Bald Eagles from Saturday morning

That's the thing about Eagles, unless you happen to be there, still, or inside an observation tent, to try and approach these guys for a good shot, forget it, they spook easily.

Maybe in B.C. or Portland, you might get close.

Excellent effort.

80-400VR, I'm drooling.   

Blue Heron, they make great subjects.
What state are you in? Bison, must be nice. Careful.

O give me a home, where the buffalo roam, where the deer and the antelope play...

I'm in Utah.  I actually really like it here, too.  Aside from the fact that it's the only place I've ever lived; I think it's very under-estimated for its natural resources.  Which is sad, because even the people that live here don't realize what we have.  And because of that, it often gets put off or set aside in lieu of other issues.  However, there are several parks and reserves that are supporting a wide variety of animals and birds.  Some have obtained nationaly recognition for what they do.  I actually thought I knew quite a bit about a lot of them, but the more I research, the more I realize that there is more here than I ever knew of as well.  This is great for me, and I'm making friends already, so I'm more excited than ever to be photographing all this.  I just hope to do some good with it as well.

Anyway, I like the 80-400 so far, but the AF is very touchy.  And maybe that's just because of the DOF at such a long focal length.  The focusing is slow, too.  I knew this from several reviews I read before I bought it, but I also know it's capable of some great stuff in the right hands.  So, I just have to teach myself what it can and can't do well, I guess.  Also, I am so used to doing manual focus on things that don't move, or AF on subjects that don't move very fast or very far, that I'm not really used to the AF-C and continuous shooting modes on my D80.  I'm not trying to make excuses, just stating that I realize I have some learning curve for my new little undertaking.  I have always done some wildlife photography, but never with the intent of selling it.  Now, I have been working with a stock agency that seems to think I have some potential to give them what they need, I am looking at my wildlife work with some new eyes.  I will be posting more of this type of work now, and I desperately want to get good at it, so keep feeding me the critiques, please.

Thanks again.

another trick is to set auto ISO, shutter priority and put the shutter on 1000.

use a monopod or the dog leash trick (put a loop around your lens, stand on the other end of the "leash" and pull up. the pressure will hold the camera steady.

I've been using the limit switch on the side of the lens with some success.  It is invaluable on this lens, I think.

F/8, I will need to try to stick with that.  I have been trying wide open, except on the top photograph of this set.  Could be why it's so much sharper.

I have also been trying to use the "C" mode.  (You did mean for focus, right?)  That's part of what I'm trying to learn.  I'm not used to the focus moving all the time; it's unnerving to me.  I have to get used to it I think.

No monopod, I've been using my tripod with the legs folded up though.  Maybe it's time to move to the monopod.  I have kept hold of a small ball head from an old tripod just for use on a monopod.  One of those 'someday' things.  Maybe that day has come at last.

And I always shoot RAW.

Thanks again,

Travis

Of course, the shallow depth of field here is great.  It is certainly a tool that is commonly used.

Many (if not most) lenses have a sweet spot somewhere between f/8 and f/11.  Regardless of the science of it, one really needs to read reviews of specific lenses as they are all a little different in their design.  There is more to it than just the maximum aperture, so if you're concerned about it, do your homework.  On my 80-400, I honestly couldn't tell you for sure where it is, although I suspect it's probably f/8 as well.

Travis