Birds in flight

[LeeOtsubo]

Snow geese blast-off at Bosque del Apache, NM. Canon 20D w/ Canon 300/2.8 and EF 2X TC Mk I. Exposure f5.6, 1/50, ISO 400.

snow geese (http://www.photoshopuser.com/members/portfolios/view/image/106392)

Sandhill crane pod at Bosque del Apache, NM. Canon 20D w/ Canon 300/2.8 and EF 2X TC Mk I. Exposure f10, 1/640, ISO 200.

sandhill pod (http://www.photoshopuser.com/members/portfolios/view/image/106393)

Sandhill crane pod, 100% crop to demo sharpness of 300/2.8 w/ 2X TC.

100% crop (http://www.photoshopuser.com/members/portfolios/view/image/106394)

I'll be in Lodi, CA in January 2008 to photograph sandhill cranes if you'd like to sign up for a birds in flight workshop.

[mrod]

Nice shots, Lee. The shot of the sandhill pod is wonderful.

We have trumpter swans that winter in some fields nearby--they should be showing up pretty soon. I'm not sure I'll the zoom lens I have on my list by that time, but one of these days, I hope to get some shots of them.

Mike

[bayhli]

Beautiful Lee..... some lens!

If only I were closer. Should I connect on the lottery this week.... I'll be there! ;)

[Chuck S.]

Lee, great shots! I love watching the 'squadrons' of Sandhills coming in at dusk; have tried shooting them, but lousy lens (CA) and diminishing daylight have rendered my photos pretty much useless.

[jo]

Great shots, Lee.

I never seem to catch the birds in flight. As soon as I give up waiting and pack up the camera they take off.

And I don't have a super lens either...:(

[lexcell]

Great shots Lee. When were you in Bosque?
I am here this week. I arrived on Wednesday and leave next Saturday. It keeps getting better each day.
Here are some images I posted on my blog the last few days.
www.laurieexcell.com/blog

[bayhli]

Wow Laurie, what beautiful shots! These birds are magnificent!

OK you guys, where is this place, Bosque? Excuse my ignorance but NM from Lee, is that New Mexico or another U.S. State? Nevermind... it'll be on the web.

Thank you for posting these both Lee and Laurie - I'm just full of envy for your experience there and your talent!

Couldn't help but think of the two mountain climbers who didn't make it off Mount Hood, was that last winter? Does anyone know if they ever found them this summer? I never did hear up here in Canada after following it closely at the time it happened with such sadness.

[NMarti]

Fabulous shots from both Lee and Laurie. I am so envious - I want to take such gorgeous photos too. Guess I have to get off my duff and go out and shoot. :D

[jo]

Laurie, what fantastic shots! I'll definitely have to pay attention when you tell us how to shoot! and what to buy! You and Lee really know what you're talking about!

[photoshopsusieq]

Inspiring images.... thanks for posting them!

[LeeOtsubo]

Great shots Lee. When were you in Bosque?
I am here this week. I arrived on Wednesday and leave next Saturday. It keeps getting better each day.
Here are some images I posted on my blog the last few days.
www.laurieexcell.com/blog (http://www.laurieexcell.com/blog)
Thanks Laurie,
I was at Bosque from Sunday 11/18 - Saturday 11/24. If you noticed a light blue 73 VW Super Beetle, that was me. I stayed at the Birdwatchers' RV Park about 3 miles from the refuge.

Nice capture of the juvenile aplomado falcon. You must have been at the south end of the refuge where it hangs out. I saw the adult (http://www.pbase.com/image/89564410) at the north end but it was too far for my 300/2.8 w/ 2X TC.

[JulieM]

Wow! All these photos are inspiring. That must be a magical place to visit...

[Chuck S.]

Thanks Laurie,
I was at Bosque from Sunday 11/18 - Saturday 11/24. If you noticed a light blue 73 VW Super Beetle, that was me. I stayed at the Birdwatchers' RV Park about 3 miles from the refuge.

Nice capture of the juvenile aplomado falcon. You must have been at the south end of the refuge where it hangs out. I saw the adult (http://www.pbase.com/image/89564410) at the north end but it was too far for my 300/2.8 w/ 2X TC.

Which picture is the Aplomado falcon? I see a Northern Harrier and an American Kestrel. Was it on another page?

[lexcell]

I think Lee was referring to the American Kestral. I saw the Aplomado twice...once perched on a fence post and again in a tree with severe backlight.

Thanks everyone for the positive comments. I hope my images inspire you all to go out and keep working on what you love to photograph the most whether it's wildlife, landscapes, macro, people, etc. The more you are out shooting the better you become. I love how digital has really increased the learning curve with it's instant feedback.

[Chuck S.]

Laurie, thanks for sharing your photos with us - they are inspirational!