PC's fifth attempt

[Peter Connan]

I guess it depends on one's reason for taking part in the first place @Galana, and just what one is trying to achieve? Yes, that is Matt's intention, but as explained in my first post, I have slightly different ideals, mostly due to my own pig-headedness...

 

10) Cape Glossy Starling

 

Kleinglansspreeu

Lamprotornis nitens

 

Very unusually, only one good sighting...

 

 

This was very early in the morning (5h50) on our way to Mankwe dam, and the bird was sitting reasonably still, so I dropped the shutter speed down to 1/800th to achieve an ISO of 500 (on f4).

 

2 January, Pilanesberg

[elefromoz]

@Peter Connan, what beautiful silky blues you've managed to get

[PeterHG]

2 hours ago, elefromoz said:

@Peter Connan, what beautiful silky blues you've managed to get

I agree and a background to match!

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @elefromoz and @PeterHG

[Peter Connan]

11) African Palm Swift

 

Palmwindswael

Cypsiurus parvus

 

 

 

Lots of people seem to be of the opinion that hand-holding a long lens is impossible. I disagree. By far the majority of my bird in flight photos are taken hand-held, and typically with a 500mm lens. These certainly where.

In my opinion, the secret is choosing an adequate shutter speed. These were taken at 1/2500, but as the birds get larger and more stately, slower speeds can be succesfully employed. On the larger Herons one can go down to about 1/1000th. I always use 1/2000 or above unless the light is poor though.

 

1 January, Mankwe hide, Pilanesberg.

[PeterHG]

You keep posting amazing shots, Peter. The exposure and sharpness of these swifts are top-notch!

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @PeterHG

[Peter Connan]

12) Lesser striped Swallow

 

Kleistreepswael

Hirundo abyssinica

 

 

I love the way back-lighting seems to shine through a bird's feathers, but getting detail on the near side is always a challenge, and of course there will be no "catch light" in the eye. To get reasonable detail is possible if the sun is very close to the horison, and this was probably only 5 minutes before sunset. A catch-light would require a flash or cheating in post-processing. 

 

And this one was just an incredibly lucky shot. The birds had a nest at the corner of the hide, and I noticed that they were approaching from a similar direction repeatedly...

 

1 January, Pilanesberg

[xelas]

Lucky shot or not, you've nailed it. Bravo, @Peter Connan!

[Galana]

I agree but that takes nothing away from the poser on the twig. That does it for me.

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @xelas and @Galana

[Peter Connan]

13) Barn Swallow

 

Europese Swael

Hirundo rustica

 

 

 

1 January, Rathlogo hide, Pilanesberg

[Galana]

@Peter Connan

Looks like your Lesser-striped is trying to get back in the act in #13.

Nice captures!

Edited January 23, 2018 by Galana
additional text.

[Dave Williams]

Nice BIF series Peter.

[Peter Connan]

Thank you @Galana and @Dave Williams

 

14) White-throated Swallow

 

Witkeelswael

Hirundo albigularis

 

 

This one, due to some lack of focus on my part was shot at an ISO of 1300, which is less than ideal, but does show that modern cameras are actually little phased by ISO's that would have been nearly impossible just 15 years ago.

 

1 January, Mankwe hide, Pilanesberg.

 

[TonyQ]

@Peter Connan

superb shots throughout, but those of the swift in particular are amazing.

I find it an achievement to even get them in the frame

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @TonyQ

[Peter Connan]

15) Great Egret

 

Grootwitreier

Egretta alba

 

 

 

 

With these white birds one needs to be careful of not over-exposing.

 

1 January, Pilanesberg

[Geoff]

some nice bifs

[xelas]

8 hours ago, Peter Connan said:

With these white birds one needs to be careful of not over-exposing.

Great details on white feathers, @Peter Connan. Have you used any exposure compensation?

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @Geoff and @xelas.

 

Probably about -1 stop Alex, but need to check.

[Peter Connan]

@xelas, the first shot was at -1, the other two at -1.3.

 

16) Little Egret

 

Kleinwitreier

Egretta garzetta

 

 

 

All birds spend a lot of time grooming, the purpose is to keep the feather strands locked together.

 

1/3200th, f4 and -0.7 stops EV for ISO180 (Auto).

 

Mankwe hide, Pilanesberg, 1 January

[elefromoz]

@Peter Connan, beautiful Egrets, love all the feather detail in the third of the three,  and appreciate the photography "tips", don't always understand them, but then I can go away and have a read and a practice. 

[kittykat23uk]

Great start , you got some beautiful shots already!

[Peter Connan]

Thank you very much @elefromoz and @kittykat23uk.

 

@elefromoz , if there is something you don't understand, you need only ask and an explanation will be forthcoming.