simple flash example

[paulnj]

What lense are you using to do these? And also, how much of a crop is this off of the full image?

And, well... what are your techniques for getting so close? I really want to get good bird shots, but haven't been able to get anywhere near as close as I need to be.

GEAR 1D/100400IS

about 12ft I'd say

and getting close to nature takes time, patience, knowing your subjects habits and...... a bit of luck too at times

some cheat and use recorded calls/songs, some use screech owl tapes, some are skilled enough to get them in with just their own vocal cords( like me) and most great images are being at the right place at the right time.

KNOW YOUR SUBJECT!!

find nesting pairs, find suitable habitat, find migration traps, watch weather paterns...

taking images of wildlife is part photography and part science if you ask me ;)

this is a FAST 20 second resize from the original JPEG so you can see 520mm at 12-14 feet. though I do need to back up at times because the bird is closer than 6 feet