Finally! Pup and I made it out to Birds of Prey

[clovishound]

We made it back out today. Unfortunately a wreck on the interstate kept us from getting there for the morning demonstration. We did make it in time for the owl flight.

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[markiver54]

Wow!!

[CT_Shooter]

Outstanding photography, CH. You do know what you're doing. Fabulous images. Thanks again for sharing.

[North Country Gal]

My favorite group of birds. Those are awesome pics.

[clovishound]

Edited a few more. There are a number that are similar, but have different expressions/backgrounds etc. Hard sometimes to choose between them.

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[Hatchdog]

Awesome. Love that first pic in flight. What eyes…

[clovishound]

Yes, some of the raptors have amazing looking eyes. And some, like this American Kestrel, have dark brown eyes that hardly show up at all.

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And so does this owl.

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[clovishound]

And, another couple.

This first one I sort of cheated with Lightroom, and took the entire background down to basic black. This can be done in camera, but not with the lighting that was available at the demonstration. I don't remember them saying you couldn't, but I would not use flash at this venue, even though it is outside. That's the only way I can think of getting a low key image at this time of day.

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Here it is with a "normal" background. I prefer the low key, as does SWMBO. The Pup was ambivalent between this one and the low key.

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And this one was another one I cheated with. Camera missed focus a little too much for this to be usable. Topaz surpassed my expectations and pulled it out. I did have to resort to a square aspect ratio to get a decent composition.

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[CT_Shooter]

Excellent results, CH. Thanks again.

[BrokenolMarine]

When you are this good, it must be hard to find challenges. I was showing the pics you took to the wife, held one up, (8357) and said, "I'm Batman." Coffee came out her nose.

It does look like he's wearing Batman's hood.

Great job, thanks for sharing.

[clovishound]

When you are this good, it must be hard to find challenges.

If you are referring to me, all I have to do is look at someone else's work. Last weekend we went to an exhibition at Magnolia. There were a handful of local photographers selling their work. IMO my best work is as good as their middle of the road work. Their best work is better than my best. A few images blew me away. It's humbling to see some really good work.

[BrokenolMarine]

When you are this good, it must be hard to find challenges.

If you are referring to me, all I have to do is look at someone else's work. Last weekend we went to an exhibition at Magnolia. There were a handful of local photographers selling their work. IMO my best work is as good as their middle of the road work. Their best work is better than my best. A few images blew me away. It's humbling to see some really good work.

I feel the same way when I see knives and leatherwork, or even woodwork by those who are leaps above me, usually professionals with decades of experience. Your photos are amazing, take the compliment, then take a bow brother. Doff your cap and take a bow.

[clovishound]

Where's the hat doffing emoji when you need one?

Thanks.

[clovishound]

We got out again today.

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[dave77]

Very nice. Opened the last photo in a new tab and enlarged it and you can really see how well it was focused on the eyes. I assume you were using a fairly large aperture with the bokeh on the sides of it's face.

[clovishound]

500mm @ F5.6 1/2000 sec ISO 1250. Cleaned up the noise with Topaz.

When you have some specular highlights, this is what you get.

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[CT_Shooter]

More beautiful photos, CH; all sharp, colorful, and clear. Excellent work. Thanks.

[Hatchdog]

The eyes, oh the eyes. So intense.

[clovishound]

Here are a few more. I've got a lot of images to go through and edit. The Carolina Nature Photographers Association that the Pup and I belong to coordinated a photography day for our group. We had 4 hours for about a dozen of us to get shots at the birds as they brought them out one by one and put them through their paces. I hate to say how many shots I took.

Once I get through the editing, I will be making a slideshow or two for my Youtube channel.

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[CT_Shooter]

Wonderful photos. Your Carolina Nature Photographers Association was really fortunate to spend so much time with so many beautiful and rarely seen birds. Thanks for sharing some of your results with us.