Ohhhh myyyy I am loving that Shoveler shot Kirk, a favorite duck of mine that I have never got a chance at an IF blast off like this and man you absolutely nailed it my friend

Always nice to see Greenies and not often able to see the IF but again you are on target! By the way, IMHO I think your contrast is off on the Greenies, just going to post one for thought then will pull it, unless it was the warm light that did it??

RB Mergies are cool to see, landing shot is great, again this one seems a bit shallow on contrast?? I think you spoiled me with #1 Also, the shredding water in the landing Mergie looks strangely gray to me??

Karl

I always enjoy your post, Kirk. Your images all have clean bg, great sharpness and good composition. My favorite is the Merganser with the water droplet on its bill.

Nate

Tim Kuhn wrote:
Gold my friend pure gold. I scrolled through these and each one brought all sorts of thoughts of praise to my mind. You sure are skilled Kruk, even if you have a funny name. Seriously between your techs and your style you shots truly do stand out from the rest. Real eye candy my friend. You won me over with the first but even an easier shot, such as 3, is an excellent execution. Super work Kirk!

Tim

Many, many thanks for the very kind words my friend.

I love being a part of this community. You have seen firsthand the vast improvements in my images... that is a direct result of all that I have learned, and continue to learn, from people like you who continue to show others the way to better images.

Thanks again buddy.

Kruk

randysc wrote:
These are all super images. #1 is a stunner

Randy

Thanks so much Randy, most appreciated.

Kirk

birdied wrote:
Superb set Kirk !!!

You are setting the bar way up there

Birdie

Thanks Birdie, really appreciate the gracious words.
You'll do GREAT with this camera.

Kirk

Ed Robertson wrote:
NICE NICE NICE. Ed

THANKS! THANKS! THANKS! Ed

harshaj1 wrote:
Ed Robertson wrote:
NICE NICE NICE. Ed
You should get one
Harsha

+1

harshaj1 wrote:
Terrific images Kirk.
harsha

Thanks Harsha, so appreciate your kind words.

Kirk

trenchmonkey wrote:
You're really shovelin' the D800 love out, Kirkster



Thanks amigo.

RandyR wrote:
these look great Kirk

i just got a 2nd d800 they are so good but I still like the fps from the d4 sometimes


Thanks a ton Randy.
Yeah, I would love to have some more FPS on some occasions, but 5-6 is usually sufficient.

Kirk

jbr13 wrote:
Kirk, Very nice set. My personal favorite is #1.

What do you attribute the increase in keeper rate to with the D800? Is it ISO, the ability to crop in more, or something else?

Thanks for sharing the images and information.

Jason

Thanks for the good words Jason, #1 is one of my best IF's ever.

Coming from 5 years of shooting with the D300 and 300 f/4 with 1.4TC (which was always advertised as slow AF performance) was quite frustrating at times when I would get the perfect shot framed but often slightly OOF. The AF acquisition and tracking with this combo is vastly improved on the D800, especially impressed with acquisition. Any OOF frames now are totally on my tracking skills, when I keep the focus point on the bird the camera tracks it beautifully.

High ISO performance and the ability to crop more has also allowed me to keep images I wouldn't keep with the D300.

I love this camera and have no regrets whatsoever.

Kirk

tfoltz wrote:
Great set Kirk, that greenie is really giving you the eye

-Tim

Thanks Tim. The Greenie gave me a really nice incoming opportunity... love when that happens.

Kirk

72chevelle454 wrote:
Awesome stuff here Kruk
The greenie and shoveler are my favs.

Chad

Thanks Chad... it's great to see you posting more often and having you around.

blueimage wrote:
These are sweet Kirk, congrats on the new cam.

Jim

Thanks so much Jim, really appreciate the good words.

Kirk

Storm300 wrote:
Wow. Excellent set. I thought I was doing pretty good getting my best Shoveler images to date with the 600mm.. until I saw your #1 ;-)

Mike

Really appreciate the good words Mike... that Shoveler image is one of my favorite IF's ever.

Kirk

David Leask wrote:
Terrific shots Kirk. Glad the new rig is performing
David


Many thanks David, loving the new rig for sure.

Kirk

CDaescher wrote:
A very good looking set, Kirk.
The first is my favorite. Great details and colors in there.
Chris

Thanks Chris, glad you enjoyed these... #1 is my favorite too.

Kirk

Rob Tillyer wrote:
Great work Kirk, #1

Rob

Thanks for the pick Rob... #1 is definitely the front-runner.

Kirk

Shasoc wrote:
Kirk, you are making that camera sing!. These are really good. Every shot is sharp as a tack, with great colors and fine detail. Great quality work
Socrate

Many, many thanks for the very kind and generous words Socrate. I'm really enjoying the significant improvement in IQ over the D300.

Kirk

BeeBalm wrote:
Kirk, a fantastic set! Love 2 and 5 best BeeBalm

Thank you so much BeeBalm, most appreciated.

Kirk