Seagulls at San Pedro

[poker]

I got lucky today. We were eating seafood at San Pedro (California, USA) and I got my first chance at taking photos of birds in flight. I feel the weather, angle, type of bird, and distance were all factors in making my first time not too difficult.

This was really fun and I can't wait to try other types of birds.

[poker]

I googled seagulls to find out more about the different types but I didn't find any in depth sites.

I wish I had more time to shoot while there and more memory cards.

Hope you all like these. You other bird photogs here inspired me to try this out. It is very rewarding.

Thanks, Eric.

[Knight]

Great series of captures , keep them coming

[paulnj]

I googled seagulls to find out more about the different types but I didn't find any in depth sites.


Thanks, Eric.

Well don't quote me but the top ones look like young herring gulls to me and the last 4 look like western gulls. I may be wrong though, because these aren't easy to ID for me.

[poker]

I modified the color of this in PS but I think I need to go back and fix the hot spots.

PaulNJ, thanks for giving me leads into what type of gulls these might be.

Knight, I'm glad you like the shots. Can't wait to do more.

[Bevb]

Really nice shots! my favourite is the first image. :thumbsup:

[poker]

Really nice shots! my favourite is the first image. :thumbsup:

Thanks Bev! I was hoping you would like it.

[Loupey]

Eric, technically I don't know what else to add. Sharpness, focus (except the one with the runny nose ), and exposure appear to be good. Others here have been doing it longer and better than me so they should be able to offer specific tips regarding birding.

My only suggestion is that you should always keep in mind to vary the camera settings greatly. All your shots here look to have been taken from the same angle with a moderate telephoto and the same shutter/aperture combination (I'm guessing 1/500s to 1/1000s at about f/8?). Next time you have this kind of opportunity, start by tying out different shutter speeds (way slow like 1/90 for panning gliding stuff, as an example).

What mode did you use with the 30D? How did you focus?

[poker]

except the one with the runny nose

LOL...I know...I don't know why I chose to post that one. Even PS couldn't fix the focus. I just liked the side view I suppose.

My only suggestion is that you should always keep in mind to vary the camera settings greatly. All your shots here look to have been taken from the same angle with a moderate telephoto and the same shutter/aperture combination (I'm guessing 1/500s to 1/1000s at about f/8?).

Are you psychic? I was using a 28-105mm and yes I was standing in the same place the whole time. I didn't have much selection on where I stood. There were lots of people on the dock watching.

The only camera setting I changed alot was my zoom. I wanted to zoom in more and more to reduce having to crop later. If you saw the earlier images, the birds were very small in the image. Eventually I learned to go wide then zoom in once I could anticipate the direction of the birds flight plan.

Next time you have this kind of opportunity, start by tying out different shutter speeds (way slow like 1/90 for panning gliding stuff, as an example).

Wow....that's slow...hope I can pull it off. I'll take your advice and turn the dial while I shoot to manipulate the shutter speed next time. I stuck with P mode since it was my first time and I was worried about focus. I read that Bev used Av but I didn't trust myself.

What mode did you use with the 30D? How did you focus?

I used P mode, 5 FPS, 400ISO, AI SERVO....I stuck with the center focusing point only. I think it did well with focusing given that I had an old Sigma lens with it. This camera focuses much better than my DREBEL(300) mated to the same lenses.

Thanks for looking it over...I'm really looking forward to trying again soon....

[poker]

A brown one to be fair....