The good news: after taking now about 1,000+ shots of female and male eastern towhees flying at my window every single morning like clock-work, this is the best one so far...
The bad news: I have had to find my focus point (which is the dust on the window--so maybe a good news item is that dirt comes in fine), and the bird is still not "captured" as crisply as I'd like.
I thought I'd share this sooc attempt--it's just about my processing. Any advice? I've tried setting up my tripod, but then that guarantees the "clock work" assertion I made above null and void. They only do "the show" when I'm all jerky, and feebly attempting to focus--auto focus will not work on this situation as the grill in the background is where it wants to go....or the dirt on my window--yes, going to clean it!
Neat shot but I see what you mean about sharpness as well as the dust on the window situation. My guess is that your shutter speed is not fast enough to freeze the motion. I checked a number of my "birds in flight" shots and they are all shot at least 1/2000 and above to 1/6000. This shot is only at 1/400. I would say that you need to bump up the ISO to get a faster shutter speed but this was shot at 3200 ISO which is the maximum for this camera, I think? So, as an alternative, you could wait for a much sunnier day or a part of day with more light and that would help you get a faster shutter speed. Hope that makes sense!
Very nice shot. I can't help you on the advice side though... I'm still learning. Maybe employ a window cleaner ;) (not me though... mine are shocking!) :)
@vskolnik Amazingly, it really does make sense--progress on my part, right? :) Iso can go to 6400, so I have something there to work with. It was a pretty bright day, but I'm inside in a sorta dark area where I can't provide lighting--but then again, it was morning when the light does not really go to the back of the house yet. I'll keep at it--it's really a good exercise--but I do just want to call this couple "dingbats"--seriously, it's like clockwork: "Honey, time to climb the grill, then hurl ourselves at the glass door!" Ah, me.
@darylo Every two weeks! I'm impressed. I tried to do once side of the house each week and managed that for a while... but it has been at least a month since I did the windows properly! I think that may have to be an Easter job now that I"ve thought about it!
@foxsparrow Yes, Vee is bird whisperer, so I'm listening! I see what she's saying too. I'm going to experiment again whenever the towhees start their flight routine! Today, I had so much fun capturing so many subjects!
I am rubbernecking on this thread and am learning how to get those action shots too. Even though this is not the crisp image you wanted, I like the shape of the wings and tail feathers. You are right about Vee @vskolnik
@judis Thanks Judi--I love the intensity (even though the birds don't hurt themselves, thankfully) and it's sort of neat to be "flown at"--yes Vee @vskolnik, I'm singing your praises! :)
March 30th, 2013
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