Woody's 2021 Photon Quest

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
Sawhill Duck Pond just after sunrise

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Woodyg3

Senior Member
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I went with my new 500mm f/5.6 pf to a location well known for Wood Ducks today. Guess what? No Wood Ducks. Not even one! But I was anxious to try out the new lens and found a few subjects to shoot with some nice Fall colors reflected in the water. I'm very happy with the new lens, BTW. :)

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Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
To me, American Bitterns always look like they are mad at the fish they catch. It's that pronounced brow in front of the eye. Almost like an eagle. :)

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Dangerspouse

Senior Member
So Woody, you've had the new 500 for a few days now. What's determining whether you bring that one out, or the 200-500?

And I think bitterns are just bitter - so to speak - that their diet lacks variety. I'd have a furrowed brow too if my choice every day was limited to small pond fish. He's probably thinking, "Why can't I spear a croque monsieur once in a while, for godsake!"
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
So Woody, you've had the new 500 for a few days now. What's determining whether you bring that one out, or the 200-500?

I have only taken a few test shots in the backyard, and then one outing where the expected birds were mostly absent. Still, from the shots I have taken, the 500 is clearly sharper than my 200-500. The lighter weight is welcome to me not so much for hauling it around, because the 200-500 never really bothered me that way, but for holding steady over a long period of time it is a welcome relief. Autofocus seems to lock in half the time of the 200-500, as well. It's the most I've spent on a piece of kit since I started this photography stuff over 50 years ago, but it was certainly worth saving up for. :)
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
Sharp-shinned Hawk. Not much bigger than the pigeons he was flying towards.

EDIT: Oops, this was a Red-tailed hawk. I got my pictures confused. LOL.


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