Bird Photography - Recent Threads

An open letter to all forum and gallery contributors

Chuck Hagner — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:08:20 GMT

Hello everyone--

I apologize for the form-letter approach here, but I need to let you know about something important:

As you may know, in August 2012, Madavor Media purchased BirdWatching magazine from Kalmbach Publishing Co. Since the sale, the BirdWatchingDaily website and all its contents, including its photo galleries and forums, have remained on fileservers housed at Kalmbach.

We are grateful to Kalmbach for extending this courtesy to us but don't want to overstay our welcome. Indeed, the terms of the sale prohibit us from doing so. For this reason, on May 29, we will migrate the website to new servers.

When we do, we will launch a new website. The new site will have the same name (BirdWatchingDaily) and the same URL, and much of the content will be the same. The new site will have photo galleries, but it will not have forums, and, unfortunately, we will not be able to transfer images from our existing photo galleries and forums to the new galleries.

We value your many contributions to the site. Your informative forum posts and your beautiful images have been a vital part of the browsing and viewing experience for visitors to the site for years. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

We want you to continue to be a part of the BirdWatching community. After our new site launches, we hope that you will not only post new photos of birds but also re-post some or all of your images in the new photo galleries. I'll post instructions for how to upload your photos to the new galleries in the days ahead.

Finally, we recognize and appreciate that many of you have posted much valuable information as a resource for other birdwatchers in our forums. Thank you for doing this. If you haven't saved a copy of your posts already, I encourage you to do so before May 29.

Thank you again for your many contributions to BirdWatchingDaily.com. We look forward to working with you on the new site in the future. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at chagner@birdwatchingdaily.com or leave a comment.

Best regards,

Migrating Birds

LAM — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 19:46:20 GMT

Taken the photo Mississippi ,Minnesota with a Nikon D5100 and Nikon 300mm f/4D

seem angels in flight across the sky.

Broad-billed Hummingbird

Jcoffey — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:03:59 GMT

Hola from Costa Rica!

Glenn Bartley — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:29:19 GMT

I am just in San Jose enjoying a few days off between tours. Up in the highlands last week we found these STUNNING Fiery-throated Hummingbirds. Pretty well named eh?

All the best!

Glenn

Camera Model: Canon EOS 7D

Shutter speed: 1/640 sec

Aperture: 5.6

Flash: -2 1/3

Metering mode: Evaluative

ISO: 800

Lens: EF300mm f/4L IS USM

Taking smart phone digiscoping to the next level!

birder john — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 05:13:24 GMT

I am an aspiring photographer who specializes in "smart phone" photography. I am new to the forum but am reaching out for tips, ideas, and connections around the world. I have done a lot of my work by hand because of the restrictions of the digiscoping adapters that are scope or phone specific. Finally after much research and study, i finally found what I needed. This smart phone adapter seems to be the most universal I have seen and is very inexpensive. This one actually works with all phones (can leave your case on) as well as all scopes/binos and gave me great results. What I love the most is that it has micro adjusting capabilities so you get a perfect picture every time. Here are a couple of pictures I got while using it out at Farmington Bay here in Utah.

[Adapter: Smart Optix Field Guide....smartoptix.com]

Because of my great results I decided to start a new flickr to start sharing what I have captured using my set up. Optics: Vortex Viper 80mm HD spotting scope Camera: Iphone 4 Adapter: Smart Optix Field Guide

(Please visit the site to view this file)

New Nikon Body Purchase

newfoundlander61 — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 12:59:26 GMT

The main lense for birding is the 80-400vr, so its important that the new body does work well with this lense and isn't difficult to focus on say flight shots or moving objects. Is the the D7000, to big of a leap from a used D50. Maybe a different model like the D90 would be better for a learning curve and working with my main lense?

American Kestrel

jameshelmer — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 20:14:59 GMT

Common Loon

rstrick11 — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 22:37:54 GMT

I found several common loons nearing the fishing piers at the Titusville, Fl

Great Blue heron

rstrick11 — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 22:33:49 GMT

The blue heron's are in Courtship mood now in the Viera Wetlands

Bald Eagle

rstrick11 — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 22:25:35 GMT

I found a Bald Eagles Nest out near Yankeetown launch, it s away from the road, but you can see it with the lens.The Bald Eagles fly from the nest over the road to fish. I found this Juvenile Bald Eagle on a branch resting.

Great Egret

rstrick11 — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 22:20:00 GMT

I found this Egret (Grace as my friend called her), moving back and forth in the shallows looking for something to eat.. I handheld the camera and took a set of photos so I could get one just barely touching down

Our galleries are up to date

Matt Mendenhall — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 13:47:18 GMT

Hi all,

A few of you wrote to me directly asking about our photo galleries because they had not been updated for a while. I'm happy to report that they are now up to date again. Please continue to submit your images. It's a great pleasure getting to see them all!

Hairy-crested Antbird (Peru)

Glenn Bartley — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:00:45 GMT

Antbirds are incredibly difficult birds to photograph. They are for the most part big-time skulkers and they live in the dark realms of the forest. High ISOs and a lot of frustration are the norm when trying to photograph them. Perhaps the best way to get images of these guys is to find an army ant swarm and to position yourself in the middle of it. That's what I did here and it paid off :)

Happy New Year!

Best Images of 2011 here: http://www.glennbartley.com/naturephotography/articles/the%20best%20of%202011.html

Camera Model: Canon EOS 7D

Shutter speed: 1/30 sec

Aperture: 5.6

ISO: 800

Focal length: 700mm

Home from Ecuador - White-bellied Antpitta

Glenn Bartley — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:35:22 GMT

Hello everyone!

I just returned from my annual Ecuador workshops last night. What a great time we had down there. A month of hummingbirds, Toucans, Tanagers, Owls and so many more fantastic birds. At one of our stops on the east slope the lodge was feeding this White-bellied Antpitta. After watching its behaviour on one morning I decided to try a set up shot the next time around. I was quite pleased with the result :)

Camera Model: Canon EOS 7D

Shutter speed: 1/20 sec

Aperture: 5.6

ISO: 1600

Focal length: 500mm + 1.4x

Black and White Owl (Costa Rica)

Glenn Bartley — Wed, 09 May 2012 02:52:46 GMT

This guy was hanging around the lodge up in Guanacaste in Costa Rica. Such a treat to see this species up close and watch them hunt.

Camera Model: Canon EOS 7D

Shutter speed: 1/60 sec

Aperture: 8

Flash: On

ISO: 400

Lens: EF500mm f/4L IS USM

Masked Trogon

Muddymac — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 03:01:53 GMT

Taken at the Tandayapa Bird Lodge in Ecuador. These birds appears in the morning near the lodge to eat the wide variety of moths that gather near the lodge lights at night.

Wilson's Snipe

JasonALee — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 23:54:07 GMT

I recently stumbled upon four Wilson's Snipes while kayaking back to an area of Summit Lake where I had seen a few Greater Yellowlegs weeks earlier. For this shot I was using a Canon 7D w/ 400mm F5.6 lens. Shutter speed was 1/320 sec at F11 using ISO 200. I was able to get about 50 feet from these shy birds.

Back from Peru with a Common Potoo...

Glenn Bartley — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 16:47:17 GMT

Oh...that rhymes :)

What a trip I have just returned from. 3 months in spectacular Peru - one of the birdiest countries in the whole world (2nd only to Columbia). I have loads of images to share of rare species, hard to find endemics and of course hummingbirds. But I wanted to start with a fun one that I hope will make you smile :)

All the best!

Glenn

Camera Model: Canon EOS 7D

Shutter speed: 1/60 sec

Aperture: 4

Exposure mode: Manual

Flash: On

ISO: 800

Focal length: 500mm

Andean Cock of the Rock (Peru)

Glenn Bartley — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:26:33 GMT

These guys are always a favourite down in the Andes and are Peru's National bird. I have seen them several times before but never had a really good opportunity to photograph them. For those that dont know - these birds gather at what are called "lek" sites to display for would-be mates. Sometimes you can have dozens of them all in one area! Unfortunately, normally the leks are only active very early or very late in the day making photography a challenge. I got lucky on this day to have some action a bit earlier in the afternoon. What a treat to watch these guys for a few hours :)

Camera Model: Canon EOS 7D

Shutter speed: 1/160 sec

Aperture: 4

Exposure compensation: -2/3

Flash: On

ISO: 800

Focal length: 500mm

Black-throated Blue Warbler

Glenn Bartley — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 16:29:52 GMT

Here's one from my recent trip back to Ontario. This is one of my favourite warblers so I was really keen to try to photograph them this year. I found a great area for them. Unfortunately the mosquitoes were insane. I probably got about 100 bites on my face alone while trying to find and photograph this guy...totally worth it :D

[img]http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/3285/blackthroatedbluewarble.jpg[/img]

Camera Model: Canon EOS 7D
Shutter speed: 1/80 sec
Aperture: 5.6
Flash: On
ISO: 800
Lens: EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x

Whip-poor-will

Glenn Bartley — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 17:17:41 GMT

I havent seen this species posted much?? I was fortunate enough to be in their presence earlier in June and managed to get this shot which I am very pleased with. What a cool experience to be out in the forest and hear these birds wonderful call all around :)

[img]http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/2196/whippoorwill01.jpg[/img]

Camera Model: Canon EOS 7D
Shutter speed: 1/50 sec
Aperture: 5.6
Exposure mode: Manual
Flash: On
ISO: 800
Lens: EF500mm f/4L IS USM

Sabine's Gull

Glenn Bartley — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 15:51:37 GMT

I always love seeing this species out around the ice. I actually didnt get any good looks at them last year in Churchill so it was nice to find this guy this year.

All the best!

Glenn

[img]http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/4254/sgull09.jpg[/img]

Camera Model: Canon EOS 7D
Shutter speed: 1/1250 sec
Aperture: 8
ISO: 200
Lens: EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x

Green Heron

mojoedevine — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 02:42:35 GMT

Got a new camera - Canon 60D. This Green Heron was in its favorite corner at Lake Elizabeth, Fremont, Ca. (near the outflow) It's very acclimated to people since that corner is right on a well used concrete path around the lake. I was able to slowly creep up & lean over a webbed fence to get this portrait. I had my 300 mm lens attached w/ a 1.4 TC, not expecting to have such a closeup opportunity and was just outside my closest range. I couldn't get low because of the fencing so my background is simply the lake surface.

Canon EOS 60D

Canon 300 mm F/4 L IS with 1.4 TC

Manual Mode

ISO 200, F/6.3, 1/500 sec, handheld

Questions for photographers. I've been trying AV & TV modes, but have had dismal results w/ white balance except in good sunlight. After reading a couple of photography books I decided to try manual & have been getting much, much better results w/ white balance. I bought a WB filter & have used it a couple of times to set custom WB in the changing light of overcast lifting in the San Francisco Bay area. But, I'm unclear if custom WB & manual mode complement each other or if custom WB is for auto & semi-auto modes. Any sugesstions/links re: WB would be appreciated.

Pictures of trees full of different birds

bobvt — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 14:52:37 GMT

A couple weeks ago I was walking in the woods behind my house here in northern Vermont and came up to one of my favorite trees. Usually it has Cedar Waxwings and American Goldfinches, but that cloudy day it was full of different birds.

I could see Hairy Woodpeckers, Goldfinches, Waxwings, and a Robin.

As I moved closer to get some images of the woodpeckers, they took off.

Does anyone have any pictures of trees filled with different birds? If so, please post them!

bob

A Female American Redstart & Cliff Swallow

Photo601 — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 17:45:38 GMT

If anyone lives in or around Westchester County NY check out Rockerfeller State Park it's near Phelps Hospital. There were so many song birds there that I lost track! I was looking for the male Redstart and found his girlfriend instead. A treasure! I found the Cliff Swallows at Lake Erie PA in a beautiful park called Presq Ile state park. These three little guys were posing for me! Normally they zip by so fast it's not possible to get a good shot. I also met a Ruby Throat who kept flashing her beautiful red neck at me. Thanks for letting me share this with you.