Yesterday was a good day. Despite the “soup” in our valleys I was able to get some shots that begin to confirm that my lens may be working properly again and I met one of my blog followers from out-of-town.
The inversion in Utah’s northern valleys is the worst we’ve had in years. The thick fog/smog persists throughout the entire day instead of burning off in the afternoons so shooting conditions are generally abysmal (and it’s depressing to boot). But yesterday morning I was hell-bent on testing my newly repaired 500mm lens so I headed for Antelope Island with all my digits crossed that I’d find at least one feathered test subject in enough light to make a proper lens evaluation. It was close but I did.
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
This was one of two Barn Owls that flew close to me along the causeway to the island. It was so dark and foggy that I’d preset my camera at ISO 1600 (too high for this shot with relatively bright fog in the background instead of darker vegetation – the owl had been hunting low) and when this owl appeared out of the fog I didn’t have time to make any adjustments before it was past me. I underexposed the bird in camera and the image is noisy but what’s most important to me is the owl is sharp. And even in these low contrast conditions where I had trouble locking on to my subjects, once I acquired focus I was able to get about 15 sharp images of the two owls in flight.
One morning with so few subjects is not enough to confirm that my lens is in proper working order again but it’s a start. Getting sharp images of a bird in flight in these conditions bodes well for the future.
Once on the island I hooked up with Ed MacKerrow and spent about an hour with him as we toured the island together. Ed is a highly skilled New Mexico-based nature photographer with a scientific background and he’s also an all-around nice guy so I really enjoyed spending time with him. We’ve wanted to get together for several years but this was the first time our paths actually crossed. Some readers will recognize his name from his many insightful comments on my blog.
Blog followers are likely beginning to tire of hearing about my lens woes and I don’t blame you because I am too. Hopefully this post will be just about the end of it.
Ron
Great shot
Charlotte
Hooray for the successful rehabilitation of your lens.
And hooray for the barn owl.
Serendipity at work here. I yesterday finished (and loved) a memoir written by a woman who had shared her life with one for nearly twenty years.
I am still happy dancing – only because no-one is (or can) watch.
Sounds like an interesting book, EC. Thank you
Ron…congrats on the great owl and crisp shots. I never get tired of gear talk and always like your bird shots…so no deviation is needed as I see it. I’m about 60/40 camera-head vs. bird-brain, so I always welcome hearing about equipment. BTW…we need to figure out a way to swap some NE snowies and shorties for a few of those Barn Owls. I’d love to photograph them like you do.
Zaphir, Yesterday in a conversation with Ed MacKerrow (mentioned in this post) he wondered out loud why our Barn Owls here in northern Utah hunt in daylight during winter but they apparently don’t do that elsewhere. That’s something I hadn’t thought about much (because I don’t have much experience with them elsewhere) but I’ve been thinking and wondering about it since.
Ed said that they have many Barn Owls where he lives in New Mexico but he NEVER sees them flying during daylight, even when it’s very cold and there’s snow on the ground.
Just another bird mystery I guess but I do find it intriguing…
I love this image!!! PERFECTION!!! Love the detail, how the angle shows a glimpse of the top of the tail, the bird’s focus, the position and detail of the wings and talons, the colors, the stardust sprinkles on the body, everything….beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!!
I’m so glad you like it that much, Patty. I can’t see a Barn Owl image any more without thinking of your “stardust sprinkles”…
Even though I’m no phototechy, I enjoy hearing about your camera stuff. For one thing it reminds me that you’re human (you are, aren’t you???) and even you have camera problems sometimes….so please don’t stop…..
Wow, a great image Ron of a beautiful Barn Owl. Maybe I should send my lens into CPS 🙂 (just kidding, I think the major factor in the sharpness is your honed skills and experience Ron). It was really great to meet you in person. The tour of Antelope Island was very interesting and fun to hear your experiences out there. Your experiences and stories are just as exciting and memorable as your images Ron.
I hope the inversion layer clears up soon and you have more daytime flying owl photo opportunities.
Thank you for the kind words Ron.
Whether the subject is lens sharpness, magpie feathers, or wildlife behavior the Feathered Photography blog is the ** first thing I check out each day **. It wins over the news page, Facebook, or email. I am sure that I am not alone in this regard. Your daily photography and nature education articles are a healthy and positive way to start my day! Thank you for all you do and share.
Ed, after our confab I kept thinking of other places and things I wished I’d remembered to show you on the island. Next time!
Thank you for the kind words and wishing you a safe trip home.
Next time would be great Ron. I really look forward to seeing more of Antelope Island again. Somehow I made a wrong turn on the way home and ended up in the Tetons yesterday :-). It was 32 degrees up here last night. Very strange weather. I hope you see more owls in flight and I look forward to seeing more of your images.
I’ll bet it feels good to have all of your appendages back. Were you able to get any more info from Canon about the issue?
The wait for the 400mm is killing me. Spoiled by CPS for sure.
No, no knew info yet, Neil. Hopefully I’ll find the time to call them today. Things have been a little crazy and I’m still behind on stuff.
I hope you get your lens back very soon!
Nice shot and hope sharpness continues! 🙂 As you would know, inversions aren’t common here on the MT. prairies and seem weird when we get them.:) I also don’t tire of your lens woes as “someday……….”. Glad you met up with Ed – he certainly is a talented photographer.
I’ve seldom (if ever) seen a visible inversion in Montana, Judy. That’s at least one advantage of that wind. And yes, Ed is an excellent photographer of a variety of subjects.
Beautiful shot of a beautiful bird! Thanks, Ron!
Thank you, Diane.
Why would we be tired of hearing about your lens woes? Is it not the tool you use to show us your marvellous photos?
If this post will be the end of it I feel relieved not because I am tired of it but because it means that everything is OK with your gear and from a selfish point of vue I will see more and more great images like today’s Owl.
Wonderful shot.
“Why would we be tired of hearing about your lens woes?”
Well, I have been a little obsessed with them lately, Jorge.
But I do appreciate your rationale for saying that I haven’t gone too far with it. Thanks very much.