500Mm F4 Mk Ii Posts

I revisited the Isle of May recently. This time at the beginning of the Puffin season.

My favorite shot of the day. I like the way the bokeh background is still recognizable enough to be a feature.

There is something quite comical about this bird, like he is explaining something to a skeptical audience.

The Isle of May is an island just off the East coast of Scotland. Although tiny (less than 1km²), it is home to a remarkable amount of wildlife, birds in particular. I was lucky enough to visit with the Glasgow Photography Meetup group.

Here's a few shots from that day.

I think this is a juvenile gull. Post a comment if I'm wrong!

Photographing a bird in flight is a challenge, so I'm please I got this at all, but the plain background this doesn't make for a memorable photo.

There were some fantastic vantage points on the island where I could get eye-level shots like this one.

These photos were all taken with a Canon 500mm, which is an absolutely fantastic lens for bird photography and a good upper body workout.

This year I spent my birthday in a Forest in Finland with no company other than about dozen (wild)! Eurasian brown bears and more mosquitoes that I care to count.

I stayed at Martinselkosen wilderness centre, in the North of the country. Comfortable enough, plenty of rustic food, and surprisingly decent coffee.

After a night in the Wilderness centre we were to stay in the Forest hide, which is regularly visited by a dozen or so bears and cubs. On the way to the hide, one of the other photographers suggested that my 500mm lens was too long. She was right, the large communal hide was directly in front of a clearing where food was left to attract the bears . At times the bears were so close all I could shoot was a patch of blurry fur. continue reading…