Capped Wheatear
Pilanesberg Game Reserve, 21 July 2010, 08h36
Nikon D300, Nikon 200-400 VR @ 400mm, 1/1600, f/4, ISO 320, 1.4 x teleconverter
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Whether flying or perching, photographing our feathered little friends is a challenge which can, and probably will, result in a lot of frustration. Good frustration though, as apart from learning you also stand the chance of getting some amazing images. A good photograph of a bird in flight is of course the ultimate goal but even a good, clean portrait is quite special. And the smaller your subject the more special it is.
There are a few challenges that make photographing birds quite challenging which includes their busy nature and required focal lengths. Patience is without a doubt one of the ‘tools’ you will need to use when going ut in the filed and the other is (probably) good lens technique.
I shot the above photograph of a Capped Wheatear in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. After seeing a few of these birds jumping around the floor I stopped my vehicle and waited. I was shooting with a 400mm lens fitted with a 1.4 x teleconverter and I still had to crop the image in by about 20%.
Not having really focused on bird photography in the past I was quite happy with the resulting images. Whole new photographic world waiting to be explored. Well, for me at least!
Have a great weekend and I will see you Monday!
Gerry
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That’s a great shot Gerry. I love the background, and the Wheatear is so crisp. How did you stabilise the shot? Tripod or handheld (if the latter… I retreat bowing and scraping
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I love this photograph. You caught the capped wheatear in a very interesting position as his leg extends far down the tree limb. Birding photography is some of my favorite and is an absolute must in Africa. Getting a shot like this must be highly rewarding.
Mike,
I wish that the shot was handheld!
I used a badger bean bag and panning plate from my vehicle.
G
Great shot Gerry !!