Because of my fondness for raptor take-off shots I work hard at trying to predict what direction they will take off so I can be as prepared as possible. But to say it’s not an exact science is an understatement.
1/1500, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Last Thursday I came across this adult Red-tailed Hawk perched near the top of a tree at Farmington Bay. I stopped my pickup on the dirt road but when I got the bird in my viewfinder I could see that the setting was too cluttered and busy for shots that would appeal to me much. Given the direction the hawk was facing and the apparent open space in front of and slightly below the bird I was virtually certain that the hawk would take off away from me and give me only butt shots so I very nearly didn’t even attempt to get any take-off shots.
But my bird photographers instinct took over at the last second so I quickly removed my tc and set up. After all, perhaps my images of the bird in flight from behind would reveal something interesting about its plumage or something else I couldn’t foresee…
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Almost the very instant after I had removed the tc and got my lens trained on the bird again it twisted sharply on its perch…
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
and turned to take off mostly in my direction.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I got a few shots as the hawk cleared the tree, though I clipped wings in several of them (if I’d had the tc on I’d most likely have clipped them all).
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I was pleased with this image with the wings up…
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
and this one with the wings down.
This experience reinforced for me a lesson I’ve learned in the past and subsequently forgotten more than once – birds are often unpredictable so always be ready for the “good stuff” that occasionally (though seldom) happens. If you aren’t prepared you’re going to miss the shot.
Ron
Note: In the past some folks have been curious about the effects of using a 1.4 tc (teleconverter) on my images. If you compare the first two shots in this post you should get a good idea of how much magnification I get from the tc since I used the tc for the first shot but not for the second. I’ve deliberately cropped both images to almost exactly 50% of full frame to make the comparison accurate.
I had to come back one more time to look at these amazing photos. I think from now on I will start my day with you and end my day with you!! 🙂 You just take my breath away!
Thanks so much for the valuable tips about changing the tc. I have one and I never take it off in the field because I’m too afraid of fumbling it. I have clipped so many bird wings in my photos. I need to make a place to set it down, practice, then get brave and try it while out in the field.
You’re very welcome, Sharon. My advice would be to not be afraid to swap out your tc. You sure lose a lot of flexibility if you don’t, cumbersome as it can be until you’ve had some practice and learn a routine that works for you and your shooting conditions.
Looking at the third frame again, I find myself wondering which team he was rooting for…obviously, his team has just scored! I’m pretty sure it wasn’t the Eagles….
Once again you cracked me up, Patty.
A lovely series.
Thanks, Sonja
Love that almost balletic pose in the third image. Much more powerful than any sugar plum fairy – and much more appealing (to me anyway).
Me, too, Elephant’s Child. Me, too!
I also agree, Elephant’s Child. Sugar plum fairies just don’t do much for me…
I’m with Lois on this one – I love the richness of the bird in the tree. Busy, yes, I suppose – but as Lois says, the berries, the bird, the blue sky, the curves of the branch over his head … lovely.
I’m glad you like it, Louise. Thank you.
Oh Ron, these shots are so exquisite (I know I use that word a lot with your images, but it fits). The third shot made me catch my breath. You must be a master at changing from tc to no tc and still catch the shot. Did you practice the moves when not photographing?
Interesting you should ask, Sharon. Changing the tc out quickly is tricky. Very tricky! Can’t tell you how many times I’ve fumbled with it and missed the shot. I practiced doing it when I first got the tc but what really made the difference was actual experience in the field, under pressure. I’ve learned a few tricks. One of them is when I take the tc off I always lay it down in the same place and in the same orientation it was in on the camera. That way I simply grab it and twist it on without having to fumble (and cuss) so much. Mia says I’m very good at swapping it out now. She usually doesn’t have to do it because she shoots with a zoom lens (but when she does she’s all thumbs…).
The third shot of the redtail is so beautiful – looks like a dancer. I love how the color and shape of the berries and leaves work with the color and markings on the bird. Thanks for your daily posts; I really enjoy them.
Thanks very much, Poppy.
I particularly like the third image…something about those up stretched wings really appeal to me…great shots…interesting vegetation.
Thanks for both of your comments, Patty. The third image is my favorite, too.
Beautiful shots! Even though the tree is extremely busy, the hawk still stands out because of its dark coloration. I’m glad you showed what a teleconverter does – I’d never heard of them before reading your blog. Too bad I can’t use something like that on my point and shoot camera… 🙂
Thanks for the comment about what I said about the tc, Susan. I never know if things like that are just “camera geek” that most folks don’t care much about.
And you’re right – one of the advantages of a DSLR is being able to use interchangeable lenses and teleconverters.
Boy! Do we ever benefit from your instincts….honed by experience, education, great equipment,, luck and just plain “smarts”!
Wow, Ron, I’ve got to tell you, I must not have a purist’s bone in my body because I am not only in awe of your magnificent shots with birdie in flight, but also with the shots of him in his tree. The tones of the branches, and those fascinating berries tell a story all their own against the powder blue of your sky. (Did you notice how the color of his eye is only a shade darker than those berries??) Adding in the majesty and proud hauteur of your magnificent hawk, and … well … this is Art!!!!!!!
Lois, I like the same things you do about the hawk in the tree. I just wish some of those leaves, twigs and berries weren’t so close to the face of the bird.
I always love any shot of RT hawks. But oh, the third one…….I wish I had the words to explain what I feel seeing the shots of the hawks (raptors, any bird really) in that instant before they take flight, stretched out, their wings upright……thank you.
I have that same “feeling” about take-off postures, Leisa. Thank you.
OMG these pictures are off the charts amazing. I especially LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the take off shot. That capture shows how amazing a photographer you are and how amazing a creature that bird is for sure. All of these shots are great. Could you have captured thes ame effect without the TC and just cropping later?
My favorite part of the morning is looking at your new post. Thanks as always Ron.
Thanks very much, Ellen. Without the tc I get significantly less fine detail which reduces image quality. With it I run the risk of cutting off or clipping body parts at take-off. It all depends though, on how close I am to the bird.