A day of "light" shooting - Just having fun - Random images

Ever have a day where you just wanted to shoot for fun, and didn't care WHAT subjects showed up? That was me today. If it landed, I shot it :D :D Enjoy!

"Aren't I a handsome fellow!"
http://canonbob.smugmug.com/photos/154610240-L.jpg

Adult Brown Thrasher
http://canonbob.smugmug.com/photos/154610433-L.jpg

Juvinile Brown Thrasher (note the eye color as compared to the adult above)
http://canonbob.smugmug.com/photos/154611829-L.jpg

Mourning Dove
http://canonbob.smugmug.com/photos/154611548-L.jpg

Famale Gackle
http://canonbob.smugmug.com/photos/154611721-L.jpg

Downy Woodpecker (Shot at considerable distance, with pretty bad backlight. Tried to flash to compensate, but still not too good).
http://canonbob.smugmug.com/photos/154611633-L.jpg

Here are some Male Cardinal images:
http://canonbob.smugmug.com/photos/154611239-L.jpg

http://canonbob.smugmug.com/photos/154610869-L.jpg

Tried a portrait crop here, not sure I like it.
http://canonbob.smugmug.com/photos/154610750-L.jpg

And last but not least, what I call the "missed" shot of the day. Had everything lined up perfect. He had his crown up, had head tilted to the side, good catch-light. Then, just as I was about to fire the shot, he dropped his crown and looked straight at the camera!
http://canonbob.smugmug.com/photos/154610973-L.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Canon_Bob

Ever have a day where you just wanted to shoot for fun, and didn't care WHAT subjects showed up? ...

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I think many of us (me included) do that on almost every outing :p

Great detail as usual, Bob. I can see that most of these are flashed - brings out the detail but I'm not sure I like the evenness/flatness it creates. Tough compromise. I think most buyers would not notice anyway.

Thanks for posting.

LOL - I usually go out with a particular species in mind, but seldom find the ones I'm after.

I go out with a goal IN MIND at times, but if it moves I blast it :D

That first set is great, but my favorite is the first cardinal image.

Then you two are not normally macro shooters :)

When macro hunting, one often gets what he gets.

But I do understand where you're coming from - I've gone on a few bird species-specific outings.

Funny you should mention that! I'm looking at some macro lens options now (for purchase after I buy the 600L).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Canon_Bob

Funny you should mention that! I'm looking at some macro lens options now (for purchase after I buy the 600L).

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Canon 180mm macro. Or at least mine - I haven't used mine since I bought it 6 months ago :p This blasted birding thing - now what were the 10 steps to get unhooked?

I am seriously looking into the 500L. I came across a Scarlet Tanager in the woods today. It landed not 10' away at nearly eye level which I found exhillerating. Then it caught a large green caterpillar which took about 20 seconds to eat - all out in the open about 15' away. Couldn't get one clean shot using my 300mm+2x. May post those images if I'm brave enough.

I heard through good sources that Canon will be updating the 500mm (and probably the 600mm) very soon so you may want to hold off just a little.

I like the cardinal portrait most, nice details.

I never have a plan either. Just take two bodies with one lens each. Usually a macro and a tele, unless there's a good chance for a scene (never) then take a wide angle on the belt, in a case.

Oh the Cardinal is gorgious..

..I've been stalking the reddest Cardinal I have ever seen flying about my neighborhood...he eludes me every time..Always out of my lens range..I'll get him one day

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Loupey

Canon 180mm macro. Or at least mine - I haven't used mine since I bought it 6 months ago :p This blasted birding thing - now what were the 10 steps to get unhooked?

I am seriously looking into the 500L. I came across a Scarlet Tanager in the woods today. It landed not 10' away at nearly eye level which I found exhillerating. Then it caught a large green caterpillar which took about 20 seconds to eat - all out in the open about 15' away. Couldn't get one clean shot using my 300mm+2x. May post those images if I'm brave enough.

I heard through good sources that Canon will be updating the 500mm (and probably the 600mm) very soon so you may want to hold off just a little.

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I'm thinking October/November for the 600L - Maybe a bit later if I hear a new version is coming. I just need it before Spring migratory season. That 180L has had my eye for the Macro lens. have heard good things about it as a straight 180 tele as well. Has a reputation for being razor sharp. That 500L is a great lens. Every serious birder I know has one. I'm still torn a bit between it and the 600L, but I think my shooting areas (Ding Darling, and Corkscrew Swamp) are really well suited for the bigger 600L, so it shouldn't be a big deal. Bad part is, you have to invest another thousand into a Gitzo tripod with Gimball head for either the 500L or the 600L! Definitely not a cheap commitment.

Either the 500mm or 600mm (or perhaps both) are being revamped (again, just hearsay) with the DO optics. So both the size and weight should be greatly minimized. Would make a great improvement IMO. I would think they would put in a next generation IS as well. But, can't wait forever - at some point gotta pull the trigger.

As is, for me, the 500mm seems like a better fit - smaller, 30% lighter, a grand or two cheaper. I'd probably just use a monopod.

The biggest reservation I have with the 600L is the minimum focusing distance of 18'. If it were 12' or less, I wouldn't even be considering the 500L. I'd like to be able to use it for some reasonably close blind photography, but 18' is just not that close.