When it comes to bird photography I usually leave the artsy-fartsy stuff to others. But every once in a while…
Yesterday morning in the mountains a combination of smoke, high clouds, warm light and a slower than usual shutter speed for flight shots resulted in a photo very different than those that usually appeal to me. But I keep coming back to it and eventually I decided I like it. A lot.
1/2000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
For a variety of reasons I didn’t particularly like most of my photos of this Yellow Warbler while he was searching for insects in the bush but I managed to begin a short burst just before he took flight and caught him in this pose at the moment of liftoff. I like the shot very much even though it’s quite different from my usual fare.
Typically I prefer fast shutter speeds and sharp birds which tend to provide a crisp and almost clinical look at my subjects. And I’ve never been a fan of motion blur in the wings or busy backgrounds. But this entire photo has a ‘soft’ feel about it and at this shutter speed there’s extreme motion blur in the wings and the background is nothing if it isn’t busy.
But based on this photo I’ve decided that ‘busy’ can still be lovely, especially in soft warm light like this. I had just enough shutter speed to get the body of the bird sharp enough for a photo like this where I think the soft feel of the image is one of its strengths.
But ya know what surprised me most? For this photo at least I actually prefer the severe motion blur in the wings over having them crisp and sharp.
Live and learn.
Ron
Note: On my way to the mountains yesterday I actually wondered out loud if there’d still be any Yellow Warblers around. In the fall they’re one of the earliest of all migrants so I fully expected them to have already left for their wintering grounds in Central and South America.
So it was a pleasant surprise to find that a few of them are still here. It’s going to be a long winter without them.
Gorgeous gorgeous GORGEOUS!!!’
It’s good to change stuff up every now and again. And deny it if you will but you ARE an artist 😉
The image that happened in my mind was a radically-designed helicopter…LOL!!
The delicacy of those tiny legs/feet never ceases to blow my mind, especially when you consider that some of these little guys survive through the winters! That’s some serious magic!
“It’s good to change stuff up every now and again”
I strongly suspect that’s true, Laura. It’s the ‘doing’ part that I have trouble with.
I’m hearing Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade in my head as I’m looking at this shot. So exotic!
Way over my head, Marty. But thanks. 🙂
Yes! that totally fits!
Nice to see you’re lightening up on yours expectations. Few of us can shoot as perfect at your images show, I personally I like to see the birds in their own surroundings. Just saying.
I like to see them in their surroundings too, Linda.
Stunning shot. Unique, too.
Thank you, Alan. I also think it’s unique, at least in my portfolio.
Artsy-fartsy or not I love it. And the action it portrays, and the emotions it conveys.
And, you ARE an artist – your style is just usually different to this shot.
I like the way you put it in your last sentence, EC. I hope it’s true.
It is. Indisputably true.
As usual, Ellie Baby expressed my thoughts better than I can…and in fewer words.
Thank you, Patty.
What a sweet little bird?
🙂
Interesting!
From your vantage point, how are wildlife doing with all the smoke, fire and terrible conditions? I have only heard about humans, not a word about the wildlife that have been affected. Is there any news about that?
I haven’t heard anything specific, Dick – other than the hordes of migrating birds that have died in New Mexico.
Great picture art and all are very pleasing. Hope your weekend is clearer.
Thank you, Betty.
What Kris said. Lovely.
Life is better when you’re a life learner. Good to know the teacher is open to new perspectives!
Kathleen, sometimes I resist change for far too long. It’s just my nature I guess.
Lovely…soaring!! Wish I could do that 🙂
Thanks, Mary.
What a switch from yesterday. From an anatomical enigma (thanks for the enlightening link) to all sweetness and light. A delightful image to wake up to. Suggestive of an Easter peep with wings added. You could sell it to Hallmark and retire rich.
Lyle, speaking of Peeps. Did you hear that the company that makes Peeps won’t be making them for a very long time because of the pandemic? No Peeps for Christmas, or for Easter or for the following Valentine’s Day. I know folks addicted to them who will go through withdrawals. Personally I can’t stomach them.
Love it – definitely “artsy-fartsy” but neat photo. Guess there are times when a photo does not have to be razor sharp to be good.
Very interesting right now watching new arrivals and other departures. Took some really good photos two days back of one of our Common Black Hawks who will be leaving very soon for Mexico. There is not much left for them to eat with our creeks and ponds pretty much dried up and the lakes rapidly shrinking.
Everett, I only had one chance with a Common Black Hawk, a bird that was way out of range here in northern Utah. Wouldn’t you know it – my lens was malfunctioning so my photos of it were soft. Had to send my lens in for repair.
I love the pic of the warbler. They left our neck of the woods in NW Oregon a few weeks ago…we had mostly Wilson’s Warblers that actually spent the Spring and Summer with us this year…a treat indeed.
Having you call 2000 a slow shutter speed makes me laugh. When we shoot pics of our Wilson’s Warblers, it is a rare day in which we have enough light in our forest to squeak out 1500, much less 2000 for a shutter speed. It’s interesting how we get used to shooting in our low-light conditions. You must shoot with more light, oh, and you do have a very nice 500mm lens.
Again, sweet shot of the pretty yellow bird!
Rick
Thank you, Rick.
No question, shutter speed is relative. And yes, my f/4 lens allows me faster shutter speeds than many folks can get with slower lenses.
A little golden “fan dancer”—she’s lovely ! Good for you–that you’re open
to appreciating qualities which aren’t your usual go-to’s…..I think that it’s
fascinating how those fully extended legs and firmly grasping feet really anchor all of the visually busy color and action. To me, its a most enchanting image….!
Kris, when I posted this a friend on FB asked me if I was mellowing in my old age. I prefer to think I’m just becoming a tiny bit more flexible. I actually like some of my hard edges… 🙂
Luv it! 😀 It all just “fits”………..
Our yard is kind of “bird noisy” again – lots of Robins, a flock of Dark Eyed Junco’s has arrived, more Spotted Towhee’s than we had all summer – VERY unusual. Don’t know if they’re “off course” migrating, had to turn back due to smoke or what. Plentiful food and water here at this point. Then there’s the “complaining” raptor of some sorts…….😉
Venus pretty “red” this morning…😞
I think it’s going to be a strange migration season, Judy. As you know we’re already seeing some evidence of that.