|
Kenshin posted:Uh, apparently Sigma is going to release two 150-600mm lenses: I'm very curious to see how those are reviewed. Still waiting on my Tammy that I ordered in June, and although I didn't use it a ton on my recent trip, I'm not sure I love the Canon 400L that I ordered while waiting for the Tamron (mostly used it paired with a Kenko TC so not really a fair test).
|
#
?
Sep 13, 2014 18:40
|
|
|
|
| # ? Jun 13, 2024 03:07 |
|
|
The kenko TC is terrible on my 400L 5.6. You can crop to 560mm and still get better shots than with the TC.  Glossy Ibis Pair by justincook5376, on FlickrAlso some video of a young Great Blue Heron practicing his hunting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gp--N3AgN9w I take it youtube still doesn't allow for 60fps video? Mine got downgraded it seems.
|
|
#
?
Sep 13, 2014 19:45
|
|
|
Turns out there's 3 Swainson's Hawks in the area where I saw the one last week. Swainson's Hawk by tylerhuestis, on Flickr Swainson's Hawk by tylerhuestis, on Flickr Swainson's Hawk by tylerhuestis, on FlickrSorry for a bit of a rehash of what I posted last time. I was hoping to find some Cedar Waxwings today but came up empty, so enjoy this making GBS threads hawk instead  Swainson's Hawk by tylerhuestis, on Flickr
|
|
#
?
Sep 14, 2014 04:37
|
|
|
That's probably a family of Swainson's, the parents and one fledged chick. There was a family like that on-campus at the university here last summer, with the chick basically indistinguishable from its parents by the time they headed south. Watch for them hunting grasshoppers - unlike most big hawks, a Swainson's diet has a much higher fraction of large insects than you might think for something that size. They look like they're strutting around, because they go for grasshoppers on the ground with their feet.
|
|
#
?
Sep 15, 2014 03:56
|
|
|
I just have to share these... My partner went shooting in Downsview Park in Toronto today and came back with these... apparently a 400mm prime can be too long for birds sometimes... who would have ever thought?  Red-tailed Hawk with Mouse by Ruth O Birds, on Flickr Mouse in the Mouth by Ruth O Birds, on Flickr Going… by Ruth O Birds, on Flickr Almost There! by Ruth O Birds, on Flickr ….Gone by Ruth O Birds, on Flickr drat….That Tasted Good! by Ruth O Birds, on Flickr
|
|
#
?
Sep 18, 2014 02:06
|
|
|
The bald eagle and barred owl are from a local raptor rescue. It never fails to impress me just how huge an adult bald eagle is.  This sandhill crane is from a metro park. 
|
|
#
?
Sep 18, 2014 02:21
|
|
|
ExecuDork posted:That's probably a family of Swainson's, the parents and one fledged chick. There was a family like that on-campus at the university here last summer, with the chick basically indistinguishable from its parents by the time they headed south. Yeah, that makes sense, the first one was about 2Km down the road from the other two who were maybe 20m apart Linedance posted:I just have to share these... Nice, the look in the last shot really makes the sequence
|
|
#
?
Sep 18, 2014 13:35
|
|
|
Linedance posted:I just have to share these... These are incredible. I'm slowly but surely getting closer to birds. I think. Kind of. Maybe.  Flying Gull by straygiraffe, on Flickr
|
|
#
?
Sep 18, 2014 21:35
|
|
|
Linedance posted:
   Although that last one is just a brutal bird - it's about the size of a large Turkey Vulture, and I spotted it hunting a gull near the highway last week. I'm pretty sure it's the one that killed the White-tailed Kite father in Arcata Marsh last winter, too. Moon Potato fucked around with this message at 08:48 on Sep 19, 2014 |
|
#
?
Sep 18, 2014 22:10
|
|
|
  Is this cheating? ape fucked around with this message at 23:33 on Sep 19, 2014 |
|
#
?
Sep 19, 2014 19:28
|
|
|
Haven't had time to get outside much. Guineafowl at a farm, and a sparrow outside my window. 5B4A9116 by Jason the Hutt, on Flickr 5B4A8464 by Jason the Hutt, on Flickr
|
|
#
?
Sep 23, 2014 08:01
|
|
|
 Mockingbird by justincook5376, on FlickrThis is just a Mockingird right? The wing tips weren't really pronounced like you normally see, and it made a sound unlike the typical mimics.  Juvenile Sharp Shinned Hawk by justincook5376, on FlickrThis guy was barely bigger than a Blue Jay. I think it's a juvenile sharp shinned.  Dull Cedar Waxwing by justincook5376, on FlickrThis little guy hasn't grown in his pretty Cedar colors yet.  Northern Harrier by justincook5376, on FlickrNorthern Harrier
|
|
#
?
Sep 24, 2014 23:46
|
|
|
Was out at my dad's place today, went to let the dogs out into the backyard and I see a Kestrel on the fence, go grab my camera, but by the time I get back outside, it's gone. Heard it shrieking again a couple hours later, but couldn't find it when I went looking for it. Did find some Blue Jays, fledgling Robins, and a Northern Flicker kicking around the neighbourhood though, Blue Jay by tylerhuestis, on Flickr Northern Flicker by tylerhuestis, on Flickr
|
|
#
?
Sep 26, 2014 03:27
|
|
|
It's migratory season. I know that several of us are in the Northwest; is anyone else interested in meeting up for a morning of birding at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge (near Olympia, WA) on a nice weekend morning soon?
|
|
#
?
Sep 26, 2014 18:22
|
|
|
 Untitled by straygiraffe, on Flickr Fraction fucked around with this message at 21:27 on Sep 26, 2014 |
|
#
?
Sep 26, 2014 21:18
|
|
|
Well, I did the unthinkable and bought a superzoom camera. Canon had refurb SX40's on sale for $150. I do a lot of birding before/after work when I don't want to leave my 100-400mm + DSLR in my car all day. I run into a fair number of rarities and photos help for eBird confirmation. I'm hoping it also comes in handy on things like hikes where I don't want to drag along a full DSLR. I've been contemplating upgrading to the Sigma 150-600mm, but the extra size would mean I wouldn't want to carry it with me on a lot of my travels.
|
|
#
?
Sep 27, 2014 05:30
|
|
|
 Nice, you caught a fish! You got something on your face, though...  It's right at the base of your beak. Do you want a napkin?  There, I think you got it.  No, that just made it worse.  It's okay. I don't think anyone noticed.
|
|
#
?
Sep 27, 2014 06:07
|
|
|
BeastOfExmoor posted:Well, I did the unthinkable and bought a superzoom camera. Canon had refurb SX40's on sale for $150. I do a lot of birding before/after work when I don't want to leave my 100-400mm + DSLR in my car all day. I run into a fair number of rarities and photos help for eBird confirmation. I'm hoping it also comes in handy on things like hikes where I don't want to drag along a full DSLR. I've been contemplating upgrading to the Sigma 150-600mm, but the extra size would mean I wouldn't want to carry it with me on a lot of my travels. I'm still holding on to my Panasonic FZ-50. e: First shots with my Tamron 150-600- just a few snaps in my backyard this morning. So far I like it. Definitely heavy, but definitely possible to hand hold and the IS is pretty nice. Focus is fast (haven't tried BIF yet). Even though it's heavier than the 400/5.6, in my fairly limited experience with both I seem to be doing better with the Tamron. The extra zoom helps with birds in complex environments- the 400L seems to hunt a little more since the bird is smaller in the frame. I think all of the following were f/9 at 800 iso. No pp besides cropping, except for the Golden-crowned Sparrow which is sharpened. The nuthatch is ~ 50% crop I think, and the others are close to but not quite 100% crop.  RB Nuthatch1 1830 on Flickr Juvie Cedar Waxwing 1833 on Flickr W Scrub Jay FS 1834 on Flickr GC Sparrow-Sharpened-FS 1835 on FlickrI'm having a hard time justifying keeping the 400 now... BetterLekNextTime fucked around with this message at 19:35 on Sep 27, 2014 |
|
#
?
Sep 27, 2014 19:08
|
|
|
Not everyday that you can shoot birds with a 50mm lens. These wild birds had no fear of eating seed right out of our hands. I suspect people must do this a lot at this particular sanctuary because all of the seed eating birds would approach us at very close range and chirp. We tried to offer them seed and sure enough they had no fear. The Chickadees were the most brave though, the titmice and nuthatches a little less so. Chickadee Hand by justincook5376, on Flickr  Nuthatch Hand by justincook5376, on Flickr  Chickadee Hand by justincook5376, on Flickr  Titmouse Hand by justincook5376, on Flickr
|
|
#
?
Sep 29, 2014 13:14
|
|
|
Some chickadees are fearless. I've had them land on my head without having any seed, just by stopping in the right place along a well-used path where I'm sure lots of people hand feed them. Last week one from our balcony birdfeeder decided to check out the open door and landed on the lower doorframe, about 20cm in front of our cat. Fortunately for all concerned, our cat is utterly chickenshit and while she *tries* to stalk the birds at the feeder she has no chance. That particular chickadee is also probably the one that landed on the feeder while it was still in my GF's hands, putting it back up after the deck was painted. The chickadees are pretty well-behaved, but the sparrows and especially the nuthatches love to spray seeds everywhere while digging for whatever variety they most prefer.
|
|
#
?
Sep 29, 2014 16:48
|
|
|
I am trying really hard not to preorder the new Sigma 150 - 600 sport version. I don't know why I want to be an early adopter I just for some reason have confidence that the Sigma glass quality will be worth the price compared to the Tamron which is still back ordered . Also it would be really really nice to have an is lens as I do most of my bird shots hand-held.. I told myself I was done spending money on gear for at least another year. Talk me out of it thread.
|
|
#
?
Sep 30, 2014 21:50
|
|
|
TheMirage posted:I am trying really hard not to preorder the new Sigma 150 - 600 sport version. I don't know why I want to be an early adopter I just for some reason have confidence that the Sigma glass quality will be worth the price compared to the Tamron which is still back ordered . Also it would be really really nice to have an is lens as I do most of my bird shots hand-held.. I told myself I was done spending money on gear for at least another year. Talk me out of it thread. I'm going to order the Contemporary version once it's fully announced. I'm sure the Sport version will be fantastic but I am also not ready to drop $2k on a lens. Half that? Sure. From what a Sigma dude said the Sport will have better performance at the corners and is more durable, but also heavier. This will make a bigger difference on a full-frame camera I think. I think they expect the Sport model to be used primarily on a tripod, they said the Contemporary will be better for hand-held.
|
|
#
?
Sep 30, 2014 21:55
|
|
|
Fraction posted:I'm slowly but surely getting closer to birds. I think. Kind of. Maybe. Do you guys wear... camo?
|
|
#
?
Sep 30, 2014 22:20
|
|
|
Kenshin posted:I'm going to order the Contemporary version once it's fully announced. I'm sure the Sport version will be fantastic but I am also not ready to drop $2k on a lens. Half that? Sure. It still only weighs 6.2 pounds as opposed to say a Canon 600 F/4 which is 8.6 pounds. Here is the first interesting Fall migrator i've seen so far:  Wilsons Warbler by justincook5376, on FlickrAnd something I have no idea what it is. I thought some kind of flycatcher but I couldn't quite match anything up with it. Maybe something young, or something in it's winter plumage?  Unknown, Massachusetts, Sept by justincook5376, on Flickr
|
|
#
?
Oct 1, 2014 03:01
|
|
|
TheMirage posted:
I'd guess a really drab Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle warbler).
|
|
#
?
Oct 1, 2014 03:31
|
|
|
TheMirage posted:
Nice shots. American Pipit, maybe?
|
|
#
?
Oct 1, 2014 03:42
|
|
|
BetterLekNextTime posted:I'd guess a really drab Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle warbler). That was my guess as well. They flycatch like crazy this time of year. They are probably the most common passerine in much of the country in the fall.
|
|
#
?
Oct 1, 2014 04:17
|
|
|
I agree, and I saw a collection of Yellow Rumps at another Sanctuary this past weekend that were a little less drab, but they still had some faded yellow. This guy was more orange so I had doubts. Thanks for the assist guys.
|
|
#
?
Oct 1, 2014 12:23
|
|
|
Finally was able to photograph this Leucistic Black-billed Magpie that's been hanging around my building all summer. lovely background I know, but back alleys and dumpsters are the urban magpies habitat. It has some really faint blue feathers on it's back and no iridescent feathers Leucistic Black-billed Magpie by tylerhuestis, on Flickr Leucistic Black-billed Magpie by tylerhuestis, on Flickr Leucistic Black-billed Magpie by tylerhuestis, on Flickr
|
|
#
?
Oct 1, 2014 17:46
|
|
|
I had a Belted Kingfisher hover almost directly over me yesterday evening. It was kind of amazing to see one that close up. queenfisher-closeup by Redwood Planet, on Flickr Mallard quacking at an approaching Greater Yellowlegs  duck-yellowlegs by Redwood Planet, on Flickr A Red-shouldered Hawk trying to look like a Harpy Eagle  rsh-poof by Redwood Planet, on Flickr Egret pals  egret-buddies by Redwood Planet, on Flickr
|
|
#
?
Oct 2, 2014 23:02
|
|
|
Moon Potato posted:I had a Belted Kingfisher hover almost directly over me yesterday evening. It was kind of amazing to see one that close up. drat, that's close! Great light, too.  IMG_9069 by Jason the Hutt, on FlickrDowny Woodpecker
|
|
#
?
Oct 4, 2014 17:11
|
|
|
First, a thread-title appropriate Swainson's hawk: June 22 2014 1 by Execudork, on FlickrThen, a dump of a bunch of birds from a couple of weeks ago. Northern Shoveler  SD 139 2 by Execudork, on FlickrSnow Geese  SD 139 5 by Execudork, on FlickrPied-billed Grebe  SD 139 37 by Execudork, on FlickrCanada Warbler (I think)  SD 139 42 by Execudork, on FlickrAmerican Tree Sparrow (I think)  SD 139 55 by Execudork, on FlickrI don't know what this one is. It kind of looks like a Towhee, but I don't see any colour on it at all. Maybe a Dark-eyed Junco?  SD 139 56 by Execudork, on FlickrSavannah Sparrow  SD 139 63 by Execudork, on FlickrPossibly, though I am far from certain, a Cinnamon Teal  SD 139 72 by Execudork, on FlickrThe only thing I can find close to this one is a fall-variant male Brewer's Blackbird, but the illustrations I can find don't show a black beak.  SD 139 76 by Execudork, on FlickrI'm calling this a White-throated Sparrow, because I'm tired of my own uncertainty  SD 139 79 by Execudork, on FlickrRed-necked Grebes in winter plumage  SD 139 83 by Execudork, on FlickrAnd a very drab but for the setting sun female duck of some species I'm not going to try to work out.  SD 139 89 by Execudork, on Flickr
|
|
#
?
Oct 4, 2014 22:04
|
|
|
Couple photos I took a bit back that I don't think I've put up here. Great Blue Heron by Paul Frederiksen on 500px  Great Egret by Paul Frederiksen on 500px  Cormorant by Paul Frederiksen on 500px
|
|
#
?
Oct 5, 2014 00:53
|
|
|
I love this shot, especially the eyes. For that top one, the great blue heron, could you drop the exposure a bit? Seems way overly bright to my eyes.
|
|
#
?
Oct 5, 2014 02:24
|
|
|
Well, after embarassingly missing that Black Tern a page or two back I'm hesitant to try to ID stuff again, but here's my shot. ExecuDork posted:Canada Warbler (I think) Bill looks more like a finch to me? Roughly matches a non-breeding American Goldfinch? I have no experience with Canada Warbler this time of year, but Sibley's shows them having an even gray back rather than the light patch near the back of the neck that this bird does. ExecuDork posted:I don't know what this one is. It kind of looks like a Towhee, but I don't see any colour on it at all. Maybe a Dark-eyed Junco? Not a lot to go on here. Underside of the tale looks like a match for Dark-Eyed Junco, but that doesn't throw out all other possibilities. ExecuDork posted:Possibly, though I am far from certain, a Cinnamon Teal Looks like a non-breeding male Cinnamon Teal. Note the red eye. ExecuDork posted:The only thing I can find close to this one is a fall-variant male Brewer's Blackbird, but the illustrations I can find don't show a black beak. Looks good to me. ExecuDork posted:I'm calling this a White-throated Sparrow, because I'm tired of my own uncertainty White-Throated should have a gray beak, rather than the bright one this bird has. I'd lean toward White-Crowned Sparrow. ExecuDork posted:Red-necked Grebes in winter plumage Hard to tell from this angle, but my impression is Horned/Eared Grebe. Red-Throated has a pretty large bill. ExecuDork posted:And a very drab but for the setting sun female duck of some species I'm not going to try to work out. I'd lean female Blue-Winged Teal on this one. Eyeline, bill-shape and light under the throat are my reasons, but female ducks can be hard. No photo, unfortunately, but I spotted a Leach's Storm Petrel in Puget Sound, just north of Seattle the other day. Likely the rarest bird I've ever found. Storm-Petrels are loving awesome birds and I wish they didn't spend most of their time out in the middle of the ocean where they're hard to see.
|
|
#
?
Oct 5, 2014 04:46
|
|
|
I seem to be on a trend of finding birds that give no shits about humans. This Redtail Hawk was flying around us all day and let us walk right up to it. I've never been this close to a wild raptor. I was so close I didn't have any pixels to work with for a decent crop on the flight shots, and I'm not good enough to focus and recomp that fast. Redtail Stare by justincook5376, on Flickr Redtail Perch by justincook5376, on Flickr Redtail Flight by justincook5376, on Flickr
|
|
#
?
Oct 5, 2014 23:54
|
|
|
TheMirage posted:
holy gently caress
|
|
#
?
Oct 5, 2014 23:57
|
|
|
This is shaping up to be a fantastic wildlife lens. https://www.sigmaphoto.com/product/150-600mm-f5-63-dg-os-hsm-s
|
|
#
?
Oct 6, 2014 00:12
|
|
|
TheMirage posted:I seem to be on a trend of finding birds that give no shits about humans. Juvies often aren't smart enough to bolt from humans as quickly and there are a lot more juvies at the end of summer. That's how I got this headshot:  Red Tail Hawk Portrait by No Small Wave, on Flickr
|
|
#
?
Oct 6, 2014 00:26
|
|
|
|
| # ? Jun 13, 2024 03:07 |
|
|
BeastOfExmoor posted:Well, after embarassingly missing that Black Tern a page or two back I'm hesitant to try to ID stuff again, but here's my shot. EDIT: The next time I'm on a sea coast and have a bit of spare time, like a day, and enough spare money, a few hundred bucks, I *really* need to get out on a bird-watching cruise. Sea birds in general are pretty great, especially coming from the flat, empty, landlocked, flat, wintery middle of the continent. ExecuDork fucked around with this message at 00:32 on Oct 6, 2014 |
|
#
?
Oct 6, 2014 00:27
|
|