Sunday, October 13, 2013

Birding Luck

 Birder with 600mm lens

I'm thinking this birder's photos must be spectacular as he had a great camera, a large zoom lens AND he was fairly close to the birds he was photographing.  But birding isn't all about expensive gear - though it helps for sure. Luck is involved too.

The photos taken by the birder above may look a lot like the ones I took below...


 Yellowlegs running after another yellowlegs

except his are views of the birds' backsides.  Luckily for me and my smaller lens, I was on the other side of the small pond and the birds headed in my direction.

Temper, temper!

I am linking to I'd Rather B Birdin'  HERE.

33 comments:

MadSnapper said...

it is not ALWAYS about the camera.. LOL... so he got good shots of the backsides.. he looks more like he was dropped down out of a Bruce Willis action movie.... i would love that camera but i can't lay on the ground like that, i would never get back up

Andy said...

The lens can make a difference but final results are in the hands of the photographer.

eileeninmd said...

You are right about the luck. It is all about being in the right place at the right time. I do not have a big lens, just a point and shoot camera. Beautiful shots of the Yellowlegs.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Great shots...I can't afford all that gear..and sometimes I wish I could. Especially when I can't get any closer to what I want to photograph. I still manage to get a few wonderful shots though...and you always do!

Judy said...

Wow, look at that camera. I'd say you got some pretty good captures too.

Anonymous said...

Ijust drool over camera lenses like that, but know that I can take really great photos with my cameras, as can you.

Hootin Anni said...

I have often wished I had a very powerful zoom lens camera like that, but hey?---------lugging it around as I get from one area to another just doesn't cut it for me!!

And besides, like you say, the photo YOU get is just as good if not better!!

Excellent.

Hootin Anni said...

....Sorry, the comment above is me..."Anni @ I'd Rather B Birdin'"...I'm just in my personal blog admin at hootin' anni's right now.

TexWisGirl said...

that's funny - and true. :)

Phil Slade said...

Very true. It's often about field craft, knowing the bird, watching the light, being patient.

Unknown said...

It has a lot to do with luck, but sometimes I wish I could afford the equipment too.

Eko said...

Hienoja kuvia.
Mahtavalla putkella...!
Kyllä kelpaa.
Terveisin Eko
Suomi/Lapland/Kuusamo

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I've always believed its the photographer not the camera.. you take fabulous bird shots EG because you know your area so well.. That equipment looks a little bulky to me :))

John @ Beans and I on the Loose said...

Like Anni said, I wouldn't want to lug that thing around. Also, I don't want to attract attention to myself either just as he did with you. I try to keep a low profile and go unnoticed.

RedPat said...

It's the eye of the photographer and not the camera that makes a good shot - something that you show us all the time with your great bird pics!

Lowell said...

You got some wonderful shots and may have saved yourself $20-30K!

As Ken Rockwell says, "It's not the camera."

Beautiful bird shots!

Lisa Gordon said...

Cannot imagine hauling this lens around, though I'd like to try! :-)

Love these shots!

HansHB said...

Great photos!
The person behind the camera is the most importen one...

(...and I don't think it is a zoomlense but a 600mm)

Linda W. said...

Location, location, location! Nice shots!

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

That big camera and lens is way too much for me. I probably couldn't even get down on the ground let alone get up again.
Your photos are much more interesting than his would have been of the backsides.

Jane of Levant said...

Great pics EG - yes all that gear would be great - but then you have to carry it round and you need muscle for that - and always an element of luck - and patience to get the best shot - Jane

Jack said...

It is the eye, EG. And you have it.

Karen said...

Excellent shots! Gosh that's one HIGE lens he has!

Pamela Gordon said...

Interesting perspective for sure. You got some great photos. :)

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

As they say, "Guns don't kill people... " The same goes for cameras. They don't take pictures. Very nice images, even the one of the guy with the Howitzer.

George said...

I think you've demonstrated that the photographer's eye is more important than the photographer's equipment. Your second photo is simply marvelous.

Ruth Hiebert said...

These are great shots. A good camera and a big lens may be helpful but the birds still have to cooperate. Looks to me like they wanted you to take their picture this time.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Location, location, location!!!

kayerj said...

wow! I've never seen a lens that big.

Anonymous said...

Luck certainly can be your friend. I'd never be able to photograph like that. I'd have goats on my back and eating the camera. ;-)

Jenn Jilks said...

Isn't it true? Luck = preparation meeting opportunity.
Helluva lens, though!!!! I like taking photos of people taking photos!

NatureFootstep said...

nice shots.

Great photography is 40% luck and 50% experience and 10% in catching the moment. IMO And of course godo equipment helps too.

Rose said...

But wouldn't you love to have the opportunity to use some of that equipment for a month or two!!!!

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East Gwillimbury is a rural town less than an hour north of Toronto, Canada's largest city. My family calls me CameraGirl because I take my camera with me wherever I go.