forsythe

went over today to see if action increased there. sun was in and out. saw a few black crowned night herons and oyster catchers but they were too far off for a shot. the same with the bald eagle.
the turkey vulture was being harassed by red winged black birds till it left their area. I never saw one fly that low unless it spotted a body and came down to get it. I always see them at at least 30 ft gliding around looking for bodies

 

I had a vulture glide right over me last year. ; If I hadn't seen his shadow, I would not have noticed him at all. ;

I'm packing my entire arsenal for next week. ; The D70 with 80-400VR will give me the most reach under good conditions. ; If not sunny, than the D700 will give me the cleanest ISO's over 1600 and can crop a lot at 12MP. ;

 

Howie, what shutter speeds are you using for the terns and skimmers in flight? ; Thanks!

 

That vulture is just nasty looking!

 

yea they are fugly John
Scott I usually shoot at 1/1600th for the terns and skimmers. sometimes faster if the light allows it.

 

As Han Solo would say, that is the trick isn't it? ; The better the light, the faster the shutter and the sharper the image (given good focus). I found out last week I should have pushed my ISO higher as my eagles in flight photos came out, for the most part, too blurry at 1/500th. ; I had plenty of ISO to spare, too. ; :

 

I have done the same and then cussed myself out for doing it

 

2 more from today.
not sure what the first one is yet. gotta research it .
I have noticed the osprey never lays down in the nest anymore but sits nearer the edge which makes me wonder if there are chicks in there. last year I saw the chicks around June 21. they don't appear till around 2 weeks old. I guess before that they are too weak to stand up

 

Very nice shots howie, real sharp

 

thanks Paul