When I've visited Australia, especially Tasmania, I had wanted to see a particular bird, the tawny frogmouth. Masters of disguise in trees, nocturnal in nature, I didn't see one. And I looked every night quite diligently, but in vain.
But today, shooting at the Tracy Aviary again, I had a quick last minute opportunity with a tawny frogmouth, but in an area that was nearly dark. I quickly pulled out my 85mm f/1.4, and then tried to shoot a few "frames" handheld. No flash, of course, as this would have been cruel to the bird. I should have thought faster and upped the ISO, but time was fleeting (and madness takes its toll). And getting the focus... well, it wasn't straightforward.
And this was one of the results...
D100, 85mm f/1.4, ISO200, 1/10s, f/1.4, uncropped, processed in NC
Perhaps not perfect, but finally, finally, I did get to see a bird that I'd wanted to see for decades.
Always shoot.
John P.
But today, shooting at the Tracy Aviary again, I had a quick last minute opportunity with a tawny frogmouth, but in an area that was nearly dark. I quickly pulled out my 85mm f/1.4, and then tried to shoot a few "frames" handheld. No flash, of course, as this would have been cruel to the bird. I should have thought faster and upped the ISO, but time was fleeting (and madness takes its toll). And getting the focus... well, it wasn't straightforward.
And this was one of the results...

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D100, 85mm f/1.4, ISO200, 1/10s, f/1.4, uncropped, processed in NC
Perhaps not perfect, but finally, finally, I did get to see a bird that I'd wanted to see for decades.
Always shoot.
John P.