Bird Photos - Pg2

As a late-developing wildlife enthusiast, I often feel overwhelmed by the expertise of my bird-watching companions when we're out in the bush or on safari.

These are guys who don't need a spotting scope or even binoculars to spot a tiny Chestnutbacked Finchlark in the scrub and grass 20 or 30 meters away.

All I see is the scrub and grass, never mind trying to photograph the little creature!

Click on picture to enlarge.

Long Lens Adds New Dimension But the purchase of a Canon EF 100-400mm image-stabilized lens has allowed me to start taking better bird photos. Coupled to a crop-sensor Canon EOS 450D SLR digital camera, this awesome piece of glass gives me the equivalent of a 640mm F5.6 lens when fully zoomed. Camera Shake Remains a Threat On various safaris to Kruger National Park, Chobe National Park in Botswana and Zambia's Lower Zambezi National Park, I've had to photograph from a vehicle, so use of a solid tripod is impossible, making a beanbag essential. Essential Reference Guides Taking bird photos forces one to identify the subject. Previously neglected books like Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa, the Field Companion to Roberts, and Ian Sinclair's Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa, are now in regular use. These books have different strengths: Roberts is still regarded as the "bible" and contains in-depth information; the Field Guide is handy for finding information quickly, while Sinclair's book offers actual photos of birds rather than drawings, so is useful for comparisons. With all three open on my desk at times, I still feel overwhelmed, but it's also hugely satisfying being able to positively identify one of my bird photos by consulting expert references. See also: Bird Pictures Pg 1 Or return to Wildlife Galleries

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