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:

  1. 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

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

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  3. 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.

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  4. 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!

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

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

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  7. 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.

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  8. ....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.

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

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

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

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  12. 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 :))

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  13. 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.

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  14. 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!

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

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

    Beautiful bird shots!

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

    Love these shots!

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

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

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  18. Location, location, location! Nice shots!

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  19. 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.

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  20. 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

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

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

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

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  24. 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.

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

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  26. 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.

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

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  28. 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. ;-)

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

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  30. nice shots.

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

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

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