Osprey Portraits

This guy was on a pole between our home and our new really nice neighbors from La Paz. I think, however, when I showed up outside with my camera and telephoto lens, it looked like I was trying to take pictures of them through their windows. They did come check on me.







Last evening, I found this one near the small bay









I wanted to take some of them flying, but they took off in the wrong direction. So I ran home, got out the water colors, and painted one.



Not a bad water color for someone who cannot draw a good stick figure.

Hope you enjoy them.
Diane

[Edited on 5-4-2009 by jdtrotter]

Very nice, Diane
Such majestic birds but I would not want to be a fish in their talons.
Did you get any good bedroom shots

I was worried when I saw Diane stalking up through the lot in front of us with her 5 1/2' camera since I've always had problems with the paparazzi.

Quite a difference in photos. Same osprey taken with Ana's point-n-shoot at max telephoto just as I clomped up scaring it away.


Here are a couple more shots I managed to snap while terrifying the poor local birds.




I had talked myself out of the super-duper camera and lenses but Judy brings up a good point about the bedroom shots. With my abilities at stealth, the further the way I am before being discovered, the better chance I will have of avoiding a thrashing. Of course, the giant camera might slow down my escape a bit so I need to re-think this.

That first picture's a kick, Diane. Looks like he's considering you for lunch.

btw... you done real good hand-holding that big lens. You're right about the no tripod for shooting birds thing. But I have trouble being rock-steady enough to properly photograph them.

Nena

Mike - Yep, I know that lens well. Have that and several others, all Canon lenses for my Canon camera.
Only the best for Diane and I -

Problem is.... no matter how many gyros at work, my hands and wrists still need to be strong enough to hold the camera reasonably steady, not dripping down towards the ground in front of me. I've got a coupla years on Diane and am a bit of a weakling.

Nena

[Edited on 5-6-2009 by Natalie Ann]

Quote:

Originally posted by Natalie Ann Mike - Yep, I know that lens well. Have that and several others, all Canon lenses for my Canon camera. Only the best for Diane and I - Problem is.... no matter how many gyros at work, my hands and wrists still need to be strong enough to hold the camera reasonably steady, not dripping down towards the ground in front of me. I've got a coupla years on Diane and am a bit of a weakling. Nena [Edited on 5-6-2009 by Natalie Ann]

I really still have lots of trouble holding it still--working on it, doing what my drill sarge husbands says--feet apart, elbows down, hold my breath, and I shoot lots of pictures that go into the trash quickly.

One problem I really cannot seem to overcome is holding the camera so tight against my face that it smashes my glasses into my face, and they grease and fog up quickly.

Mike, do you use the IS when you are following a bird in flight? Mine has two settings, and someone said I should turn off the first one when following a bird in flight. Having fun learning. Thanks

Nena, I think he was annoyed. And Redmesa,with their looks, their beaks, and talons, I am sure glad they are not giant birds.

Diane