Bird of the Day

[rockitman]

Blue-winged Warbler. Taken this morning. There is alot of work invloved to get the bird on a nice perch w/o a distracting background and a good pose.

 

[Steve williams]

another great shot Christian. What camera, lens and settings

 

[rockitman]

another great shot Christian. What camera, lens and settings

Hi Steve. I shot him with the 7D, 600mm, f/5.6, iso 400, Natural light. I used a call to attract the bird to this perch that I set up using a branch native to the bird's habitat. It was fun sitting in a field loaded with ticks. Fortunately for me, I had premethrin treated outer clothing. No hitchhikers on me as of yet. The season to shoot birds like this only lasts for about 1 month...May to be specific. The birds are very territorial at this time which makes for good bird photgraphy. Once they get their girl, they stop responding to the calls and the bird season (warblers) is done.

 

[Steve williams]

what background were you using?

 

[rockitman]

what background were you using?

It's the field grasses. With a big lense you have shallow depth of field that naturally blurs and smooths out the background.

 

[Steve williams]

simply remarkable . Are you close to home when you catch these great shots

 

[rockitman]

simply remarkable . Are you close to home when you catch these great shots

20 minute drive for this species. Some of the woodland warbler species I go for requires a boat to reach their territory...ie: Lake George, NY

 

[Steve williams]

the bird photos that you and Amir have shot are all winners

 

[Steve williams]

did you mention what shutter speed you used

 

[rockitman]

did you mention what shutter speed you used

1/1000th. 1/500th is about as slow as you can go to freeze these little flirty subjects and get a sharp image.

 

[Steve williams]

the prep work for that 1/1000 of a second probably took many 1000's of seconds

 

[rockitman]

the prep work for that 1/1000 of a second probably took many 1000's of seconds

It's good for ya. 3/4 of a mile hike in with 60 lbs of gear....