Made a quick visit to Samford with drives up to Mt Glorious last week. Stayed in the Baden-Powell scout property in our caravan, a great property with lots of birds and bush. Big learning curve in taking bird pics under rainforest canopy! All these are new ticks for me.
v. nice birds
Ryu
Canberra
Aiming for DSLR-quality shots with a bridge camera
Excellent shots and a great set of birds to get as new sightings - of those i have only seen the WH pigeon (once).
Did you use a flash in the rainforest?
Thanks WD. I took the WH Pigeon, Little Yellow robin and ground thrush using my 150 - 500 mm lens in the raindforest. Don't think flash will work properly with this long lens. Next time will up the ISO (It was on 400) for shots like the robin and the thrush. My shutter was set at 1/200 sec hand held. Thanks goodness for image stabiliser. Your thoughts on using flash in these conditions with a shorter lens, like a 300mm ?
I have not used a flash either, i just was wondering if you had to get your views on it! I think some do use them in the rainforest - either way its a tricky environment lighting wise, a patch work of the darkest shadows and bright spots of direct sunlight. You got some very nice shots of very nice birds there.
I've lived in Samford for the last 11 years and I still haven't photographed an Oriental Cuckoo!
Boy you really are on a steep learning curve. Pity you didn't PM me I would have loved to show you around. I live five minutes from the the Baden-Powell scout property, although work/bills etc does stop me from spending more time in the field.
In rain forest you need to use flash but it's not that difficult once you have played about and practised using the right settings.
Samford Valley Qld.
These are beautiful photos.
Could I just confirm the names? The Little yellow Robin is the second and the third is the ground Thrush I take it? The WH pigeon next and what are the first and last one?
elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks for your kind comments. The first is an Oriental Cuckoo and the last is a Rose-Crowned Fruit Dove. Both were in the bounds of the Baden Powell boy scout facility.
Cheers, Murray
Thanks Reflex,
Was a last minute decision to go to Samford, but would love to take you up on your kind offer next time. The Baden Powell facility I think is a hidden gem. There is so much bush there and so many birds. Took the Oriental Cuckoo about 100 metres off the Samford road on scout property. There are lots of tracks along the creek and branching out up hills etc. From what I understand my 150 - 500 mm lens is too long to allow the flash to reach the subject. The lens gets in the way. Must try it to see what happens. Anyway, many thanks for your comments and will keep in touch re another visit. It's only 70 minutes from here, so no excuses!
Some fantastic stuff under difficult conditions.
I find taking photos of little birds hard enough even worse when they have dark forest canopy to hide in :)
Dont take life too seriously, it never ends well
Great shots, Alcatraz. 2 birds there i have not got yet. Only been to MG once and i sure do miss the place.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Thanks rawshorty. I agree entirely. Must also say Baden Powell scout park, which takes caravans, is another good spot. We only did the rainforest walk at Maiala. There are so many other bush tracks that are less used that I can't wait to go back and find more species. Think I have sorted better setings for those dark canopy shots too. Cheers, Murray
Hi Reflex. Big apology to make. It has come to my attention that this is not an Oriental Cuckoo, but a Yellow Eyed Cuckoo-Shrike, also known, I think, as a Barred Cuckoo-Shrike. On the up side I am told this is an uncommon bird and a good image of it. Cheers, Muzz
Not a problem at all. Actually now that you mention it I should have picked up on the mistake. I have seen and photographed Barred Cuckoo Shrikes here. I am not familiar with the name Yellow-eyed Cuckoo-Shrike but makes sense once you have seen just how yellow the eyes are.
Samford Valley Qld.
Nice set alcatraz. I used to live just round the corner from Baden Powell Park and often go for walks around that area.
It took me a while to understand where the Oriental Cuckoo was until I read your last post.
I live not far from Samford (Mt Samson) and would also be happy to acompany you and reflex or show you around a few places if Reflex is busy.
This offer extends to any BIBY forum people. Just PM me and I would be happy to show you a few spots.
Much appreciated Devo. Same goes for visits to this area including Eagleby Wetlands (although is very quiet right now - more like Eagleby drylands) plus a couple of Egret rookeries nearby and a couple of spots for raptors on the Logan and Albert Rivers. Cheers, Murray