12 February 2014

Some Gyr BIFs, BOTs and BOPs




The Gyrfalcon in flight, on a post and on a tetrapod.





BIF= 'Bird in flight' in case you were wondering.

After doing nothing all afternoon in brilliant light as soon as the clouds came and the skies darkened the Gyrfalcon became very active..................

At first it perched atop the small lighthouse (a 'BOL' I guess).


It then flew around and ended up on an electrical pole (a' BOP').


Despite stepping back the 500mm was too much reach as it flew off, like I said last time up close it is not always the best choice for BIF shots.


It flew a short distance away and this time I stayed my distance.


This time I could do the cropping...............instead of the camera.




It settled down yet again, this time on a tetrapod (a 'BOT').




All the above pics were taken with the 500 f4 which is sharp wide open. I changed to my 100-400 for when it took off but by then it was too dark. My 100-400 is not so sharp wide open and the AF is not as good as the 500 f4.................but at least tne bird fitted in the frame most of the time. I fired off a bunch of shots as it took off one last time and they were not great it has to be said.



I may not get to Sawara for a while now, probably at least 3 weeks. I hope it is still there then. I want a shot of it feeding on the bloody carcass of a bird (not a stolen piece of fish like last time) and I'm still striving for better BIFs..................

Well if I don't see it again this season I hope it comes back next winter in beautiful white plumage.

12 comments:

  1. Hi Stuart! I'm envious of all these shots. The 6th one down with the clipped wings shows fabulous detail and colour.

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    1. Thanks for the comment..........but my glass hail empty personality sees the clipped wings first................

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  2. More SSs (Stunning Shots) from you Stuart. Yes, if that wind keeps up I might end up flying over the Pennines and end up a Tyke! Awful thought.

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  3. I really like the shot with the clipped wings, too. The effect is that the bird is coming out of the computer monitor ...

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    1. Thanks Wilma, it would cause absolute chaos in my living room if thst was really the case......

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  4. Hi Stuart. Wow! ALL. These shots are absolutely stunning.

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    1. Thanks Margaret, I hope it stays around until next month and maybe I can get some nicer ones.......

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  5. With the resolution of cameras these days - especially when you are not going to print the images in huge sizes - I go for a "pull back and crop a bit later" approach to flight shots. It my not be the purists approach - but it does work!

    Great images.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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    1. Hi Stewart, yes that seems to be the best option. Either that or a 1DX for these scenarios...................

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  6. Excellent BiFs. I'm so sorry you have too much reach with the 500.

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    Replies
    1. Yes Russell, I should have bought a 300 f2.8 as well just for this sort of situation...............

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