Posted by Jim DeWitt on March 10, 2010 at 12:26 AM
I've enjoyed posting and sharing my Panama bird photos with Avian NPN. Thanks for all of your comments, compliments and suggestions. I'll do better next time. I've got two purpose for this post. First, to answer questions some of you have asked and second to give an example of a shot that didn't work out.
We saw 317 species of birds; I got decent photos of 60-65 different species, really good photos of 10-12. Of the 317 we saw, 101 were lifers. All but a bare handful were shot under some of the most difficult circumstances I've experienced: very dark, often rainy and dense vegetation between me and the bird. When I had decent light, it seemed like the birds were always against a bright sky. I'm not complaining; just reporting.
Here's an example of how it doesn't always work out. We staked out a freshly blooming Heliconia for the White-tipped Sicklebill, a small hummingbird with a bill closely adapted for that specific flower's blossoms. After a very long wait, a bird actually flew in. But instead of foraging on the blossoms, it went to the back of the thicket and preened for a few minutes. And then flew off. So some of the time, all you wind up with is shots like this... A close view will show you the bird is there.
Thanks again for all your thoughtful comments.
Posted by Mia McPherson on March 10, 2010 at 8:24 AM
Jim,
I have loved seeing your Panama bird series, through you I have been able to see the species I didn't get to see while I was in Panama because unfortunately my trip there was not a birding trip. To see 101 lifers in one trip is absolutely amazing!
I have photos like this too from Panama & Costa Rica, where the canopy blocked the light, or there was bright light behind the birds and where the forest was just too thick to get a clean shot. But I kept them anyway.
There are times when it isn't always about the image, it is about the journey and the great memories they create.
I went on one of Nate Chappell's trips to Ecuador and had a similar experience. I think our count was around 300 species. Even though I have a lot of photos that I wouldn't post here, they are still keepers. Now that I have a camera with much better iso performance (D700) I am thinking to go back to do it all over again. There wasn't one minute of any day that I wasn't having a blast during the trip. Of course, if you didn't have all of that rain and dense forest, there would be no birds either. It's great to see that places like this exist. You've come away with some great photos and some great memories.
Posted by John Tobias on March 10, 2010 at 12:21 PM
I also have enjoyed your photos from Panama. I have not been to Panama, but Costa Rica and the Amazon, it is challenging, but fun, and Mia is right on it is the journey. Hope you can post some more.
Posted by Nate Chappell on March 10, 2010 at 1:02 PM
Jim - I very much enjoyed your photos from Panama my favorite was the Long-tailed Tyrants. I've never seen a Sicklebill on my travels so thanks for sharing him as well.
Charlie - thanks for the kind words regarding my trip. We are now "cheating" more - using setups and feeders to get the birds out in the open more often for excellent photos. Besides a camera that tolerates higher isos, flash is a valuable tool in these locations.
Posted by Jim Hackley on March 15, 2010 at 3:48 PM
I think is it always interesting to read and hear about other people's trips even if the photographic opportunities do not always present themselves. For me, the fun is getting out in nature and if I get a good photo chance then all the better. I am always about a month behind in my post processing but still go out several times a week after work or on weekends. You will not get the decent shots unless you spent time in the field but it is still fun to get out whether I get the shot or not. So even the image you posted here tells a story and that is interesting in itself. I guess for me it is the total experience and hopefully enjoyment that the avenue of photography can give.
Discussion
5 repliesWe saw 317 species of birds; I got decent photos of 60-65 different species, really good photos of 10-12. Of the 317 we saw, 101 were lifers. All but a bare handful were shot under some of the most difficult circumstances I've experienced: very dark, often rainy and dense vegetation between me and the bird. When I had decent light, it seemed like the birds were always against a bright sky. I'm not complaining; just reporting.
Here's an example of how it doesn't always work out. We staked out a freshly blooming Heliconia for the White-tipped Sicklebill, a small hummingbird with a bill closely adapted for that specific flower's blossoms. After a very long wait, a bird actually flew in. But instead of foraging on the blossoms, it went to the back of the thicket and preened for a few minutes. And then flew off. So some of the time, all you wind up with is shots like this... A close view will show you the bird is there.
Thanks again for all your thoughtful comments.
I have loved seeing your Panama bird series, through you I have been able to see the species I didn't get to see while I was in Panama because unfortunately my trip there was not a birding trip. To see 101 lifers in one trip is absolutely amazing!
I have photos like this too from Panama & Costa Rica, where the canopy blocked the light, or there was bright light behind the birds and where the forest was just too thick to get a clean shot. But I kept them anyway.
There are times when it isn't always about the image, it is about the journey and the great memories they create.
Charlie - thanks for the kind words regarding my trip. We are now "cheating" more - using setups and feeders to get the birds out in the open more often for excellent photos. Besides a camera that tolerates higher isos, flash is a valuable tool in these locations.