Phainopepla

[Moira]

We finally went to see the infamous "Mr. P" in Brampton.  These neighbours are wonderful, opening up their yards to birders & photographers.  One neighbour had free coffee, cookies & clementines.  It was well worth the drive.  Here are a few shots:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/40798812@N03/4161447804/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/40798812@N03/4161448514/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/40798812@N03/4161449366/

[rc2009]

All great shots. Well done.

[Niloc]

Very nice, lots of detail ...

[Moira]

Thank you both.  I was also down at Humber Bay today - I love that place.  I wonder if someone could provide some advice on lighting (again!).  When I was shooting the Phainopepla, there seemed to be plenty of light (more from some directions than others as usual).  When I looked at my images (yes, I was chimping!) they were very dark and it was hard to distinguish the bird's features.  Again at Humber Bay, I was trying to get a shot of a cardinal.  I got close enough to the cardinal, but the pictures just aren't there ... no detail in the face, etc.  I shoot on Aperture Priority for now - hoping to take some photography classes in January.  Any thoughts?

[bernie2112]

I thought your Mr. P. shots were nicely exposed. I myself shoot on manual mode and make adjustments depending...so white gulls are underexposed for example.

If you shoot on auto then the camera sees the entire world as 5% grey (about the colour of your hand) so blacks are too black and whites burned out. Manual exposure allows you to  adjust for the light as you go. That is not to say I have ruined some nice shots: it takes practise. I take a lot of pictures in my backyard as a result.

Of course the tones and curves in Photoshop are a life saver. If you can't get Photoshop then GIMP is a free alternative.

Cheers,

Bernie
http://www.flickr.com/photos/berniemonette

[Bird Brain]

Great pix!  I especially like your first photo.

Jo-Anne  

[denis]

great pics moira.

[Niloc]

Thank you both.  I was also down at Humber Bay today - I love that place.  I wonder if someone could provide some advice on lighting (again!).  When I was shooting the Phainopepla, there seemed to be plenty of light (more from some directions than others as usual).  When I looked at my images (yes, I was chimping!) they were very dark and it was hard to distinguish the bird's features.  Again at Humber Bay, I was trying to get a shot of a cardinal.  I got close enough to the cardinal, but the pictures just aren't there ... no detail in the face, etc.  I shoot on Aperture Priority for now - hoping to take some photography classes in January.  Any thoughts?

what type of lens are you using and what is the min and max apeture values, then once you have that info you can sort out what types of settings will work...the setting in books and courses that you take are useless unless you apply them to the specific lens your are shooting with, a 300 mm 2.8 lens will be a far faster lens than a 70-300 mm 4.0-5.6 lens and will be able to shoot in way different lighting situations so as you can see it is significant to know first what your lens is....the one thing that makes sense and you don't need a course or books is this, go out and challenge yourself to use different lenses, settings and lighting situations, you will be amazed how much you will learn by just trying different settings, again keep in mind the settings on your camera are specific to the lens you are shooting with...

So what type of camera are you using and what type of lens ie min/max aperture etc..

[MEGHAN]

Moira,
Your shots of "Mr.P" are stunning.
I'm glad you finally got a chance to make the trip out here.
It was worth it!!
Fantastic!!
Meg

[Moira]

Thanks for your kind comments.  The pictures I didn't post are the ones that aren't exposed appropriately.  I have a Rebel XTi and have 2 lenses - Canon EF 400mm f5.6 - f32 and Canon EFS 18-200mm f4.0 - f22.  Now that I'm not standing in front of the Phainopepla, I realize that on Aperture Priority I had a very fast shutter speed.  I did try to make some adjustments at the suggestion of a gentleman who was also taking pics and put my camera on manual and decreased the shutter speed, which seemed to get better results.  It's easy to say to make the adjustments required ... when you know what those adjustments are     I think I'll read my Exposure book again and go out and experiment more, rather than just depending on the camera to do the right thing.  Thanks for the advice!

[Misty01]

Moira great pictures I esp. liked the second picture where you can see the black and brown mix of feathers.  

[mr.sharp-photo]

weather pending, i was going to possibly pay Mr P a visit tomorrow.
honestly, is it worth the trek?

[Moira]

It depends on what you're looking for I suppose.  Do you want to add this bird to your checklist?  We're unlikely to see here again.  Do you want a picture?  We were lucky that when we arrived it was sitting on the rose hips and flew about in plain sight.  There is a buckthorn bush very close and it flew there and back.  We moved from one backyard and walked around the corner into another and it was still there.  I lost track of time, but it was likely sitting pretty for about 20 minutes and then flew off.  I did meet some people who were just arriving and wonder if they got to see him.  Apparently the colder it gets, the more he stays in the brush.  I personally felt satisfied making the drive,getting to see him and getting some pictures in the bargain.  As I told my husband before we left, it's not like going for a walk in the woods where we could see who knows what ... you're going to see one bird in someone's backyard ... and hopefully he's there.  It would be a great addition to next year's book ... if you broaden your scope!!