Some raptors from the Cotswolds

[havoc]

Went to the Cotswold Bird-of-Prey centre last Friday, taken this long to sort through all the photos (esp. after accidentally switching the camera to AI Focus not AI Servo!!! ).

Have loaded my favourites to this link Birdies, with a sample below. What do you think, and where could I have improved?

Thanks,

Martin

[Andy M]

Really, really good

[slinky]

I've been there myself, really not to far away from me, I love it!

Photo's look great..

Think I might have to go again in the next month or so..

slinky

[cvp]

I do like your Bald Eagle portrait and also the incoming bird and the final portrait. The incoming one is a really nice capture with diffcult timing.

Trying to be positive in my suggestions, on the first one and then also the bird on the table ?Kestrel? the fact that they are shot from behind and you can't see the bird's head takes away from the image.

Cheers

Chris

[havoc]

Thanks for all the comments guys.

cvp said:

Trying to be positive in my suggestions, on the first one and then also the bird on the table ?Kestrel? the fact that they are shot from behind and you can't see the bird's head takes away from the image.

I know what you mean...tricky with their flying displays as a lot of the displays are away, across-ways, or over your head (and with a 75-300 lens, I had a fair few which were 'head and no wings'! That and getting a new parting from an Eagle Owl!).

I left the Kestrel in as to my mind there's something a little surreal about the background. Otherwise it is a rather plain shot.

[slinky]

havoc said:

Thanks for all the comments guys.

cvp said:

Trying to be positive in my suggestions, on the first one and then also the bird on the table ?Kestrel? the fact that they are shot from behind and you can't see the bird's head takes away from the image.

I know what you mean...tricky with their flying displays as a lot of the displays are away, across-ways, or over your head (and with a 75-300 lens, I had a fair few which were 'head and no wings'! That and getting a new parting from an Eagle Owl!).

I left the Kestrel in as to my mind there's something a little surreal about the background. Otherwise it is a rather plain shot.

Getting a new parting from an Eagle Owl is quite an experience..

That's decided it... I'm definitely going back to Batsford!

slinky

[havoc]

During the displays if they're using the Harris Hawk they ask for volunteers to put the glove on and have it fly onto the glove. You really must do that...although it does mean putting the camera down.

There's a photo on the link of a young lad doing it...he's entranced!

[slinky]

I nearly did it last time I as there.. I'm crap at getting up and doing things like that tho, get nervous for no reason at all.. Next time, next time I tell you!

[cvp]

slinky said:

Getting a new parting from an Eagle Owl is quite an experience..

That's decided it... I'm definitely going back to Batsford!

slinky

You guys must also try the Hawk Conservancy down off the M3 near Andover. Some great birds and photo opportunities as often the birds are coming more across in front of you and you can get a good field of view to pan.

They often have this chap in the displays. He's simply massive and you think if you're on the glide path it will not only be a new parting but also a nice scar on your head as well


Cheers

Chris

[havoc]

Nice shot CVP...what sort of lens was that?

Andover...little too far away from Coventry, alas.


Where I WOULD like to go back to now I've a good camera and an (improving) eye for photos is Rocamador, in central France. Town built into the side of a cliff, river at foot, church and raptor centre at top (great views, great thermals, perfect photo opps)...and they've some lovely beasties there...they get the punters to sit against the inside of the wall with legs sticking out and then a Griffon Vulture walks over everyone's legs!!!

[cvp]

300mm on a digital, so the same angle of view as a 480mm on a 35mm film camera. He flies quite slowly so is relatively easy to track. Wiht the falcons you just have to give up and watch their beauty as they are so fast it's almost impossible to get a good image of them.

Cheers

Chris

[slinky]

havoc said:

Nice shot CVP...what sort of lens was that?

Andover...little too far away from Coventry, alas.


Where I WOULD like to go back to now I've a good camera and an (improving) eye for photos is Rocamador, in central France. Town built into the side of a cliff, river at foot, church and raptor centre at top (great views, great thermals, perfect photo opps)...and they've some lovely beasties there...they get the punters to sit against the inside of the wall with legs sticking out and then a Griffon Vulture walks over everyone's legs!!!

My folks have been to Rocamador, when I came back from Batsford raving about it they told me I had to go to Rocamador..

It's on the list!

slinky

[havoc]

cvp said:

Wiht the falcons you just have to give up and watch their beauty as they are so fast it's almost impossible to get a good image of them.

I've deleted some lovely photos of tails and wings, some elegant blurs, and some great shots of scenery where a bird WAS a split second ago in order to get to the shots you see above.

That kestrel was too small and fast for the autofocus to even spot it, let alone keep up!