Gang Gangs

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Lachlan
Lachlan's picture
Gang Gangs

I have finally plucked up enough courage to post some of my photos on the forum. Please be kind all. smileyAny criticism or suggestion on how to improve would be very welcome. All three photos are from Canberra in April, the last one is Photoshopped. 

rawshorty
rawshorty's picture

Don't know why you were reluctant to post, i would be happy to post these.

Peter (pacman) will be happy with these he has been in Canberra for months and hasn't seen one yetcheeky

Botanic Gardens?

One tip is when the bird is in the shadows and you have a bright sky set your camera to over expose by 1 and 2 thirds.

This will blow out the sky but expose the bird nicely.

Keep postingsmiley

Shorty......Canon gear

Canberra

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/ 

Elsie
Elsie's picture

Beautiful photos!

Great jobsmiley

Araminta
Araminta's picture

I was just going to say the same as Shorty. I love the compostion, the last one is just beautiful.

I do what Shorty suggests, on grey days, or shooting against a bright background, (birds will be in the shadows), I change the "exposure compensation" on my camera before I take photos. To adjust it I quickly check the photos I took on the screen.

What is it about Canberra? There seem to be lots of birds and people with cameras.

Waiting for more of your photoscool

M-L

pacman
pacman's picture

Lachlan wrote:

All three photos are from Canberra in April, the last one is Photoshopped. 

I am so pleased to see that the pics are from April, I Have been here since April and have not yet sighted a GangGang crying

Peter

Lachlan
Lachlan's picture

They were in the trees along Anzac Parade where the memorials are, feasting on the flowers that had just started. I was really pleased to see them, I live in South Western Sydney and was just visiting Canberra for the long weekend to have a look around. For some reason you don't see many of them further north...

I considered the exposure, but wasn't sure what to expose for, as it was a bright sunny day and the Gang Gangs were in heavy dappled shade. I was worried that if I exposed for the shady areas I would loose the parts of the birds that had light on them. Any tips on how to deal with that shade would be nice as well (I'll have to remember 1 2/3 as well).  

Glad you all liked them, I guess I over criticise my own photos!

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Lachlan, we are all are own worst critics, don't worry too much about your photos, do what I do (only occasionally, can't get out, work and rain!) and post YOUR BEST PHOTOS. If I have 1 disappointing part of this forum, it is everyone apologizing for the quality of their photos, and sometimes I think that discourages some from posting at all, which is a real shame. Members here like to see them all, and don't get hung up on how many comments you get or don't. All we want is for you to have a good time and enjoy your twitching.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

Araminta
Araminta's picture

You are right Dale. But if anybody can answer a specific question, and Lachlan asked one, it's nice to get an answer, isn't it?

I think we all like Lachlan's photos, and want to see more of them. Bring them on yes they are great.

M-L

dwatsonbb
dwatsonbb's picture

Sorry, also forgot to thank Lachlan sharing his photos, they are great. Agree with your reply to my post M-L. Not only does the answers given help Lachlan, they can help everyone. Was not trying discourage Lachlan from asking but was referring to his apparent hesitancy to post until now. For example, I am unlikely to see Gang Gangs, as we don't have them in the south of Tasmania, they are supposed to be up north, but we don't get that way very often. Love to see different species, from diffferent places, so come everyone post you pics!

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

Elsie
Elsie's picture

Definitely keep posting Lachlan! I have great pleasure looking at everyones photos, the more the better! cheeky And same as Dale, I don't know when I will ever see a Gang Gang crying

sacrednavel
sacrednavel's picture

Gorgeous!  I especially love the third photo....male Gang Gangs are the Las Vegas Showgirls of the bird world.

pacman
pacman's picture

Elsie wrote:

I don't know when I will ever see a Gang Gang 

Wow, just the way I am thinking, 5 weeks more in Canberra, but who's counting wink

Peter

Lachlan
Lachlan's picture

Surely you will see one in that amount of time?

On the other hand, birds do love to spite people...

pacman
pacman's picture

Lachlan wrote:

Surely you will see one in that amount of time?

I've been here for 4 months and no sightings yet; off to Qld this weekend and will visit John Oxley Nature reserve tomorrow morning looking for the White-throated Nightjar

Peter

Araminta
Araminta's picture

You almost make me cryingcrying Peter.

Are you trying to tell us, finding a White-throated Nightjar is easier?

M-L

Lachlan
Lachlan's picture

My guide suggests that Gang Gangs disperse from the highlands in winter to the more costal and 'sub-inland' regions. Maybe that's why you haven't seen any in Canberra? Although, you would think Gang Gangs from the Snowies and Brindabellas would head down to Canberra... 

Maybe you should go back to Queensland via Nowra; it's only a little detoursmiley... And over 200 Freckled Ducks sounds pretty impressive (thanks, Eremaea!) 

Where's John Oxley Nature Reserve? I couldn't find it on Google Maps (although there is a John Oxley Reserve in Brisbane?).

pacman
pacman's picture

Araminta wrote:

You almost make me cryingcrying Peter.

Are you trying to tell us, finding a White-throated Nightjar is easier?

laugh I will tell you tomorrow lunch time if it is

Peter

pacman
pacman's picture

Lachlan wrote:

Where's John Oxley Nature Reserve? I couldn't find it on Google Maps (although there is a John Oxley Reserve in Brisbane?).

oops, too much nature from me, John Oxley Reserve, Ogg Road, Murrumba Downs

Peter

Lachlan
Lachlan's picture

You're going from Canberra to Brisbane in one day? That's an impressive trip. Sydney-Brisbane is enough of a slog, but the extra 2.5 hours would make it pretty miserable. Good luck!smiley

rawshorty
rawshorty's picture

Lachlan wrote:

You're going from Canberra to Brisbane in one day? That's an impressive trip. Sydney-Brisbane is enough of a slog, but the extra 2.5 hours would make it pretty miserable. Good luck!smiley

He drives like a madman, he gets there is less than 2 hourswink

Shorty......Canon gear

Canberra

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/ 

pacman
pacman's picture

Lachlan wrote:

You're going from Canberra to Brisbane in one day?

I did not drive, I went with a Virgin; ps did not see the nightjar, neither did the other 5 guys

Peter

Lachlan
Lachlan's picture

Aaah... That makes mare sense... Now I feel really stupid! 

Otherwise 1200km from Canberra to Brisbane... Thats 600km/h, only slightly above the speed limit!

Mind you, considering the current raft of JetStar sales, it would probably be cheaper to fly than to drive. I just habitually think of driving...

Pity about the nightjar... 

pacman
pacman's picture

Lachlan wrote:

Now I feel really stupid! 

Don't, as those that know me would not be surprised, my best 1 day distances are a tad further than Canberra-Brisbane, I will be back tomorrow morning for another walk around John Oxley Reserve

Peter

Lachlan
Lachlan's picture

Well, good luck with the Nightjar for tomorrow then! 

Still feel a bit silly... smiley

Annie W
Annie W's picture

Definitely please keep posting Lachlan!  These are awesome, their cheeky characters captured yes.  I have yet to see one here in (North) Tassie.  My fav shot is the last one too, I love their "hairdo's" laugh.

West Coast Tasmania

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