[Tweeters] BIF

[jimbetz at jimbetz.com]

Kevin/anyone who cares ...

   I'm a LOT better bird photographer when the bird is both close and
perched.  *G*.

   I do not consider myself "adept" at photographing birds in flight.  My
experience tells me that I have to use manual focus, attempt to focus
when the bird is moving, try to catch the bird moving across the frame
rather than towards/away from you, use a high shutter speed (at least
1/1000th).

   if you look at those suggestions you quickly come to the conclusion
that you need a lot of light and "side light" to get anything you
would consider showing a friend.

   Oh yes, expect to throw away (delete) at least 90 percent of the
images you attempt.  Really great BIF photographers say stuff like
"I keep about 1 in 20 - or less - on the average."  And then add
that the ratio gets worse depending upon how you intend to use the
photo.

   Practice -will- increase the quality of your results ... and,
eventually, even increase the number you "keep".

   My nephew lets me use some of his SmugMug space.  Here's an
example of a picture shot at 1/400th.  That 'smudge' in the
lower left is the second bird of the pair returning to this
nest.  Note how much the wings are blurred for the more
easily identified bird just entering the nest.  I have several
images of goldfinches shot at 1/1000th and the wings are
blurred.

    
https://eamon.smugmug.com/Family-pics-from-jim/Birds-and-Stuff-from-Jim/n-4Cw3NF/Birds-Web/i-JXqqfJk/A

   Soaring birds (Bald Eagles/etc.) are a LOT easier.  I've also
had good luck with Snow Geese (and tossed a lot of images also).
I have a few images of Harriers and Short-eared owls in flight.
And a lot of pics of ducks on the water, birds at a feeder or
sitting on a pole/wire ... those are easy compared to BIF.


                                                          - Jim