Bird Watching a Relaxing Hobby

[Jolly Roger]

I took a few pictures of a pheasant last year. Here's one for you Lee.

[Tim Marlow]

I took a few pictures of a pheasant last year. Here's one for you Lee.[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1177731[/ATTACH]

Great shot Roger. The colours compliment his plumage excellently.

[Jolly Roger]

Thanks Tim
Bird photography is another hobby of mine but due to health issues I haven't done much so far this year.

[Tim Marlow]

Used to be a hobbby of mine as well Roger, but after developing RA I find holding the camera up for any length of time difficult at the moment. What kit do you use? I have a Canon 7D2 and a 100-400L zoom as my go to kit. Your pheasant shot looks like you’ve used a fast prime lens. You have a great background blur from a decent open aperture going on.

[Jolly Roger]

Hi Tim
I have a 7DII and 100-400 MkII but this was shot with my Canon R5 and RF100-500 lens. the subject was fairly close (around 10ft (3Mts) and due to the size of the bird I closed the aperture down to f8 to get most of it in focus. ISO 1600 and 1/320 sec. I did own a Canon 600 mkIII lens but as I have difficulties getting out, I sold it (A very sad day). The 7DII is a very good camera but I rarely use it presently. I remember shooting a Bearded Dragon with it around 3-4 years ago at a ridiculously high ISO, thinking the noise would be horrendous but it actually came out really well.
I need to get back to Bovington Tank Museum with the camera, as I haven't been there since Covid. It's only about 30 minutes from my place.

[Jolly Roger]

Sorry Tim
I mean't to add, have you tried using a tripod with a decent gimbal head, to take the weight off your hands and arms ?

[Tim Marlow]

I haven’t, but carrying is also an issue……and I’m an impatient type so wouldn’t bother setting it up. I tend to go light with just the camera and lens. I keep the camera on a sling strap which hangs the camera at the middle of my back but allows it to be brought to use in a few seconds. It’s by far the most comfortable way I have found to carry it.

[JR]

I haven’t, but carrying is also an issue……and I’m an impatient type so wouldn’t bother setting it up. I tend to go light with just the camera and lens. I keep the camera on a sling strap which hangs the camera at the middle of my back but allows it to be brought to use in a few seconds. It’s by far the most comfortable way I have found to carry it.

By the time I got all my kit out and the tripod set up the subject had either flown off of got fed up with waiting .

[Jolly Roger]

Tim. There is a simple solution to your dilemma. Hire a Sherpa. Problem solved.

[Ian M]

We have just had 18 young starlings in the new cut grass. I think they where happy.

[JR]

We have just had 18 young starlings in the new cut grass. I think they where happy.

They seems to have had a perfect year for breeding, we have had a record number of young, all very keen on mealy worms.

[Ian M]

A good year for all the feathered friends, some more welcomed than others. On the less gappy side is a whole flock of magpie!
There ust be twenty or more all of which went to war in the tree outside our bedroom window. At 3:30 this a.m.

[JR]

A good year for all the feathered friends, some more welcomed than others. On the less gappy side is a whole flock of magpie!
There ust be twenty or more all of which went to war in the tree outside our bedroom window. At 3:30 this a.m.

Ian , just yesterday we saw a Magpie being chased by a Collared Dove, it was in full pursuit.

[stillp]

Ian , just yesterday we saw a Magpie being chased by a Collared Dove, it was in full pursuit.

I'd have expected the other way around!
Pete

[tigersteve]

Nice encounter with a Robin this morning at Derwent Water in Cumbria - me patient with camera and my wife patient with the scone