Reach for the skies!!! My tern to fly high!

[Dave Williams]

55)American Kestrel

American Kestrel.  BY55 by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Galana]

6 hours ago, Dave Williams said:

For you Fred...it's done!

Thank you kind Sir. Quite a difference.

[Dave Williams]

9 hours ago, Galana said:

Thank you kind Sir. Quite a difference.

More so in equal lighting too.

[shazdwn]

1 hour ago, Dave Williams said:

More so in equal lighting too.

Interesting, I assumed that a cloud had come over on the second based on the colour change 

[Dave Williams]

39 minutes ago, shazdwn said:

Interesting, I assumed that a cloud had come over on the second based on the colour change 

 Oops I have just realised that both shots were taken with the R5 plus 800mmf11 lens, one with, one without the convertor. 

The convertor on the 800mm gives mammoth 1200mm, whereas on the 100-500 just 700mm. To get the subject as large in the frame needs a big crop, especially when it is small in the first place, and in doing so reveals levels of noise that are unacceptable to me. I think I need to try more shots of the 800mm with the TC before deciding if buying the lens was a good idea! May be a discussion on the photographic thread to follow up?

[Dave Williams]

56) Smooth-billed Ani

A common bird, usually seen in groups of at least 3-4.

Smooth-billed Ani. BY56 by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

Two shots of the same species, once again with two different lenses, the first a straight 800mm f11 in good light.

57) Turkey Vulture.

Turkey Vulture.    BY57 by Dave Williams, on Flickr

The second is taken with the 100-500 plus a 1.4TC= 700mm. The shot is full frame, the one above cropped slightly. The light of course, dull.

Turkey Vulture.    BY57 by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[PeterHG]

Great additions from Cuba, Dave and interesting comparison of the lenses!

[Soukous]

On 2/13/2022 at 1:36 PM, Dave Williams said:

it sat long enough to try two lenses, both with a teleconverter.

 

The shot with the 800mm looks to have much better colours & lighting. Did the sun go in while you were switching lenses?

[Galana]

3 hours ago, Dave Williams said:

before deciding if buying the lens was a good idea!

It's always a good idea at the time! 

 

The Turkey Vulture shots support your decision.

Edited February 14, 2022 by Galana

[xelas]

IMO the bare 800 is way better then one coupled with TC. Just my 2 cents, of course. 

[Dave Williams]

It's all about the light for the end result. That's why everyone advocates the "Golden Hour". The shot with the 100-500 was on a dull day.

When you have limited time such as when you visit somewhere on holiday, to maximise your opportunities you have to accept whatever light and time of day is available. Very often the best evening light is when you are enjoying sundowners with your other half...unless of course you are lucky enough to have a partner who has the same interest ( which I do when it comes to sundowners!). 

[Dave Williams]

A winter visitor from the USA and Canada and very similar to the Cuban Gnatcatcher which is an endemic and far more localised in where you might find one.

58) Blue-grey Gnatcatcher

Blue-grey Gnatcatcher  BY 58 by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

Another winter visitor from Eastern North America , the male is more noticeably marked than the female. Very active and difficult to get a decent view of!

59)Northern Parula

Northern Parula.  BY59 by Dave Williams, on Flickr

You reach of the guide book for a confirmation ID on the female.

Northern Parula.  BY59 by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

Another winter visitor that makes life difficult for the wannabe photographer as they rarely stay still!

60)Prairie Warbler

Prairie Warbler.   BY60 by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Kitsafari]

lovely additions from Cuba and another vote for the black bullfinch, and you're just zipping along and passing 50 with such ease. 

 

 

[shazdwn]

4 hours ago, Dave Williams said:

Very often the best evening light is when you are enjoying sundowners with your other half...unless of course you are lucky enough to have a partner who has the same interest ( which I do when it comes to sundowners!). 

Sounds familiar, trips with my husband generally go the same way. 
 

I’ll be interested to hear more of your thoughts about the 800mm as you go along. I’ve pretty much written off any thought of getting one due to it being f11, seems very limiting light wise and hard to get a good background? 

[Dave Williams]

One of only two seen and another over wintering fast moving challenging species!

61)American Redstart

American Redstart    BY61 by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

Another winter visitor and a stunning looking one too!

62)Yellow-fronted Warbler

Yellow-fronted Warbler.   BY62 by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

One of the most common birds seen and a permaenent resident in Cuba.

63) Yellow-faced Grasquit

Yellow-faced Grasquit.  BY63 by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[PeterHG]

A stunner indeed, that Yellow-fronted Warbler!

[xelas]

More stunning photos of colourful birds!

[Galana]

I like em all.

[Dave Williams]

Every now and again you get lucky and find a subject that is extremely co-operative...this was that bird!

64)Stripe-headed Tanager

Stripe-headed Tanager.   BY64 by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

Getting to the end of my Cuban trip now! 

Only seen on two days but there were actually three in one tree for this endemic sighting!

65)Cuban Green Woodpecker

Cuban Green Woodpecker.   BY65 by Dave Williams, on Flickr