Tdgraves big(gest?) year 2017

[Tdgraves]

@Dave Williams I already have it set on 3m to infinity and change to adjacent point focussing from single fine point when I have time, but I still find it so slow....

[PeterHG]

I agree with @Dave Williams's thoughts on the combo. Slower, yes, but still quite usable for flight shots of bigger birds with the 7d2. I do prefer the bare lens for bif, of course, but still....

https://photos.smugmug.com/Birds/Birds-in-flight-1/i-2fV4MQC/0/968ed6b7/XL/7D2_7479-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Birds/Birds-in-flight-1/i-LvmM8bM/0/e395835d/XL/7D2_3757-XL.jpg

I'm with you @Tdgraves that one tends to use it for birds/subjects that are too far away really to get any good shot and then it could feel as a bit of a let-down. 

 

[Dave Williams]

Apologies for interrupting the BY flow again, but just in case it helps, have you looked at your AF menu, second page and set the priority to focus rather than speed? 

I know lots of people go to the expanded centre point for BIF but personally I either stick with one or go for the lot when the subject is small and the background is clear such as Swallows in the sky.

Edited August 19, 2017 by Dave Williams

[Tdgraves]

Thanks @Dave Williams I'll try that - I have always had it set on balanced

[Tdgraves]

Just saw my first wren in the garden for over a year. Posed beautifully on a branch with berries on, about 3M in front of me. Only problem? No camera....☹️ Vanished after I got it from inside the house

 

[Dave Williams]

On 28/08/2017 at 5:23 PM, Tdgraves said:

Just saw my first wren in the garden for over a year. Posed beautifully on a branch with berries on, about 3M in front of me. Only problem? No camera....☹️ Vanished after I got it from inside the house

 

Always the way!!!

 

[Dave Williams]

It's gone quiet in Cambridgeshire I see! My visit to Surrey and Cambridge last week taking in RSPB North Warren and Sandy produced a big fat zero too!

[Tdgraves]

sorry to hear that @Dave Williams I didn't notice your post, as I was in Hwange! Just starting to look at photos to post, but there were definitely lots of new birds....

[Tdgraves]

Before I get to the new birds from my Zim trip, one to add from Joburg, where we spent the night to break up the travel

 

Northern suburbs, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2/9/17

 

Canon 7D mark ii, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 500, f7.1, 1/400

 

Male

 

 

Canon 7D mark ii, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 500, f7.1, 1/800

 

Female

 

 

269) Cape sparrow

[Tdgraves]

And some random duplicates - amazing what birds will visit garden feeders....

 

 

 

 

 

[Tdgraves]

So onto the new birds from Zim. The first one was on the way into camp from the airstrip and it was a raptor!

 

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, 2/9/17

 

Canon 7D mark ii, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 400, f9, 1/1000, EV +1/3

 

 

270) Dickinson's kestrel

[Tdgraves]

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, 4/9/17

 

Canon 7D mark ii, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 250, f6.3, 1/1000, EV +2/3

 

 

271) Red-billed spurfowl

Edited October 11, 2017 by Tdgraves
just found a MUCH better shot!

[Tdgraves]

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, 3/9/17

 

Canon 7D mark ii, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 640, f7.1, 1/500

 

 

272) Red-billed teal

[Tdgraves]

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, 3/9/17

 

Canon 5D mark iii, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 640, f5.6, 1/1600

 

 

273) Bradfield's hornbill (one of my target species, so extra pleased)

[Dave Williams]

I feel a photofest about to arrive! Nice to try and remember the ID's without looking too although not doing too well so far!.

[Tdgraves]

Somalisa water hole, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, 4/9/17

 

Canon 7D mark ii, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 160, f6.3, 1/800, EV +2/3

 

 

Canon 7D mark ii, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 250, f6.3, 1/1250, EV +2/3

 

 

274) White-headed vulture

[Tdgraves]

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, 4/9/17

 

Canon 7D mark ii, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 320, f7.1, 1/1000, EV +1

 

 

Canon 7D mark ii, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 400, f7.1, 1/1250, EV +1

 

 

275) Lizard buzzard

[Tdgraves]

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, 4/9/17

 

Canon 7D mark ii, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 320, f6.3, 1/1000

 

 

Canon 7D mark ii, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 320, f5.6, 1/1000

 

 

276) Buffy pipit

 

Even the guide was pleased about this one - he was also taking photos!

[Tdgraves]

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, 4/9/17

 

Canon 7D mark ii, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 320, f7.1, 1/1320

 

 

277) Senegal coucal (another of my targets)

[Tdgraves]

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, 5/9/17

 

Canon 7D mark ii, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 400, f8, 1/1000

 

 

278) Capped wheatear

[Tdgraves]

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, 5/9/17

 

Canon 7D mark ii, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 400, f8, 1/800

 

 

Canon 7D mark ii, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 400, f7.1, 1/1000

 

 

279) Tinkling cisticola (courtesy of the OH)

[Tdgraves]

and now we are getting into proof shot territory

 

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, 4/9/17

 

Canon 7D mark ii, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 400, f7.1, 1/1600

 

 

280) Black-throated canary

[Tdgraves]

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, 5/9/17

 

Canon 5D mark iii, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 200, f7.1, 1/1000

 

 

281) Red-headed weaver (another target)

[Tdgraves]

 

This one was one of my most wished for. When we arrived, I asked our guide what the chances were of finding one "0.01%" was the reply. On the way to the airstrip on our last day, when he stopped and told us that there was one, I assumed that he was joking!!

 

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, 6/9/17

 

Canon 7D mark ii, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 400, f7.1, 1/1000

 

 

Canon 7D mark ii, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 320, f6.3, 1/1250, EV+2/3

 

 

Canon 5D mark iii, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 640, f7.1, 1/12500, +1/3 (courtesy of the OH)

 

 

282) Racket-tailed roller

 

[Tdgraves]

The final new species for Hwange was a bearded woodpecker, but I was too slow to get a shot. However, 14 new species with 13 photos in 4 days is pretty good I think!