One of my current projects is take-off shots of Loggerhead Shrikes and I’m finding it to be unexpectedly difficult to get the quality I want. Take-offs of small birds are challenging by definition but I have quite a few that I like of other species so I’m a bit surprised that I’m struggling so with the shrikes.
This past week I’ve had at least some success and these two are the best of the lot so far.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
On Tuesday morning this shrike gave me nice eye contact as it launched from its perch and I had good light and a clean background but I’m a bit surprised that the wings aren’t sharper. I doubt that it’s motion blur at 1/3200 and I was far enough away from the bird that I thought f/6.3 would give me more depth of field than this. Live and learn…
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
Two mornings later I was photographing this shrike perched when an insect that interested it flew overhead. The bird has its eye on the bug as it’s taking off.
This has been the best year on Antelope Island for Loggerhead Shrikes that I can remember as they seem to have had very good success so far in raising their broods. And with the plethora of huge orb-weaver spiders just coming on, things should only get better out there for shrikes. They love to eat those nasty looking spiders and feed them to their chicks. Which should mean more practice for me with the take-off shots.
Ron
love it. One of my favorite birds and I don’t get to see them often enough.
Thank you Kathleen. They’re one of my favorites also and I’m lucky enough to see them quite often.
It’s a shrike dive! This is a really evocative photograph. I feel like I have a little bit of a relationship with this bird, and that feeling must be very powerful for you. Thank you for submerging yoursely in bird life and for your diligence, and brilliance, in photography that allows us to be there, too.
I appreciate your kind words Sue.
You’re fast! nice shots!
Thanks Mavourneen, but sadly the birds are usually faster than I am.
Darned good shots, Ron. The second one looks like it is taking a swan dive.
Hmmm, I never thought of that Bob but I think you’re right about the swan dive.
Well, you got yourself a challenge there, but you are definitely making good progress.I think the striving helps us appreciate the results even more. Have fun!
Thanks Jane. Yes, they are a challenge but as you mention that’s a big part of the fun. But then you’ve got to account for the frustration factor…