The Wildlife Photography Thread

[Stalking Light]

I had the original 80-400VR and liked it, the grizzly shots I posted were with that lens.

I tried a friends 200-400 VR I and wasn't impressed but think the VR II is much better, albeit not as sharp as a prime. With the 1.4 on I don't see that much softness, but that may be my elderly eyes.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I also had the 80-400. Found it sharp, but very slow to focus. Not easy to catch birds in flight. The new AF S version is purportedly much better. Your 200-400 is much better than the VR 1 from all I've heard.

 

[Stalking Light]

You're right about the slow focus, but it was nice to hand hold. I mostly use a monopod with my 200-400, sometimes a tripod and Wimberly, but almost never hand held.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

There's just something about bluebirds that I can't pass up. Here's a nice male.

 

[ski3pin]

There's just something about bluebirds that I can't pass up. Here's a nice male.

We can see why. Great shot Mr. Sage.

 

[Stalking Light]

There's just something about bluebirds that I can't pass up. Here's a nice male.

Nice!

 

[Stalking Light]

I'm not much at birds, but here's a pileated woodpecker that was kind enough to pose for me:

 

[Stalking Light]

Sow black bear and her cubs at a watering hole:

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Charlie, thanks for the kind words! My secret for birds is to have a blind about 15 feet from food/water. That pillaged shot makes me think you do quite well with them. I wish we had local black bears that are willing to be photographed. Oregon has a lot of bears, but they are pretty skittish.

 

[Stalking Light]

I was set up at a watering hole for the bears, but in the Smokies they are pretty tame anyway. Outside the park they are hunted (mostly with dogs) so that's a different story.

 

[Stalking Light]

A little blurry but the takedown was fun to watch. One reason I'm getting my Eagle is so I'll have a heater this December when I camp out during the rut.

 

[Stalking Light]

Getting to be that time of year again:

 

[Lighthawk]

Nice shot, SL! The struggle of life, captured.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Charlie, very nice images. I look forward to seeing more!

 

[Stalking Light]

Thanks guys.

 

[K6ON]

From the Yolo Wildlife Area this morning. Three different Egrets with one click. Right to Left: Great, Cattle, and Snowy.

 

[Lighthawk]

That's pretty cool, K6on. You know your egrets!

I saw some sandhill cranes posted on FB from Consumnes NWR yesterday. Did you see any of those at Yolo?

 

[ski3pin]

That's pretty cool, K6on. You know your egrets!

Pretty cool Bob!

 

[Stalking Light]

Tri colored heron at St. Augustine Alligator Park rookery:

 

[K6ON]

That's pretty cool, K6on. You know your egrets!

I saw some sandhill cranes posted on FB from Consumnes NWR yesterday. Did you see any of those at Yolo?

Funny you should ask, none at Yolo yesterday, but I just returned from the Consumes Reserve about 20 minutes ago (11:00 am). I'll post some Sandhill pictures after I go through them .