Well, it’s getting kinda late this evening, I’m in Socorro, NM. This afternoon/evening was my first experience at Bosque. It went quite well with numerous shots captured of sandhill cranes. A few of the better shots of the day are posted below. I’m still in the process of learning how to maximize my 80-400mm VR lens in low light environment. I think the best trick with this lens is once the twilight low-luminosity time hits, it’s best to set it on a tripod, frame the image, and let the birds “fly into” the landscape scene.
I’m finding that trying to track/pan is a pain in the ass when the light gets low…since this lens is pretty slow at only a f/5.6 at it’s widest at 400mm. I like to photograph birds in their environment anyway. The light really changes fast once you approach sunset, and you have to think fast to perfectly execute the shot you really want when you don’t have a $5,000 500mm fast-action prime lens like I saw some photographers out there on the “Flight Deck” with.
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