Seeing nature through eyes of a 500mm lens

I remember doing a google and coming across this site. Shortly thereafter, I began following the Daily Pictures thread. I was amazed at the photos that were being captured and the variety of birds. I said to myself that I wanted to capture photos similar to the ones posted here. I began my quest and this is where I ended so far...2 new cameras and few lens and an obsession for bird photography. Although nature photography (bird particularly) is my passion, I have begun to expand my photographic hobby into other areas such as portraits, dab of macro and other things bird photography is my passion. Thanks to Dave I was able to acquire some pretty nice lenses for a beginner and thanks to Linthicum and other folks here for providing me with numerous places to photograph birds and thanks to all here and the lovely photos which have inspired me. Enough talking, I will continue to post photos of birds and maybe other animals here that I capture with my new lens. Thanks for looking.

1st photo is my latest photo...Male Canvasback

Canvasback

last one of the male Canvasback

American Coot series

Coot

Another Coot shot

Another Coot

This one was just floating by

This one was trying to get away from me as fast as it could...last Coot

I went to Centennial Park and I was rewarded with the Bluebirds. Funny because I was on the way to truck to pack up and leave and they popped up. It's not easy getting their photos as they tend to continue moving from place to place diving and looking for bugs on the ground but I just sat still and was patient and they came fairly close to me. I could only move but so close before they'd take off. I had to crop the photos even when using the 500 + 1.4 for 700mm. I wish they would visit my backyard but too many HOSP...don't want to put them in harms way...so I will just have to visit them in their natural habitat.





This message was edited Mar 12, 2010 1:10 AM

Another shot of the Bluebird

BB #3

BB #4

BB #5

BB #6

Last BB shot

Stunning shots Al! Love all of them.

Excellent photos, Al. With Spring in the air, you're going to get some great opportunities with the 500mm lens. There are just so many places around to check out but it's all being at the right place at the right time. You will want to re-visit Centennial Lake toward the end of April, as the Baltimore Orioles arrive and are quite active, and vocal. While making the trip to Centennial, you may also want to check out Wilde Lake and Lake Elkhorn, if you have the time.

I'm glad you got to visit Oakley Street in Cambridge so you know where it is. Sometimes rarer species show up there on their migratory journey. When you leave Oakley Street and turn right onto Hambrook Blvd in a few blocks you come to Somerset St., which takes you back to Great Marsh Park. You can get a broad view of the Choptank. That's where I took my recent photos of the Long-tailed Ducks (Oldsquaw). There were two out there on Saturday morning but too far out in the river.

Continued success with your 500mm lens.

Thanks Linthicum. I will continue my quest

Beautiful shots Al...congrats on the new lens, it looks like it is in good hands!

I've always thought all of your photos were superb. I especially love the color in the first photo, but they're all just fabulous.

I just love the feet on the coots. I always see them in our lake, but not too long ago I found some looking for goodies on a lawn and thought they just don't look like they go with the bird.

I'm certainly glad I'm not the only one with the addiction to birds and the camera! Great job on all the pictures.

Thanks all. Here's the Ring-neck Duck series

1st up is the female

This message was edited Mar 12, 2010 1:11 AM

Photo #2

Photo #3

Last shot of the female

Next up is the Male Ring-neck Duck

Here he is about take a dive for food

up up

up up up

down

down down

What you look'n at

Another male shot wetting his whistle

profil'n

last one for the night

Wow super thread Met!! Loved every shot of it so far! Thanks for sharing! I can't even pick a favorite there all so nice. lol

Those are stunning! With that super new lens, now you need to go after some Bald Eagles.

Met, what fantastic photos. Love them all, but the one of the male Ring-neck Duck (#7622875) is stunning.

Methodical,AAH very nice shots .Iam jealous of your lens ,I have got to get a 200mm at least.funny thing ,we just went eagle watching Tuesday,I did the best I could with my 16x digital.The Bald Eagles winter here in Legro Indiana ,about 50 miles from us,going again today,they will be leaving soon .We have been getting reagular sitings here too,I guess last week our neibors saw one just a mile from my home.

2

Met, Excellent shots of the Ring-necked Ducks!

Hi Hugger, Pretty shots of the Eagle, glad your seeing them. You can post them on the Daily Pics thread if you get more. We'll be looking forward to seeing them.