P900. More from the Alligator Farm rookery, and another funny story

[Stephen Ingraham]

I made what I think might be my last stop at the Alligator Farm wild bird rookery this morning early. Here are a few more random shots. I pushed the shutter speed up to 1/1600th in my custom BIF mode and got better wingtips.

Great Egret, cropped just a bit.

Wood Stork, jumping display.

Back lit Cattle Egret in breeding plumage

Tricolored Heron, full sun.

Great Egret...a more challenging flight shot for the auto focus

And then the funny story. I was shooting with another famous wildlife photographer this morning. We see each other several times a year at events like the FL Birding and Photo fest, but he makes his living leading photo workshops from Alaska (polar bears) to Africa, and gets big $$ for his expertise. He was shooting with the latest Canon body and one of their new lenses. He asked what I was using, so I showed him my P900. A few moments later an Egret feather came floating, all alone, through the air about 20 feet overhead. He said, "A feather...lets see if we can focus on that!" So we both upped camera and shot off a burst. He, of course, got the feather. He was pretty amazed that I did too Not as tack sharp as his, but I got it!

Feather, using Target Finding Auto Focus.

 

[Microshooter]

Way to go with the feather "test" Stephen!!! But if I came upon a tree FULL of egrets I think I would have a panic attack. I gotta get to some of these places

 

[KJaay]

Wow these images are awesome, a feather in your cap! :-D

 

[Augustin Man]

Stephen, I think you're our BIF master without any doubt! Perfect BIF images, for me almost impossible to get Besides, another excellent story about the big cameras - of course that feather should have been somewhat sharper and with less noise on THAT kind of gear, but just consider its price It's stunning you got it at all!

Happy shooting,

Augustin

 

[Jerry84155]

Just amazing shots!!! I hope to give it a try someday with my P900.

 

[Rob Kipp]

Stephen, Great work on capturing the floating feather, not an easy capture but well done.

I do have a question on shooting landscapes. Have you found any settings on the Nikon P900 that closely resemble the HDR Landscape images you get from the Sony HX90V? The HDR Landscapes from that Sony camera you show are really nice.

Rob

 

[sherman_levine]

Channeling Forrest Gump ?

Looks like an awesome place

--

Sherm
Sherms flickr page

 

[JamieWG]

And whose arm was aching afterwards? These shots are so great. All I can say is, "WOW!" I'm heading down to Corkscrew Swamp in Naples FL soon, and these shots are really inspiring me! Definitely bringing my P900 and monopod along.

Jamie

 

[sherman_levine]

And whose arm was aching afterwards? These shots are so great. All I can say is, "WOW!" I'm heading down to Corkscrew Swamp in Naples FL soon, and these shots are really inspiring me! Definitely bringing my P900 and monopod along.

Jamie

 

[Stephen Ingraham]

Stephen, Great work on capturing the floating feather, not an easy capture but well done.

I do have a question on shooting landscapes. Have you found any settings on the Nikon P900 that closely resemble the HDR Landscape images you get from the Sony HX90V? The HDR Landscapes from that Sony camera you show are really nice.

Rob

 

[Rob Kipp]

Stephen, Great work on capturing the floating feather, not an easy capture but well done.

I do have a question on shooting landscapes. Have you found any settings on the Nikon P900 that closely resemble the HDR Landscape images you get from the Sony HX90V? The HDR Landscapes from that Sony camera you show are really nice.

Rob

 

[JamieWG]

Jamie,

We were in south Florida in February. Don't overlook the gulf shore and the Southwest Florida Eaglecam site in North Fort Myers. I have lots of trip pictures on my Flickr site if you want more information

--

Thank you, Sherm. I probably won't get out of Naples this trip, but I will keep it in mind for the future. My hubby and I will be lucky to escape from family gatherings to go over to Corkscrew Swamp for a morning, so I'm going to make the most of that!

 

[Jenlh]

I just want to say thankyou, I have had the p900 for a couple of years and thought that it was not good for bird shots, after seeing your post I did the same settings and I am thrilled with the outcome. Thankyou so much for your post, I have my camera on the ready all the time as I live in a wild life area near Brisbane Australia. I still have a lot to learn but as a first time try I am very happy.

 

[Microshooter]

I’m sorry for the delay but delighted with your first photos!!! I don’t get on here very much anymore and don’t do a lot of shooting either. Maybe you’ve inspired me again thanks!!