Quackers and honkers: they're returning

[Frits]

Although winter seems never ending this year, the forces of nature are at work nevertheless.
It is the time that the various sorts of ducks and gees are returning from wintering down south.
Last night I went for a ride to a migration corridor not far from here. Feel like coming along?

The migration corridor is near the Saint Lawrence river, where spring high water floods the fields. Lots of large birds in the sky

Nikkor Ai 28mm f/3.5

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Let's take a closer look

Nikkor Ai-S 300mm f/2.8
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Here is a flight, coming in for the night.
Overflying and scouting the landing area:

Nikkor Ai-S 300mm f/2.8 + TC-14A (same for the next 3 images)
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Banking hard:

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Final turn:

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Final approach:

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The sun has set as darkness approaches. Time to go back home.

Nikkor Ai 28mm f/3.5
View attachment 90182

 

[Phil K]

Beautiful captures, Frits, and looks like you're having much better weather.

Here, we had said goodbye to the ducks about 2 weeks ago.

 

[TOLady]

Great series, Frits. Always glad to see our winged friends returning home. Good captures.

 

[Gale]

Great set Frits

So you are a birder now....:>))) Love it

 

[Frits]

Great set Frits

So you are a birder now....:>))) Love it

Nope, aspiring at best.....:smile:
Anne and I just had a great time being out there.

 

[Louis Champan]

Beautiful captures al of them Frits, but the Banking Hard shot is a very interesting and great shot.

Louie

 

[Frits]

Beautiful captures al of them Frits, but the Banking Hard shot is a very interesting and great shot.

Louie

Thanks Louie!
These guys are fast movers. Catching them with a manual focus Ai-S 300mm f/2.8 + TC-14E in low evening light was a handful - but lots of fun!

 

[Sharon]

These are wonderful, Frits. I always look forward to your posts. My favorites are the "final turn" and the last one.

 

[Rich Gibson]

....Last night I went for a ride to a migration corridor not far from here. Feel like coming along?

The migration corridor is near the Saint Lawrence river, where spring high water floods the fields. Lots of large birds in the sky

...as a matter of fact I do! How about around 10-12 June? :wink:

I've just about talked myself into buying a Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 for the occasion.

I liked the next to lask shot. Like a squadron of planes landing; don't you think?

Rich

 

[Frits]

...as a matter of fact I do! How about around 10-12 June? :wink:

I've just about talked myself into buying a Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 for the occasion.

I liked the next to lask shot. Like a squadron of planes landing; don't you think?

Rich

Good stuff Rich! I suspect that this area will be vacated at that time though, it is just a stop over during migration - but we'll find something else!
I was thinking of you with this sequence: nice carrier pattern, isn't it?

 

[jryoung1947]

Thanks Louie!
These guys are fast movers. Catching them with a manual focus Ai-S 300mm f/2.8 + TC-14E in low evening light was a handful - but lots of fun!

You are amazing, super shots under those conditions or not!

 

[Clix Pix]

These are super, Frits! Love that banking shot and the final turn one, too! Boy, you are GOOD!!! I probably couldn't have done as well even with autofocus!

 

[Frits]

You are amazing, super shots under those conditions or not!

Thanks John!
Well, I had a good time practicing this with you a couple of weeks back :smile: (same set-up): https://www.nikoncafe.com/vforums/showthread.php?t=109743