Tuesday, October 12, 2010

An Afternoon's Flight Shots

Flight shots are not the easiest shots to make and then when you add in a moving boat they become even more difficult.  I make these shots from my electric powered bass boat while fishing the local lake. 

The Pileated Woodpecker flew across the narrow end of the lake but before it disappeared into the woodland I was able to get off a couple of frames.  Not quite sharp and too far away the photo nearly landed in the trash can but then I had second thoughts.


Spotting a Bald Eagle is always a special moment and when this one soared high overhead I was ready with the camera.  Again the distance was too great for the kind of shot I hoped for but I am content to settle for this one until a better opportunity comes along.

Noticing an Osprey land in a dead tree I slowly motored as close as it would permit while waiting for the take-off shot.  When it came I was still farther away than what I would have preferred and I should have had a higher shutter speed set as again the image doesn't quite make the grade. 

Although not the high quality images that I strive for they remain as a digital reminder of a beautiful enjoyable day in the great outdoors.

8 comments:

Montanagirl said...

Very nice captures! I really like the Woodpecker streaking along. Nicely done.

Chris said...

Hi Coy,
Well I would relly like to get shots like these! And you're right they are so hard to do that I think you can be more than happy with the results! I love the pileate woodpecker a lot!

Joe said...

Good shots. I always enjoy watching the woodpeckers.

FAB said...

Hi Coy. I'd be more than happy with these especially when taken from a floating platform. Well done.

Brad Myers said...

To get these three at one time was like a good day in elk country. I would have come home happy with a big smile.

The buck are looking great in SNP, lots of 8 pts and some 9 and 10's. Can't wait for the rut now.

Peggy said...

All three are special finds! Especially the Pileated! Nice!

Elaine said...

I've got to agree with the others--I would be happy to get three such shots in one day.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

WOW, OH WOW Coy, that catch of the Osprey is wonderful, congrats~