Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Cruising For Carrion

1/1000 sec. f/11 ISO 400


Today's Tip:
For birds in flight, set your camera to a continuous auto focus mode if so equipped. On Canon it's called AI Servo and I believe Nikon calls it Dynamic Area AF. These modes allow your auto focus system to keep up with the changes in distance from camera to subject.

39 comments:

Joop Zand said...

FANTASTIC shot Brian....my compliments.

Greetings, Joop

Pamela Gordon said...

Beautiful capture of an ugly bird that serves a great purpose in the food chain. Have a super week!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

HI Brian Stunning capture. I can't do this on my camera but I am happy with what I can do.

Nicki said...

you make it sound so easy - you continuously get sharp beautiful images so I think it would be fair to throw in a little 'BrianKing' magic. Great shot.

Jan n Jer said...

Wow...the red head really pops...great shot Brian!!! I will have to try that feature on my Nikon.
Thanks for the tip!

Sally in WA said...

Beautiful photo and great tip!

theconstantwalker said...

A stunning flight shot Brian...

TexWisGirl said...

i like nicki's comment. ;) i've never tried that mode (heck, i haven't tried most modes) but thanks for the tip.

this is a GREAT shot!!

Montanagirl said...

Fabulous! Without AI Servo, I'd never get even half the flight shots that I achieve!

Gail Dixon said...

I have never had success with AI Servo. Your shot of this vulture is fantastic. You obviously know what you're doing.

Karen said...

Wow, what a shot!

EG CameraGirl said...

I wish I could say the TV is a handsome bird...but I would be lying. ;))

Leenie said...

I use the continuous servo focus mode with my Nikon, then I set my auto focus area mode to single point. Then when I keep the object I'm following in the center of the view, it usually stays in focus.

Nice shot of that turkey vulture. They aren't the prettiest but they sure know how to hang glide.

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

I do shoot in that mode, but my telephoto lens is not powerful enough to get the kind of clarity you get ... to say nothing of the talent of the photographer :) This is my favorite bird ... I have posted about him many times. I would say that, had you stuck around a few minutes longer, he would have winked at you :)

Andrea @ From The Sol

Dave said...

Nice shot Brian, and a good photography tip also

Anonymous said...

Wow I better duck fast. He is in for a landing.

Oh love it Brian.

Debbie said...

uummmmm, i do that!! my pictures don't look like this!!

were you flying as well?!?!

Unknown said...

That's a fantastic shot!

Mersad said...

Magnificent shot!

Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography

Lindsjö taxar said...

Wow, great capture!! Have to practice that mode I think

mick said...

Great in-flight photo and thanks for the photo tip.

Carole M. said...

...just amazing Brian

genie said...

What an awesome in-flight photo. You continue to amaze me with your photography. Thanks for the info on shooting. Maybe one of these days I will get one in flight. genie

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

Fantastic shot! Look at that wing span!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Fantastic shot- I don't know if my Sony has this or not.

Our photos said...

WoW! Beautiful photo!
Greetings, RW & SK

Anonymous said...

Pentax just calls it continuous focus... great shot!

JOY @ http://joysjotsshots.blogspot.com/ said...

As I looked at the picture, I said, "How in the world?" and you answered it! Amazing. I use the little "running figure" on the dial on my Nikon for my "road" shots. That sounds something like what you are talking about.

Arija said...

Love your stealth missile!

Anonymous said...

Great capture.

Esther Joy said...

Great capture of a bird that is necessary, but one that we have too many of here in our area. Hundreds of them were hanging out on our dams and since they are "protected", little could be done to stop the damage they were doing.

Wally Jones said...

Love the Turkey Vulture! Watching them in flight is hypnotic.

Very nice capture!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful capture!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful capture!

barbara l. hale said...

Fabulous photo. Thanks for the tip. I will have to figure that out one of these days.

TheChieftess said...

Great capture!!!

Kerri Farley said...

Super shot!

Stewart M said...

Great shot - the auto focus modes really do help in these situations.

Thats a bird I dont get to see!

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

MTWaggin said...

Jealous - that is a spectacular shot!