Laughing Kookaburra

[pandora]

Hi ya Watha, let's pow wow!

Well this morning I went birding down by the creek and got lucky. I was sneaking along quietly like an Injun
when I heard a Kookaburra laugh but couldn't spot exactly where it was, so I stood very still beneath a tree until it laughed again.
I looked up and there it was perched on a branch not two metres above me; so close in fact the branch it was perched on cut across its body.
I moved away from the tree for a better camera angle when it flew to a tree about 10 paces away, and in full view as if to say to me, "Go for it",
so it was my turn to laugh myself all the way back along the river bank. A 40-150mm F2.8 Pro > Mode, F5.6, 1/400s, ISO 1250, 180mm = 360mm (35mm film camera equiv.)


40-150mm converted to 56-210mm, handheld (shot at 360mm > 35mm film camera equiv.)

SHOT WITH THE NEW 40-150mm f2.8 PRO

As a bonus I also captured a White Plumed Honeyeater



The following day:
This afternoon I went to a location where I had previously seen a large bird of prey circling overhead. After an hour I was ready
to quit when out of the blue there it was. The shots aren't very good so will try to do better next time. I haven't been able to ID it.
I've realised that inertia is the key to bird photography - it's like trout fishing, a great excuse to do nothing all day.




(It's a Whistling Kite) A mode, F6.3. 1/8000, 210mm, ISO1000

[shenstone]

The second is a real gem - nice gleam in the eye - you can almost see a camera lens reflected in it

[Greytop]

You're turning into a bit of a birder Mark
Nice shots

[Phill D]

Well now you are doing birds we don't get over here
Great captures Mark, impressive bokeh too. Like Andy I think the second is my favourite, that pose says a lot. That last image though is crying out to be painted, it would make a great Grenfell original.

[pandora]

Shenstone, Huw, Thanks.

Huw, yes, I've always aspired to be a birder but lacked the right kit for it. Now having spent all the kids inheritance on a new camera and lens, I may be able to achieve this long held ambition before I fall of my perch, if you will!

[pandora]

Thanks Phill, the new lens is an awsome bit of kit. I've had it for a week without having had the time or places to give it a thorough workout. I don't paint anymore, it simply didn't pay.

[pandora]

[pandora]

Thanks Mark.

[Olybirder]

Excellent bird shots with great poses and harmonious colours. You must be very pleased Mark.

Ron

[Phill D]

Given up the painting, ah well not to worry that last shot had an almost painted quality to it anyway. Much quicker than using brushes

[OM USer]

3 fins shots Mark; excellent pose in #2.

[Wally]

Saddened to hear you don't paint anymore.

I can only agree with all of the above. Three quality shots with #2 the creme de la creme. .

[IainMacD]

3 cracking shots Mark, keep it up!

[pandora]

Originally Posted by Olybirder

Excellent bird shots with great poses and harmonious colours. You must be very pleased Mark. Ron

Thanks Ron. It was one of those fortuitous days.

Originally Posted by Phill D

Given up the painting, ah well not to worry that last shot had an almost painted quality to it anyway. Much quicker than using brushes

Much cheaper too, Phill. Thanks.

Originally Posted by OM USer

3 fins shots Mark; excellent pose in #2.

Not often are birds so obliging as was this one, OM

Originally Posted by Wally

Saddened to hear you don't paint anymore. I can only agree with all of the above. Three quality shots with #2 the creme de la creme. .

Thanks Wally.

Originally Posted by IainMacD

3 cracking shots Mark, keep it up!

Thanks Iain.

[Internaut]

Nicely taken. Good to see the 40-150 Pro in action.