A Sunny Day in Winter

Always a welcome albeit rare, treat is a sunny day.  We went out to see if we could find anything of interest and sure enough found something.

There are a few Short eared Owls wintering at the Nanaimo River Estuary.  This day I watched one hunting in the grass field by the parking lot.
NIKON D300, f/7.1 @ 500 mm, 1/1000, ISO 400

NIKON D300, f/7.1 @ 500 mm, 1/500, ISO 400

Another sunny day we found this juvenile Bald Eagle just lifting off this stump in beautiful light.  500 mm @ 1/1000 sec, F8  with ISO 320 gives a really nice, sharp image.

I tried out the 1.4 TC on my 500 lens.  I find it a bit soft but perhaps if I shoot at F11 instead of F8 it may improve the sharpness.  This adult was sitting at the top of a tree and I was able to get right in there with 700 mm @ 1/1000 sec, F8 with ISO 320.

I guess he finally got tired of sitting and lifted off.  I usually miss these shots, especially with the big lens because it's really hard to track birds in flight.  I'm still getting used to the gimbal tripod head as well.

700 mm @ 1/800 sec, F8 with ISO 320.

Christmas break is over and that means back to work!  Who knows when I'll get out shooting next, I hear more snow is on the way.