gang gang cockatoo

[avkomp]

first time I have seen gang-gangs and I saw 4 today. Was late in the day and they were in thick scrub.
not too many opportunities to get them in the clear.
was taken late in the day under thick cover so light wasnt the best
1/60th sec handheld nikon 80-400vr @ 400mm sb800 BB

Steve

[Willy wombat]

What a great find Steve! It has been my goal to photograph this species for the last year, as i see them in Canberra quite a lot. But i am yet to have the chance to to look at them from down my lens.

Im very envious. Well done.

Might consider using levels adjustment in #2 to tone down the flash effect.

[avkomp]

might have a look at #2 and resubmit it,
didnt notice that it was brighter until I saw all 3 side by side. very sad really.

got some shots of the females also but they were way more ellusive than the 2 males I saw.
Steve

[Nicole]

These are awesome Steve. I haven't seen these guys yet either and would like to get a decent shot of them one day. What aperture were you using? Just goes to show that lens isn't so bad after all.

[BBJ]

Steve, nice cocky mate, great hair do!!LOL Yes i like both these pics noce and clear and not sure if you know how you have typed copyright on the pics, the actual comand for this is hold the ALT key and press 0169 will give you the copyright symbol, bit of helpfull info for you.
Cheers
John

[kipper]

I said to Nicole during Winter that they were near my house. One even flew over the house a few times. However as luck goes no camera in hand on both occassions

[avkomp]

Nicole: all the cockatoos were taken @ f8 and 1/60 iso 400
I was packing it whilst doing it because 1/60 handheld is really pushing the 400, but I was as careful as I could be. I lost a few shots with the birds moving slightly (or me, or both!!)
I had the tripod setup elsewhere when I had to go investigate a strange call 50m away so I removed the camera of the tripod to investigate (doh!)

I lost shots also shooting towards the light also. they just wouldnt go where I needed them to go. I have a few sharp shots of the female also but stuff like branches across chest etc grrrrrrrr.

this would seem to be a good spot for cockatoos. saw a pair of glossy blacks 2 weeks ago, and 2 blacks of some type high up chasing a dark grey raptor with pointy wingtips (peregrine?) soaring with wings level later on but way too far to ID

BBJ: tried the © thingy but actually preferred the long form. go figure!!

Steve