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Western Yellow Tailed Flosser
Western Yellow Tailed Flosser
Dennisheckman


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study 2014-05 (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Canon EOS-1D X
Lens: Canon EF 500mm f/4.0 IS II USM
Location: Genesee Park, CO
Date: May 21, 2014
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 320
Shutter: 1/250
Date Uploaded: May 10, 2014

 I have been contemplating buying a longer lens for about 6 months. The ones that really reach out there and get spectacular images of birds and wildlife. I was going back and forth between the 100-400 with the built in 1.4 extender, the 2.8 400mm, and the 500mm f/4. After really doing my research and reading lots of articles, I decided on the 500mm and the 1.4 extender. I think I chose wisely.

It arrived in time for our first camping trip of the season which was just a 2 hour drive from home. It was Crow Valley campground which is right next to Briggsdale CO in the middle of the Pawnee National Grasslands. This area is about 45 miles east of Ft Collins CO on Hwy 14. The Memorial day weekend was perfect weather and this campground happens to be a highly rated location for birders this time of year. It did not disappoint. I saw and learned about birds I had no idea existed. I'm not a birder, but what a place to go use my new lens and learn. The campground has only 10 single RV spaces and a few spaces for group camping, it's not very big but there is plenty of space between camping spaces. We really didn't even have to leave our "backyard", the birds just came to us! We had an awesome time.

I'm excited to get out and do more wildlife photography now.

The story behind this entry is however taken at a different location. I received the lens and a RRS (Really Right Stuff) gimbal head mount at the office. But when I finally had time to take a few minutes and start playing with it, it had started raining like crazy, I drove up to Genesee Park, (where it was not raining yet,) which is just 10 minutes from my office and I got the lens out and started setting it up. I started to install the RRS lens foot, and realized I had ordered the wrong foot!! I couldn't mount it on the gimbal head. I was a bit bummed and had to call RRS right away to get the correct foot shipped overnight. I decided to go ahead and shoot a few shot just handholding the monster lens. Quickly realized handholding more than one or two shots is really not very practical. During this time, I noticed a bird making some noise in a nearby tree. I was at a picnic table so I rested the lens on the picnic table seat and started shooting. So, within 10 minutes of using this lens, I had already gotten a really great shot! I was so happy. That raised my confidence level greatly going into the long holiday weekend.

Here are some shots from the weekend. The gimbal head makes all the difference with using a lens of this size. You can adjust it so it's perfectly balanced. One pinky finger is all you need to move it.















Statistics
Place: 7 out of 174
Avg (all users): 6.7586
Avg (commenters): 7.7692
Avg (participants): 6.7419
Avg (non-participants): 6.8000
Views since voting: 1058
Views during voting: 160
Votes: 87
Comments: 15
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra
Sony Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS
 06/08/2014 01:12:50 AM
Heck of a finish for an imaginary bird, sir :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Fujifilm X-Pro2
Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R IOS
 06/08/2014 12:27:55 AM
Wow, Dennis. You are a natural with that lens. I look forward to more from you two.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Canon EOS-40D
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
 06/07/2014 11:36:31 PM
Amazing energy
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Ricoh GR III
Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR
 06/07/2014 11:04:31 PM
Excellent nature shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR
 06/07/2014 10:40:26 PM
Beautiful shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS
 06/07/2014 09:39:13 PM
Is he trying to untie the tree? Great capture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sigma DP1x
06/07/2014 08:17:29 PM
Playful!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO
 06/07/2014 01:16:48 PM
I'm not big on bird pics, but this one really caught my eye. Fun title as well. A high vote for this.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS R6
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM
 06/04/2014 03:07:37 PM
+1 for the fantastic timing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Fujifilm X-T1
Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R
 06/03/2014 08:49:08 PM
So cute. I love the shimmery greens in the background.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Fujifilm X-Pro3
Fujifilm XF 23mm f/2 R WR
 06/03/2014 04:07:03 PM
pun intended? */*
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Sony Alpha a77
Tamron AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD IF Macro Lens for Nikon
 06/03/2014 12:51:05 AM
Great Capture
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7200
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G
 06/02/2014 03:41:45 PM
The background really draws the eye into the subject.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D800
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D
 06/01/2014 07:01:08 PM
Perfect dof.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark III
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0 L USM
 06/01/2014 07:29:14 AM
id like to give you a 10 just for the name
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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