AM I BECOMING A 'TWITCHER'?

Post by **Grandad** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 4:47 pm

I mentioned on another thread yesterday that I had 'found' a local wetlands nature reserve and, although it is only a few miles from my home, I had never visited it before.

Well, after spending a short time with the guys with the BIG lenses yesterday, this morning was another splendid sunny blue skyed day (sorry LLL) so I ventured to the other end of the reserve, alone this time.

It is such a wonderful varied habitat and I enjoyed my walk SO much that I went home convinced that the 'birder' bug has bitten.

I am now convinced that I NEED one of those big lenses.

Here are a few snaps of this varied wetland habitat. As usual, quality has been lost a lot in transmission. (I know I often say that but what looks stunning on my screen loses it after posting.

Do you all find the same thing?)

This is one of the shallow ponds with wading birds, and the odd cormorant.

Another pool with lapwings taking flight then returning and settling again.

A grey heron, one of my few birds in flight, but I missed a marsh harrier.

At the southern end of the reserve there are woodlands with streams and woodland pools.

I only took a long lens and needed something shorter but couldn't resist this. Natures Christmas Decorations....I'm getting soft..

I have a sneaking suspicion that I will be returning regularly to this place......

Post by **Horus** » Sun Nov 20, 2011 7:55 pm

A man after my own heart Grandad

not the 'twitcher' bit, rather the love of just going out and observing nature. Great shot of the Heron and as you have already found out you need a really b...................ig lens to get those super shots we see posted all over the web, but never mind Grandad, half the fun is is getting those odd lucky shots without all the fancy stuff. I have to say that I enjoy just looking about and trying to find the ones like your spider web picture as I find them more interesting.

I have to agree about quality, it does degrade considerably after uploading, but that is down to the file size limitation which can often be frustrating. Having said that I find that some of the photography sites are as bad when they only allow 8 MB when my picture is 15MB

Post by **LovelyLadyLux** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:08 am

Absolutely FAB photos Grandad (so I'll forgive you bragging about your marvelous weather especially since I'm sitting here in murky fog and blah drizzle with the odd errant snow flake floating down - BAHHHHHH)

Love the photo of the spider web. I LIVE to get pictures like that one. They're terrific.

Love your wetlands too and I agree - you DO need a BIG BIG LENS. Maybe if we go and offer to buy 2 of 'em the store would give us a good discout coz I'm sure I really NEED a big huge lens too!

The heron is great. You were lucky to see one flying. Niceeeeeeeeeee

BTW - I also think my photos look much nicer on my screen than what is shown on here. BUT I still love all the photos we share as it really inspires me to get out there and take pictures!

Post by **Grandad** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 9:45 am

Thanks for your comments folks.

This is definitely a location that I will explore much more particularly through the seasons because many migrant birds call at this reserve on their seasonal journeys....

half the fun is is getting those odd lucky shots without all the fancy stuff

That is very true H. But when I see those expensive optics I DO get a little envious.

These 'birders' get really into their hobby, my dentist is an avid twitcher and travels the world birdwatching.....by the fees they charge today, he can afford it.

Post by **Kiya** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:17 pm

Lovely photos Grandad

And I agree the photo quality isnt so good once we've uploaded here & as Horus says same with other sites.

Blue skies!!........whats that ? I've seen nothing but grey skies & mist for the past 3-4 wks............miserable!!! cant even get into the Xmas spirit because of it

Post by **Horus** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 3:38 pm

We have only had a few bright days in the last few weeks Kiya, so I agree with you quite miserable weather,

I reckon that Granda has kept it all to himself.

Post by **BillH** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 3:53 pm

here's an Idea guys,

My mate runs a Reptile and Raptor sanctuary over the mountain form where I live.

He welcomes visitors and volunteers too.

If you have such a place in your area, why not give them a call and see if you would be welcome to photograph the birds ?
You would know what birds you are going to photograph, and it takes all the hours of waiting out of the equation, hoping for a shot of a Buzzard or Hawk..

A small donation to said charity, and everyone is a winner

Post by **LovelyLadyLux** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 7:24 pm

Yeah that be just like Grandad keeping all the really weather to himself and not sharing it around with the rest of us!

Wind storms here today and raining sideways

Post by **Kiya** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 8:11 pm

C'mon Grandad look at us miseries you got to share or we're all going to end up your way

......have the kettle on or perhaps sommin warmer to heat us all up

Post by **Grandad** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 9:29 pm

The sun will be with you by Friday Kiya

I have just arranged it

We are getting a lot of mist in the mornings but it soon burns off......but the c/h is now coming on more so the old heating bill will go up rapidly. Never mind, we got our notification today about the £200 winter fuel payment from that nice Mr Osborne

Post by **Horus** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 10:00 pm

You will still be worse off Grandad,

same £200 quid as in previous years, but a hefty 25% increase in fuel costs over the same period.

another con methinks!

Post by **Horus** » Mon Nov 21, 2011 10:05 pm

Good idea Bill, but I think that the idea for Twitchers is that you actually spot the bird yourself.

otherwise its like going on a Safari in a zoo.

Having said that, I have taken some nice ones of raptors being exhibited at country fairs and such like.

Post by **Grandad** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 10:02 am

same £200 quid as in previous years

Actually H it has been £250 in recent years but we all have to do our bit to help the economy

As that other nice man Mr Cameron said, 'we are all in this together' except him and his cronies of course. RANT OVER.

Yes, good idea Bill but there are no charitable trust parks around my area. There is a bird and wildlife park that have photography days led by a professional. There are no more this year but I may check them out next year. £75 for the day but you do get up close to all the animals and birds in the park....

As I have said earlier, I DO covet those big lenses but the cost is out of reach. There is a cheap alternative though. I could get a 500mm f8 mirror lens for less than £100. (Catadioptric lens to give them their proper name) There are lots of downsides though like, fixed aperture, manual focus only, very shallow DOF, and lacking in quality; but; affordable and an acceptable compromise.

HAS ANYONE GOT OR TRIED A MIRROR LENS???

Post by **Horus** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:08 am

Maybe you should consider getting something like this as a dedicated Twitcher camera Grandad

A lot cheaper than the lenses to buy separately and you get a pretty massive zoom for your money.

Post by **Grandad** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 3:20 pm

That camera has an amazing spec Horus and I was a dedicated Fuji user for about 10 years from when I disposed of all my old roll film kit.

The only downside for me is the digital EVF. I just don't get on with them and that was the reason that I went back to SLR. And for me the LCD screen is for viewing and editing. I seldom use it for composing.

You have got me thinking though and it would be nice to have another camera to compliment my Nikon and little Fuji compact.

Post by **Horus** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 8:17 pm

I know what you mean about EVF digital viewers as opposed to mirrors, but they have improved no end and it does seem to be the way that technology is moving.

Fuji have just brought out a DSLR (not a bridge) without the traditional mirror!

and of course a 3" LCD at that zoom 720mm will show up pretty good.

Funnily enough just after I made my previous post this afternoon I went out for a stroll with the 'Little Man'. At one point we walked through a small wooded area with a stream and lots of undergrowth, ideal for birds. We walked quitely and although I did not take a camera as it was a very dull day, I walked and watched as if I were going to take some pictures. I saw plenty of birds, but to be honest I don't think I would have captured a decent shot of any of them.

It started me thinking how you really do need to set out to get a certain type of bird picture and to wait patiently for that shot, they don't just happen by chance, with birds it is all about preparation. Think back on all those lovely Kingfisher shots you see, very few are lucky shots taken on the fly, most are the result of feeding the bird with regular supplies of fish in submerged containers and a strategically placed stick for it to perch on. I am out and about quite a lot and even with a good zoom lens I usually miss most bird shots as they happen too quickly, although I suppose if I were to set myself up somewhere and stay there all day I could maybe bag a few more, but to be honest I would soon get bored.

Post by **Kiya** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 11:37 am

Grandad wrote:The sun will be with you by Friday Kiya I have just arranged it

We are getting a lot of mist in the mornings but it soon burns off......but the c/h is now coming on more so the old heating bill will go up rapidly. Never mind, we got our notification today about the £200 winter fuel payment from that nice Mr Osborne

I do hope so Grandad but the weather forecasters never get it right for my little corner

Speaking about lenses I recently got this link from a photography friend, Canon & Nikon old & new & reconditioned, still looks a tad expensive to me though.
http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/

Post by **LovelyLadyLux** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 1:46 am

Interesting prices Kiya.

This is primary store I've bought most of my camera stuff from.
http://www.cameta.com/

They also sell factory refurbished which is what I bought my big 70-300mm lens as. Haven't had any trouble with it at all and with refurbished you get a warranty.

If I ever find a big enough and cheap enough BIG lens I'll be Twitching, tweaking, tap dancing all about the room!!

:):):):)

Post by **Grandad** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 5:26 pm

As I have said, big lenses are out of my league and in no way could I justify that sort of investment......I'm just a hobbyist, not a pro.

A month or so back I DID try one of those screw on things that double the focal length of a lens. Granted the one I tried was very cheap and as it was totally useless I returned it and got all my money plus postage refunded.

So, keen to have a very long lens for occasional use I have bought a mirror lens, 500mm, that didn't break the bank (under £80) and gives acceptable results....here it is.

I have known these lenses in the dim and distant past and am well aware of all the downsides. But, I have a lightmeter, essential with these lenses, and can live with manual setting and focussing. The EVF and screen work perfectly as normal so I can use an enlarged screen image to assist with focussing. The lens came with skylight, x2ND and x4ND filters but on most occasions with a fixed f8 I can set up by playing tunes with shutter speed and ISO speed.

A dull afternoon here today but I will post some results possibly tomorrow. (Unless they are SO bad in which case I will just disappear

)

Post by **Horus** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 9:59 pm

I'm like you Grandad, just an enthusiastic hobbyist.

so don't see the sense in spending silly money on a zoom lens unless you can really get some good use out of it. My 'photography mind' wanderes from one thing to another, one day I am trying out Infra Red and the next I am doing extreme close up super macro.

I suppose I just enjoy finding things out which I do to the limits of my existing equipment, although I do make the odd smaller purchase if I think it will be usefull. No doubt if I won the lottery I would splash out and buy all the best kit, but as that is unlikely to happen I will content myself with what I have.

However that lens you have bought looks like a good compromise at a good price and the Optika stuff is usually pretty good.

We will be awaiting the results, but if the weather is anything like here, don't hold your breath for Sunday.