What’s Your Preference?

Bernzfotos · #1 (**permalink**) 07-23-2009, 09:35 PM

Went you a drive 2 days ago and came across a spot where the Kingfisher bird was diving for food from a tree.

When I arrived at the spot there was also another car parked and within a few minutes I noticed that the other person also had a camera - Pentax with 500mm lens. He told me he spent many hours at this spot and he may get one good shot in 100 – he prints A3 size and put his fotos in many displays.

Well thought I would give it a go with my Nikon D300 with 70-200mm VR lenses and 1.4 teleconverter, giving me approx. 300mm. The Kingfishers were very quick with their dives and it was difficult to catch them but this is an example of what I managed to capture.

Not the best but it was my first attempt with diving birds.

Kingfisher in the tree waiting to dive

Dived and captured food

and he/she is off .....

What a pity that I did not get this focused ....

beachcomber · #2 (**permalink**) 07-23-2009, 10:05 PM

Congratulations Bernz, what you've attempted is so difficult.
To be in a postion to capture one or two of the shots described would have been good. You've managed all four.
OK, 3+4 are a little out of focus but you can clearly see the bird and the fish, this is excellent work

beachcomber

Angelb · #3 (**permalink**) 07-23-2009, 10:16 PM

Bernz these are fantastic, the first one is brilliant...crystal clear. Love the other three, shame about the last one even though it is a great shot is there some way of altering it in PS or something.

vakeel · #4 (**permalink**) 07-23-2009, 10:27 PM

Great effort, guy. I like the 2nd one specially, as the wake, the splash, the ripples and the reflection all work together like a mini story board. Well done.

leonaashlee · #5 (**permalink**) 07-23-2009, 10:28 PM

Awesome....the first and second are wonderful. Too bad about the fourth as it would have been brilliant. Gives you a good excuse to try again.

Bernzfotos · #6 (**permalink**) 07-24-2009, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachcomber

Congratulations Bernz, what you've attempted is so difficult.
To be in a postion to capture one or two of the shots described would have been good. You've managed all four.
OK, 3+4 are a little out of focus but you can clearly see the bird and the fish, this is excellent work

beachcomber

Thanks Beach ... yes not bad in that I only took 12 shots my my first try. I then received a phone call and had to depart straight away. Next week ? Cheers, Bernz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelb

Bernz these are fantastic, the first one is brilliant...crystal clear. Love the other three, shame about the last one even though it is a great shot is there some way of altering it in PS or something.

Thanks Angela - did a little bit of PS on the 4th one but said to myself - "go back and spend a couple of hours for that perfect shot" - so might try that next week. Cheers, Bernz

Quote:

Originally Posted by vakeel

Great effort, guy. I like the 2nd one specially, as the wake, the splash, the ripples and the reflection all work together like a mini story board. Well done.

Thanks vakeel

Quote:

Originally Posted by leonaashlee

Awesome....the first and second are wonderful. Too bad about the fourth as it would have been brilliant. Gives you a good excuse to try again.

thanks Leona - yes it does. Cheers, Bernz

fstopMike · #7 (**permalink**) 07-24-2009, 02:11 AM

Excellent job, Bernz! The second one is outstanding. Catching one of those is very difficult. Can;t wait to see some results once you get some practice!