Also, a vivid reminder to avoid stepping in your own poop.
1/2500, f/9, ISO 800, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Yesterday morning Horned Larks were the bird of the day on Antelope Island. I photographed several of them but this one was the most cooperative as he darted around in the grasses and sandy soil near White Rock Bay.
I took many photos of him but chose to post this one to showcase his erected occipital feather tufts or “horns”. I was also pleased to find him somewhere else rather than perched on one of the bright white rocks that are so common on the north end of the island. For my tastes those rocks are just too bright for me to like them much in my images.
1/4000, f/7.1, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 368mm, not baited, set up or called in
I found another Horned Lark that was perched on one of those white rocks but I photographed him anyway and I’m glad I did. Unbeknownst to me he had stepped in his own poop just before taking off so he pulled up a column of sticky white uric acid with one of his toes when he launched. I’m just weird enough to appreciate capturing something like that.
Blog followers who pay attention to my image techs below the photos may have noticed that my camera/lens combinations in these two shots are bass-ackwards to my usual fare. Typically I mount one of my 7D II’s on my 500mm lens but yesterday I decided to combine that lens with one of my older 7D’s as a test to confirm that the intermittent problems I’ve been having with connectivity and focusing are caused by the lens rather than the camera I usually use.
Yup, my suspicions were confirmed. My problems continued when using the 500mm lens with the 7D so it was time to send it in to Canon for repair – something I’ve been seriously dreading.
Cell phone shot
Here it is with the Lens Coat removed and packed in the fancy case it comes in when you purchase the lens. The lens looks pretty fat and stubby with the lens hood reversed and pulled down over the body of the lens to save space.
Cell phone shot
I haven’t seen it since I closed the case and took it to FedEx so the separation anxiety has already begun. There’s also other worries. Will it be damaged during shipping? I’ve insured it but still… Will it be an unusually expensive repair? I’m a CPS member (Canon Professional Services) so I get a repair discount, expedited service and free return shipping but some repairs on a lens like this can be eye-poppingly expensive. Eventually I’ll let you know.
In the meantime I’ll be shooting with my much smaller lens that in many situations is inadequate for birds so it’s very likely that there’ll be some days that I won’t post to Feathered Photography.
Hopefully it won’t last long but with Canon and lens repair you never know, especially during a pandemic when parts can be hard to come by..
Ron
Love the horned lark. The second shot is proof positive that sh*t DOES stick. I hope that your repair is quick, complete and cheap(ish). I add the ish because a good camera is never cheap precisely.
“a good camera is never cheap precisely”
The same is even more true for a good lens. Thanks, EC.
Boy do I get the separation anxiety!
I figured you’d understand, April. Your turn now…
I didn’t know they came with bifurcated horns. Very cool.
No poop comments from me. Not. A picture is worth a thousand turds.
I hope you put that lens case in a bigger box. Wouldn’t want to see that pristine case with sticker residue on it.
Yup, I put it in a bigger box, Lyle. Actually it was the same box Canon returned it in the last time I shipped it to them.
Definitely a pooptastic day. I was holding one of the puppies this morning and, you guessed it, he pooped all over my shirt. Fortunately, the puppies are so cute that their adorableness outweighs the grossness factor.
The lens definitely looks odd without its coat and with the hood reversed. That is a pretty spiffy case, though. Your lens looks snug as a bug in a rug. Hopefully, you’ll get it back soon, completely fixed, hassle-free. 🙂
Marty, that case is pretty nifty when you have to ship your lens. I’ve found it to be worthless otherwise though.
A few years ago I dropped my 400 DO and damaged the mount. The repair cost from Canon was $400.
Steven, I figure I’ll be lucky if I get away with them charging me $400 or less.
The Horned larks are a fickly lot…I always consider myself lucky if I can capture the ‘horns’ upwards…so many times they are flat or the lark is running away from you and you get posterior shots. They have been in a ‘singing mood’ here…love-love-love that tinkling voice.
“Tinkling voice” is a perfect way to describe it, Kathy.
Nice Horned Lark photos Ron. Wonder if he was ticked off when he realized he stepped in his poop? Maybe they don’t worry about such things. Sure hope Canon gets your equipment back to you quickly and in perfect condition. Once I had to send my camera back and did not have another one. That was really separation anxiety.
Yup, you get it Everett. I really missed that lens while I was out shooting this morning.
Wonderful Horned Lark shots – the get me out of the poop one IS fun. 😄
That certainly IS a substantial case for the lens. Hopefully all goes well and it is quickly returned to you functioning properly and not costing an arm and a leg…..
Thanks for the good wishes, Judy. I prefer to keep all of my arms and legs…
The poop shot is excellent – and hilarious at the same time. In a rare instance of self control, will not share my many thoughts on your uncovered and collapsed lens. Let’s just say I’m on the floor laughing!! Am confident your equipment will be repaired, updated, and ready to rise at every photo trek 😄
Oh, dear. Your laughter is contagious. 🙂
Ha, I may have to start calling the lens case my ‘Trojan Case”…
Since the problem is in the electronics and not the glass, I’m betting it’s an easy and quick fix. Like just replacing the lens mount. I’ve only had two lenses repaired by Canon, but it was a positive experience both times. Sending you good vibes! 🙂
Dear Universe, please see Ron’s lens returns safely. And let the cost be modest.
The poop shot made me grin.
Ditto, on both counts!
Thrito? from me.
Quadroto.