Tuesday, 8 February 2011

Coming into land.

During a brief rest period while walking in the park today I took the opportunity to test out my skills at capturing gulls in flight again. So finding a suitable spot close to the water with a reasonable amount of open sky above me I waited for some action after tossing some tit bits into the water.

Instead of using the camera's 'shooting mode' I switched over to Shutter Priority and set it at 1/1600 on F9, ISO400 and A1 Servo AF with Evaluative Metering .... so here are a few of the results.

 Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) is the most common gull around the pond.

Next it drops its undercarriage and makes a turn while still loosing height.

With undercarriage down and full flaps working to slow it down it prepares to think about the final stage.

If you are wondering why it hasn't got a black head ... this is because it is in non-breeding plumage .... just a dark patch behind the eyes and the cap colour will actually be brown in due time.  FAB 

For more WORLD BIRD WEDNESDAY images, please follow this link.

42 comments:

  1. Very nice action shots. I find photography of birds in flight rather tricky so it's always good to see it done well.

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  2. ...nice job, Frank! No using "the Force" on these, you've gone all techno!! They are great...

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  3. I believe "gobsmacked" is what a British person would say...I'm not British, but I am indeed gobsmacked by this series!! Well done.

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  4. Three stellar shots! Well done!

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  5. Great shots of the gulls landing!

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  6. Hi Frank... "Wow lovely" photos and especially like the last one..it looks like an angels wings!!
    Great capturing !!

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  7. Well done! Thanks for the info too.

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  8. Excellent shots of birds in flight! Not an easy thing to do especially with fast moving birds like gulls. I love seeing their little faces. That second one is such a unique angle. Thanks for the shooting tips. I will try that out!

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  9. These are real stunning images...very clear indeed! And thanks for sharing the camera settings as well...

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  10. Great captures Frank. Such obliging birds to practice on, especially when there is food around lol

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  11. Lovely photos of Gulls in flight!

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  12. Amazing bird in flight captures! There is something about a gull stalled in mid air that is as magnificent and majestic as an eagle. Great post! ;-)WBW

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  13. Hi - looks like gulls are a bit of a theme this wednesday - pop over to my blog to see some from Australia.

    Great flight shots

    Cheers Stewart M

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  14. Great in-flight photos - and thanks for the camera settings. I must try something similar on mine.

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  15. You stopped them very well Frank. Trying to assess and set the speed of the camera for different flying speeds is really difficult.

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  16. Hi Frank,
    You did pretty well. Flight shots are so hard to get. I've been trying so many with so few good results! Yours are superb. There is one thing thought that we need to do that, this is light, so that speed shutters are high enough to get a sharp image!

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  17. Hiya Frank,

    I love seeing birds-in-flight pictures when they land. These are so clear. isn't it great that the weather is pepping up for us to be out there with the birds.

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  18. Great JOB--the photos are awesome--I will have to try shutter priority next time. You used the right exposure for this white bird very detailed.

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  19. Fabulous shots, Frank! Really love that last one a lot. Those flight shots are a real challenge aren't they?

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  20. wonderful shots of a lovely species. I really like the last frame of the bird landing, you captured a wonderful position of the wings!

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  21. And you got good crisp action shots. Nice photos. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  22. Frank, Great job you did. I love all of the images. Capturing birds in flight, not my specialty either. I think you have a good handle on it. Love the blue water too. Carol

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  23. They are stunners Frank!
    I love especially the last one.
    Greetings
    Joo

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  24. Brilliant crisp flight captures of a lovely bird.

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  25. Nice photo's Frank.
    I'm experimenting with the camera on aperture priority, winding it right up to f5.6, at ISO 500, getting a fast shutter speed, I also use the Auto exposure bracketing at 1 third. :-)

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  26. Hi Everyone. Sorry for the delay in responding to all your kind comments but I have just spent the day with my father watching some coastal birds while our wives went shopping!
    Some responses will be posted very soon. Chers FAB.

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  27. Hi Adam. So do I. I'm still trying various settings so it is pleasing when it works.

    Hi Kelly. I think the 'force' still played a part as I tested out settings suggested by Roy in a recent post.

    Hi Susan. Absolutely correct and guess what ... I was 'over the moon' as well!

    Hi Steve. Compliment much appreciated. Can't promise they will all be this good!

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  28. Thank E G Wow.

    Hi Grammie. The light certainly played its part in showing off the 'angel-like' effect.

    Thanks Arija. Hope the info helps.

    Hi Stickup Artist. Flying straight at me, some got too close for the lens but it was fun to see what was possible.

    Thanks Sally in WA.

    Hi Siddhartha Joshi. Appreciate the visit and compliments.

    Cheers Keith. Yes, they certainly respond very quickly to a free handout.

    Thank you Pat.

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  29. Thanks Springman. Would be handy if they hovered occasionally!

    Stewart M. Thanks for your visit. I'll certainly return the favour.

    Thanks mick. I'm sure you'll get to grips with it very quickly.

    Hi Roy. Thanks for providing the incentive from your recent post. First time lucky I guess!!

    Hi Chris. You are so right. I have tried in poorer light and it was impossible to get the sharpness.

    Hiya joco. A few more clear sunny days will definitely lift our spirits and the quality of our efforts.

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  30. Hi Dixxe. Ta very much. When you have time to plan and set up the camera it certainly helps your chances of a better outcome.

    Hi Mona. Anything moving is a challenge and I'll admit that a few got out of frame..lol.

    Hi Pat. Thanks. It certainly needed some patience but I was in no hurry this time.

    Cheers Gary.

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  31. Hi Carol. Quite a challenge and I'm happy with the outcome. Next time it may not be so easy but that's the fun of trying.

    Hi joo. Thanks for your visit and kind comments.

    Cheers Andrew.

    Hi Warren. Thanks. Yes, getting the right exposure with speed to capture action is definitely the answer.

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  32. Hi Amila. Thank you very much.

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  33. WOAH Frank, does not look like you need any testing out any gadgets, but need to be instructing. These images are right on, as you all like to say and I love, these are crackers, sweet crackers too!

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  34. Great shots, Frank! I'll bet you were pleased! They're all great shots...especially the last one!

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  35. Hi Mary. If only it was that simple every day! A sunny day with blue open sky and a subject that plays ball makes it so much easier. On another day with grey skies I probably wouldn't even bother to try.....just like today; more rain again so locked indoors!

    Hi Cindy. The words are 'chuffed to bits'.

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  36. Great action photos, Frank. Love the way you caught the gull banking into a turn.

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  37. Nice images Frank, a top set of postures.

    As a contrast to your shots I think gulls always make great subjects whatever the light throws at you. Try getting some images of gulls against a slate grey sky.... noisy yes, but very workable and distinctive.

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  38. Thanks Hilke. The Gull did all the hard work, I just sat still, pointed and prayed everything would work!

    Hi Dave. Thanks for the encouragement. I will certainly try the option you suggested.

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  39. Magnificent results! That last shot looks like angels wings!

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  40. Thanks Kathie. Probably the only time a BHG might be mistaken for a angel .. lol.

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