I met a colourfull Canberra local

[MHD]

His name was Eastern, Eastern Rosella!

[Onyx]

Sorry Scott, I'm not terribly impressed. That image lacks 'pop'. Those colours should really be in yer face, but sadly aren't. It's a bit muddy and lacking in contrast (I'm guessing it was a 70-300G shot wide open?!)

I'm guessing direct flash was also used - it's very one dimensional and flat in that respect. WB is a touch cool for my taste too.

Great subject, great composition... I just feel equipment let you down here.

[MHD]

No Worries Onyx!

Yes it was shot with the G lens.... Its all the long glass I got!

Fill was with the Sb-80dx... colour is quite accurate... These buggers are active around sundown so the only time you can get a decent shot is when the shadows are long and the need for suppementry light is high... I think it is the best eastern Rosella shot by any member (prove me wrong)

Some subjects are just damn hard to capture and a lot of sneaking and carefull stalking was required to get him... the muddiness you see is due to to some light problems with the sun (kind of back lit... hence the need for fill) this was the only place I was going to get this fellow (6ft fence on other side)

[dooda]

I was reading an interesting book yesterday called "when you feel like someone is looking at you" and it is about the sensory abilities of animals and humans to detect the motives of others. He argued that animals tend to be very sensitive to this. Hunters often have a much more difficult time to find and shoot animals because they are so focused and intent on the sport and the kill that the animals generally are able to detect this. The same goes for photography. He says the best way to see a rare animal is to leave your camera and gun at home and go out with the intention to climb trees or something.

I thought about my friend who took up bow hunting. Before the season began he scouted out the area and learned the patterns of the elk, and got as close as 15 feet from some of the animals. He was quite confident that he would be getting some elk. Sure enough the season started and he went out with his bow and the Elk were nowhere to be found.

Then I thought about the Bigfoot...etc etc.

I thought this was interesting and relates to your having difficulty in getting this photo.

[birddog114]

Yes it was shot with the G lens.... Its all the long glass I got!

Is this the self- reminder for a proper zoom lens as 70-200VR?
The wife, can you hear it?

[Raydar]

We have two pairs of these birds nesting in our roof ATM.

I’m going to set the cam up one day, when there kids aren’t here & get some shots of them coming & going from there nests.

Cheers
Ray

[gstark]

Reminds me a little of that other colourful Canberra bird, Al Grassby.

I don't think the flash helped much at all here. Perhaps a snoot may have been halpful here? Or else moving the camera off flash and closer to the subject. (easy for me to say, much more difficult for you to implement, of course)

My impression is that the bird is in shade, hence the absence of any pop. How far away were you from Al?

[MHD]

Hmm... at a guess about 10 metres...

Off camera flash was not a possibility (whithout an assistant)

[Mj]

Very difficult to get this kinda shot especially on dusk extra. Tried something similiar with my 70-300ED but just doesn't 'cut it'.
Whilst I not unhappy with the lens there are many situations where it simply will not do.... so now stressing over what to do about it. I'm guessing the 70-200VR is the likely option... but I often find the 300 reach is handy... the 80-400VR would give me the reach but compromises on speed... the 200-400VR might suit nicely but at what a cost !!!

[MHD]

yes any donations to improve my equipment will be accepted gladly

The Improve MHD's Rosella shots fund

[bago100]

MHD

Thanks for posting the rosella photo

I have learnt a lot from the discussion about this photo

My father used to say "one learns a lot more from being beaten, than from winning" . So true. In my case, I learn a lot more by talking about the what if's and maybe's and so on, than the oohs and ahhs of the perfect shot.

I have a brilliant rosella photo as well. I'll post it tonight! You'll have a chuckle when you see it.

Cheers

Graham

[xerubus]

MHD...

i don't mind the shot.... difficult to get especially with the glass you have and the light for that time of day...

one thing a mentor once told me regarding photography animals.... you need to get the eyes in perfect focus... as that's where we naturally look.....

[Greg B]

Has there been any PP MHD? I would have thought that a bit of contrast and/or saturation action might have help, a suitable curve perhaps.

Even the equalisation thingy in KPT 6, you might lose a little reality, but the results would have more pizzazz.

[MHD]

MHD...

i don't mind the shot.... difficult to get especially with the glass you have and the light for that time of day...

one thing a mentor once told me regarding photography animals.... you need to get the eyes in perfect focus... as that's where we naturally look.....

Good advice!

I will think about that one...

yes, I did level adjust...

[Onyx]

I hope you don't mind MHD, I did a little PS'ing of the image.

http://www.pixspot.com/displayimage.php?album=21&pos=4

I might have gone overboard with the colour, as it's probably a little too red for most people's liking. But I kept in mind it was shot near dusk and imagined how it might have been seen by the photographer. Also as a side effect, noise got accentuated.

[xerubus]

onyx... i think that red is very close to the true colour of the bird...

[bago100]

onyx... i think that red is very close to the true colour of the bird...

It is Xerebus. I came home and was playing with my camera, and there appeared an Eastern Boxed Rosella! Here it is - MHD is going to be sooo jealous Taken with the kit lens too!!



Cheers

Graham