Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
p.60 #1Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
The first shot is purposely soft and subtle, as I wanted to convey the bobcat hiding in the grasses...
A strong "glow" effect was used to both isolate the cat while having it blend into the envrironment...
The second one is almost the exact opposite... here the cat is on the move looking to hunt. Rather than applying a glow affect, I simply sharpened the image slightly to cause the animal to pop out of the background.
regards,
bruce
Edited on Jan 14, 2026 at 11:49 PM · View previous versions
A strong "glow" effect was used to both isolate the cat while having it blend into the envrironment...
The second one is almost the exact opposite... here the cat is on the move looking to hunt. Rather than applying a glow affect, I simply sharpened the image slightly to cause the animal to pop out of the background.
regards,
bruce
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/9.0 1/160s 800 ISO +0.3 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/5.6 1/2500s 1800 ISO +1.0 EV
Edited on Jan 14, 2026 at 11:49 PM · View previous versions
Jan 14, 2026 at 07:33 PM
p.60 #2Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Lovely images Bruce!
OwlsEyes wrote:
The first shot This is purposely soft and subtle, as I wanted to convey the bobcat hiding in the grasses...
A strong "glow" effect was used to both isolate the cat while having it blend into the envrionment...
Fast aperture and narrow field of view are trademarks of the 400 f2.8TC.
The second one is almost the exact opposite... here the cat is on the move looking to hunt. Rather than applying a glow affect, I simply sharpened the image slightly to cause the animal to pop out of the background.
regards,
bruce
OwlsEyes wrote:
The first shot This is purposely soft and subtle, as I wanted to convey the bobcat hiding in the grasses...
A strong "glow" effect was used to both isolate the cat while having it blend into the envrionment...
Fast aperture and narrow field of view are trademarks of the 400 f2.8TC.
The second one is almost the exact opposite... here the cat is on the move looking to hunt. Rather than applying a glow affect, I simply sharpened the image slightly to cause the animal to pop out of the background.
regards,
bruce
Jan 14, 2026 at 10:24 PM
p.60 #3Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Wire tailed swallows
GB9_7786-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
GB9_7712-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
GB9_8032-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
GB9_8299-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
GB9_8230-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
GB9_7707-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
GB9_7786-NEF by Ganesh B, on FlickrGB9_7712-NEF by Ganesh B, on FlickrGB9_8032-NEF by Ganesh B, on FlickrGB9_8299-NEF by Ganesh B, on FlickrGB9_8230-NEF by Ganesh B, on FlickrGB9_7707-NEF by Ganesh B, on FlickrJan 14, 2026 at 10:35 PM
p.60 #4Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
gannis wrote:
Lovely images Bruce!
A strong "glow" effect was used to both isolate the cat while having it blend into the envrionment...
Fast aperture and narrow field of view are trademarks of the 400 f2.8TC.
The second one is almost the exact opposite... here the cat is on the move looking to hunt. Rather than applying a glow affect, I simply sharpened the image slightly to cause the animal to pop out of the background.
regards,
bruce
Thank you
Lovely images Bruce!
OwlsEyes wrote
The first shot This is purposely soft and subtle, as I wanted to convey the bobcat hiding in the grasses...A strong "glow" effect was used to both isolate the cat while having it blend into the envrionment...
Fast aperture and narrow field of view are trademarks of the 400 f2.8TC.
The second one is almost the exact opposite... here the cat is on the move looking to hunt. Rather than applying a glow affect, I simply sharpened the image slightly to cause the animal to pop out of the background.
regards,
bruce
Thank you
Jan 14, 2026 at 11:46 PM
p.60 #5Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
gannis wrote:
Wire tailed swallows
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55039763989_bdd4da5be1_b.jpgGB9_7786-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55039510561_2e938f103a_b.jpgGB9_7712-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55039850900_1ed76c3542_b.jpgGB9_8032-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55039512316_3149f24a8b_b.jpgGB9_8299-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55039764814_557959ef02_b.jpgGB9_8230-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55039687048_3343cfe2e1_b.jpgGB9_7707-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
Super cool series...
I've never seen this species before, love the wispy tail feathers... Excellent work.
regards,
bruce
Wire tailed swallows
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55039763989_bdd4da5be1_b.jpgGB9_7786-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55039510561_2e938f103a_b.jpgGB9_7712-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55039850900_1ed76c3542_b.jpgGB9_8032-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55039512316_3149f24a8b_b.jpgGB9_8299-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55039764814_557959ef02_b.jpgGB9_8230-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55039687048_3343cfe2e1_b.jpgGB9_7707-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
Super cool series...
I've never seen this species before, love the wispy tail feathers... Excellent work.
regards,
bruce
Jan 14, 2026 at 11:48 PM
p.60 #6Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
These are wonderful images Bruce. Try as I might, I rarely see Bobcats here in South Florida and never when I have a camera in hand.
Doug
Doug
Jan 15, 2026 at 04:30 AM
p.60 #7Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
pesto wrote:
These are wonderful images Bruce. Try as I might, I rarely see Bobcats here in South Florida and never when I have a camera in hand.
Doug
Thanks Doug...
They are not easy to find, but every once in a while you can put yourself in a spot where they won't run away. If you invest the time and allow them to go about their business, they will often settle down and allow for a few photographic opportunities.
bruce
These are wonderful images Bruce. Try as I might, I rarely see Bobcats here in South Florida and never when I have a camera in hand.
Doug
Thanks Doug...
They are not easy to find, but every once in a while you can put yourself in a spot where they won't run away. If you invest the time and allow them to go about their business, they will often settle down and allow for a few photographic opportunities.
bruce
Jan 15, 2026 at 10:07 AM
p.60 #8Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Thanks a lot Bruce!
OwlsEyes wrote:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55039763989_bdd4da5be1_b.jpgGB9_7786-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55039510561_2e938f103a_b.jpgGB9_7712-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55039850900_1ed76c3542_b.jpgGB9_8032-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55039512316_3149f24a8b_b.jpgGB9_8299-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55039764814_557959ef02_b.jpgGB9_8230-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55039687048_3343cfe2e1_b.jpgGB9_7707-NEF by Ganesh B, on FlickrSuper cool series...
I've never seen this species before, love the wispy tail feathers... Excellent work.
regards,
bruce
OwlsEyes wrote:
gannis wrote
Wire tailed swallowshttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55039763989_bdd4da5be1_b.jpgGB9_7786-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55039510561_2e938f103a_b.jpgGB9_7712-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55039850900_1ed76c3542_b.jpgGB9_8032-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55039512316_3149f24a8b_b.jpgGB9_8299-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55039764814_557959ef02_b.jpgGB9_8230-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55039687048_3343cfe2e1_b.jpgGB9_7707-NEF by Ganesh B, on Flickr
I've never seen this species before, love the wispy tail feathers... Excellent work.
regards,
bruce
Jan 15, 2026 at 10:02 PM
p.60 #9Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Got lucky my last outing!! Felt good after 3 outing with a blank memory card!!!
Great Gray owl by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
Great gray owl by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
Great gray owl by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
Great gray owl by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
Great Gray owl by eric laquerre, sur FlickrGreat gray owl by eric laquerre, sur FlickrGreat gray owl by eric laquerre, sur FlickrGreat gray owl by eric laquerre, sur FlickrJan 22, 2026 at 06:27 PM
p.60 #10Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Last one, preparing for landing!!
Great gray owl by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
Edited on Jan 28, 2026 at 08:00 PM · View previous versions
Great gray owl by eric laquerre, sur FlickrEdited on Jan 28, 2026 at 08:00 PM · View previous versions
Jan 23, 2026 at 07:48 PM
|
p.60 #11Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Lovely image Eric!
rick2906 wrote:
Last one, preparing for landing!!
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55056698012_902a2d90f6_h.jpgGreat gray owl by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
rick2906 wrote:
Last one, preparing for landing!!
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55056698012_902a2d90f6_h.jpgGreat gray owl by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
Jan 24, 2026 at 12:44 AM
p.60 #12Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Thank you!!
Jan 24, 2026 at 04:37 AM
p.60 #13Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Gret gray owl by eric laquerre, sur FlickrJan 28, 2026 at 07:59 PM
p.60 #14Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Rick - all those GGO shots are bangers but this one, the one landing, is off the charts!
Jan 29, 2026 at 02:04 PM
p.60 #15Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Two from this week.. more to follow.
In both cases, I was fighting some pretty challening light. I am hoping to revisit the rushing grebes on an overcast morning. Because of the conditions, I just leaned into the contrast. I'll share more as I think about how to process the picturs.
bruce
Cross-posted the mating owls in the Z-System thread.
In both cases, I was fighting some pretty challening light. I am hoping to revisit the rushing grebes on an overcast morning. Because of the conditions, I just leaned into the contrast. I'll share more as I think about how to process the picturs.
bruce
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Z TC-1.4x lens 784mm f/6.3 1/4000s 220 ISO -3.3 EV
Cross-posted the mating owls in the Z-System thread.
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 400mm f/3.5 1/1000s 12800 ISO 0.0 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Z TC-1.4x lens 560mm f/6.3 1/4000s 64 ISO -2.7 EV
Jan 29, 2026 at 07:03 PM
p.60 #16Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
Thank you!!!
Jan 30, 2026 at 05:20 AM
p.60 #17Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/2500s 500 ISO
Great gray owl by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/2500s 500 ISO
Great gray owl by eric laquerre, sur Flickr
Great gray owl by eric laquerre, sur FlickrNIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/2500s 500 ISO
Great gray owl by eric laquerre, sur FlickrFeb 03, 2026 at 05:50 AM
p.60 #18Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
I went to one of my usual spots to photograph shorebirds during low tide, but the tide was so low and the mudflat so thick, that I passed on the shoot. I feared that my muck boots would sink and I'd get stuck. Fortunately, I found a pair of sea otters foraging in the harbor. I normally photograph this species from a kayak, but was able to take advantage of the tide and get at eye level. I rarely like human elements intruding in on my wildlife subjects, but I really like the colors of reflected boats in the shot.
The second image is of rushing grebes. I went to a spot within an hour of my home to photograph this behavior again. I was there last week and decided otherwise revisit the location today with the hope of getting some cloud cover. Needless to say, there was not a cloud in the sky. The contrast of white feathers against black makes this a really hard shoot. Fortunately, the birds lined up in a way that that I could hold back the highlights and pull up the shadows.
cheers,
bruce
The second image is of rushing grebes. I went to a spot within an hour of my home to photograph this behavior again. I was there last week and decided otherwise revisit the location today with the hope of getting some cloud cover. Needless to say, there was not a cloud in the sky. The contrast of white feathers against black makes this a really hard shoot. Fortunately, the birds lined up in a way that that I could hold back the highlights and pull up the shadows.
cheers,
bruce
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/6.3 1/4000s 5600 ISO +0.3 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Z TC-1.4x lens 784mm f/5.6 1/2000s 64 ISO -2.7 EV
Feb 03, 2026 at 08:29 AM
p.60 #19Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
I'm in Florida for a few days and went to Orlando Wetlands yesterday morning. Here's a selection from the morning.
Spoonbill
Anhinga
Another Spoonbill
Glossy Ibis a little different view
Peregrene Falcon with catch of the morning (a Grebe)
Spoonbill
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/1600s 1000 ISO -0.3 EV
Anhinga
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 400mm f/2.8 1/2000s 140 ISO -0.3 EV
Another Spoonbill
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 400mm f/2.8 1/2000s 110 ISO -0.3 EV
Glossy Ibis a little different view
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 400mm f/2.8 1/3200s 250 ISO 0.0 EV
Peregrene Falcon with catch of the morning (a Grebe)
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 400mm f/2.8 1/3200s 80 ISO -0.3 EV
Feb 14, 2026 at 09:50 AM
p.60 #20Official Nikon 400/2.8S image thread + some discussions
It looks like the "rushing season is over." These are a few from my last week, and likely my last outing until January 2027...
cheers,
bruce
cheers,
bruce
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/4.0 1/4000s 800 ISO -1.0 EV
NIKON Z 9 NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens 560mm f/5.0 1/4000s 400 ISO -2.0 EV
Feb 18, 2026 at 08:19 PM