bird watching
i kept trying to take a pic of this bird but the light was not cooperating. finally i moved around and got this one shot before it flew off...
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i kept trying to take a pic of this bird but the light was not cooperating. finally i moved around and got this one shot before it flew off
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Mar, 2018Views
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Awards
Peer Award
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Virtuoso
Superb Composition
All Star
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Behind The Lens
Location
Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This is an incredible place to photograph wildlife. Everything from birds, deer, bighorn sheep, bobcats and even bear sometimes.Time
This was about 8 am in the morning. I had to maneuver around without disturbing him to try and get the lighting just right. It seems the animals there are always most active between 7-9 in the morning during the fall.Lighting
When i first saw the bird the sun was shining straight into the camera. I took several pictures but the lighting was just not right and i didnt figure i was going to get any good shots of this beautiful bird. Finally i moved around toward the front of the bird and luckily he didn't fly away so i ended up getting about 3 shots that had good lighting before he took to flight.Equipment
I had my canon EOS60D . I was using a 70-300 lens because i was out to shoot wildlife from a distance that day.Inspiration
I was out that morning to shoot some pictures of big horn sheep. I had sat there for a couple hours waiting and was having no luck at spotting any wildlife. This little fellow flew by me and perched on this dead flower. I was in the wrong position to really photograph it but tried anyway. The first pictures were horrible because the sun was shining straight into my camera. I decided to try and move around to get the right lighting but was afraid he would fly away. I was lucky that i got off about 3 shots with good lighting before he took flight.Editing
Not much post production needed for this one. In lightroom i turned up the color a bit and added just a little sharpness.In my camera bag
I do a lot of wildlife photography and usually do not carry my bag with me because its to much trouble to haul equipment when your hiking for miles and miles. When i am out hiking i usually leave on my 70-300 lens. If i dont have far to travel i will also carry a 18-135 lens incase the wildlife is a little closer than normal. As far as equipment that is always in my bag. I keep my camera body, the 70-300 lens, a 18-135, my wide angle incase the wildlife isn't there i can then do some landscapes, and my all time favorite lens a 50 1:1.8. I think ever photographer should start with just that lens to learn composition. Of course there is also a flash and some cloths to clean the lens if necessary. Also I always recommend carrying an extra battery and cards just incase.Feedback
If you are trying to photograph birds i suggest watch where they seem to be eating. A bird will always land on a perch just a little bit away from where they plan on getting food before they actually eat. This way you can have an idea already on what iso and fstop you will need to use. I was just lucky that this beautiful creature decided to land next to me. Also with birds you want to make sure you have some blur to the background so your subject is the main focus of the picture.
