Sometimes, in the literal blink of an eye, the photographer’s instincts take over and save the day.
1/8000, f/5.6, ISO 640, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Four days ago I almost didn’t stop for this Western Meadowlark on Antelope Island because ‘he’ wasn’t particularly close and he was partially hidden by his rabbitbrush perch. But it had been a slow morning for birds and I had a chance with takeoff and flight shots so I figured I’d better take advantage of every potential opportunity, including this one.
He didn’t take off for a very long time but in the end I’m glad I had the patience to wait him out.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 400, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I very nearly missed his takeoff because at the split second he launched, I blinked. But in that microsecond with my eyes closed I realized that as I was closing my eyes I’d seen him squat, which might indicate that he was beginning the takeoff process. So with my eyes still closed (or at least not completely open yet) I instinctively began to fire off a burst.
This photo and the following four are sequential shots in the burst without any skips.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 400, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Liftoff.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 400, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
While he was still perched I’d realized I had too much shutter speed so I lowered my ISO from 800 to 400. But it wasn’t enough to slow down my shutter speed much.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 400, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Even a chubby and relatively slow meadowlark was already moving fast enough that I…
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 400, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
didn’t follow him quickly enough with my lens. So by the time this shot was taken he was very close to the left frame edge and in the photo after this one I cut off half of his bill.
This last photo isn’t quite as sharp as the previous five but I think it’s sharp enough to conclude the series.
Ron
Note: Some folks might think that the literal blink of an eye isn’t enough time for me to process what I’d seen as I was beginning to close my eyes and then push the shutter button. But I swear to Darwin, that’s exactly what happened.
Better late than never – just want to add my kudos re your superb shots. Practice and persistence sure do pay off – these are great shots.
Always grateful for your posts, and just had to comment on the exquisite beauty of these shots. I was also surprised by the large feet.
Thanks for the kind words about my posts, Pat.
Lovely series, Ron.
Thanks, April.
Love that series. What a handsome Meadowlark!
Thanks, Lleni.
Such serendipity!! Beautiful!
Thank you, Sue.
Would firing off a burst in a “blink of the eye” also be known as “flying blind”?😄 So beautiful! Wonderful!
Leo Kottke did a concert here in Ellensburg a couple years ago – he, too, was amazing.
“Would firing off a burst in a “blink of the eye” also be known as “flying blind”?”
Something like that, Carolyn.
10,000 hours paying off!! His feet seem unusually large and flexible. He always has me with that glorious yellow plumage. 😀
They do have big feet, Kathleen.
WOW! I’d end up jerking the camera IF I even hit the shutter… 😉 Wonderful series! I never would have thought Meadowlarks could be so entertaining! 🙂 YEARS of practice at your craft paid off big time here!
Sunflower seed junkies were here en masse this morning – flocks must all be combining and all know where the goodies are….. 🙂 They aren’t really interested in the wheat I pulled from the bin yesterday. Suspect the sunflower has more fat tho I know birds and coons get hooked on the stuff……
“I’d end up jerking the camera”
I sometimes do that too, Judy – another reason high shutter speeds are helpful.
You let your shutter speed float and do most of your adjustments with your ISO? I might need to give that a try.
Catherine, I typically adjust my ISO and/or aperture.
Priceless. What remarkable take off shots. One of my favorite and colorful birds. I am dripping with envy. Ron, these are so good that I cannot decide on which is my favorite. If I was forced to make a choice I think I would go with the next to last.
“A blink in time” or “In the blink of an eye” Outstanding.
I’m delighted that you like them that much, Everett. Thank you.
Thank you, as always! A beautiful, up-lifting series to begin the day!
Much appreciated, Kate.
Great series! Lovely to wake up to on such a snowy, blowy morning.
Thanks, Brett. That wind has been something! I’m sure glad I had my huge elm tree removed several years ago.
What a beautiful series! I especially like the one where the leading edge of his wing just seems to brush the rabbitbrush. But they are all gorgeous.
Thanks very much, Cathy.
I’m in awe of the fact that you can get your fingertips to respond in
time to answer to your lightning-fast intuition ! I love seeing this
golden boy take to the air, and was happy to remember Kottke’s
equally golden fingers, but I hadn’t known he was FUNNY, too !
Thank you, Kris. If I remember correctly, I was first introduced to Kottke by a friend in the early 70’s. But it’s been years since I thought of him so I appreciate Michael’s reference.
Well, I believe you.
It’s like listening to Leo Kottke playing his 12-string, or watching a marksman do a hip-shot and knock a coin out of the air.
It takes a long time, and a lot of missed notes and coins to get to that place.
Hard to pick a favorite out of the four. Each is so clear and revealing of something that happens in a blink of the eye. They certainly do not waste time getting that gear retracted.
Thanks Ron.
Thanks, Michael.
Your mention of Kottke made me realize I hadn’t thought about him for a very long time. He’s a master of the acoustic guitar and I like his self-deprecating humor – including his description of his singing voice as sounding like “geese farts on a muggy day”.
Had the pleasure of seeing him in concert a few times. His self-deprecating humor and stories a pure gold, and I have heard him make the goose fart comment as well.
Lucky you!