drigo

thanks..i used my 70-200 f/2.8..
i finally got around to visiting the alligator farm here in st.augustine..iv'e heard a lot of great opportunities for bird shots there...they have all kinds of birds that migrate and lay eggs there around this time of year..i'll post some of the other shots i got..it was intimidating when i saw the other photographers and their gear...these guys were packing 400-500mm lenses..

srika

http://www.flickr.com/photos/delobbo/4596708414/

wndrlst

Seriously. The couple of times I've been to the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge down there, I've seen the same giant lenses.

drigo

ok..here we go....some pics i took from the alligator farm...

9 shot panoramic view of the rookery where all the birds hang out...



the shooters and their heavy artillery...

jupitersolo

Looks like fun, like the pano. Just look at this place on , funny that it's surrounded by houses.

drigo

some of the shots i was able to get...a lot of the birds are nestled in the trees and were kinda hard to shoot...especially with only a 200mm max zoom..next time i need to bring my tripod cause a lot were shot at 200mm and i had a hard time keeping still...also a flash would've been helpfull for fill light...i'm definitely going back...

had to shoot an alligator since it was the "alligator farm"



on with the birds...

srika

oh man those are great! 100x better than most zoo or other wildlife shots I see at other boards. especially love the parrot and the crowned bird (boy am I rusty on my birds). nice pano too.

drigo

drigo

thanks guys...i was really pleased with some of these pics..especially for doing it for the first time...i was worried most would come out blurry...never thought i would enjoy it but i had tons of fun shooting these...

stogie1020

JS,

I really like the processing on the first three!

Drigo, AWESOME pics of the birds!

jupitersolo

drigo, these are better than random!

drigo

thanks jup! i thought random meant "just because"?
you still planning on coming down this summer? if you are..let me know..i can take you to these places..

jupitersolo

I want to come back down, the wife dragged me down for springbreak in Orlando, so it might be awhile. I wanted to take off a day on my own, them wussed out at the last minute on bringing down most of my gear, on the airplane.

LKLD

Very sharp photos Drigo....seriously

Sarlacc

Good stuff drigo

drigo

thanks guys...i really appreciate it...

Adri

Whoa! Drigo! Awesome shots! Loving the colors!
Huge lens! How much heavier does the lens get as you increase to zoom capabilities?

wndrlst

Very nice! I'll have to check that place out next time we go visit my in-laws. You did a great job!!

srika

which 70-200 2.8 did you have again? IS or non-IS?

srika

and oh yeah, wrong thread, for sure! haha I'm just lol'ing at the shot I posted prior to your bird shots.. it's just like,

drigo

non-IS version...i was too cheap to go for the IS version

srika

well your shots show you don't *need* IS. I see a couple with movement but let's be honest taking shots of animals like that is no easy task, these guys move fast!

srika

i just love the contrast and clarity on those lenses - I want one!

srika

artsy fartsy cow shot

http://www.flickr.com/photos/delobbo/4599301996/

drigo

i didn't think i would have a problem that day since it was sunny as can be..i figured i could get fast enough shutter speeds...so i didnt bring my tripod..what i didnt realize was most these birds were nestled in the trees where it was darker...trust me..there were a lot that came out blurry

drigo

contrast and sharpness are really awesome on this lens...i had the f/4 version and it was just as sharp...i just needed something faster and i'm glad i made the switch..
i'm surprised you haven't picked one up yet...this lens makes a great portrait lens...

srika

http://www.flickr.com/photos/delobbo/4599717848/

srika

http://www.flickr.com/photos/delobbo/4598599091/

drigo

dude...your B&W's kick ass!

srika

thanks, I been really trying lately

CGP CL9

jupitersolo

+1

CGP CL9

wndrlst

^Cute duck!!

+1. The IS doesn't help with subject motion anyway, so I'm limited with both horses and people to shutter speeds that will freeze them. I don't think I would really benefit from an IS lens with the types of photography I use it for. At least that's what I tell myself.

jupitersolo

Not going to help for movement except the photographers movement. IS/VR really just allows you to lower your shutter speed for a steady shot.

wndrlst

Exactly, and if it's that slow, I'm going to be getting motion blur in my subject anyway.

CGP CL9

drigo what lens is that?

drigo

Haha...i tell myself the same thing

drigo

70-200 f/2.8 non-IS

srika

http://www.flickr.com/photos/delobbo/4602192904/