Red Tailed Tropic Birds - Norfolk Island

[CraigVTR]

A few shots of the Red tailed Tropic birds on Norfolk Island, all were shot on the D300 with the 70-200 2.8 at various focal lengths. We were standing on the cliff edge just above the nesting sites and the birds were coming so close at times that even zoomed out to 70mm you could not get the complete bird in the frame. It was my first time where I went out to specifically shoot birds and had a great time with a couple of two hour sessions over a couple of days.







The birds nest in hollows on the cliff face, this one has staked out a claim for this nest and is having a short rest.

[aim54x]

#3 is a winner! #2 has a bit of a halo, and #4 is ruined by the OOF blur in the bottom LHS corner.

Looks like you made the most of the opportunities!

[Remorhaz]

#2 is the compositional winner for me - but as Cam indicated the halo is offputting

[zafra52]

The second and last are the best, I think.
I always found capturing birds on flight
quite a challenge.

[Matt. K]

Whilst they are all good images #3 is the standout for me. It's as good as any bird image I have seen....and there are some real experts and fanatics out there doing nothing but bird photography. Just a tip...if you can shoot as close as you were with these birds don't dismiss the notion of using a little fill flash to pop the shadows. Works a treat and just adds that extra 10% WOW factor.

[Geoff M]

1st and 3rd for me Craig. Nice work with the exposure and composition. Are they crops or as shot far mining?