Outdoor Ontario
Photography => Ontario Birds => Topic started by: MEGHAN on January 12, 2013, 12:43:01 PM
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Hey Folks,
I have spent quite a few mornings this week out in St. Catherine's photographing the Snowy Owl (don't worry Dave, nowhere near 100 hours :wink: ).
This is the best opportunity I have found to get some great shots of a Snowy.
I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I enjoyed taking them.
Thanks
Meghan
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/058-1.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/382-1.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/317.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/332.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/339-2.jpg)
(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad317/Meghan1975/410.jpg)
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Wow.
#1 is a super catch.
Beautiful set.
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Wow.
#1 is a super catch.
Thanks Bobo!! That is my favorite as well.
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Fantastic set Meghan, I love them all
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Thanks you Reg, I appreciate it.
Meghan
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Wicked stuff Meghan! I pondered the journey but after reading about police now moving the crowds, not sure if it was a trip to even bother.
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!!!!!!!!!
i mean,
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Amazing and wonderful! I assume the scene out there is intolerable? Police moving crowds? Good Lord, what's wrong with bird photographers anyhow? Insert emoticons here, etc.
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Wow, Meghan, fabulous shots! You had a good day!
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!!!!!!!!!
i mean,
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:lol: Thanks Richard.
Thanks Rob and David, it's really not that bad down there. I went in the week so there is less crowds. But still quite a few people. Thursday morning there was even a class trip. The only time the police really show up is when people trespass, then the locals call the cops and they move everyone out. It is the only way they can keep people off of the private property the Owl is on.
But for the most part everyone behaves themselves and stays on the side of the road. A friend of mine went yesterday and said there was about 80 people there so if you can go in the week, that's what I would recommend.
Wow, Meghan, fabulous shots! You had a good day!
Thanks Katherine, it took a few days but I am super happy with what I have. Glad you like them.
Meghan
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Holy crap, those are all great shots!
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Hey Meghan
Looks like you out did yourself again on these great photos, just outstanding, your exposure is right on the money. Wish I was there too. Hope you didn't get locked in this time and get stuck. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Great work.
Clemens 8)
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Wow, beautiful shots, great timing. Wish I could find them here at East Markham.
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Wow... all really good, but 1 and 3 are stunning. Haven't been out around here so don't know if they're in the area. Lots of them last year.
What lens did you have on ?
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Holy crap, those are all great shots!
Thanks! Glad you like them.
Hey Meghan
Looks like you out did yourself again on these great photos, just outstanding, your exposure is right on the money. Wish I was there too. Hope you didn't get locked in this time and get stuck. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Great work.
Clemens 8)
:D :D :lol: Funny!! Next time you're in the back!
Thanks Clemens
Howard helped me with the exposure so I can't take any credit for that
Wow, beautiful shots, great timing. Wish I could find them here at East Markham.
Thanks, there's a bunch not too far from you.
Wow... all really good, but 1 and 3 are stunning. Haven't been out around here so don't know if they're in the area. Lots of them last year.
What lens did you have on ?
Thanks very much. For these I was using a 500mm F4.
You need the reach for these guys, they like to stay waayyyy out in the fields.
Welcome to the forum as well :D
Meghan
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WOW WOW WOW ... fantastic shots. Ran into Irene on Sunday and she mentioned these shots. Love the way it's always got that "Here's lookin at you kid" look in the eyes. Love the first one with the "phantom of the opera" pose !!
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Very impressive series of images. Well done!!
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Did you use bait?
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Gorgeous shots!
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Did you use bait?
OMG! I can't believe you asked her that....anyone that knows Meghan and has been out birding with her knows that she doesn't use bait...she uses patience and care when she photographs. wow...i'm shaking my head here...
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WOW WOW WOW ... fantastic shots. Ran into Irene on Sunday and she mentioned these shots. Love the way it's always got that "Here's lookin at you kid" look in the eyes. Love the first one with the "phantom of the opera" pose !!
Thanks Sue!! Nice to see you back on here, I would love to see some shots from you and Vince posted on here again.
The "phantom of the opera" shot is my favorite as well. Total luck on that one, every other one from that fly by wasn't in focus so I lucked out on that one.
Very impressive series of images. Well done!!
Thank you very much. I appreciate you comment
Did you use bait?
Yes I throw out people who make stupid comments.
Gorgeous shots!
Thanks!!
Did you use bait?
OMG! I can't believe you asked her that....anyone that knows Meghan and has been out birding with her knows that she doesn't use bait...she uses patience and care when she photographs. wow...i'm shaking my head here...
Thank you Irene, I apreciate what you have said. It means a lot to me.
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Did you use bait?
OMG! I can't believe you asked her that....anyone that knows Meghan and has been out birding with her knows that she doesn't use bait...she uses patience and care when she photographs. wow...i'm shaking my head here...
Yeah but I don't know her. I didn't mean to offend. I actually don't think baiting is that bad if done properly. In fact it gives the bird some added nutrients during harsh winter months. I did not mean to offend, it was an honest question.
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Yes I throw out people who make stupid comments.
That was uncalled for. I was simply curious...I am new to this and still learning new techniques and practices of more experienced photographers. That includes the use of bait/no bait.
Wonderful photographs ... I hope to take some as amazing one day. :)
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Absolutely gorgeous shots Meghan, your patience has paid off once again! Love that first shot. Thanks for sharing.
Walter
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Yes I throw out people who make stupid comments.
Ouch. How is that not a fair question? I mean, it's pretty clear that you didn't, but he doesn't know that - so he asked.
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Ladies and gentlemen of the jury:
Baiting is always a touchy subject. Suggesting that a non-baiter (that sounds dirty!) used bait is seen as an insult.
i can see why someone suggested it in regards to some of these pictures, but having shot with Meghan a # of times, I can assure you that the only bait used would be her venomous tongue.
Unless it is very obvious, please refrain from asking if someone is baiting. if you think a photographer is baiting, the best thing to do? don't look at their pictures. they'll stop posting them on here.
so please, no more discussion on it. thanks
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Ladies and gentlemen of the jury:
Baiting is always a touchy subject. Suggesting that a non-baiter (that sounds dirty!) used bait is seen as an insult.
i can see why someone suggested it in regards to some of these pictures, but having shot with Meghan a # of times, I can assure you that the only bait used would be her venomous tongue.
Unless it is very obvious, please refrain from asking if someone is baiting. if you think a photographer is baiting, the best thing to do? don't look at their pictures. they'll stop posting them on here.
so please, no more discussion on it. thanks
I actually didn't know it was such a touchy subject. I am still learning a lot of things. Are pictures at bird feeders equally looked down upon?
Not quite sure I fully understand. The way I see it, animals are naturally shy and withdrawn. It's what's made them survive for millions of years. So they are inherently difficult to photograph, unless you get super lucky or you go to the animal's source of food. Now if that source is deliberately planted or not can be a source of controversy. I still don't fully see the difference of baiting a raptor vs baiting song-birds.
Can the raptor be injured by a car? Ok I get that, so do it on an open field far away from traffic. I see hawks on the 404 almost every morning, flying above it or sitting on speed-limit signs. These guys seem to manage highway traffic quite well. Quite different from forest-dwelling owls yes, but my point is that animals learn and adapt. Just like song-birds have adapted to the human environment and negotiate it successfully to get to the planted feeders.
Instead of not talking about, let's talk about it. Let's put it out in the open. Perhaps we need a good discussion, not only for ourselves but also (and especially) for the animals that we all cherish and want to see do well in an ever-changing and challenging habitat that they increasingly have to share with humans.
Let's talk pros and cons of baiting. As for my stance, I don't see it as a good vs evil type thing, I see it as an option...a challenge if you will. Not baiting brings about it more of a challenge...and as such is probably more rewarding. When I shot a bunch of pictures of song-birds on Sunday at the Humber Arboretum feeder, yes I did feel a bit like I was cheating. But after walking endless miles and hours through various parks and trails and barely seeing any birds, it was a welcome reward (albeit unrelated) for my efforts. In fact, although the task was easy for me, I was happy to see the birds being in good spirits and enjoying tasty seeds. Similar to the ducks near the bays...it's cold and they're happy to get some calories to keep their inner furnace running and body temperatures high.
Can a raptor not be equally be a benefactor of human intervention when it comes to nutrition and calories? Do they not also deserve it? Or is our photographing honour more important than a bird's hunger? Maybe that's why their numbers are dwindling while song-birds and ducks numbers are virtually exploding.
Some questions to ponder perhaps.
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There is a difference between owls and other raptors. While the red-tailed hawks and kestrels you see along roadsides know enough not to fly in front of cars, owls are, for lack of a better word, stupid, and often get hit.
Raptors are not in general decline (some like Bald Eagles and Peregrines are increasing quite rapidly) while many songbirds are declining.
Otherwise, I'd generally agree with you.
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Some questions to ponder perhaps.
but not in the Photography thread.
use another thread. thanks
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I agree with Richard. We should not be hijacking Meghan's thread for something unrelated to her excellent pictures.
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Absolutely gorgeous shots Meghan, your patience has paid off once again! Love that first shot. Thanks for sharing.
Walter
Thanks Walter. I appreciate it.
I agree with Richard. We should not be hijacking Meghan's thread for something unrelated to her excellent pictures.
Thank you for this.
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Ladies and gentlemen of the jury:
Baiting is always a touchy subject. Suggesting that a non-baiter (that sounds dirty!) used bait is seen as an insult.
i can see why someone suggested it in regards to some of these pictures, but having shot with Meghan a # of times, I can assure you that the only bait used would be her venomous tongue.
Unless it is very obvious, please refrain from asking if someone is baiting. if you think a photographer is baiting, the best thing to do? don't look at their pictures. they'll stop posting them on here.
so please, no more discussion on it. thanks
Thank you Richard. I appreciate what you have said.
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These are stunning. Fabulous shots.
Byron
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Thanks Byron
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Amazing in-flight shots. I find I'm having the most difficulty with those right now. All my shots are stationary.