Your Canon Photos No. 39: 28th January to 3rd February 2024

Canon's DPP does also have that option to change WB with a "Pipette" you can select a spot to use as reference point
You can use a white spot or even a gray or black spot for reference if there no obvious white in a picture.

Subject: Geese

After the snow melted, I continued on my walks. I showed you some of that previously of the nice snow-free landscapes. I was also fascinated with these geese, so I took a lot of pictures of them. I hope you like seeing them as I do.

Photo No. 1

Model - Canon EOS Rebel T7i
ExposureTime - 1/400 seconds
FNumber - 9
ISOSpeedRatings - 125
ExposureBiasValue - 0.67
FocalLength - 109 mm
Lens Model - EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

Photo No. 2

Model - Canon EOS Rebel T7i
ExposureTime - 1/500 seconds
FNumber - 9
ISOSpeedRatings - 800
ExposureBiasValue - 0.67
FocalLength - 135 mm
Lens Model - EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

Photo No. 3

Model - Canon EOS Rebel T7i
ExposureTime - 1/500 seconds
FNumber - 9
ISOSpeedRatings - 160
ExposureBiasValue - 0.67
FocalLength - 180 mm
Lens Model - EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

Photo No. 4

Model - Canon EOS Rebel T7i
ExposureTime - 1/640 seconds
FNumber - 9
ISOSpeedRatings - 400
ExposureBiasValue - 1
FocalLength - 178 mm
Lens Model - EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

Photo No. 5

Model - Canon EOS Rebel T7i
ExposureTime - 1/640 seconds
FNumber - 9
ISOSpeedRatings - 400
ExposureBiasValue - 1
FocalLength - 89 mm
Lens Model - EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

Photo No. 6

Model - Canon EOS Rebel T7i
ExposureTime - 1/640 seconds
FNumber - 9
ISOSpeedRatings - 400
ExposureBiasValue - 1
FocalLength - 55 mm
Lens Model - EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

Photo No. 7

Model - Canon EOS Rebel T7i
ExposureTime - 1/640 seconds
FNumber - 9
ISOSpeedRatings - 320
ExposureBiasValue - 1
FocalLength - 55 mm
Lens Model - EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

Photo No. 8

Model - Canon EOS Rebel T7i
ExposureTime - 1/640 seconds
FNumber - 9
ISOSpeedRatings - 500
ExposureBiasValue - 1
FocalLength - 55 mm
Lens Model - EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

Photo No. 9

Model - Canon EOS Rebel T7i
ExposureTime - 1/640 seconds
FNumber - 9
ISOSpeedRatings - 400
ExposureBiasValue - 1
FocalLength - 60 mm
Lens Model - EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

Photo No. 10

Model - Canon EOS Rebel T7i
ExposureTime - 1/640 seconds
FNumber - 9
ISOSpeedRatings - 320
ExposureBiasValue - 1
FocalLength - 55 mm
Lens Model - EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

Photo No. 11

Model - Canon EOS Rebel T7i
ExposureTime - 1/800 seconds
FNumber - 9
ISOSpeedRatings - 320
ExposureBiasValue - 1
FocalLength - 55 mm
Lens Model - EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

Photo No. 12

Model - Canon EOS Rebel T7i
ExposureTime - 1/800 seconds
FNumber - 9
ISOSpeedRatings - 320
ExposureBiasValue - 1
FocalLength - 55 mm
Lens Model - EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

Photo No. 13

Model - Canon EOS Rebel T7i
ExposureTime - 1/800 seconds
FNumber - 9
ISOSpeedRatings - 320
ExposureBiasValue - 1
FocalLength - 55 mm
Lens Model - EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

Photo No. 14

Model - Canon EOS Rebel T7i
ExposureTime - 1/800 seconds
FNumber - 9
ISOSpeedRatings - 400
ExposureBiasValue - 1
FocalLength - 55 mm
Lens Model - EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

Dig,

I noticed in your geese pictures that they are not organized yet.
They haven't gotten their act together yet for their V formation.
It's fascinating to watch as they sort themselves out in preparation for their semi-annual migration.

Steve Thomas

Steve,

That's an excellent observation. I'm glad you noticed that. You get a A+...good job! That's why I like these photos. It was more than just seeing flying geese.

The reason that you don't see them flying in V formation is this: They first land in one area, together as a flock. Then usually a dog scares them off and they fly back in the air. Then when the dog leaves (which is usually on a leash), they fly around looking for a safe spot and descend slowly back to ground level. What's weird sometimes, is that if a few of them get scared off for any reason (even if they think they saw a dog), the rest of them don't hesitate to join them and all of them start flying upwards. You can see them descending in the last photo (photo no. 14).

Dig,

I live in a flyway, so we see formations going back and forth a couple of times each year.

For the last couple of years, a formation will go through and then about an hour later a single pair will come along, flapping for all they're worth and honking to beat the band.

We think they were out in the bushes doing the "Texas Two Step" 😀 and got left behind.

It's hilarious.

Steve

Hi all
Bought a used 800 f11.
Tried it out with the r8 on Wednesday.
Certainly gets you closer
A crested pigeon at the minimum focus distance of 20 feet and 1/250th. 2 out of 6 survived subject movement 😀

A few others
Silver gull

Superb Fairy Wren

Egret

Wren again

Ibis

Dusky Moorhen

Chestnut Teal

Eurasian Coot at another wetland

The combo is light and manageable although on many occasions I found I had to step back a little.
I'll have to try to lower the ISO a little where I can.
It doesn't come with a foot so I have to buy one online. There is no collar either and can't be fitted as an add-on.

Thanks
Paul

fotoworld,

The sharpness at 800mm is pretty amazing. I had to laugh at the idea of a minimum focusing distance of 20'.

I'm sorry about the four pigeons who died.

😉

Steve Thomas

Paul,

Your photos are spectacular; they look nice & sharp. The crested pigeon is colorful. I don't know if we have that type of bird where I live. I was out taking pictures of birds today too. I found a male and female Hooded Merganser and what appears to be a Pied-billed Grebe.

The minimum focal distance of my Tamron G1 150-600mm lens is about 9 feet (2.7m). The G2 version of that lens is less than that at 2.2m.

fotoword,

I have never seen a native pigeon with those nice colours in it's wings, but I may not have looked hard enough.
Neither have I got close enough to a Superb Fairy Wren to get enough in frame to make a decent shot even with 600 efl.

Where in oz are you?

Bryan

Hi Steve
Thanks for the comment
It's surprisingly light and easy enough to find the subject.
20' can definitely be seen issue at times.

Haha the pigeons were removed as I didn't want them 'buried' in my hard drive.

Cheers
Paul

Thanks for the comment.

It's surprising how much colour you can find in various pigeons. This is a fairly common one in Sydney, we have a few in our street.

I hope you've posted your picks, would love to see them.
Don't think we have mergansers here but I'm pretty sure they would be amazing. Wehave 3 grebe types in Australia and I really enjoy seeing 2 of them here.
2.7 metres would be a lot better but I do have other lenses and systems that can get closer. At the moment I'm really liking the 800 even if it is f11 but will see how it goes over time..

Cheers
Paul

Hi Bryan
I'm in Sydney and the photos were taken at Bicentennial Park which is next to Sydney Olympic Park.

I think there's a couple of types of crested pigeon around Australia but not sure where.

Fairy wrens are relatively common in parts of Bicentennial Park and if you wait and watch you can hear them and spot them jumping around.

It's a people friendly area so the birds are used to humans although they are quick to fly off if you try to get too close or move too quick.

They're are tons of birds I would love to see and photograph, one day, but they don't seem to be in this area when I'm there.

Thanks for the comment

Cheers
Paul

"Float"

AI video version

OpenCube,

That's creative to show a falling leaf with the dark background. When the leaves are falling that could be a tough thing to capture. I've never done that, so I really don't know. It would be neat to see a bunch of them falling at the same time.

Thanks for that. I am up north and in quite a rural area. Where I walk in the bush the birds are far less accustomed to humans but I do get the odd shot. Last spring I saw a whole heap of small wrens and honey eaters I had never seen before (but I am not from this area). I saw a Purple-backed fairy wren flying one day. Awesome iridescent colour on the top of his wings but not so visible when perched - it has a similar shade of blue around it's head as the Superb fairy wren. Patience is certainly required for birds as they come and go quite a bit. I have found a wetlands to explore about 40k's away so must get over there. Below is I believe a juvenile, brown falcon that flew over me and came back around and perched on a small tree less than 10mtrs away. I was too surprised to actually get a really good shot but was happy for the opportunity...

Subject: Pied-billed Grebe and Hooded Merganser

Paul and everyone,

These are the Pied-billed Grebe and Hooded Merganser duck pictures I took yesterday. The day for me started out with some sunshine. But then the clouds came in, so it was a little difficult with the changing light conditions. Usually, these ducks are difficult to approach so closely. But another photographer, told me of this location where I could get some nice ones.

Photo No. 1 - Pied-billed Grebe (male or female...not sure as they look the same according to my bird guide book.)

Model - Canon EOS 800D
ExposureTime - 1/800 seconds
FNumber - 8
ISOSpeedRatings - 400
ExposureBiasValue - 0.33
FocalLength - 600 mm
Lens Model - TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011

Photo No. 2 - Pied-billed Grebe

Model - Canon EOS 800D
ExposureTime - 1/800 seconds
FNumber - 8
ISOSpeedRatings - 400
ExposureBiasValue - 0.33
FocalLength - 600 mm
Lens Model - TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011

Photo No. 3 - Male Hooded Merganser - These ducks are quite small, much smaller than the Wood Ducks.

Model - Canon EOS 800D
ExposureTime - 1/800 seconds
FNumber - 8
ISOSpeedRatings - 1000
ExposureBiasValue - 0.33
FocalLength - 600 mm
Lens Model - TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011

Photo No. 4 - Female Hooded Merganser

Model - Canon EOS 800D
ExposureTime - 1/800 seconds
FNumber - 8
ISOSpeedRatings - 2500
ExposureBiasValue - 1
FocalLength - 600 mm
Lens Model - TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011

Photo No. 5 - Male Hooded Merganser

Model - Canon EOS 800D
ExposureTime - 1/800 seconds
FNumber - 8
ISOSpeedRatings - 4000
ExposureBiasValue - 0.67
FocalLength - 500 mm
Lens Model - TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011

Photo No. 6 - Female Hooded Merganser

Model - Canon EOS 800D
ExposureTime - 1/800 seconds
FNumber - 8
ISOSpeedRatings - 2500
ExposureBiasValue - 0.33
FocalLength - 600 mm
Lens Model - TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011

Bryan,

That's a great photo of the falcon. Seeing the falcon picture reminds me that these birds can see straight ahead, and not only to the side.