Birds Of Prey

[phxtoad]

Here's the stupid chickens. Not the greatest shots. The close-up is a camera phone shot that a buddy took. It's looking out onto the aforementioned balcony where Thing One was happily screeching and clawing at the glass. They were both caught and 'relocated' a few months ago.

Yes, that's a gas can between the gas powered blender and the grill. Safety first...

 

[Starscream]

That must have been hilarious to watch!

 

[Lynn]

We don't get to see anything but Turkey Vultures around here, but here are a few of the shots that my wife took on the Alaska cruise we just got back from.

Her first experience with a Zeis 24 - 70mm, f/2.4. She had a hard time mailing it back to the rental company...

 

[Starscream]

Those are great shots Lynn. I remember seeing tons of eagles while traveling through Alaska, it was really cool. Especially near Homer, it was like seagulls at the Jersey Shore!

 

[Bodo]

These guys live around the house..

Mississippi Kite I think. Not a great capture, but best I could do.

Barred Owl having a bad morning.

 

[Starscream]

Another young screech owl...

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

Starscream, that first owl shot is hilarious!! It looks so goofy with the huge eyes looking that close to the camera...LOL thanks for the laugh!!

Can anyone help I.D. this bird?

Was driving through Yellowstone on my day off and found this guy sitting in a tree looking for some dinner

This was the only shot I got of it just as it took off. Some dufas walked up behind me after my 20min stealth movement to get me close-enough to get the shot and yells out "Hey, what are you shooting pictures of...a Bear?"

I jumped, pushed the shutter and the bird jumped and took off. I turned and scolded the guy that I was trying to watch that hawk he just scared away.

He just shrugged his shoulders and said "Oh, I thought it was something cool like a bear or a wolf."

I swear, I wanted to beat him over the head with my monopod!!!!

Anyway, if anyone knows what it is, I try and label my shots so I can go back and cross-reference them if I need to at a later date. Any help would be appriciated

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

Soaring Red Tailed Hawk in the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone National Park

 

[Starscream]

Those are some really great pictures Pat! I am certainly no avian expert, but do you think that it could maybe be a Harris Hawk? Either way, great shots!

-Matt

 

[salsataco]

Some excellent images!

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

Thanks Matt, I've fell in love with trying to capture Birds in Flight (BIF) shots as it is such a hard thing to do.

It's sort of my goal for this summer in Yellowstone to work on. When ever I get bored or think I'm tired with a certain type of photography, I pick a new subject I've never tried....something like BIF.

Just ordered a full Wimberly kit because trying to handhold a long lens and follow a BIF is nearly impossible, at least it is for me

That Red Tailed Hawk was handheld from last week

Here is another Handheld shot of an Osprey just before it dove in for dinner

Eagle Handheld also just before it made the dive for dinner. Both birds where on the Gardner River, but a mile or so from one another

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

Couple more from our last few years of travels

Barn Owl in Tuscon AZ

Osprey with a Fresh Catch in Baja...Sucks I was zoomed in too close to get all the wings in the shot

Big Great Horned Owl watching us from atop a Cactus in Baja

The mother Owl was actually sitting right above its nest with a fluffly little baby still there

 

[salsataco]

Wimberly is a nice piece of equipment, but unfortunately doesnt make BIF any easier...... Just makes it easier on your arms.

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

Wimberly is a nice piece of equipment, but unfortunately doesnt make BIF any easier...... Just makes it easier on your arms.

Easier on my arms is what I needed. While I sit and practice, I'm missing a ton of shots due to my arms either shaking or not being able to hold the lens up long enough while tracking the bird.

Believe me, I'm a firm believer that the equipment doesnt make the photograph, its the photographer, I just cant hold up an 11lb lens for too long while practicing this new technique......Can you say "Jell-o Arms":drool:

 

[Starscream]

Pat, in that photo with the GHO I got the feeling that mother owl wasn't going to tolerate your photo taking too much longer! :Wow1:

-Matt