2 firsts in 1 day

[Loupey]

After weeks trying to track down crossbills and a wintering merlin being reported in my area, I finally found them - in the same afternoon.

It was begining to feel like a wild goose chase (or at least a scavenger hunt) as I would go to the reported sites, find nothing (neither did other people at the same time I was out) only to get reports that they were sighted later that day or on days I was not out.

This weekend I was determined and spent 5 hours on foot in the snow and came up with these. The quality is bad (high level crops) but now that I have the "firsts" out of the way, I hope to concentrate on getting quality images later.

The white-winged crossbills are all the rage right now as I've been told that the last time an irruption occurred this far south was 26 years ago.

[Ron Kruger]

It's just like hunting: the more you do it, and the more effort you put in, the closer you get. Then all of a sudden, the shot of a lifetime happens suddenly. That's what I like most about it.
These may not be the quality you demand from yourself, but they aren't bad, and I can tell you are really honing in.

[Canon_Bob]

Every great photographer I know takes this same approach. You simply lay seige to the creation of the image in your mind's eye. Every image captured after the first gets you closer to the one in your mind. You may never get to that one in your mind, but you continue trying...and getting some GREAT captures along the way!

[Old Timer]

Every great photographer I know takes this same approach. You simply lay seige to the creation of the image in your mind's eye. Every image captured after the first gets you closer to the one in your mind. You may never get to that one in your mind, but you continue trying...and getting some GREAT captures along the way!

Great approach Bob. This applies to so many things in life not just photography.

Nice going Loupey I applaud your efforts and your results.

[AgingEyes]

It was begining to feel like a wild goose chase (or at least a scavenger hunt) as I would go to the reported sites, find nothing (neither did other people at the same time I was out) only to get reports that they were sighted later that day or on days I was not out.

I have come to the conclusion that the key is to keep going out because you just don't know what you will see. I know a few guys who do that everyday, but they're retired folks :mad2:

[Loupey]

Thanks guys

Have learned loads about birds here (and there). The technical aspects are easy for me, but understanding bird behavior takes a lot of in-field time.


But I have to admit, shooting birds is a year-around affair (unlike buggy macros). That means I don't get anything else done the entire year now

[Loupey]

OK, now that my "firsts" are out of the way for these two species, I've been back several more times to try to get some better shots of the merlin and white-winged crossbills.

I managed to get these yesterday. Despite my cast, I can just manage hand-holding the 300mm with the 2x teleconverter. OK, maybe I can't really so I used headstones to support my elbows and ridiculously high ISO's (640 & 800 respectively) during bright daylight hours

These are moderate crops of the 50D+300mm+2x combos.

[Pink Dragonfly]

Nice work And most definitely a step up from the firsts! Good sharpness!

What's this about your arm? I read in the thread about Greg that you'd broken your arm??? How did you do that? I've obviously not been around enough lately! But I'm pleased to see you're still shooting, and shooting good

My best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Mette

[Loupey]

Nice work What's this about your arm? I read in the thread about Greg that you'd broken your arm??? How did you do that? I've obviously not been around enough lately! But I'm pleased to see you're still shooting, and shooting good

My silly story about it is here:

Taking a break for a while


As for the merlin, it is the same one that I captured earlier eating a bird in this thread (in case you didn't see it):

Merlin, take 2

[paulnj]

crossbills! Awesome winter finch and that merlin isn't too shabby either!

[SARtech]

AH ha! Now I can see why it is called a crossbill.
Very nice shots indeed!

Kristine