I want to add myself to your list of back-patters. These, as all your photos, are stellar.
Raptors really top the list of favorite birds (although Warblers in the spring probably beat them out…slightly). Sitting here in dismal Columbus OH, now is the beginning of raptor season. The next couple months will be the best time of year to shoot them.
I sent you a PM with some questions. I hope you will take the time to answer them.
Bruce
Thanks Bruce! Raptors are my fave as well. I sent a PM back.
FredM wrote:
Gorgeous serie, very good, but I have to say I find the 10 really splendid and really weel done the background counteract perfectly with the bird and the bird has a great position, perfect shot,... for me.
OwlsEyes wrote:
Amazing series Jody.
I've shot hawk owls before, but never with this type of success or quality. I really know the challenge of focusing on these flying bullets. I particularly like the images of the owl backed by the red/autumn foliage. Excellent work!
Were you using a MkIII or D3 to do these?... focus accuracy is killer.
cheers,
bruce
Thank you Bruce and I agree, Hawk Owls are tough to focus on! I use a 1DMKIIN with a 400/5.6 mounted on a bushhawk.
jjoejr wrote:
I've been a member for almost 5 years now. My opinion and consensus regarding your bird photos today and in the past are the best I've seen on here. A few questions. I understand "baiting" but do other birders find fault with it? And if so then why? Also having never owned a 1D series camera would it be an insult to you if I asked for you to send me an email of a few shots of the original files resized before any editing of the owl photos?
Thanx
John
Thanks for the kind words, John!
Yes most birders do not like baiting at all. It isn't because of the poor mouse, but because they claim this harms the Owl. The Owl is not forced to take food, he takes it because he is hungry. I have seen Owls not take baited mice. It is an endless discussion that comes up time to time with neither side "winning". The mice we use are raised solely for the purpose of feeding to Snakes and other reptiles.
I suppose this same group don't like hunters much.
I don't quite understand what you are asking me for regarding the files.
Colin Key wrote:
So, you baited the owl with seeds and berries in a feeder, I think NOT.
Nice avatar you have, speaks volumes.
Colin
I have bird feeders in my backyard also. It attracts all kinds of song birds which in turn attracts the Sharp Shinned Hawks, Coopers Hawks, Redtails, etc....which catch and eat the little guys. So I guess it is baiting after all, huh?
Thanks about the comment on my avatar, it speaks volumes about you.
Jody Melanson wrote:
I have bird feeders in my backyard also. It attracts all kinds of song birds which in turn attracts the Sharp Shinned Hawks, Coopers Hawks, Redtails, etc....which catch and eat the little guys. So I guess it is baiting after all, huh?
Thanks about the comment on my avatar, it speaks volumes about you.
If you were a UK (or even an EU) resident I would persevere with this until I procured a custodial sentence, something which you VERY much deserve. Your actions drag down the ethics of photographers, birders and general wildlife lovers into the sewers despite what your sycophantic acolytes seem to think.
Colin Key wrote:
If you were a UK (or even an EU) resident I would persevere with this until I procured a custodial sentence, something which you VERY much deserve. Your actions drag down the ethics of photographers, birders and general wildlife lovers into the sewers despite what your sycophantic acolytes seem to think.
Colin
The funny part of this is, I contacted the Minister of Natural Resources and they told me that I can bait and then shoot to kill the subject I am baiting. So I think baiting for a few pictures doesn't seem so bad.
It's too bad you don't live over here, I could take out photographing with me.
Colin Key wrote:
If you were a UK (or even an EU) resident I would persevere with this until I procured a custodial sentence, something which you VERY much deserve. Your actions drag down the ethics of photographers, birders and general wildlife lovers into the sewers despite what your sycophantic acolytes seem to think.
Colin
Colin,
perhaps you could spare us with your holier than thou diatribe and threats of costodial sentences. Baiting is a debate which has two (if not more) sides, and rather than shit on Jody's thread, perhaps you could respectfully agree to disagree and move on if it is not something you agree with
