As we are already in 2009 when I write these lines, this will rather be a year report than an introduction.
2008 has been marked by an important increase of my photo sessions.
Most of my outdoor photography sessions are done just by walking, never waiting hidden in a camouflage hut.
So I am always a little too far from the subject when I shoot pictures.
The shown pictures are often cropped, just keeping a small area.
There has been no noticeable change with my camera equipment. However, I switched to RAW mode in autumn.
My progresses are visible, but I still have a lot to learn …
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Canon EOS 300D, EF300mm f/4 L IS USM lens. F/7.1, 1/640 s, 400 ASA. Focus distance: about 10m. I have regretted the position of the sun when I have shot this picture. But afterwards, the sunlight filtering through the wing's feathers, brings something interesting to this picture. |
Siberian Chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus(Laxmann, 1769)) - Yvelines, France - March 27th 2008
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Canon EOS 300D, EF300mm f/4 L IS USM lens. F/10, 1/320 s, 400 ASA, exposure correction: -1/3. Focus distance: about 2,5m. A colony of Siberian Chipmunks is developing around these ponds of the Paris area. This does not seem to have any impact on the population of Red squirrels which are still rather numerous in this area. |
Orange Tip (Anthocharis cardamines(Linnaeus, 1758)) - Yvelines, France - April 22nd 2008
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Canon EOS 300D, EF300mm f/4 L IS USM lens. F/4, 1/500 s, 400 ASA. Focus distance: about 1.5m. This Orange Tip, quite still on a Common Bluebell was not easy to see. It didn't move when I approached and I have been able to try various view angles. |
Common Coot (Fulica atra(Linnaeus, 1758)) - Yvelines, France - May 6th 2008
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Canon EOS 300D, EF300mm f/4 L IS USM lens. F/5.6, 1/400 s, 200 ASA. Focus distance: about 10m. I have enjoyed the time passed while I was observing the Common Coots and their chicks. I still have to make progress on exposure control of white zones. |
Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus(Linnaeus, 1758)) - Yvelines, France - May 6th 2008
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Canon EOS 300D, EF300mm f/4 L IS USM lens. F/4.5, 1/400 s, 200 ASA. Focus distance: about 8m. As soon as Great Crested Grebes have their chicks they stay in the far at the middle of the pond. I have been lucky this time because this nice scene happened next to the bank. |
Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major(Linnaeus, 1758)) - Yvelines, France - May 20th 2008
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Canon EOS 300D, EF300mm f/4 L IS USM lens. F/5.6, 1/160 s, 400 ASA, flash. Focus distance: about 8m. I have found this nest because of the noise made by the chicks. There are two holes, you can see both on the picture. The one where the young Woodpecker's head emerge was not dug at the time of my first visit. I still have to make progress with the use of flash light. The acquisition of a second flash (slave flash) and a flash cable (for the master flash) to change the axis of the flash light will help me to get better pictures. |
Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major(Linnaeus, 1758)) - Yvelines, France - May 30th 2008
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Canon EOS 300D, EF300mm f/4 L IS USM lens. F/4, 1/500 s, 400 ASA. Focus distance: about 7m. Great Spotted Woodpecker parents take their turn to feed the brood. Such a scene happens again about every ten minutes. You must be very careful when you shoot pictures of birds in the nest. My presence close to this nest located near a very frequented footpath did not seem to have annoyed the Great Spotted Woodpeckers. |
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea(Linnaeus, 1758)) - Yvelines, France - July 30th 2008
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Canon EOS 300D, EF300mm f/4 L IS USM lens. F/4.5, 1/200 s, 200 ASA. Focus distance: about 3m. Grey Herons are often very shy birds when you try to approach them, walking on the pond's banks. This is the first time that I have to walk a few steps backwards to take pictures of a Heron. This must be because this one is a juvenile which is not yet used to evaluating the danger as an adult would do. |
Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma(Esper, 1777)) - Gard, France - August 19th 2008
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Canon EOS 300D, EF300mm f/4 L IS USM lens. F/7.1, 1/320 s, 400 ASA. Focus distance: about 2m. The bright orange colour of the upper side of the Spotted Fritillary's wing is much more visible than the under side. The patterns on the under side of the wings provide an efficient camouflage among dry grasses. Observing this mating was not an easy task. I have been lucky to find it. |
Siberian Chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus(Laxmann, 1769)) - Yvelines, France - September 16th 2008
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Canon EOS 300D, EF300mm f/4 L IS USM lens. F/4, 1/200 s, 400 ASA. Focus distance: about 5m. In autumn, Siberian Chipmunks increase their activity because the hibernation period is coming soon. |
