Spring Migration 2014

M_Six · 03-22-2014, 11:17 PM

Today I went out to a local "marsh" to check out the migrating birds. This used to be a water treatment plant many years ago and when they shut it down they turned the ponds into a wetland area. There are three ponds. One is fairly large and is ringed by hundreds of feet of reeds. The other two are much smaller and more accessible, but the birds know this and tend to stay at the large pond. I was stunned by the hundreds of birds there today. This is a narrow FOV as I only had my 400 and 1.4x TC mounted today.

As I approached the small ponds the birds there all took off. There's just no way to approach unheard with all the dry leaves and grass around the pond. But I settled in under a tree and stayed quiet and eventually they came back. Still, distance was my enemy again today.

A ring necked duck takes flight.

Some northern shovelers.

And a red winged blackbird who performed a song and dance routine for me.

After the marsh I went down to Lake Charleston and immediately witnessed an eagle flyover. I also saw some great blue herons and a horned grebe.

IRide · 03-23-2014, 12:04 AM

It looks as though you had a thoroughly successful day.

M_Six · 03-23-2014, 12:23 AM

Not bad, all in all. Light could have been better. And I really need to make the jump to the 500mm f4 IS.

druu · 03-23-2014, 11:34 PM

Nice shots! It might just be me, but the bokeh looks a little 'busy' for some of them.

M_Six · 03-23-2014, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by druu

Nice shots! It might just be me, but the bokeh looks a little 'busy' for some of them.

The 1.4x TC III tends to do that.

Itsed65 · 03-24-2014, 12:18 AM

Great stuff Mark. Gotta love BE's! I'm loving my 500f4, but I'm still impressed with the Tamron as well. You might wanna rent one to check it out. It might surprise you.

druu · 03-24-2014, 07:15 PM

ahh gotcha, didn't know it had that effect sometimes.

M_Six · 03-24-2014, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by druu

ahh gotcha, didn't know it had that effect sometimes.

Only on long distance shots that are heavily cropped. On closer shots with little or not cropping, the bokeh is sweet.

druu · 03-25-2014, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M_Six

Only on long distance shots that are heavily cropped. On closer shots with little or not cropping, the bokeh is sweet.

oh yeah, look at those bokeh balls.

03-22-2014, 11:17 PM	#1
M_Six Free Thinker 19292 Rep 7,549 Posts Drives: 2016 MB GLC300 4matic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Foothills of Mt Level iTrader: (0)	Spring Migration 2014 Today I went out to a local "marsh" to check out the migrating birds. This used to be a water treatment plant many years ago and when they shut it down they turned the ponds into a wetland area. There are three ponds. One is fairly large and is ringed by hundreds of feet of reeds. The other two are much smaller and more accessible, but the birds know this and tend to stay at the large pond. I was stunned by the hundreds of birds there today. This is a narrow FOV as I only had my 400 and 1.4x TC mounted today. As I approached the small ponds the birds there all took off. There's just no way to approach unheard with all the dry leaves and grass around the pond. But I settled in under a tree and stayed quiet and eventually they came back. Still, distance was my enemy again today. A ring necked duck takes flight. Some northern shovelers. And a red winged blackbird who performed a song and dance routine for me. After the marsh I went down to Lake Charleston and immediately witnessed an eagle flyover. I also saw some great blue herons and a horned grebe. __________________ Mark markj.pics "Life is uncertain, eat bacon now." -UncleWede Last edited by M_Six; 03-22-2014 at 11:34 PM..
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03-23-2014, 12:04 AM	#2
IRide Second Lieutenant 5 Rep 260 Posts Drives: 2012 335i Coupe Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Little Rock, AR iTrader: (0)	It looks as though you had a thoroughly successful day.
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03-23-2014, 12:23 AM	#3
M_Six Free Thinker 19292 Rep 7,549 Posts Drives: 2016 MB GLC300 4matic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Foothills of Mt Level iTrader: (0)	Not bad, all in all. Light could have been better. And I really need to make the jump to the 500mm f4 IS. __________________ Mark markj.pics "Life is uncertain, eat bacon now." -UncleWede
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03-23-2014, 11:34 PM	#4
druu Second Lieutenant 52 Rep 298 Posts Drives: 2020 M8 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Nice shots! It might just be me, but the bokeh looks a little 'busy' for some of them.
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03-24-2014, 12:18 AM	#6
Itsed65 Brigadier General 2613 Rep 3,535 Posts Drives: 2014 X1 28i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Midcoast Maine iTrader: (0)	Great stuff Mark. Gotta love BE's! I'm loving my 500f4, but I'm still impressed with the Tamron as well. You might wanna rent one to check it out. It might surprise you.
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03-24-2014, 07:15 PM	#7
druu Second Lieutenant 52 Rep 298 Posts Drives: 2020 M8 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	ahh gotcha, didn't know it had that effect sometimes.
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