From the Avian Center....

[Clix Pix]

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[HarryB]

Excelent captures Connie

 

[alexf]

Nice ones.

 

[Clix Pix]

Thanks! I experimented with handholding Bertha (200 f/2) so that I would not have to worry much about the background, but I found that there were limitations to that, including the fairly long focusing distance of the lens. Sometimes I had to stand further back than I really wanted to do. Also, there was the issue of having the aperture set very wide open -- while it did a great job of eliminating distractions in the background, also didn't allow for the entire subject to be in sharp, crisp focus, which when shooting feathered birds isn't ideal. Oh, well.....

 

[Desert Rat]

Well, while the subjects are nice to photograph.. If I can be a bit honest? These are a bit soft? At least it appears that way in what is posted.. not sure if it was too narrow a DOF or camera shake?

Just my opinion and as i say what do i know....

 

[Clix Pix]

Yes, I think they're a bit soft due to both factors: narrow DOF and camera shake. I'm not used to handholding that lens (I think she weighs around 6 pounds)! Even though I had the shutter speed set pretty high that still doesn't always help. Next time I shoot raptors in that kind of situation I'll be using either a different lens or that lens with the tripod or monopod! LOL!

 

[johncarol]

Connie, Classy shot of the eagle especially, guess the 200 f2 helped?

 

[Clix Pix]

Thanks, John! The black background here on the eagle is because I not only photographed the eagles while they were out with the handler, I also got a few shots of them in their living quarters.

 

[StephanieHelen]

Connie,
These are beautiful but the eagle image is fantastic; if you didn't get any other image, this one made it worth the six pound weight.

 

[Clix Pix]

Thanks, Stephanie! Actually, I do have more but just have not gotten back to processing them yet! While the other people were shooting one of the owls, I wandered over to the eagles' quarters, admired them and spent a little time with them in our own private shooting session!

 

[shtarka1]

Some Fantastic Shots! Love The Last 2 Best!

 

[Clix Pix]

Thanks, Steve! I really need to get back to processing all the images from Merritt VI!

 

[Frits]

First one Connie - awesome!

 

[Clix Pix]

Thanks, Frits! I really do wish that I'd not shot with Bertha (200 f/2) wide open, and that I'd gone ahead and used the tripod, which I did have with me. Those were big birds (except for the one cute little owl) and the f/2 was just not too good for feather detail and such, even though it did a great job of blitzing out the background.