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Pukestain Pal posted:How do you drive around aimlessly looking for birds? I've always wondered how that works... You don't drive around looking for birds? So, who's excited about the new Sibleys? e: ack new page 
800peepee51doodoo fucked around with this message at 22:53 on Feb 16, 2014 |
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Feb 16, 2014 22:50
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800peepee51doodoo posted:You don't drive around looking for birds? fuuuuck my sibley is out of data now? 
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Feb 16, 2014 23:13
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Mr. Despair posted:fuuuuck my sibley is out of data now? I wouldn't worry about it. The birds haven' changed much 
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Feb 16, 2014 23:15
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 One more from Yellowstone. Again, no idea.
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Feb 16, 2014 23:17
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Grey Jay
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Feb 16, 2014 23:31
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800peepee51doodoo posted:You don't drive around looking for birds? 23 days until my pre-order arrives!
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Feb 16, 2014 23:44
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Pukestain Pal posted:How do you drive around aimlessly looking for birds? I've always wondered how that works...
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Feb 16, 2014 23:50
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Kenshin posted:So it looks like I'm flying to Panama City, Panama on a whim in two weeks. I was down there a few years ago. Not sure if you will have a car or not but gamboa http://www.flickr.com/photos/bryntassell/sets/72157627033725336/ (maybe 30 minutes outside the city) had some great birding. Did not spend anytime in Panama city really.
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Feb 17, 2014 01:25
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Pukestain Pal posted:I wouldn't worry about it. The birds haven' changed much No, although looking at the new edition it seems like a pretty useful upgrade. Bigger, higher quality pictures, updated maps, etc. Pretty nifty. Everyone should own a Sibley guide to birds.
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Feb 17, 2014 02:07
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A few pictures from the Elkhorn Slough in Moss Landing, CA. Juvenile Pacific Loon  02171001 by arkottke, on Flickr Western Grebe  02171002 by arkottke, on Flickr Western Gull  02171015 by arkottke, on Flickr Marbled Godwit  02171042 by arkottke, on Flickr Snowy Egret  02171047 by arkottke, on Flickr
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Feb 18, 2014 02:52
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Went for a walk through Reifel Migratory Bird sanctuary on Saturday, with my new camera body, trying to force myself to use manual exposure. There were more wood ducks there than I've ever seen in one place, and they were quite happy using the feeders. Can't wait to go back when there's better light, it was heavily overcast. Sandhill stare by Chris in Vancouver, on Flickr  Formation flying by Chris in Vancouver, on Flickr  Wood duck pair by Chris in Vancouver, on Flickr  Female Wood Duck by Chris in Vancouver, on Flickr
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Feb 18, 2014 10:25
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Not a picture but some of you may get a kick our of this... http://wgntv.com/2014/02/15/harsh-winter-brings-sea-ducks-to-chicago-area/
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Feb 19, 2014 05:55
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accipter posted:A few pictures from the Elkhorn Slough in Moss Landing, CA. That area is awesome, as are your shots.
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Feb 19, 2014 06:10
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Got a couple shots of a sapsucker that was flying around the other morning: DSC_0152s by venusian-weasel, on Flickr  Yellow-bellied Sapsucker by venusian-weasel, on Flickr
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Feb 19, 2014 06:33
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OK, a question: up until now I haven't been using a flash for bird photography. I've been looking around and quite a few people seem to recommend it, and I can definitely see the difference in their photos. That said, I can imagine it being fairly disturbing for the birds, more so that just having a human wandering around a few feet from them. Do you guys use a flash? If so, do you use a magnifier with it like a Better Beamer? I'm not planning to go and blind owls at night or anything, just thinking about general bird photography. I figure that birds must at least be able to cope with direct sunflash reflections from water so there shouldn't be any permanent physiological damage, just wondering what the general thinking is.
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Feb 20, 2014 20:45
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I use flash occasionally but I try not to if at all possible. Some species don't care about it at all and some wig the gently caress out. The worst harm you can do with a flash is stressing the birds a bit so you should avoid it unless you can be pretty sure it won't disturb them but its not like its going to permanently blind them or anything. That said, flash can certainly make your photos better if its used well. I've found that I don't really use my Beamer all that much because when I do use flash its generally for songbirds in shady forested spots and I don't really need the extra reach with my flash. When I do use it, it's mostly for waterfowl or more distant raptors when the light's bad. I have been fiddling around with the idea of setting up remote flashes for hides but I haven't had the opportunity to try it out yet.
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Feb 21, 2014 00:15
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The local park is full of noisy, horny Anna's Hummingbirds now. One male let me get fairly close while he was putting on a display. annas-display-front by Redwood Planet, on Flickr  annas-display-rear by Redwood Planet, on Flickr Northern Harrier patrolling for waterfowl  Harrier Swooping by Redwood Planet, on Flickr Crab for lunch  gull-with-crab by Redwood Planet, on Flickr White-tailed Kite pulling into a dive  diving-kite-evening by Redwood Planet, on Flickr One Swell Foop posted:
Moon Potato fucked around with this message at 00:47 on Feb 22, 2014 |
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Feb 22, 2014 00:43
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Moon Potato posted:
Thanks! I took a couple of stabs at it, although it's getting near the limit of detail (and my abilities with Photoshop).  wood_duck_pair square by Chris in Vancouver, on Flickr  wood_duck_pair2 by Chris in Vancouver, on Flickr
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Feb 22, 2014 03:17
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Moon Potato posted:The local park is full of noisy, horny Anna's Hummingbirds now. One male let me get fairly close while he was putting on a display. Those are great. I know what I am going to be doing tomorrow morning. Hopefully my little 300mm has enough reach.
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Feb 22, 2014 03:29
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One Swell Foop posted:Thanks! I took a couple of stabs at it, although it's getting near the limit of detail (and my abilities with Photoshop). First one. Really good stuff.
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Feb 22, 2014 03:56
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Maker Of Shoes posted:First one. Really good stuff. I agree, that is a fantastic photo. That's like National Geographic Cover level. No, seriously, crop it so it's a wrap-around cover holding in half between their heads.
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Feb 22, 2014 03:59
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Kenshin posted:I agree, that is a fantastic photo. That's like National Geographic Cover level. No, seriously, crop it so it's a wrap-around cover holding in half between their heads. I'd tighten it just a touch more to cut out the legs. Either way it's a great shot now that the distracting stuff is gone.
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Feb 22, 2014 04:04
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One Swell Foop posted:
accipter posted:Those are great. I know what I am going to be doing tomorrow morning. Hopefully my little 300mm has enough reach.
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Feb 22, 2014 04:24
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Thanks for the kind comments and feedback, folks. I've never had any formal or classroom training in photography (although I'm definitely thinking about it) so I'm still developing my skills on cropping, shot selection, and photoshop.
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Feb 22, 2014 08:10
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The following are pictures that I took in Uganda. The birding there was absolutely incredible. Abyssinian Ground Hornbill  09181458360 by arkottke, on Flickr White-backed and Hooded Vultures  09181458460 by arkottke, on Flickr Northern Carmine Bee-eater  09181511340 by arkottke, on Flickr1 Northern Carmine Bee-eater  09181546220 by arkottke, on Flickr  09181553100 by arkottke, on Flickr Red Bishop  09181613140 by arkottke, on Flickr Black-headed Weaver  09181615240 by arkottke, on Flickr Black-headed Weaver  09181617040 by arkottke, on Flickr Black-headed Weaver  09181620100 by arkottke, on Flickr Crown Crane  09181634020 by arkottke, on Flickr Bustard  09181723320 by arkottke, on Flickr Goliath Heron  09182154040 by arkottke, on Flickr Red-throated Bee-eater  09190007180 by arkottke, on Flickr Red-throated Bee-eater Colony  09190010500 by arkottke, on Flickr Marabou Stork  09200052100 by arkottke, on Flickr Weaver  09201528340 by arkottke, on Flickr Long-crested Eagle  09201609540 by arkottke, on Flickr Black-headed Bee-eater  09201843380 by arkottke, on Flickr Great Blue Turaco  09201845340 by arkottke, on Flickr Pied Kingfisher  09222154060 by arkottke, on Flickr Multiple Pied Kingfishers  09222155480 by arkottke, on Flickr Fish Eagle  09222211520 by arkottke, on Flickr Egyptian Geese waiting on a baby Hippo  09222214160 by arkottke, on Flickr Egyptian Geese continuing on  09222214280 by arkottke, on Flickr Yellow-billed Stork  09222224220 by arkottke, on Flickr Great White Pelicans  09222251020 by arkottke, on Flickr
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Feb 22, 2014 17:47
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One Swell Foop posted:Thanks for the kind comments and feedback, folks. I've never had any formal or classroom training in photography (although I'm definitely thinking about it) so I'm still developing my skills on cropping, shot selection, and photoshop. Honestly, unless you ended up in a pretty special class, you'd probably learn more just posting and reading in the Dorkroom and listening to other's critique. The only thing I remember learning about composition in my (admittedly mediocre community college) photography classes was the rule of thirds. accipter posted:The following are pictures that I took in Uganda. The birding there was absolutely incredible. These are all awesome. It's very strange to see birds like the Crown Crane and Egyptian Goose that I think of as being zoo birds and realizing they actually exist in the wild.
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Feb 22, 2014 20:00
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Those shots from Uganda are fantastic. I'll hopefully have a similar post in about two weeks once I get back from Panama and have time to process the photos.
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Feb 22, 2014 20:18
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Moon Potato posted:Beautiful! My only shot of a hummingbird this morning. If he was kind enough to face the other way it would have been perfect.  02223009-edit by arkottke, on Flickr
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Feb 22, 2014 21:59
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One Swell Foop posted:Thanks for the kind comments and feedback, folks. I've never had any formal or classroom training in photography (although I'm definitely thinking about it) so I'm still developing my skills on cropping, shot selection, and photoshop. Like BeastOfExmoor said a classroom isn't really going to be that much help, really. I took a photoshop class a while ago and it was somewhat helpful but really the internet is a much better tutor. If you want some bird/wildlife photography specific info, the birdphotography.net forums are a great resource for basic rules and techniques. Its insufferable in a million different ways but people like Art Morris post there and there is no shortage of critical feedback. I learned a lot from the regulars there. Super jels on that Uganda stuff, accipter. Someday, Africa. Someday. In the meantime, Orange Bishops are included in the new Sibley's (and in the current NatGeo) because of established colonies of escapees in southern California so that's kind of like Africa I guess.
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Feb 22, 2014 22:06
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InternetJunky posted:It's not aimless driving. I drive to where there are a bunch of owls, then drive in that area around the time they tend to come out. For Short-eared Owls that means 4 hours of driving to get there and 4 hours back, plus lots of driving in a roughly 20km x 20km grid in that area. It's all farm fields, so you need to scan fields for the birds hunting and scan all the poles for when they eat or rest. Short-eared Owls are quite easy to spot flying if you know where to look. I typically go on a Sunday Drive each week, but this week is unusual because I just got back from Manitoba (so the urge to hit the road is sated for a while) and my car is troubled anyway. That sounds like an over-the-top version of one of my typical drives, as if I did them specifically to look for owls rather than just to drive around and see stuff. Also, good job on the Snowys, I've seen exactly ONE this winter, a female that took off down the road while I was setting up my tripod. I salute you, you crazy ornithologist! The new Sibley is high on my want list. We'll see how my current budget weirdness works out, but I'm expecting to pick that up in time for spring migration. I hope. One Swell Foop posted:
This thread is probably the best place I've ever been to learn about bird photography, and wildlife photography more generally.
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Feb 24, 2014 00:15
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Thanks, man. This thread has definitely inspired me to push myself further in photography, to the point where it's actually a primary hobby now rather than just a thing I do occasionally. I had a spare hour while my wife was meeting a friend today so went out in inappropriate footwear in the snow at Boundary Bay. Found this short-eared owl and two harriers hunting in their usual spot. The owl was doing close-range hunting, from the looks of it by ear, and managed to catch a vole under the snow - but the harriers spotted him and harassed him in the air till he dropped the vole (which took about 10 seconds after he took off). One of the harriers caught it in flight. I have a couple of blurry shots but to be honest it was just awesome to watch. Echoing the appreciation for those Ugandan shots, very well executed.  Norther Harrier in flight by Chris in Vancouver, on Flickr  Short-eared Owl Takeoff in Snow by Chris in Vancouver, on Flickr  Short-eared Owl Targeted Takeoff by Chris in Vancouver, on Flickr  Norther Harrier in Snow by Chris in Vancouver, on Flickr  Short-eared Owl by Chris in Vancouver, on Flickr
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Feb 24, 2014 09:00
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It has been snowing here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdRiue4fs1Y
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Feb 25, 2014 00:25
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A few female wood ducks have settled in with the resident ducks at Sequoia Park wood-ducks by Redwood Planet, on Flickr Anna's Hummingbird at Arcata Marsh  annas-perch by Redwood Planet, on Flickr This Egret sounds as funny as it looks  egret-yell by Redwood Planet, on Flickr The normally reclusive GBH at Arcata Marsh was out fishing in a relatively accessible area  gbh-fish by Redwood Planet, on Flickr  "Hey everyone, I caught a fish!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYj6ThQ8ygw Dread Head posted:It has been snowing here. Moon Potato fucked around with this message at 01:44 on Feb 25, 2014 |
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Feb 25, 2014 01:42
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I love that shot of the Anna's hummingbird.
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Feb 25, 2014 02:16
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Same heron that was in the video.
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Feb 25, 2014 06:06
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Looking at all the photos, I wish I was half as good as you guys. Keep up the good work.
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Feb 25, 2014 19:32
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accipter posted:I love that shot of the Anna's hummingbird. Thanks. If you're in Oakland like your profile says, you should be able to get some good shots once the flowers start blooming. I grew up there and remember the hummingbirds going nuts in my yard when the bottlebrush trees flowered.
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Feb 25, 2014 23:13
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Moon Potato posted:Thanks. If you're in Oakland like your profile says, you should be able to get some good shots once the flowers start blooming. I grew up there and remember the hummingbirds going nuts in my yard when the bottlebrush trees flowered. I am. I take a walk around SF at lunch and the Anna's are vocalizing all over the place, which is why I was so excited about your pictures. Edit: Also, we need some Nebraska goons to take pictures of Cranes for this thread. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/scien...=sciencecranes1 accipter fucked around with this message at 00:50 on Feb 26, 2014 |
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Feb 25, 2014 23:54
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I just recently got a camera after not owning one for like 15 years and found this thread to be hugely inspiring. Most of the shots here have been amazing and I hope I can come close some day. I live near a river and some marshlands and I found out there are over 150 species of birds here so I've been going for walks to see what I can spot. Got some fresh air, learned about the local wild life and took some pictures in the process. The camera is a NEX7 and I shoot manual lenses only (cheap - I can already see myself investing in something more serious). They are all quite heavily cropped. This is it so far. Sorry for the photo dump. Click through for bigger. Ricoh Rikenon 30-70mm  Great Egret  Australian Pelican  Black-winged Stilt  Red Wattlebird Asahi Pentax SMC 50mm f1.7  White-faced Heron  Royal Spoonbill (with white-faced heron looking on) A few days ago I picked up a Soligor 80-200mm C/D for 20 bucks!  New Holland Honeyeater  Silver Gull  Common Myna  
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Feb 26, 2014 12:39
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Dread Head posted:Same heron that was in the video. This one is VERY Game of Thrones. It's also a very cool shot!
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Feb 26, 2014 16:55
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