with my olympus gear . as older age and my dodgy ticker are definetly limiting my carrying capabilities but still getting the shots heres a few from yesterday   
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| Posted by Eric: Mon Mar 9th, 2020 15:07 | 117th Post |
| Lovely lighting and exposure there Jeff. Well done.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Mon Mar 9th, 2020 18:59 | 118th Post |
| I haven't been able to get out and about much lately (wife under the weather) so I've been playing with the D850 and garden birds. Nothing to write home about, just a blackbird in poor lighting. So poor this was at ISO 25,600...and yes I did do some noise reduction on the background but the bird is untouched. I suppose the noise is hidden better on a black bird? 
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by jk: Tue Mar 10th, 2020 03:33 | 119th Post |
| I think we need to be aware and not overly critical of high ISO images. Eric's blackbird is effectively taken at 5 stops above anything possible by film in times gone by! Sometimes we forget where we have come from. I remember push processing Ektachrome 400 to 1600 ISO (+two stops) and the results were muddy golfball grain and mushy images that were dull and almost colourless.
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| Posted by Bob Bowen: Tue Mar 10th, 2020 05:37 | 120th Post |
| Yes JK. How far IQ has progressed in 25 years. 1995 I purchased my Nikon Coolscan for £2000. Before that the Kodak 35mm scanner was £22,000. Five year latter the Di. I too remember the golfball sized grains regularly pushing Fujichrome to 1600 for sport.
____________________ Bob Bowen |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Mar 10th, 2020 06:57 | 121st Post |
| Eric that Blackbird is amazing I have never pushed ISO like that. Good to see your interesting images Jeff thanks for sharing them with us.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Tue Mar 10th, 2020 09:30 | 122nd Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:Eric that Blackbird is amazing I have never pushed ISO like that. Good to see your interesting images Jeff thanks for sharing them with us.If you zoom in on the branch around it's claws you can see how noisy the whole image was before I de noised the background. I haven't done any noise reduction on the bird or it's perch. I did remove one or two hot pixels (chromatic dots) that were visible on the black bird but left the rest of the bird unmolested. I get the impression that the appearance of intrusive noise seems to occur above ISO 3000 on the D850. But the incremental amount of noise doesn't seem to be 8x the problem at 25000. Think I've mentioned this before; the ISO level for obvious noise appearance hasn't changed much from the old days...eg iso1600. It would have been nice to have noise free images up at iso5000, (comparable to the old iso 400) on newer cameras, but it seems as though all the noise control improvement has gone at the higher levels and the middle ground (eg iso2000-6000) less so.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Tue Mar 10th, 2020 10:04 | 123rd Post |
I've reworked the goldfinch image to (hopefully) make the background less objectionable to young Plowden.  Also, livened up the image contrast and sharpness. It's still not as punchy as Mr Whistlers version of the image. Maybe that's a limitation in the sharpening algorithm of Affinity Photo compared to Photoshop? 
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Mar 10th, 2020 11:28 | 124th Post |
| I think the Photoshop version has opened up the shadows a bit and the USM has improver sharpness quite well wjt out looking over processed.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Robert: Tue Mar 10th, 2020 14:56 | 125th Post |
Eric wrote:I've reworked the goldfinch image to (hopefully) make the background less objectionable to young Plowden. I was feeling pretty weary 'til I read that, thank you kind sir! I just spent the day on the lathe making a special tool to use in the reassembly of a Land Rover gearbox.Much better, thanks. There was nothing wrong with the bird, superb in my opinion. For those who use current versions of Photoshop and Lightroom the detail enhancement tools are getting better and better, I seem to remember reading somewhere that they are using artificial intelligence to find and enhance fine detail. I find it very effective, not that I am taking many photo's at the moment.
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by Eric: Tue Mar 10th, 2020 16:34 | 126th Post |
Robert wrote:That makes me feel really redundant.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Robert: Tue Mar 10th, 2020 17:38 | 127th Post |
Eric wrote:That makes me feel really redundant.Awwww, didn't mean to make you feel redundant, I think it's supposed to bring us up to your level? Chips are becoming so small and powerful I expect much more processing will take place in the camera in the future.
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by jk: Wed Mar 11th, 2020 03:58 | 128th Post |
| The Fujis now have that feature in camera using X RAW Studio. When linked to a computer a RAW file can be converted in camera and sent to computer as a jpg in any of the simulations e.g. Velvia, Acros, Provia, Classic Chrome, etc. https://www.fujifilm.com/support/digital_cameras/software/x_raw_studio/mac/ "Overview "FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO" is new RAW conversion software completely different from conventional RAW conversion software. Once connecting a digital camera to a computer, "FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO" allows users to: Convert RAW files in a short time just almost same duration as a camera takes a photo. And it does not depend on the performance of your computer as the FUJIFILM X RAW STUDIO system utilizes the image processor in the camera instead of the CPU in the computer. Get an image with retained exceptional image quality (tonality, color reproduction, noise reduction, and so on of the camera)."
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Mar 11th, 2020 06:17 | 129th Post |
Here is a dull light 2500 ISO 1/250 sec f8 VR D850 with 500mm PF Lens plus x1.4 so lens wide open.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Mar 11th, 2020 09:04 | 130th Post |
Yes this IS a wild free Starling. D850 with 500 PF 1/400 sec f10 ISO 1600
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by jk: Wed Mar 11th, 2020 10:04 | 131st Post |
| Certainly pulling them in Graham. Superb shots, great quality.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Mar 12th, 2020 06:53 | 132nd Post |
Prervious image had a drip!
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Iain: Sat Mar 14th, 2020 10:11 | 133rd Post |
I like the one with the drip Graham. 
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| Posted by chrisbet: Sat Mar 14th, 2020 11:12 | 134th Post |
| Yes - and the drip has an image of the drop above which has an image of branches? And the eye has an image of Graham with the sun over his shoulder. Wheels within wheels 
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by Robert: Sat Mar 14th, 2020 14:31 | 135th Post |
| I am always looking for images within the image, often rewarded. My most remarkable reflection was in the ball of a ball point pen at 5X! It showed an image of the entire room, almost like a fisheye lens
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by Eric: Sat Mar 14th, 2020 17:13 | 136th Post |
Robert wrote:I am always looking for images within the image, often rewarded.Here's one I prepared some time ago....especially for you Robert....  Click here to comment on this image
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by chrisbet: Sat Mar 14th, 2020 17:17 | 137th Post |
| I tried the ball bearing thing, but all I got was the very fine scratches on the surface of the ball - need to find an unused one! Talking of images in images, I used to do artwork and printing for the local Lib Dems - one of the councillors was a bit of a donkey, so I used to hide the image of a donkey somewhere in the background of the photos of him doing his "good deeds" ....
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by Robert: Sat Mar 14th, 2020 18:56 | 138th Post |
chrisbet wrote:I tried the ball bearing thing, but all I got was the very fine scratches on the surface of the ball - need to find an unused one! Or a polished chrome or stainless one. You can get them on eBay, quite big too, up to about a foot in diameter, no chance of hiding from that, unless you hide in a bush with a very long lens...
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by Robert: Sat Mar 14th, 2020 18:57 | 139th Post |
Eric wrote:Here's one I prepared some time ago....especially for you Robert... Thank you Eric, very clever!
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Mar 18th, 2020 09:38 | 140th Post |
| Posting this pix as test as I have not been able to upload today internet problems with people working at home? Click here to comment on this image
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Mar 18th, 2020 09:40 | 141st Post |
| This is an amazing link to some very high quality bird photography: Amazing Bird Photography Osprey VS Pelican - Sony A9 - Sony A7RIV
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by chrisbet: Wed Mar 18th, 2020 11:35 | 142nd Post |
| Hi Graham - you need to use the YouTube link button in the editor and enter the video page link - I have done it for you and edited your post above. Yes pretty amazing photos but best viewed with the sound off!!!
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Mar 20th, 2020 18:28 | 143rd Post |
We had a 2nd trip to Chichester Harbour this week but tide was better but light not so good and less birds! Sadly our Gosport Camera Club now shut for the rest of the season. We are like many of our age now cancelling our two holidays and plan to spend most of our time as instructed at home. The World is in lockdown! Click here to comment on this image
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by jk: Sat Mar 21st, 2020 01:48 | 144th Post |
| The lockdown is a good time to learn, practice, or refine skills. I found this on a friend FB page. It led me to research where it came from.  Click here to comment on this image https://www.oshonews.com/2020/03/19/poem-kathleen-omeara/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=poem-kathleen-omeara&fbclid=IwAR03G7ix8c1Xzv734eBdo9Rodny4S3nd9nUG5YiZzBPgDsqDRPewJYXAjxY Sometimes we find great nuggets from digging small holes!
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| Posted by chrisbet: Sat Mar 21st, 2020 04:14 | 145th Post |
| and, sadly, it never happened.
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by jk: Sat Mar 21st, 2020 19:15 | 146th Post |
OK back on topic! I think that I need to put some more food out for the birds so I can join in this thread.
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| Posted by blackfox: Tue Mar 24th, 2020 04:14 | 147th Post |
female stonechat taken a week or so back BV Click here to comment on this image
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| Posted by jk: Tue Mar 24th, 2020 04:40 | 148th Post |
| Nice shot Jeff. Hope you are staying isolated.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Mar 25th, 2020 11:31 | 149th Post |
Another Kestral from previous shoot: Nikon D850 500 PF Lens 1/640 sec f11 at 800 ISO did not publish before as needed Photoshop, head and upper body in quite strong shadow now sorted! Click here to comment on this image
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Mar 25th, 2020 14:03 | 150th Post |
| Sorry uploaded the wrong file with poor colour balance. Click here to comment on this image
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by jk: Wed Mar 25th, 2020 16:01 | 151st Post |
| Cant see the difference between the two. What are the differences between the two images?
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Mar 26th, 2020 03:33 | 152nd Post |
| -15 Cyan but it seems to be lost in uploading to the forum?
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by jk: Thu Mar 26th, 2020 03:43 | 153rd Post |
| That is probably too subtle a change to be seen on my ipad. I will see if my colour calibrated monitor can spot the difference. I find it remarkable that the displays that we use for editing can see these differences but when we upload the image to internet site that such subtleties are lost.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Mar 26th, 2020 03:57 | 154th Post |
| The Hhead and shoulders of the bird was in quite deep shade with rest of body OK in sun. Did local exposure correction in Photoshop but colour was bit cyan compared with rest of bird.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by chrisbet: Thu Mar 26th, 2020 09:00 | 155th Post |
| The second upload overwrote the first because the same filename was used - add a suffix e.g. kestrel_4460a.jpg instead of kestrel_4460.jpg if you want to keep the original.
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Mar 26th, 2020 11:43 | 156th Post |
| Chris many thanks it's no big deal it is very small amount.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by chrisbet: Thu Mar 26th, 2020 12:53 | 157th Post |
| It's a very nice photo - I was just satisfying JK's insatiable appetite to know why does what
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Mar 27th, 2020 13:20 | 158th Post |
Yellowhammer D850 40-80mm Lens3200 ISO Click here to comment on this image
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by jk: Fri Mar 27th, 2020 15:39 | 159th Post |
| Got my 400mm f2.8 AFS ED ii back from FixationUK. They said it had a squeaky SWM but that happens when the lens is not used all the time! Bad Nikon design or sourcing of bits. However if you know about these motors it is not eminent failure but usually complaint of lack of use! I am not giving them a superb lens of value £4k for £1200.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Eric: Sat Mar 28th, 2020 04:34 | 160th Post |
jk wrote:Got my 400mm f2.8 AFS ED ii back from FixationUK. They said it had a squeaky SWM but that happens when the lens is not used all the time! Bad Nikon design or sourcing of bits. However if you know about these motors it is not eminent failure but usually complaint of lack of use!I had a squeaky Nikon lens and was told that there was an aluminium strip 'in there' that can oxidise and needed regular use to wear it off...if possible. It was suggested I put it in manual and focus it rapidly back and forth for a new days - 'sometimes they free themselves upâ€. So I did this and I have to say it did quieten it down a bit but there was always a faint squeak. I eventually sold the lens on eBay declaring the squeak and it made 3/4 the price 'perfect' examples were making. I suspect the resale price of these heavier long primes will have been influenced by the new FP lenses in some quarters. It will be even worse if/when Nikon bring out 400mm and 600mm version. With Sony bringing out lightweight telephoto lenses it may spread up that release...once the world heals.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Iain: Sat Mar 28th, 2020 06:29 | 161st Post |
| The 400mm f2.8 is a bit of a beast as far as weight is concerned and there is a bit of a selective market for it.
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| Posted by chrisbet: Sat Mar 28th, 2020 07:44 | 162nd Post |
Eric wrote:was told that there was an aluminium strip 'in there' that can oxidise and needed regular use to wear it offAluminium forms a thin oxide layer immediately it is exposed to oxygen - so all regular aluminium surfaces are "oxidised". I would have thought the issue is more likely to be galvanic corrosion due to the use of other metals in contact with the aluminium or just a poor choice of material in the first place. If indeed, that is the source of the noise - lenses aren't THAT difficult to disassemble, I'd be tempted to take it apart and clean / lubricate.
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by jk: Sat Mar 28th, 2020 08:29 | 163rd Post |
chrisbet wrote:Aluminium forms a thin oxide layer immediately it is exposed to oxygen - so all regular aluminium surfaces are "oxidised".I agree it is a poor choice of material in this and other SWM lenses. I would have thought that a different metal or a plastic covering would be useful alternative.
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| Posted by blackfox: Wed Apr 1st, 2020 05:15 | 164th Post |
| super kestrel shot graham was this at a paid hide ?
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| Posted by blackfox: Wed Apr 1st, 2020 05:22 | 165th Post |
female stonechat a few days before lockdown . olympus omd1-mkii plus PL100-400 .taken from mobile ford  Click here to comment on this image mondeo hide
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Apr 1st, 2020 06:28 | 166th Post |
| I love it, thats a super image Jeff well done, keep well and keep shooting!
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Wed Apr 1st, 2020 11:44 | 167th Post |
blackfox wrote:female stonechat a few days before lockdown . olympus omd1-mkii plus PL100-400 .taken from mobile fordThat's a lovely image, Jeff. Cracking bird
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by blackfox: Thu Apr 2nd, 2020 10:34 | 168th Post |
| thanks Eric,graham appreciated
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| Posted by blackfox: Thu Apr 2nd, 2020 10:34 | 169th Post |
heres her partner a few minutes later  Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Apr 2nd, 2020 11:40 | 170th Post |
| Very good again!
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Apr 9th, 2020 13:23 | 171st Post |
Not doing so well with just my garden birds to photo this Blackbird on the bird bath was better than on the feeder. D850 500mm PF + x1.4=700mm VR 1/250sec f9 iso 1600 Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Apr 9th, 2020 17:40 | 172nd Post |
Similar set-up 850 but F8 is 700mm lens wide open and 1/250 sec hand held shows that VR does work well with this lens ISO1600 fading evening light. Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Iain: Sat Apr 11th, 2020 08:30 | 173rd Post |
| Getting a bit jealous of you guys with a garden as I'm stuck in the house with only a backyard that no birds come near because of all the cats.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Apr 11th, 2020 11:05 | 174th Post |
| It's not all good news Ian with all this good weather we have 3 days of catching up with the garden jobs. Today is a day of rest for the sake of the stiff bits in the back and legs! Evening light now so will get camera out to try for the evening feed time. Eric has been sending me some very interesting movie bits of gulls and hedgehog feeding.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by chrisbet: Sat Apr 11th, 2020 12:04 | 175th Post |
| We have a garden and lots of birds nesting here but also many trees so getting a clear pic of them is difficult. There are a pair of Jays, a pair of Magpies, a pair of Blackbirds, a pair of Blue Tits, a pair of Wrens and the ubiquitous Robins as well as Doves & Pigeons. Just waiting for the Pipistrelles to come out of hibernation.
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by Eric: Sat Apr 11th, 2020 17:26 | 176th Post |
Lesser black back Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Sat Apr 11th, 2020 17:37 | 177th Post |
And another flypast... Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Iain: Sun Apr 12th, 2020 05:37 | 178th Post |
| Time of year that those big guys are looking for young in the nest for a snack.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Apr 12th, 2020 06:02 | 179th Post |
Nice one Eric! Happy Easter all, lets hope Eric's gulls do not come here and eat the little Dunnock on our bird bath. Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Apr 12th, 2020 17:42 | 180th Post |
I think this shows yet again how good the D850 is with this Nikon 500mm PF lens plus x1.4 This is the whole frame as shot lens fully open F5.6 but with x1.4 is F8 1/500 sec hand held with VR ISO 1250 same shot as above was cropped from this. Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Apr 19th, 2020 05:50 | 181st Post |
Not able to go out to photograph birds away from home so sorry to let you down but I have painted an Owl for you this week (from one of my photographs)! Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Robert: Sun Apr 19th, 2020 06:42 | 182nd Post |
| I love it Graham! Never mind the D850, a set of paintbrushes are a brilliant substitute.
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri May 1st, 2020 10:28 | 183rd Post |
Got out for sea front walk today in between some serious showers. Plenty of Gulls, D850 with 500mm PF lens 1/1600 sec f20 ISO 2500. Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Mon May 4th, 2020 12:24 | 184th Post |
I am afraid lockdown has curtailed excursions for more exotic birds And garden birds are the order of the day..... Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Mon May 4th, 2020 12:33 | 185th Post |
| The ducks have arrived for their summer holiday (one pair or another have been coming here for over 10 years). They no a soft touch ...and get a scoop of corn. Thus replete they obligingly cr*p on the patio and return to the river for a bath. Nice! We have an ailing hedgehog with a swelling on the side of its face. It comes out prematurely before dark (not sure if it's eyesight or timing sensor is effected). To give it a fighting chance we distribute a handful of dried mealworms in its path. The ducks however have discovered THEY like mealworms ....but are too timid to face a grunting brush. But as soon as the hog emerges about 6pm the ducks see him trundling across the lawn they give chase... they KNOW their will be mealworms..... Isn't their a pub called The Hog and Duck?  Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by jk: Mon May 4th, 2020 14:57 | 186th Post |
Eric wrote:The ducks have arrived for their summer holiday (one pair or another have been coming here for over 10 years). They no a soft touch ...and get a scoop of corn. Thus replete they obligingly cr*p on the patio and return to the river for a bath. Nice!Is that a hedge duck?
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Robert: Mon May 4th, 2020 16:20 | 187th Post |
| Looks like a very poorly hedgehog, that is one bad swelling.
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by Eric: Mon May 4th, 2020 17:53 | 188th Post |
Robert wrote:Looks like a very poorly hedgehog, that is one bad swelling.Yup. But it's eating well, it curls up when approached. No point in taking it to the RSPCA because their needles are too ready in cases like this. (Not a fan of that organisation) I fully expect it not to come one day but in the meantime it still wants to eat...which is a sigh it hasn't given up yet.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed May 6th, 2020 13:24 | 189th Post |
Like Eric and many others we are spending lots of time in the garden. This Starling not at all bothered that I was sitting quite close with my cup of tea when it came down to drink. Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Iain: Fri May 8th, 2020 08:08 | 190th Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:Like Eric and many others we are spending lots of time in the garden. This Starling not at all bothered that I was sitting quite close with my cup of tea when it came down to drink.People dismiss them but they have such lovely markings.
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| Posted by Eric: Sun May 10th, 2020 13:32 | 191st Post |
Overcast and very windy here today. Shots through dirty double glazing  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun May 10th, 2020 13:46 | 192nd Post |
| Nice ones Eric. We are seeing some of this years starlings for first time today, also for first time a coal tit, I must try for a photo it was posing well today but camera not handy!
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Sun May 10th, 2020 15:28 | 193rd Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:Nice ones Eric. We are seeing some of this years starlings for first time today, also for first time a coal tit, I must try for a photo it was posing well today but camera not handy!Tell me about it! I had a lovely Jackdaw land for a drink, full frame! If only I had the camera in my hand and not a coffee cup. 😆
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Iain: Mon May 11th, 2020 05:12 | 194th Post |
| There nice Eric.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon May 11th, 2020 05:34 | 195th Post |
Starlings feeding young this morning not my best as through window glass. Opened door and they flew away and I got told off for letting in very cold air!!! Nikon D850 with my 500mm PF lens (no x1.4) 1/640 sec f14 ISO 1600 Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon May 11th, 2020 05:35 | 196th Post |
 Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon May 11th, 2020 05:36 | 197th Post |
 Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon May 11th, 2020 09:03 | 198th Post |
 Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon May 11th, 2020 09:10 | 199th Post |
 Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon May 11th, 2020 11:11 | 200th Post |
Last pix of the day plenty of action and a few good ones missed! Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Robert: Mon May 11th, 2020 11:57 | 201st Post |
| Thank you Graham, excellent pictures, particularly interesting to see the interaction between the birds.
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by Eric: Mon May 11th, 2020 14:44 | 202nd Post |
The Jackdaw returned today....hoping it will come back tomorrow, when the wind drops and I can open the window to get a clearer shot!!!! Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by jk: Mon May 11th, 2020 15:56 | 203rd Post |
| Very common here in Cornwall Eric. They seem to spend all day bobbing around my garden or on the roof but they are quite shy so if I go out they clear off.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Eric: Mon May 11th, 2020 16:59 | 204th Post |
jk wrote:Very common here in Cornwall Eric. They seem to spend all day bobbing around my garden or on the roof but they are quite shy so if I go out they clear off.Yes very skitty. But will persevere.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by jk: Tue May 12th, 2020 13:57 | 205th Post |
Eric wrote:Yes very skitty. But will persevere.Yes they are. Their plumage around the head is beautiful grey and black that is so subtly blended.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Eric: Tue May 12th, 2020 14:17 | 206th Post |
jk wrote:Yes they are.Like mine.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by jk: Tue May 12th, 2020 14:48 | 207th Post |
You know that we are all jealous of your wonderful plumage! Mind you if they don't allow barbers and hairdressers to unlock soon I will be going for the Albert Einstein trophy!
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Robert: Tue May 12th, 2020 16:37 | 208th Post |
jk wrote:
I did some hacking at my mop yesterday, only the bits I can see in the mirror, I daren't tackle the back, so I now have a short front and sides! Perhaps two mirrors?
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by chrisbet: Tue May 12th, 2020 17:35 | 209th Post |
| It's a bit like reversing a trailer - takes practice because everything goes the opposite way - I don't suppose my trick of holding the wheel at the bottom works with scissors ...
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by Iain: Wed May 13th, 2020 08:43 | 210th Post |
| my hair is fine
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| Posted by Eric: Wed May 13th, 2020 14:41 | 211th Post |
| My wife cut mine....so I cut hers! The bruises are fading and the swelling going down. I may be able to see out of my left eye in a day or two.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Wed May 13th, 2020 14:48 | 212th Post |
Bath time... Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Wed May 13th, 2020 15:06 | 213th Post |
 Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed May 13th, 2020 17:23 | 214th Post |
Well caught Eric good shutter speed! Our starlings with plenty of young still flat out. Sadly one youngster hit a window and was dead Jackdaw down at once and had a go at the little body! Too little water in my shot! Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Iain: Thu May 14th, 2020 08:07 | 215th Post |
| These are good guys.
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| Posted by Eric: Thu May 14th, 2020 17:46 | 216th Post |
One more and I am done...got to find another species to photograph. A female bull finch flew across the garden this afternoon ...at 200mph. Never to be seen again.  Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Robert: Fri May 15th, 2020 05:16 | 217th Post |
| Nice portrait Eric.
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat May 16th, 2020 13:38 | 218th Post |
Yes Eric we need a change from the 30 noisey starlings every day. One of out 4 or 5 regular dunnocks is best I can do. Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun May 17th, 2020 04:34 | 219th Post |
Young Robin having a drink this morning, starlings still flat out and driving even the Jackdaws away! Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun May 17th, 2020 05:49 | 220th Post |
| I shoud have added I had a fault with the D850 shortly after this pix: the parent came down to feed the young robin I picked up the camera in hurry with 500mm to grab a shot and it would not fire! Birds flew pix missed. "for" displayed in top window, looked at back of camera "card not formatted". I must have touched menu button because last night changed battery and formatted both cards. So now camera locked at this could not take any more pixs even took out battery but "for" still dispalayed. Up to computer as I did not want to format cards or pixs would be lost. Down loaded pixs see above all pixs OK. XQD card back in camera formatted both cards all work well again!
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by jk: Sun May 17th, 2020 09:22 | 221st Post |
| Those are very fine images Graham. Beautiful.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Eric: Mon May 18th, 2020 15:30 | 222nd Post |
One of our 'new' visitors.... Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Mon May 18th, 2020 15:33 | 223rd Post |
And a 'not so new' visitor.... Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue May 19th, 2020 05:08 | 224th Post |
| What is the "New" visitor Eric?
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by chrisbet: Tue May 19th, 2020 05:21 | 225th Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:What is the "New" visitor Eric?Thrush?
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by Eric: Tue May 19th, 2020 07:32 | 226th Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:What is the "New" visitor Eric?New as in newly hatched ....blackbird
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue May 19th, 2020 11:54 | 227th Post |
| Thanks Eric thought it might be and have just seen one in our garden.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by chrisbet: Tue May 19th, 2020 14:32 | 228th Post |
| Doesn't look like the fledgling blackbirds we have in the garden, they don't have the mottling. Thrush and blackbird are same family. Counted in the garden today (but no pics as I am busy fixing the garage roof ) wren, house sparrow, blackbird, jay, magpie, collared dove, blue tit and heard but not seen - gulls!
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by Iain: Tue May 19th, 2020 14:49 | 229th Post |
| Definitely a juvenile blackbird and a nice one at that.
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| Posted by Eric: Wed May 20th, 2020 05:07 | 230th Post |
chrisbet wrote:Doesn't look like the fledgling blackbirds we have in the garden, they don't have the mottling.The mottling is there in the early stages like the Robin by gradually goes once they are fully feathered. We have a pair of Song thrush that nest at the very bottom of the garden. Very shy rarely come closer to the house. Would love to see some success for them this year as Song thrush are getting very scarce, but they teach the young to be elusive as well.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by chrisbet: Wed May 20th, 2020 05:16 | 231st Post |
| Thanks for the explanation. We used to have very tame song thrushes in the garden years ago, but they have gone now. Shame because their song is beautiful.
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by Eric: Wed May 20th, 2020 16:42 | 232nd Post |
The humble house sparrow is a beautifully marked bird.....just a bit fidgety when searching for greenfly.... Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu May 21st, 2020 05:26 | 233rd Post |
| Eric your young blackbird is much darker that the two presently in our garden. I will try and get a picture of one but we are so busy working in garden at present there my be a problem if a camera is seen by senior managment!
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by chrisbet: Thu May 21st, 2020 06:38 | 234th Post |
| Take senior management a cup of tea and declare a tea break
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by Eric: Thu May 21st, 2020 12:00 | 235th Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:Eric your young blackbird is much darker that the two presently in our garden. I will try and get a picture of one but we are so busy working in garden at present there my be a problem if a camera is seen by senior managment!It may be my processing but from memory that's about right...similar to adult female except the speckle breast. Speaking of which ....just discovered that young goldfinches have a speckled breast too...  Click here to comment on this image. I love the bemused look on its face....â€you mean, stick my head in that hole?â€
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri May 22nd, 2020 06:02 | 236th Post |
You are right Eric our Young Blackbird much same as yours. Poor light this morning hope it brings rain our waterbuts all run out! D850 Lens 500mm PF no x1.4 1/500 sec f6.3 ISO 1250 Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri May 22nd, 2020 06:04 | 237th Post |
Same as above but much further away so lager blow-up. Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Sat May 23rd, 2020 15:41 | 238th Post |
 Click here to comment on this image. Double take!  Click here to comment on this image. Older brother or sister......  Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat May 23rd, 2020 17:44 | 239th Post |
| Nice set of pixs, super little birds.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Sun May 24th, 2020 07:33 | 240th Post |
| Well that's it folks. I am giving up photographing baby's starlings. I foolishly sprinkled some mealworms on the lawn closer to the house and did some videoing of them feeding, drinking /bathing in the water bath. Lovely close footage using the 500mm lens on the D850. The squawking and feeding frenzy was very loud. So much so, it attracted one of the several killer cats in the area which shot out of the border and grabbed one of the young birds I had been filming. I chased after the b*stard and it dropped the bird to escape over the fence ...but the damage had been done. One of 'my cast members' died in my hands. To make matters worse, in the process of acting like a 20 year old, I fell over and b*ggered my arthritic toe ...that had only just recovered from several weeks of a gout attack. Who would have thought bird photography could be so dangerous?
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Iain: Sun May 24th, 2020 08:52 | 241st Post |
| This is the best I can offer as I only have a yard and don't get much in. Attachment: DI5_2320.jpg (Downloaded 58 times)
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| Posted by chrisbet: Sun May 24th, 2020 08:53 | 242nd Post |
| Clearly much more risky than you thought!
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by Iain: Sun May 24th, 2020 08:54 | 243rd Post |
Eric wrote:Well that's it folks. I am giving up photographing baby's starlings.Thats the trouble when you still think your 25. I don't have the cat issue with three dogs.
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| Posted by chrisbet: Sun May 24th, 2020 10:09 | 244th Post |
| Lol - my 3 dogs try to take out the pigeons when they land in the garden!
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by Eric: Sun May 24th, 2020 12:37 | 245th Post |
Iain wrote:This is the best I can offer as I only have a yard and don't get much in.When are likely to be able to get out to your reserve, Iain? I know the public hides are shut at RSPB et al sites but I thought you had a private place to visit like Jeff? Incidentally has anyone heard from Jeff? He's not been posting and do hope he has stayed safe away from the virus with his heart condition. 🤞
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Iain: Sun May 24th, 2020 13:03 | 246th Post |
| I can get out to the reserves now but not into the hides. The problem now is with the trees etc in full leaf you don't see much. The feeding stations/hides is where you would see things at this time of year so in a catch 22.
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| Posted by chrisbet: Sun May 24th, 2020 16:10 | 247th Post |
| Rather a grey day here but looking out the window I noticed an odd bird on the birdbath - it seemed to have a white rump and dark wings - went to grab the camera but it had flown. So I waited a while to see if it reappeared which it didn't! However I did have the blackbirds screaming back & forth - not settling for a drink - then I spotted one of our noisy neighbours up in the top of the trees -  Click here to comment on this image. and a moment later, which explains the blackbird's antics -  Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by Eric: Mon May 25th, 2020 03:07 | 248th Post |
Iain wrote:I can get out to the reserves now but not into the hides. The problem now is with the trees etc in full leaf you don't see much. The feeding stations/hides is where you would see things at this time of year so in a catch 22.My birding friend Mike was telling me that the Cley reserve has been completely closed off to the public, not just the hides. In the few weeks we were all in total lockdown, many birds have started nesting within feet of the paths....including a Bittern! They don't want to risk scaring them off before the young fledge. I suspect the wardens and friends are getting some good photographs. ☹ï¸
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Mon May 25th, 2020 03:23 | 249th Post |
chrisbet wrote:Rather a grey day here but looking out the window I noticed an odd bird on the birdbath - it seemed to have a white rump and dark wings - went to grab the camera but it had flown. So I waited a while to see if it reappeared which it didn't!Nicely caught. Magpies can be very skitty and 'shy'. I find them difficult to get optimum exposure due to the intense white and black. There's also something prehistoric about how a magpie moves about. I reckon they are closely related to velociraptors 😆 We have a family that visit us. With all the small bird nesting that must be in the guarding we put food out for these predators to try to defray loss of there offspring. Magpies love corn, Jays love half peanuts, jackdaws love mealworms and squirrels eat anything but prefer nuts and sunflower hearts. Interestingly the Tits don't like half peanuts especially without the husk. I suppose they like a round object they recognise as the real McCoy? If we put half peanuts in a feeder they regularly through away several whities before getting one they like....the ground crew (pigeons and doves) are always appreciative. It's quite a complicated (not to mention expensive) life managing wildlife mealtimes in this place. 😞
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by chrisbet: Mon May 25th, 2020 04:54 | 250th Post |
| I never feed the birds - we have a very woodland like garden with a variety of trees and surrounding wild hedges that attract and feed the birds, from the hawthorn that the doves & pigeons love to eat the buds in May through to the apples & plums in autumn. The garden is full of insects that attract the bats as well. We have several species that nest every year, blue tits in the boxes, blackbirds, wrens & robins in the hedges and doves, magpies and pigeons in the trees. The problem is that they have such good cover that getting a clear shot of them is usually only possible if they are at the bird baths or the pond.
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by Eric: Mon May 25th, 2020 09:11 | 251st Post |
chrisbet wrote:I never feed the birds - we have a very woodland like garden with a variety of trees and surrounding wild hedges that attract and feed the birds, from the hawthorn that the doves & pigeons love to eat the buds in May through to the apples & plums in autumn. The garden is full of insects that attract the bats as well. We have several species that nest every year, blue tits in the boxes, blackbirds, wrens & robins in the hedges and doves, magpies and pigeons in the trees.Sounds perfect. I am inclined not to do so as well, but I am afraid if I didn't feed them the wife wouldn't feed me. I am happy to prepare my own meals ...but she won't let me in HER kitchen.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Iain: Mon May 25th, 2020 12:45 | 252nd Post |
Eric wrote:My birding friend Mike was telling me that the Cley reserve has been completely closed off to the public, not just the hides. In the few weeks we were all in total lockdown, many birds have started nesting within feet of the paths....including a Bittern! They don't want to risk scaring them off before the young fledge. I suspect the wardens and friends are getting some good photographs. ☹ï¸I hope things open up as we are due to come down to Norfolk in July if we can. Just watching what is being said.
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| Posted by Iain: Tue May 26th, 2020 08:26 | 253rd Post |
A few form one of the reserves today. DI5_2356 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr DI5_2370 by Iain Clyne, on Flickrthis not a bird but thought I would include it.  DI5_2372 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue May 26th, 2020 12:42 | 254th Post |
| Ian glad you are out and getting some good pixs.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Tue May 26th, 2020 14:43 | 255th Post |
Birdwatching is a fascinating hobby.... Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Wed May 27th, 2020 15:58 | 256th Post |
| For some reason, this Song Thrush which has been shyly keeping to the bottom hedge in the garden, today decided to forage in the open. It came very close considering we were sat outside and not trying to hide out of sight. I suspect it's because it's feeding young, as I then threw out some bread and it grabbed several mouthfuls before flying back to the bottom hedge. Will have to keep an eye out for it's fledglings. 🤞  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by jk: Wed May 27th, 2020 17:02 | 257th Post |
| Second image shows the beautiful markings really well.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed May 27th, 2020 17:03 | 258th Post |
| Super inages, long time since I have seen one. Hope to get some new pixs out in local wood on Friday.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by chrisbet: Wed May 27th, 2020 17:31 | 259th Post |
| "My" Magpie has been foraging bits of bread from somewhere - it brings them to our bird bath and dunks them!
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by Eric: Thu May 28th, 2020 02:56 | 260th Post |
Last one... Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu May 28th, 2020 04:34 | 261st Post |
Good capture but you were a bit dark? Very slight shadow detail in Photoshop bring out detail, I wish we had Thrushes in our garden. In wild bird local wood tomorrow hope to get some changes of subject matter.  Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Iain: Fri May 29th, 2020 03:40 | 262nd Post |
| Nice shot Eric.
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| Posted by Eric: Fri May 29th, 2020 06:23 | 263rd Post |
Iain wrote:Nice shot Eric.Thanks Iain. Are you still using Affinity Photo for processing your images? Ive been a little disappointed with these recent images in terms of sharpness. And wondered if it's raw converter is the root cause. I've sent a batch to Mr Whistler to see if he can get more out of the NEFs using Nikon Capture. If he can, it may be time to stop the iPad - Affinity experiment and go back to the desktop. If he can't, then either I am doing something wrong, or the equipment has an issue. 
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri May 29th, 2020 12:59 | 264th Post |
Barn Owl this evening in the woods Nikon D500 with 80-400mm Lens 1/400sec f13 ISO 2000 Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri May 29th, 2020 13:02 | 265th Post |
This morning in the woods a wild Kestrel Nikon D850 500mm PF Lens + x1.4 = 700mm 1/400 sec f13 ISO 1600 Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Iain: Sat May 30th, 2020 04:17 | 266th Post |
Eric wrote:Thanks Iain.No, I use a mix of Lightroom and Nikon's software. The Nikon software gets the best out of the files but is a bit slow even on my Mac Pro with 32g of ram and 8 core cpu
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat May 30th, 2020 06:24 | 267th Post |
This is damage control only saved by the amazing dynamic range of the Nikon D850 camera. The kestral above was spot on exposure and needed little Photoshop but it the flew to another post with very deep shadow in the woods. I had to move quickly as it only stayed for a few seconds so had no time to add -2 stops to camera settings before it flew away for a 2nd shot. (IE Classic subject failure) Below is as shot with no Photoshop or RAW adjustments. It was also 2 hours before the above shot and light was not as good sun was still low and not at best angle. I also noticed how clear the light was with much reduced pollution since I was last out in the woods two months ago!!!!! Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat May 30th, 2020 06:25 | 268th Post |
 Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat May 30th, 2020 07:14 | 269th Post |
 Click here to comment on this image. Later in the day just caught it as it landed for another mouse. Better light but not quite enough DOF with 700mm 1/500 sec f13 ISO 1600
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| Posted by jk: Sat May 30th, 2020 13:53 | 270th Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:Great capture Graham. Perfect timing.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun May 31st, 2020 05:48 | 271st Post |
Sorry Eric todays pix is a family of young Starlings with parent bird! D500 with Nikon 80-400mm lens Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Eric: Sun May 31st, 2020 18:54 | 272nd Post |
  
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| Posted by Iain: Mon Jun 1st, 2020 03:09 | 273rd Post |
| Love the story line Eric and the pic's.
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| Posted by Eric: Mon Jun 1st, 2020 04:15 | 274th Post |
| I was trying to photograph Swifts at a 1000 feet. Still having a bit of sharpness issues in my photos....but it was travelling 37,000 feet and 450knots  Needless to say it's a heavily cropped image. 😆
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| Posted by chrisbet: Mon Jun 1st, 2020 05:58 | 275th Post |
| Hmm, I wonder if there is some haze / air shimmering involved?
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by Iain: Mon Jun 1st, 2020 08:13 | 276th Post |
Eric wrote:I was trying to photograph Swifts at a 1000 feet.Should have been pin sharp then.
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| Posted by Eric: Mon Jun 1st, 2020 09:25 | 277th Post |
chrisbet wrote:Hmm, I wonder if there is some haze / air shimmering involved?And Eric wobble.... as it went virtually overhead
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| Posted by Iain: Mon Jun 1st, 2020 15:14 | 278th Post |
Eric wrote:And Eric wobble.... as it went virtually overheadI had that problem taking photo of a red kite the other day as it went over the top of me I went back over, luckily there was a fence behind me so no harm done.
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| Posted by Eric: Mon Jun 1st, 2020 15:58 | 279th Post |
Iain wrote:I had that problem taking photo of a red kite the other day as it went over the top of me I went back over, luckily there was a fence behind me so no harm done.We are hoping to visit a CL with the caravan in early Sept (after the traditional school holiday period) which had Red Kites overflying regularly. The owner told me last year that a few chunks of cheap corned beef chucked over the fence into (his) adjacent field gets them sitting on the fence posts. . So we will be taking stocks of corned beef this time. 😆
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| Posted by Bob Bowen: Tue Jun 2nd, 2020 05:24 | 280th Post |
 Click here to comment on this image. I need a bigger bath than this one please.
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| Posted by GeoffR: Tue Jun 2nd, 2020 06:13 | 281st Post |
Eric wrote:I was trying to photograph Swifts at a 1000 feet.Do you have a license to photograph endangered species?
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| Posted by Eric: Tue Jun 2nd, 2020 08:48 | 282nd Post |
GeoffR wrote:Do you have a license to photograph endangered species?Plenty of them still whizzing over us.  Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by jk: Tue Jun 2nd, 2020 08:53 | 283rd Post |
| Eric, looking at the image it looks like the camera has focussed on the moon not the aircraft. I dont know what you had your AF focus point on but I guess it was not the moon, but I might be completely off on this.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by GeoffR: Wed Jun 3rd, 2020 03:17 | 284th Post |
Eric wrote:Plenty of them still whizzing over us.The endangered species is the 747 being relegated to carrying cargo and probably gone from passenger service by 2025.
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| Posted by Eric: Wed Jun 3rd, 2020 16:10 | 285th Post |
jk wrote:Eric, looking at the image it looks like the camera has focussed on the moon not the aircraft.You are too observant Jonathan .
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Jun 4th, 2020 02:51 | 286th Post |
| I think you are slightly missing the point as beyond infinity everything is in sharp focus so both should be in focus and it must be movement of the plane and not even Eric shake!
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| Posted by chrisbet: Thu Jun 4th, 2020 03:25 | 287th Post |
| Surely even "Trekkers" can't go beyond infinity Eric shake would have blurred the moon? Plane movement would have blurred the leading and trailing edges only. I am guessing that the photo was taken by a long focal length lens and the focus field fell beyond the plane.
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| Posted by GeoffR: Thu Jun 4th, 2020 04:27 | 288th Post |
| I'm not sure there is a lack of sharpness, I think the lack of contrast between the aircraft and the sky is being interpreted as a lack of sharpness. Looking at the contrails they are sharp and they must be on, or very near, the same plane as the aircraft.
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| Posted by Eric: Thu Jun 4th, 2020 05:54 | 289th Post |
| I am surprised no one has questioned whether they were two images. With only 700mm I would never achieve that level of foreshortening ....the plane was too small (37,000 feet!) as it passed the moon. I sectionally enlarged the plane (+ contrails) and streeetched them relative to the moon. So the loss of detail in the plane is mainly over enlargement....but a silver body in a blue sky didn't help with definition.
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| Posted by Eric: Thu Jun 4th, 2020 06:01 | 290th Post |
Carrying on my unhealthy obsession with ornithological ablutions, the Blackcap came for complete immersion therapy ....requiring a good deal of dehydration afterwards. 1/250th @f11 2000iso (as the sun went in 😡) Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by chrisbet: Thu Jun 4th, 2020 06:01 | 291st Post |
| Lol - cheeky!
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| Posted by GeoffR: Thu Jun 4th, 2020 06:42 | 292nd Post |
| We'll not argue Eric but the aircraft is in the colours of Atlas Air Cargo and is thus White and Blue Fuselage and vertical stabiliser with Grey wings and horizontal stabiliser, engine cowlings are Blue. There is a grey section on the lower fuselage, mainly because Boeing do it that way.
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| Posted by Eric: Thu Jun 4th, 2020 07:08 | 293rd Post |
Anti-clockwise sparrow Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Eric: Thu Jun 4th, 2020 07:15 | 294th Post |
GeoffR wrote:We'll not argue Eric but the aircraft is in the colours of Atlas Air Cargo and is thus White and Blue Fuselage and vertical stabiliser with Grey wings and horizontal stabiliser, engine cowlings are Blue. There is a grey section on the lower fuselage, mainly because Boeing do it that way.  Yes you are right .....I misremembered the wrong plane.I was photographing a US Airforce transport plane just before this one...that was the grey beastie. No wonder I had difficulty separating it from the blue sky. 😆
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| Posted by Eric: Thu Jun 4th, 2020 09:50 | 295th Post |
A VERY heavy crop...but couldn't resist this almost prehistoric look... Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Eric: Thu Jun 4th, 2020 09:52 | 296th Post |
 Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Jun 4th, 2020 13:41 | 297th Post |
Eric I love the Blackcap bathing! Another Barn Owl pix from last Friday D500 image with 80-400mm lens. Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Eric: Thu Jun 4th, 2020 15:55 | 298th Post |
| Not sure why my saturated image was duplicated post...perhaps mods would remove one?
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| Posted by Eric: Thu Jun 4th, 2020 16:01 | 299th Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:Eric I love the Blackcap bathing! Another Barn Owl pix from last Friday D500 image with 80-400mm lens.Lovely shot Graham. Amazing legs on those birds.
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| Posted by chrisbet: Thu Jun 4th, 2020 17:50 | 300th Post |
Eric wrote:Not sure why my saturated image was duplicated post...perhaps mods would remove one?Done - looks like you hit quote & post ...
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by Robert: Fri Jun 5th, 2020 01:34 | 301st Post |
Eric wrote:I am surprised no one has questioned whether they were two images. I spotted it immediately but who am I to interfere with Eric's manipulations, in my view that's what photography is all about, having fun and exercising one's skills creating an image. Combining images and emphasising one aspect is all part of it. Nice one Eric. Another possible explanation for the slight loss of sharpness in the plane is the pixel size enlargement as the software rearranges the pixels as the second overlaid image to the same grid pattern as the background image, think micro mosaic? Less of an issue with a modern high res DSLR but with the D1's 2.7 Mp it was very evident when I tried similar tricks with almost brick sized pixels. As well as movement, air distortion around the plane, eddies and fast flowing air-pockets must have an effect on sharpness I would have thought, compressed and expanded air create distortion and air shimmies, especially when it's being compressed and expanded when a bloody great lump of metal is being propelled through it at such high speed, think ship and wake?
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| Posted by Eric: Fri Jun 5th, 2020 02:11 | 302nd Post |
Robert wrote:I spotted it immediately but who am I to interfere with Eric's manipulations, in my view that's what photography is all about, having fun and exercising one's skills creating an image. Combining images and emphasising one aspect is all part of it. Nice one Eric.In mitigation it wasn't actually 2 images. It's just the plane was a lot smaller below the moon. All I did was lasso a section and stretch it bigger upwards, then erase/feather the top edge where the sky overlapped the moon. Crude ...but sufficient for a bit of fun and discussion.
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| Posted by Eric: Fri Jun 5th, 2020 02:17 | 303rd Post |
chrisbet wrote:Done - looks like you hit quote & post ...Thanks Chris...my digits have a life of their own. 😆
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| Posted by Eric: Fri Jun 5th, 2020 04:13 | 304th Post |
Bob Bowen wrote:Same problem with my bird baths Bob....too small for some.  Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Jun 5th, 2020 05:20 | 305th Post |
Bob nice one we have same problems with WPs in bird bath, one did its business this morning then had a drink!!!! I have to clean it out every day. Look what they do to the bird feeder too. Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Eric: Fri Jun 5th, 2020 09:20 | 306th Post |
Bad weather today so didn't get any chance to try new camera settings. (Graham) There was a brief burst of sunlight which saw the family of Song Thrushes emerge en masse. 3 young plus both parents. The young stayed in the borders for most of the time but one popped out when Dad came close with food....but right at the bottom of the garden. ☹ï¸ Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Eric: Fri Jun 5th, 2020 10:30 | 307th Post |
| Tap, tap, tap on the patio door. Spun chair round, nearly spilling coffee, and there's a young jackdaw trying to come in. Of course with 700mm on the camera it wasn't going to focus at 2feet! Dashed into office grabbed the D500 which had a 100mm lens on it. No time to juggle setting as he was off as soon as I pointed camera at him...through dirty (yes Ive got another job tomorrow) window. Not brilliant but another crazy moment in a crazy springtime.  Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Iain: Sat Jun 6th, 2020 09:55 | 308th Post |
A Goldfinch from today and a Jackdaw portrait from earlier this year. DSC_0354-Edit by Iain Clyne, on Flickr P1190038-Edit by Iain Clyne, on Flickr
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Jun 6th, 2020 12:31 | 309th Post |
| Spot on Ian. Wendy just forwared this laugh to me so hope it is not too rude: A guy goes into the confessional box after years being away from the Church.He pulls aside the curtain, enters and sits himself down. There's a fully equipped bar with crystal glasses, the best vestry wine, Guinness on tap, cigars and liqueur chocolates nearby, and on the wall a fine photographic display of buxom ladies who appear to have mislaid their garments. He hears a priest come in:"Father, forgive me for it's been a very long time since I've been to confession and I must admit that the confessional box is much more inviting than it used to be". The priest replies, "Get out, you idiot, you're on my side".
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Robert: Sat Jun 6th, 2020 15:23 | 310th Post |
| Very good Graham, reminds me of another priest story but that is definitely too rude for this genteel gathering...
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| Posted by Eric: Sun Jun 7th, 2020 04:48 | 311th Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:Spot on Ian. Wendy just forwared this laugh to me so hope it is not too rude:Very good.
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| Posted by Eric: Sun Jun 7th, 2020 04:51 | 312th Post |
Iain wrote:A Goldfinch from today and a Jackdaw portrait from earlier this year.Lovely lighting and detail in that Jackdaw, Iain. I always seem to have the wrong light direction for my garden birds ....and my black birds all seem to have dark shadow. Will have to move my seat.
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| Posted by Iain: Sun Jun 7th, 2020 05:12 | 313th Post |
| Or put your food in a better position so that the light is right when you are sitting in your chair.
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| Posted by GeoffR: Mon Jun 8th, 2020 05:04 | 314th Post |
| One from yesterday Attachment: _DSC3494_M_M.jpg (Downloaded 295 times)
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| Posted by GeoffR: Mon Jun 8th, 2020 05:06 | 315th Post |
| And another Attachment: _DSC3503_M.jpg (Downloaded 292 times)
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| Posted by Eric: Mon Jun 8th, 2020 05:43 | 316th Post |
GeoffR wrote:One from yesterdayLovely grey wag...one of my favourite birds. Not sure where you found the sun yesterday. It was wet wet wet here. â˜¹ï¸ I only managed a couple of distant and bedraggled solitary visitors to the garden.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by GeoffR: Mon Jun 8th, 2020 06:07 | 317th Post |
| We didn't actually find any sun, it was just a short period of thinner cloud. I did get one with her having her lunch but she had her back to me. Attachment: _DSC3499_M.jpg (Downloaded 282 times)
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| Posted by Iain: Mon Jun 8th, 2020 08:04 | 318th Post |
| Good shots Eric and Geoff. I think pics of wet birds are good as it shows what these little things have to go through at this time of year if they have young.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon Jun 8th, 2020 10:29 | 319th Post |
| Eric those look good and sharp and Geoff nice capture.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Jun 9th, 2020 06:11 | 320th Post |
Just a Dunnock in fron garden this morning they have two nests and are feeding, stood in window for 1/2 hr and best I could get they do not hang around! D850 700mm 1/400 sec f11 ISO 1600 quite dull light. Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Eric: Tue Jun 9th, 2020 16:18 | 321st Post |
| Lovely Dunnock Graham. Can't seem to get close enough to them â˜¹ï¸ The 3 young Thrush have been following Mum and Dad around the garden all day. One of them is self feeding and came quite close....  Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Eric: Tue Jun 9th, 2020 16:22 | 322nd Post |
| Couldn't resist this shot.... (For the uninitiated a Sprog is a nickname for the Sparrow, and a Drog is a cross between a dragon and a dog.....according to the bloke who made the statue. 😆)  Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Eric: Tue Jun 9th, 2020 16:25 | 323rd Post |
| Not sure if this should be in a another thread....New Pub names. In the absence of any Hounds .... The Fox & Thrush  Click here to comment on this image. Or perhaps... The Fox & Squirrel  Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Jun 9th, 2020 17:33 | 324th Post |
| Some good pixs there Eric focus looks spot on , I wish we had thrushes here.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Tue Jun 9th, 2020 18:37 | 325th Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:Some good pixs there Eric focus looks spot on , I wish we had thrushes here.Thanks. There were 5 thrushes on the lawn today. Parents and 3 young. We have never seen so many young birds for some years and we're thinking it was down to the reduced disturbance. But it dawned on us that for the last 10 years we have been holidaying in mainland Europe every May/June...and probably missed it all! This virus has made us realise that being home in our garden, which excels in Springtime, is far better than visiting foreign parts. We may well switch to just September trips in future...once normality returns.
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| Posted by Iain: Wed Jun 10th, 2020 03:17 | 326th Post |
| These photos are nice. Your getting a good selection of wildlife in you garden.
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| Posted by Iain: Fri Jun 12th, 2020 09:03 | 327th Post |
One from today a Willow Warbler, big crop though. DI5_3050 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr
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| Posted by Eric: Fri Jun 12th, 2020 14:34 | 328th Post |
| Ok Iain....how is your gull recognition? Haven't seen Jeff on the forum for a while to ask him as well. I've had lesser black back gulls dropping in to steal the sparrows bread. Take a look at this pair........  Click here to comment on this image. According to the ringing detail the one in the foreground is a lesser black back gull possibly ringed in Holland (although the smaller metal ring states Natural History Museum SW7 „). What I want to know...is the the one behind it a yellow legged gull? It's legs are obviously more yellow than the normal 'faded yellow' legs of a LBB gull and it's slightly larger. Of course there's a lot of variation on both counts but what made me wonder was it came on it's own and despite mingling with up to a dozen other LBBs it stayed a bit remote in behaviour and didn't leave when they all did. Mike my birder friend saw the photo small on the camera and is inclined to think it may be a YL gull...they are common along Norfolk coast. But it would be a first for my garden. 🥳🥳🥳. What do you think?
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| Posted by Eric: Fri Jun 12th, 2020 14:44 | 329th Post |
A couple more of the LBB or YL gull..... Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Jun 12th, 2020 16:33 | 330th Post |
| Interesting set of pictures Eric, let us know when Mike has a better look.
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| Posted by Eric: Sat Jun 13th, 2020 03:45 | 331st Post |
At the other size extreme a baby blue tit learning the ropes..... Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Iain: Sun Jun 14th, 2020 09:02 | 332nd Post |
Eric wrote:Ok Iain....how is your gull recognition? Haven't seen Jeff on the forum for a while to ask him as well.I think it's a lesser black backed gull, you get them with bright yellow legs as well.
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| Posted by Eric: Sun Jun 14th, 2020 09:49 | 333rd Post |
Iain wrote:I think it's a lesser black backed gull, you get them with bright yellow legs as well.
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| Posted by Iain: Mon Jun 15th, 2020 09:12 | 334th Post |
| Keep trying!
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon Jun 15th, 2020 17:52 | 335th Post |
Robin just for a change today. D850 and 500mm PF Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Iain: Tue Jun 16th, 2020 09:34 | 336th Post |
| Nice Graham
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Jun 17th, 2020 17:16 | 337th Post |
Night Owl in the woods this evening wild Tawney Owl Nikon D850 500mm PF lens three electronic flash heads. Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Jun 18th, 2020 06:00 | 338th Post |
As above but slight correction to exposure in PS. 1/250 sec f16 ISO 640  Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Jun 18th, 2020 06:03 | 339th Post |
The next frame D850 set on max 9 FPS The Tawny came several more times but this was the best of the night, This was a first for me of night bird action and it is a wild bird!!! Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Jun 18th, 2020 06:06 | 340th Post |
The set-up before dark when Owl came an hour later. Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Jun 18th, 2020 06:06 | 341st Post |
 Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Jun 18th, 2020 07:11 | 342nd Post |
I'm waiting for another mouse please! Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Jun 18th, 2020 07:41 | 343rd Post |
This was I think an also run? It came in so fast when another mouse was put in place you had to be very quick on the shutter. Camera was set on M with 9 points focus points but on C, Colour balance 6250 K.  Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by jk: Thu Jun 18th, 2020 08:30 | 344th Post |
| Nice set of pictures Graham. Please report your issue that you had during the shoot to Nikon. I have not seen this before but I dont use the touch screen feature at all. I use the command dial for scrolling and occasionally a pinch zoom but I have my centre CMD button set up for checking focus.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Eric: Thu Jun 18th, 2020 08:49 | 345th Post |
| Well done Graham...you cracked it! I prefer the first image for its composition and lighting...with adjusted exp.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Jun 18th, 2020 11:27 | 346th Post |
| What was bad news was that half way through the shoot with my D850 I was reviewing my shots waiting for the Owl to come back (about every 10 mins) I noted my best pix as above and marked it with the image protect key I then started to: on the view back monitor touched and slid with finger to advance up the time-line to see next pix, At once I was locked out with caption "card not formatted!" I was unable to look at rest of my images. Turned off display still there took out XQD card and message still there with SD card. Turned camera off and on again still not able to see any of my pictures. Much time lost new cards on board fully formatted camera back to normal. Back home faulty"?" XQD card into PC all NEF files there copied into folder and opened at once in Nikon Capture NX-D SD card also OK. Images all 100% OK. Card back in Camera same "Card Not Formatted" notice. Formatted both cards and all back to normal. Not funny at the time and Pete a Canon man was very kind but no doubt not impressed. Boy was I glad to be able to share these pictures with you all today. Spoke to JK on phone never heard that one so I phoned Nikon NPS and gave my membership card no. Gave very helpfull chap full details. Not heard this but has registered my complain and will advise further but will pass info on. Perhaps by sliding my finger to see more pixs after protecting my selected photo this now caused both cards to be protected? Nikon man said no. However if I need to protect a pix again I will then return to shooting mode then go back to viewing mode in normal mode, just in case. I will repot more if Nikon come back to mre. PS he agreed that I have kept all firmware up to date for info last update was 30/4/2020 C1.11 CD 2.016
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| Posted by Eric: Thu Jun 18th, 2020 13:29 | 347th Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:What was bad news was that half way through the shoot with my D850 I was reviewing my shots waiting for the Owl to come back (about every 10 mins) I noted my best pix as above and marked it with the image protect key I then started to: on the view back monitor touched and slid with finger to advance up the time-line to see next pix, At once I was locked out with caption "card not formatted!" I was unable to look at rest of my images. Turned off display still there took out XQD card and message still there with SD card.Not 'yet' experience that with the D850 but I did having something similar with my d750....while on a shoot at a posh house. 😳 On that occasion I removed the camera battery for 30secs a bit like when the computer freezes ...remove power supply and reboot. It worked on the d750 but of course it may have been a different problem. Await nikons response 🤞
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by GeoffR: Thu Jun 18th, 2020 15:19 | 348th Post |
| Graham, I'm not talking to you! Those are superb, I just wish I could afford a 500 PF, absolutely brilliant.
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| Posted by GeoffR: Fri Jun 19th, 2020 07:11 | 349th Post |
| I am told this is a Wood Duck, not native to the UK apparently. Thank you RSPB Attachment: _DSC3598_M_M.jpg (Downloaded 58 times)
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Jun 19th, 2020 08:50 | 350th Post |
Another angle from the shoot. Sorry Geoff yes it is a good lens and far sharper than my previous Nikon 500mm F4 that cost twice as much and weighed twice as much nearly. Interesting duck not much wrong with that either. Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Jun 19th, 2020 09:33 | 351st Post |
Now at last I have fed the family and I can enjoy my meal in peace. Yes Whistler you can go home now and stop flashing me! Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by GeoffR: Fri Jun 19th, 2020 09:35 | 352nd Post |
| Thanks Graham, it is a crop, quite a heavy one I used a Nikon 70-200 f2.8 with a TC17E on a D4
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Jun 20th, 2020 12:35 | 353rd Post |
| Geoff what is the quality like of images with the x1.7 extender and the 200mm lens? I have the TC14E-3 x1.4 extender, the new one, NO loss of quality with the 500 PF and it turns it into 700mm with loss of one stop. Some 8 years ago I had an early version and it was very poor not worth using. Your 200-80mm AF-S f2.8 is one of Nikon's all time best lenses and if you traded in for a 500 PF you would get a very good price. Sadly for you I have never heard or seen a 500mm PF on 2nd hand market.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by GeoffR: Sat Jun 20th, 2020 15:01 | 354th Post |
| Graham, all the images I have posted were taken with the 70-200 and TC17 and I have no complaints about the quality. The converter is a TC17E-2 so an improved one. As to longer lenses I am considering the 200-500 f5.6 an absolute bargain of a lens and hopefully suitable for what I want.
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| Posted by chrisbet: Sat Jun 20th, 2020 15:18 | 355th Post |
| What? Like this one? 500 PF
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Jun 20th, 2020 17:52 | 356th Post |
| Geoff plenty of good reports for the 200-500mm F5,6 and good price at bit less than £1200. I also like and often use the slightly more expensive 400-80mm see my Kenya pixs on here from last year with that lens and my D500.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Jun 21st, 2020 03:04 | 357th Post |
| Yes Chris that's the one, one of the best lenses I have ever had. How the auto foucus worked at night on the Owl I could hardly see to frame the pictures! There was hardly an unsharp pix.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by GeoffR: Sun Jun 21st, 2020 06:19 | 358th Post |
chrisbet wrote:What? Like this one? 500 PFVery nice, still three times the price of a 200-500!
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Jun 21st, 2020 07:12 | 359th Post |
Agree Chris, but it is half the price of my previous Nikon 500mm f4 and nearly 1/2 the weight and size. Quality of images is best ever far better auto focus compared with my old lens and you can carry it round all day. That is what you get for first class results at a very reasonable price. Click here to comment on this image. Aso even at 79 yrs old I can hand hold it for flying pixs no problem, thats what you pay for QED.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Sun Jun 21st, 2020 07:40 | 360th Post |
The ravages of parenthood...... Click here to comment on this image. The freshness of youth.....  Click here to comment on this image. Tastie morsels.....  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. Quality not best...taken through dirty window. Well it was windy and senior management said the door needed to be shut.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Jun 21st, 2020 09:33 | 361st Post |
Not bad at all through a window. Sorry had go in PS and pulled out a lot more detail. Are you using 9 point focus now , this is spot on? Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Sun Jun 21st, 2020 09:53 | 362nd Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:Agree Chris, but it is half the price of my previous Nikon 500mm f4 and nearly 1/2 the weight and size. Quality of images is best ever far better auto focus compared with my old lens and you can carry it round all day. That is what you get for first class results at a very reasonable price.Lovely portrait, Graham There is no doubt that the D850 and PF 500mm lens are capable of superb clarity and the lens weight makes it a joy to handle. Not actually sure where my tripod is? You are really getting the best out off the equipment. Well done. The only point I would add, is that one's technique has to be spot on to capitalise on the massive potential of the combination. I confess when at home I am less precise, perhaps even a bit slapdash (eg shooting through windows and using less than optimum settings),being happy to just record the event/creature. As we have discussed, Affinity Photos raw converter is not getting the most out of the Nikon raws....something I need to address when I have a moment. So HOW you handle the raw image is a significant factor to quality results. My fieldcraft also has a lot to be desired. A Great Spotted Woodpecker landed in our old apple tree and I started off photographing from the house but every time it went behind a bough I crept closer....finally resorting to stealth mode....  Click here to comment on this image. Jan captured the moment my crawling dragged the trousers off...but I've spared the world that horror. I am currently waiting to be airlifted to a vertical position. Once that has been achieved and I have removed the imbedded bread, corn, mealworms, peanuts, squashed fruit, hedgehog droppings and bird poo from my clothes, I will attempt to process and post what I got.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Sun Jun 21st, 2020 10:02 | 363rd Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:Not bad at all through a window. Sorry had go in PS and pulled out a lot more detail. Are you using 9 point focus now , this is spot on?Yes ...the 9 point is better than single spot and group modes that I WAS using. Youve convinced me I need to dump Affinity if I want the best out of the images....just have to get Photoshop onto my laptop. Or maybe a new laptop?
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Sun Jun 21st, 2020 16:29 | 364th Post |
 Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Jun 21st, 2020 17:46 | 365th Post |
| Super shots Eric.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Mon Jun 22nd, 2020 02:41 | 366th Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:Super shots Eric.Thanks. I love the lychen dust being scratched off by his claws as he scrambled up the tree in the 2nd image. Ridiculously slow shutter speed given the lighting under the tree shade....the sun only appeared as it flew away! 😡 I had the iso at 2000 (should have gone higher) and using f11 meant I was hand holding 700mm at 1/200th. A testament to the lightweight nature of this combination. His head was moving around like ...err...a woodpecker, so I was lucky to get some stationery shots. I ditched over 100 blurred ones. 😔 Mike tells me this is an juvenile male, as the red on the head extends completely forward. When they are full adults, bizarrely only the nape retains the red. I would have expected a breeding adult to have the greater decoration? Nature is complicated.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon Jun 22nd, 2020 05:11 | 367th Post |
A super set of pictures well taken you were lucky it stayed so long. I have tested the 500 PF hand held and still sharp at 1/60 sec the VR works very well. But as you say faster speeds needed for noving bird. Sorry for off topic but this shows how good VR is taken in a French chateau in 2004 Nikon D70 18-70mm lens at 18mm with VR hand held 1/2sec f5.6 it is very sharp even on a 16x20 inch print. I also often say we forget just how good these early DSLRs from Nikon were. Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Iain: Wed Jun 24th, 2020 10:17 | 368th Post |
One from today. The debate is still on, I think its a juvenile Willow Tit but I've asked a friend with about ten times my knowledge on birds to see what he says. DSC_0883 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr
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| Posted by Iain: Wed Jun 24th, 2020 11:24 | 369th Post |
| I meant to say Willow Warbler which it has been confirmed as. I must read what I write before posting. I must read what I write before posting. I must read what I write before posting.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Jun 24th, 2020 11:39 | 370th Post |
| Ian nice shot I agree 90% it is a Willow Warbler, colour looks right,thin pale strip over eye, pale yellow/brown legs, short thin bill here in Summer. See what Eric thinks.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Wed Jun 24th, 2020 13:32 | 371st Post |
| Another vote for Willow Warbler. Head is flatter than the Chiffchaff.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by GeoffR: Thu Jun 25th, 2020 05:22 | 372nd Post |
| A recent visitor, taken through glass. The white lines are rain drops. Attachment: _DSC3746_M.jpg (Downloaded 226 times)
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| Posted by Eric: Sun Jun 28th, 2020 18:23 | 373rd Post |
They say raising a family can take it out of you.... Click here to comment on this image. The culprit......  Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon Jun 29th, 2020 02:22 | 374th Post |
| Very nice shots Eric spot on. Our robins have also produced a 2nd lot two new young in the garden last night.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Iain: Tue Jun 30th, 2020 05:37 | 375th Post |
Blue Tit in the rain. DSC_1078 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr
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| Posted by Eric: Wed Jul 1st, 2020 18:31 | 376th Post |
A pair of Stock Doves made a surprise visit today. I've seen a single one before flying with the the wood pigeons, but he seemed to want to bring his partner for a feed. Very shy birds couldn't get them too close and lighting was really naff. Click here to comment on this image. The amusing part was as this bird walked past out plastic fox, it actually jumped sideways before realising it wasn't real. I was quite pleased my paintwork was so realistic. 😆  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Iain: Thu Jul 2nd, 2020 09:22 | 377th Post |
| I see the fox is eyeing one up for dinner. Good to see them in your garden.
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| Posted by Iain: Wed Jul 8th, 2020 02:47 | 378th Post |
| Nice Dunnock Graham.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Jul 8th, 2020 04:24 | 379th Post |
| This upload went mad again I loaded it last night from my laptop saw it on the website this morning far too dark could not edit it so tried to reloaded correct lighter pix and both came up! We should be able to correct a posting error ourselves?
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Robert: Wed Jul 8th, 2020 20:02 | 380th Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:This upload went mad again I loaded it last night from my laptop saw it on the website this morning far too dark could not edit it so tried to reloaded correct lighter pix and both came up! We should be able to correct a posting error ourselves?Not sure about that Graham, the upload procedure has become rather convoluted since it uploads to the gallery then references the image in the forum, even preventing the image from being deleted from the forum if it's deleted from the gallery (all for good reasons). I think for the rare occasions it happens just make a new post and perhaps a PM to Chris, JK or myself asking to delete the particular 'wrong image version' post might be the best solution? Chris, JK, do you agree?
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by Eric: Thu Jul 9th, 2020 01:52 | 381st Post |
| While we are questioning images presentation in posts....why do some images have a 'viewed x times' under the image and others don't? Apart from the obvious. 😆 For example ....Graham's first dunnock has no views...but merely posting it second time it has 22? Not that it matters [how many views an image has] as there are no comments made ...not sure why we need that link under the image?
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by jk: Thu Jul 9th, 2020 03:07 | 382nd Post |
| Easiest way forward is to make a new post as Robert suggests and the PM one of the admins to delete the old post. If you want a post deleted then please reference the old post with the post number (top right corner of every post).
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by chrisbet: Thu Jul 9th, 2020 04:22 | 383rd Post |
| If you want to edit an image then just upload it again to your gallery - no need to do anything else - this will replace the original image wherever it appears on the forum. If using the blue cross then upload but do not paste it to the post. If you want to keep the original image as well as the new image then rename the new image and paste as normal. Images with the "viewed x times" subscript have been ATTACHED as a file, not uploaded to the site.
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by Iain: Thu Jul 9th, 2020 08:02 | 384th Post |
A Blue Tit before a corvid 19 hair cut. D44_4808 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr
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| Posted by chrisbet: Thu Jul 9th, 2020 08:05 | 385th Post |
| That corvid has shrunk to the size of a tit - maybe too much rain ?? .... or did you mean covid ....
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by Eric: Thu Jul 9th, 2020 09:17 | 386th Post |
chrisbet wrote:That corvid has shrunk to the size of a tit - maybe too much rain ??Random letters is another side effect of this virus. A good friend of ours persists in talking about all these people that have been furlonged. I said it will soon be over as they are in the final furlong from home....it went over her head. Bless.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by chrisbet: Thu Jul 9th, 2020 09:25 | 387th Post |
Eric wrote:I said it will soon be over as they are in the final furlong from home....it went over her head. Bless.Lol - as long as it doesn't fall at the last fence ....
____________________ If it is broken it was probably me .... |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Jul 9th, 2020 09:38 | 388th Post |
Thanks JK sorry to mess you about here is the correctly exposed Dunnock in future I will not upload direct from my laptop as not as good as my Lacie monitor on the PC. Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by jk: Thu Jul 9th, 2020 09:55 | 389th Post |
| Looks good to me Graham. Very good image. Seems that D850 and 500mm are a great birding combo.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Iain: Thu Jul 9th, 2020 12:23 | 390th Post |
chrisbet wrote:That corvid has shrunk to the size of a tit - maybe too much rain ?? my dislecsick fingers
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| Posted by Robert: Mon Jul 13th, 2020 03:57 | 391st Post |
| At the other end of the scale... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-53383387 A bearded vulture seen in Derbyshire. It's not that far from here, question is will I need a wide angle lens?
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon Jul 13th, 2020 06:19 | 392nd Post |
| Thanks for that Robert most interesting the Bearded Vulture is also called Lammergeyer, I have never seen one. Very rare in Southern Europe mostly in the mountains of N Spain. South Africa: Cape Town, Drakensberg, Lesotho, also the Himalayas and China. We did not have them in Rhodesia. It could have come up in rough weather from Spain or maybe escaped from a zoo.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Iain: Mon Jul 13th, 2020 10:14 | 393rd Post |
One from today. Cropped a bit. EE1C6B19-4EF7-4957-9D55-10FF73E15BA7 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr
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| Posted by Robert: Mon Jul 13th, 2020 11:29 | 394th Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:Thanks for that Robert most interesting the Bearded Vulture is also called Lammergeyer, I have never seen one. Very rare in Southern Europe mostly in the mountains of N Spain. South Africa: Cape Town, Drakensberg, Lesotho, also the Himalayas and China. We did not have them in Rhodesia. It could have come up in rough weather from Spain or maybe escaped from a zoo.That's interesting Graham but you seem to have studiously avoided my dilemma about the wide angle lens... LOL
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon Jul 13th, 2020 13:25 | 395th Post |
I doubt if you would get that close its wingspan is nearly 9 feet so it is quite big and has a habit of dropping large bones from high up to crack them! So watch your head! Here are some white-backed vultures from my Kenya trip. Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by jk: Mon Jul 13th, 2020 13:43 | 396th Post |
Robert wrote:That's interesting Graham but you seem to have studiously avoided my dilemma about the wide angle lens... LOLWell if you are going to use your wide angle lens then dont lie down close by else you will be with the angels!
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Robert: Mon Jul 13th, 2020 14:46 | 397th Post |
| Thanks for the tips! I think I will stick with stars and other heavenly bodies... I understand we are currently enjoying a rare visit from Comet Neowise. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-53383007
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by Eric: Tue Jul 14th, 2020 06:02 | 398th Post |
Robert wrote:Thanks for the tips!I stopped going to Comet because I thought their spotty- faced technical staff were Neowise too.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Jul 14th, 2020 12:19 | 399th Post |
Spotted Thick-Knee Nikon D500 with 80-400mm lens in Kenya. Very similar to the UK Stone Curlew. Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Robert: Tue Jul 14th, 2020 17:43 | 400th Post |
Eric wrote:I stopped going to Comet because I thought their spotty- faced technical staff were Neowise too.
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by jk: Wed Jul 15th, 2020 02:52 | 401st Post |
Robert wrote:That is the trouble when we have a PC World!
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Jul 19th, 2020 10:25 | 402nd Post |
Young Reg our new young Robin just getting his new redbreast, still bit tally top end. He is very shy still not like his old father Reg who once landed on my shoe when I was digging the garden. Its taken two days to get this fleeting shot of him with Nikon D850 and 700mm lens. Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Jul 22nd, 2020 13:10 | 403rd Post |
Just doing some noise reduction tests with the much improved RAW in Photoshop latest release 21.2.1 The NEF was imported into RAW and noise reduction slider 60% and sharpness 40% in two easy steps a small amount of highlight help and opened as a TIFF this is about a 50% blow up from the original D500 image. Nikon 500mm AF-S f4 Lens 1/3200 sec f4 ISO 3200.  Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Jul 22nd, 2020 13:13 | 404th Post |
This is the original as shot with no noise reduction. Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Thu Jul 23rd, 2020 10:40 | 405th Post |
The ancient reptilian creature it's standing on is an interesting addition. Looks well peeved ....it's back 'skin' has been eroded by a pesky perching bird that keeps smashing fish to death on its back 😆  Click here to comment on this image. I personally think the bird is looking a bit 'over smoothed'.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by jk: Thu Jul 23rd, 2020 10:49 | 406th Post |
| Enter the Dragon! Nice image Graham. Super sharp as always.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Iain: Sun Jul 26th, 2020 09:31 | 407th Post |
I was sitting at the back of the car drinking a cup of coffee when this handsome little fellow landed not too far away. luckily the camera was at hand. 500_0511 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr
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| Posted by Eric: Sun Jul 26th, 2020 13:16 | 408th Post |
Iain wrote:I was sitting at the back of the car drinking a cup of coffee when this handsome little fellow landed not too far away. luckily the camera was at hand.And the camera was switched on. He is in good nick for this time of the breeding season? Would he be an early juvenile or non breeding Male?
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Iain: Sun Jul 26th, 2020 15:43 | 409th Post |
Eric wrote:And the camera was switched on.There is a heavy ringing presence in the area I was at so I would say a juv from this year as no rings.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Jul 26th, 2020 17:43 | 410th Post |
| Well taken Ian, good looking bird.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Iain: Mon Jul 27th, 2020 09:39 | 411th Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:Well taken Ian, good looking bird.He is Graham. He was there again today even though it was raining.
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| Posted by Iain: Tue Jul 28th, 2020 12:35 | 412th Post |
One I caught recently. 500_0764 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Jul 28th, 2020 14:19 | 413th Post |
| I like that Ian well taken.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by blackfox: Tue Jul 28th, 2020 15:40 | 414th Post |
did a 40 mile round trip up the coast today to try and find something decent . no such luck holidays are now in full swing to many covid carriers for my liking , came back to town and popped down the estuary (rob knows where) for a quick look and fell upon this lovely posing wheatear ,seemed attracted by the shutter noise  Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Jul 28th, 2020 17:53 | 415th Post |
| Ian that is a winner I wish I had taken that!
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Iain: Mon Aug 10th, 2020 09:28 | 416th Post |
A Dunnock from today to try and get this tread going again. D75_1836 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr
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| Posted by Eric: Mon Aug 10th, 2020 13:02 | 417th Post |
Iain wrote:A Dunnock from today to try and get this tread going again.Is that a different camera/lens to normal, Iain? Very nice natural colour and dof smooth. Edit: just noticed your file name. Is that a d7500?
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon Aug 10th, 2020 17:38 | 418th Post |
| Well done Ian another good image and your's Jeff.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Iain: Tue Aug 11th, 2020 15:40 | 419th Post |
Eric wrote:Is that a different camera/lens to normal, Iain? Very nice natural colour and dof smooth.It's the sigma 150-600 Eric but on my D750
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| Posted by Eric: Wed Aug 12th, 2020 02:25 | 420th Post |
Iain wrote:It's the sigma 150-600 Eric but on my D750Ah didn't know you had a 750. How do you get on with it? I had one for a while to replace the D3 and enjoyed using it but found the buffer a bit slow to clear. Maybe it was card speed back then?
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Wed Aug 12th, 2020 03:41 | 421st Post |
| This chap or chapess visited the lawn this morning. D500 + 500mm + 1.4x tc  Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Aug 12th, 2020 04:44 | 422nd Post |
| Very interesting is this a Grey-headed Woodpecker? Good sharp pix too.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Wed Aug 12th, 2020 05:17 | 423rd Post |
| Juvenile Green I am sorry to say 😧
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Iain: Thu Aug 13th, 2020 02:41 | 424th Post |
| Nice shot Eric. They are like gold dust up here.
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| Posted by Eric: Thu Aug 13th, 2020 04:06 | 425th Post |
Iain wrote:Nice shot Eric. They are like gold dust up here.It's strange how some species have survived better in different areas. You have posted birds we rarely see down here. Every year around early September (usually) we get a Yaffle drop in. Within 48 hours we get a great spotted drop in! It's got to the point where as soon as we hear the Yaffle call we keep watch for the GS. We assumed it was a displacement after fledging or the start of a migration movement (although they a-patently don't move far from their birthplace). This year it's been much earlier and the reverse. Last month we had the GS juvenile coming here and hanging about for 2 or 3 days ...now it's the Yaffles turn. I suspect like everything else it's been a perfect breeding Spring and they are dispersing earlier.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Iain: Thu Aug 13th, 2020 05:20 | 426th Post |
| A lot of birds were breading early this year, I think the hot spring my have helped.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Aug 13th, 2020 05:23 | 427th Post |
| We only see GS in our garden fairly regular but plenty of Green just up the road in the downs. Not many birds at present as we give up feeding mid July start again in Oct. Wendy thinks the young should learn to find normal food in the summer.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Fri Aug 14th, 2020 17:25 | 428th Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:We only see GS in our garden fairly regular but plenty of Green just up the road in the downs. Not many birds at present as we give up feeding mid July start again in Oct. Wendy thinks the young should learn to find normal food in the summer.I actually don't think it makes a lot of difference. We have left the feeders filled up and the birds don't seem to be bothering with them apart from the odd tit, greenfinch, robin and goldfinch. I mean literally one of each! The birds have dispersed naturally. The few remaining sparrows and blackbirds aren't bothered with bread any more. The lesser black backs have started to migrate and common gulls have returned to take the bread. The 5 squirrels are down to 3 and are leaving the feeders alone.....taking first the hazel nuts and now the walnuts. (They even took a pigeons egg yesterday and left it on the patio unbroken). The hedgehogs are leaving food we put out. So I am pretty convinced THEY know what they should be eating and going having fledged.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Aug 15th, 2020 12:14 | 429th Post |
The only bird on our rather wet front lawn this morning D850 with 500 PF Lens Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Robert: Tue Aug 18th, 2020 15:46 | 430th Post |
| Unfortunately no photograph but a report which some may find interesting... I was at a friends yard last evening about sunset when I noticed, against an approaching bank of thick black cloud, an enormous skien of Geese in several very large V formations flying South, about a couple of miles away, over the Kent estuary. As they disappeared, another even larger skien followed and another and another, I didn't know so many Geese existed, they just kept coming. I watched for about 15 minutes as they flew by at a distance, their white bodies standing out against the black background of a heavy black raincloud which soon dumped a very heavy rain shower on us and we lost sight of the Geese. Presumably they have started migrating South, but where from and where might they be going? It seems early in the year for birds to be migrating and in such large numbers. Is this a harbinger of bad weather to come... Do they fly on in the dark?
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by jk: Wed Aug 19th, 2020 03:06 | 431st Post |
| What type of geese were they Robert? Apparently there are between 60-190k Canadian geese in UK. Dont think they fly in the dark but dont know. I think they land and feed and rest overnight.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by GeoffR: Wed Aug 19th, 2020 08:26 | 432nd Post |
| Canada geese certainly fly at night, well the do around here. We get migrant Canada geese from the north in the winter, resident Canada geese that remain all year and we get returning migrants from the south in summer so it is reasonable to assume that migration is pretty near constant.
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| Posted by Iain: Wed Aug 19th, 2020 10:01 | 433rd Post |
| Most Geese will fly at night. Like you I think its a bit early for migration but it could have been Canada or Greylag on the move.
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| Posted by Robert: Wed Aug 19th, 2020 11:55 | 434th Post |
| Thanks for the info, it was the vast numbers which struck my attention, we do get migration one way or the other but I have never seen so many and I assume they where many more than those I saw in the few minutes I happened to notice them. They were too far away for me to ID them, although no doubt an expert would recognise their flight per species.
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by Eric: Wed Aug 19th, 2020 15:19 | 435th Post |
| I guess a bit late now but you can often identify which species they are by their calling... https://www.british-birdsongs.uk/greylag-goose/ Compare call to Canada which is higher pitched.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by jk: Wed Aug 19th, 2020 17:01 | 436th Post |
| I find these audio clips really useful when bird watching as especially in marshes and reed areas. You hear the bird call but spotting them is more difficult unless you know what you are looking for.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Iain: Sun Aug 23rd, 2020 09:53 | 437th Post |
Not the best photo I've taken as it was hiding in the branches. D75_1984 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr
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| Posted by Eric: Mon Aug 24th, 2020 04:31 | 438th Post |
Iain wrote:Not the best photo I've taken as it was hiding in the branches.Very nice capture. You got the important parts perfectly. I never get to areas that have whitethroats that are easier to approach. They are always miles away. ☹ï¸
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon Aug 24th, 2020 14:02 | 439th Post |
| Thats a very nice photograph of a bird I have yet to see.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Iain: Mon Aug 24th, 2020 15:44 | 440th Post |
| Thanks both. This one came on to some blackberries next to where I was sitting in the car and I managed to get a few shots off through the gaps.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Aug 28th, 2020 13:14 | 441st Post |
A flock of rather a large lady birds, Nikon D3X in S Atrica Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Sat Aug 29th, 2020 17:40 | 442nd Post |
Graham Whistler wrote:A flock of rather a large lady birds, Nikon D3X in S AtricaPresumably all watching and waiting for the even larger gentlemen birds to arrive?
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Iain: Wed Sep 2nd, 2020 06:29 | 443rd Post |
I just love juvenile Robins. This one in the environment that they spend most of there time looking for food. 500_1549 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr
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| Posted by Eric: Wed Sep 2nd, 2020 12:31 | 444th Post |
Iain wrote:I just love juvenile Robins. This one in the environment that they spend most of there time looking for food.I agree, they are such perky characters. Sorry ...I couldn't resist removing his point.  Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Iain: Thu Sep 3rd, 2020 09:29 | 445th Post |
| Yes the green horn wasn't a good look.
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| Posted by Eric: Thu Sep 3rd, 2020 15:44 | 446th Post |
Iain wrote:Yes the green horn wasn't a good look.I've added the horned robin to my tick list We had a cormorant nearly land in the garden during the recent gales. He was obviously short cutting from the river to the coast and nearly hit some overhead cables in the wind. Not sure which of us was most surprised. That would have been a new tick for the garden....if it had landed. 
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Robert: Fri Sep 4th, 2020 03:00 | 447th Post |
| Can't you have a sighted list as well as a landing list? After all birds do fly more than walk... perhaps?
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by jk: Fri Sep 4th, 2020 06:20 | 448th Post |
Eric wrote:I've added the horned robin to my tick listI am wondering if you have correctly identified it as a horned . I think it maybe a unicorn robin. It was promised by Boris and friends that we would have cake and unicorns!
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by blackfox: Sun Sep 13th, 2020 03:12 | 449th Post |
a few from yesterday testing out my new olympus 100-400mm lens fitted with a 1.4tc 560mm x 2 = 1120mm in FF terms HANDHELD shots  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by jk: Sun Sep 13th, 2020 04:20 | 450th Post |
| Very fine shots Geoff. All very sharp. The last shot is very impressive as that requires the fastest AF performance by the camera and lens combo.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Iain: Sun Sep 13th, 2020 09:44 | 451st Post |
| A nice set of Kes shots.
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| Posted by blackfox: Sun Sep 13th, 2020 13:13 | 452nd Post |
jk wrote:Very fine shots Geoff.the amazing part is the lens retails for just £1099 ,they literally cant make them fast enough at the moment
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| Posted by blackfox: Sun Sep 13th, 2020 13:16 | 453rd Post |
just to prove it wasn't a fluke shot  Click here to comment on this image. heres another these are with a 1.4 t.c on as well so FF equiv of 1120mm hand held
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| Posted by Bob Bowen: Mon Sep 14th, 2020 11:04 | 454th Post |
| Super images. You have a real talent for wildlife work keep them coming please. I can only dream nowadays.
____________________ Bob Bowen |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon Sep 14th, 2020 13:00 | 455th Post |
| Super shots Jeff
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Mon Sep 14th, 2020 16:17 | 456th Post |
| Yes Jeff makes it look easy...when it aint! â˜¹ï¸ Waiting for Red Kite to fly closer today. This one was across the field and wouldn't move..  Click here to comment on this image. A peregrine shot past (about 500m UP) as I was waiting for the Kite to take off.....  Click here to comment on this image. When it eventually flew, it still was too far away (heavy crop)...  Click here to comment on this image. Maybe tomorrow they will come closer. 🤞🤞🤞
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Iain: Wed Sep 16th, 2020 05:19 | 457th Post |
| There is always another day.
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| Posted by blackfox: Wed Sep 16th, 2020 10:13 | 458th Post |
couple of distant spoonbills in flight with the new 100-400 mm lens ,love the sheer amount of detail this lens acquires . the hills in the distance are north Wales across the Dee Estuary and up where I live  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Eric: Wed Sep 16th, 2020 15:10 | 459th Post |
Iain wrote:There is always another day.Today the wind helped slow them down.  Click here to comment on this image. They are frustrating to photograph. When they do land they choose fence posts at a distance. There are loads of posts ...why this one way across the other side of the field?  Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Sep 16th, 2020 17:36 | 460th Post |
| Very nice!
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Iain: Thu Sep 17th, 2020 09:36 | 461st Post |
| In most cases Eric, the ones around me tend to have a post or branch that they like to go too. If it's not the same one than it's one somewhere close.
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| Posted by Eric: Thu Sep 17th, 2020 15:01 | 462nd Post |
Iain wrote:In most cases Eric, the ones around me tend to have a post or branch that they like to go too. If it's not the same one than it's one somewhere close.Unfortunately there were so many here that I couldn't identify which one was going to land where. We had 10 flying around the same tree in front of us. If you still have a caravan, Iain, you ought to put this campsite on your list .. https://www.rockinghamcl.co.uk The problem I had was the wind direction this week. It was from the north. It meant the birds were flying from the south into the wind to hover over food, making them back lit. I need to come back again when wind is more from sw, so there's less exp comp required.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Iain: Sat Sep 19th, 2020 15:49 | 463rd Post |
| Unfortunately we don't have a caravan any more, too much work was needed as the damp had got in and we didn't bother to replace it. It's now B&Bs or cottage rental.
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| Posted by Eric: Sat Sep 19th, 2020 16:10 | 464th Post |
Iain wrote:Unfortunately we don't have a caravan any more, too much work was needed as the damp had got in and we didn't bother to replace it.That's a shame. Ideal for away trips with optimum isolation, in these troubled times. We've said we won't replace ours if it 'fails'.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by blackfox: Mon Sep 21st, 2020 03:47 | 465th Post |
redshank heading for the last bit of dry land as the tide rises . olympus 100-400 + 1.4 tc 560mm hand held  Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Iain: Mon Sep 21st, 2020 08:57 | 466th Post |
Eric wrote:That's a shame. Ideal for away trips with optimum isolation, in these troubled times. We've said we won't replace ours if it 'fails'.Your right, I do miss it for that.
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| Posted by Iain: Mon Sep 21st, 2020 08:58 | 467th Post |
| That looks good Jeff.
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| Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Sep 22nd, 2020 14:35 | 468th Post |
| Super shot Jeff
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Mon Sep 28th, 2020 18:11 | 469th Post |
While photographing Kites there was an interloper watching in the tree..... Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Mon Sep 28th, 2020 18:13 | 470th Post |
| This is more (sliced) Chicken Hawk than Red Kite. Took the filling right out of my sandwich!!!  Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Tue Sep 29th, 2020 04:24 | 471st Post |
| Pea****s are noisy things. Strutting about 'Crying'. Had to whack this one on the back of the neck to get it to shut up and stand still.  Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Tue Sep 29th, 2020 04:38 | 472nd Post |
Don't you point that thing at me! Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Tue Sep 29th, 2020 11:55 | 473rd Post |
One more... Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Sep 29th, 2020 14:43 | 474th Post |
| Looking good Eric.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Iain: Tue Sep 29th, 2020 15:38 | 475th Post |
| They look good Eric.
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| Posted by Eric: Tue Sep 29th, 2020 17:22 | 476th Post |
| Thanks. I learnt a lot those few days. Not the least was getting sun and wind direction correct. Unfortunately the wind wasn't right and the birds were hovering in backlight. I think I will go back next May when they are perhaps more interested in bait (feeding young) ....if the wind is coming from the more normal South west.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Sep 30th, 2020 17:37 | 477th Post |
Redshanks Titchfield Haven D500 Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Fri Oct 9th, 2020 02:42 | 478th Post |
Just found a couple more kites.... Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Iain: Fri Oct 9th, 2020 08:53 | 479th Post |
A Kite from the other day. Its the same Kite in both pics. 500_2400 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr  500_2495 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr
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| Posted by Eric: Fri Oct 9th, 2020 15:04 | 480th Post |
| Nice captures Iain.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Iain: Fri Oct 9th, 2020 15:22 | 481st Post |
| Thanks Eric.
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| Posted by Eric: Fri Oct 9th, 2020 16:08 | 482nd Post |
Iain wrote:Thanks Eric.Were going to have to find another species to photograph
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Iain: Sat Oct 10th, 2020 06:15 | 483rd Post |
| The gold crests are starting to build up on my patch.
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| Posted by blackfox: Mon Oct 12th, 2020 04:08 | 484th Post |
flock of oystercatchers in flight yesterday olympus omd1-mkii + olympus 100-400 hand held  Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by blackfox: Wed Oct 14th, 2020 15:18 | 485th Post |
kingfisher ,massive crop to love the new olympus 100-400 lens  Click here to comment on this image.
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| Posted by Robert: Wed Oct 14th, 2020 15:57 | 486th Post |
| You pulled it in nicely Jeff.
____________________ Robert. |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Oct 14th, 2020 17:43 | 487th Post |
| Super shot and pin-sharp well done!
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Fri Oct 16th, 2020 16:33 | 488th Post |
| He's back! But now in full adult plumage.....  Click here to comment on this image. Classic Woodpecker 'jump'...  Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Eric: Fri Oct 16th, 2020 16:42 | 489th Post |
It's suffering from Coloboma in its right eye (gap in the eye tissues) Click here to comment on this image.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by jk: Fri Oct 16th, 2020 17:32 | 490th Post |
| Great shots Eric. Are you using D500 or D850 with 500mm f4?
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Oct 16th, 2020 17:48 | 491st Post |
| Very nice shots Eric well done. No birds in our garden but Wendy starting feeding again this weekend.
____________________ Graham Whistler |
| Posted by Eric: Sat Oct 17th, 2020 04:09 | 492nd Post |
jk wrote:Great shots Eric.D850 exclusively these days. I understand your point that the D500 is better for BIF with its extended width focus points. But I've found that if I need to use the frame edge focusing points the bird is too small in the frame anyway.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Iain: Sat Oct 17th, 2020 11:59 | 493rd Post |
| I like those Green Woodpecker shots Eric, they are few and far between up here.
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| Posted by Eric: Sat Oct 17th, 2020 14:29 | 494th Post |
Iain wrote:I like those Green Woodpecker shots Eric, they are few and far between up here.Thx Iain. They have made spasmodic visits to our garden over the years. Never been able to photograph them. This year there seems to have been young ones that fledged here and they (I am assuming it's them) have visited 2 or 3 times this Summer. With the caravan in the back garden I was able to get a closer concealed position. This time I was in the house. I stalked it a bit but made one wrong move ...and it was gone. 😞
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by Iain: Wed Oct 21st, 2020 04:47 | 495th Post |
| The stalking but get a bit harder with age.
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| Posted by Eric: Wed Oct 21st, 2020 12:02 | 496th Post |
Iain wrote:The stalking but get a bit harder with age.The creeking bones and moaning tends to alert the birds when I am ....getting out of the car.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by jk: Wed Oct 21st, 2020 15:48 | 497th Post |
| I always wondered why the local jackdaws left when I got out the car! It must be my rattling bones.
____________________ Still learning after all these years! https://nikondslr.uk/gallery_view.php?user=2&folderid=none |
| Posted by Iain: Thu Oct 22nd, 2020 15:14 | 498th Post |
| I can get out the car and get down on the ground, it's the getting back up that's the problem.🤣
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| Posted by Eric: Thu Oct 22nd, 2020 18:07 | 499th Post |
Iain wrote:I can get out the car and get down on the ground, it's the getting back up that's the problem.🤣I normally check the tyres while I am down there.
____________________ Eric |
| Posted by GeoffR: Fri Oct 23rd, 2020 09:48 | 500th Post |
| So far I have found mine to be roundish and black
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