Or at least trying to.
1/5000, f/5, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 220mm, not baited, set up or called in
This is the same male Rough-legged Hawk I posted a photo of three days ago that was taken as he was in the process of defecating. I often photograph pooping birds but I seldom post those photos, partly because doing so makes me feel like I’ve invaded their privacy and robbed them of some of their inherent dignity. Posting this photo, taken as he was stretching his wings just prior to takeoff, is my way of at least trying to make amends. I know, you probably think that’s silly but it’s how I feel.
Seconds later I flubbed the takeoff and flight shots. I was close to the bird and using my smaller and much lighter zoom lens that I’m not very used to using so when he launched I jerked the lighter lens and lost him in my viewfinder. Another opportunity missed.
I always find it interesting to compare the bokeh of my smaller zoom lens to the bokeh of the 500mm prime lens I usually use. The much longer focal length of the 500 produces photos with beautifully soft bokeh but the downside is that those photos provide very little detail in the habitat in the background. This photo, taken with the smaller zoom lens at only 220mm, allows the viewer a much better sense of the habitat behind the bird, which in this case includes marshland, standing water/ice and snowy mountains in the far background.
It’s too bad that the unnatural and unattractive perch kind of ruins the effect.
Ron
I’m too focused on the gorgeous hawk and on the lovely marsh grasses behind him to really notice the perch (although I do sorta hope it’s a “No Standing” type of sign đ).
Thank you for always having the dignity of our wild world in mind — with, of course, the exception being American Coots on an icy pond. đ
Ahh you remember those coots, do ya Marty? I liked that series so much I’m tempted to post it again sometime. It’s that time of year so who knows, maybe I’ll get another chance at the same thing.
I hadn’t noticed the difference in bokeh. It’s a confusing subject for me, e.g., the photo of the Bald Eagle in the post three days ago appears to have a sharper bokeh than the Rough-legged Hawk, although they both have similar f-stops.
I have to admit, I usually find the pooping bird photos a bit funny. Clearly, I never matured beyond 10 years old, in that regard.
You made an accurate observation and it certainly can be confusing, Lyle.
The difference was because I was MUCH further away from the eagle than I was from this hawk. With my big lens I couldn’t even fit all of this hawk in the frame (which is why I was using the smaller lens). What I said only applied accurately to two photos where the subjects were a similar distance from the camera.
For those who are bothered by poop shots and snicker when they see any animal defacate, i wonder, âAre you permanently constipated, you poor thing?â
Patty, I’m not bothered by poop shots. As I said in my post I take them all the time. And I never snicker at them. It’s making a big deal out of the process by posting them that I’m a little uncomfortable with so I just don’t do it very often.
Wonder all you like.
I know you wouldnât be othered by âpoop shotsâ and few, if any, of your viewers wouldâŠitâs as natural as anything else they doâŠ
Thanks for clearing that up, Patty. I misunderstood.
Better out than in. đ
Am I the only one who always first thinks âflowersâ when I see the word âbokehâ? OK, probably â but I do love those blurred, colorful backgrounds that, even if they donât include any flowers, still evoke a subtle floral senseâŠbut I digress. And in this case, the landscape is more obvious, and much more suited to the beautiful, still-cold Roughie. Perch matters not!
“Am I the only one who always first thinks âflowersâ when I see the word âbokehâ? ”
Chris, if you were before you won’t be now!
I just like to look at your photos. đ The poop shots don’t feel invasive to me. The mating shots however!!!!!
snicker I am a 14 year old sometimes
Now that I think about it I don’t have the same reaction to mating shots – not at all. Hmmm, wonder why…
A beautiful shot. And I agree with you. Sometimes, despite the fact that the birds don’t give a rat’s fundament about it, some photos do feel like an invasion of privacy.
Thanks, EC. That makes two of us.
Beautiful detail on the bird and wonderful contrast between bright whites and background. I like the bokeh that provides more context â I know that more background detail can soften the target image (are those the right words?) â soften da boid â but sometimes I prefer it. And that is a good thing because what you sometimes call your âbabyâ lens is what this beginner aspires to. Or maybe mine is even smaller: 100-300mm. Itâs been back ordered at B&H for monthsâŠ.
Thanks, Kathryn. What I call my ‘baby lens’ is my 100-400, the lens I used for this photo.
I’m with Burrdoo– doesn’t bother me in the least !
Yup, I know I’m in the minority – probably all by my lonesome.
Love your shots Ron, but disagree about poop shots ruining birds’ dignity. I love it that they really don’t give a sh*t about who’s watching when they follow nature’s call and lighten their load before take-off. It’s simply doing what comes (goes?) naturally.
Logically I wouldn’t argue with you, Burrdoo. Emotionally is another story for me. Which flies in the face of my clinical, scientific background, I know.
Excellent photo and a very nice background. I had the “jerks” with two consecutive Kestrel takeoffs recently and was really ticked at myself.
It’s maddening when it happens isn’t it, Everett. After 14 years of photographing birds I STILL do it occasionally.
Always makes me feel better knowing that photographers of your skill level do it
I think it comes with the territory. Best we can hope for is to keep the number of times it happens to a minimum.
Well as unnatural as you might say, I’ve seen many birds have similar wing stretches or poses. With the amount of time you spend in the field you have probably seen them all. I personally love the shot! Ruffed feathers is like mussed hair or disheveled clothes on humans. We can’t be well groomed all the time. VBG!
Here in the East (northern middle of Vermont) it has been cold and snowy with periods of temperatures above freezing just to tease those that prefer the warmer weather.
I’m glad you like it, Dick. I can mostly ignore perches like this one, especially with a raptor atop them in interesting poses.
“Reflexes” are a good news/bad news things when it comes to changing equipment….. đ Thx for the discussion on the bokeh – it would not have occurred to me that the change of lens and focal length. đ Context is always nice tho sure can’t complain about not having it with some of the shots.
Hoping this Jan. 6 is better than last tho a lot hasn’t changed….
“âReflexesâ are a good news/bad news things”. Perfectly stated, Judy – especially when it comes to bird photography.
I so hope you’re right about today.