Picture Of The Week 05-07-12

Where: Richmond, VA • Glidewell Rd.

Notes: This was a first time visitor for this species to the backyard birdbath. I had stayed late in the blind that evening, playing with the video feature on my new camera. In the low light I noticed that a brown bird had landed on the fence behind the water feature and perched. I had written it off as a female House Sparrow in the fading twilight, but it stayed so still. After giving it a second look, I realized it was a thrush! I slowly switched out of video mode and spun the ISO settings as high as I could. Them I switched the f-stop to its most open position in hopes of capturing a still shot of this new bird. I was fearful that the sunlight had already dropped too low, but I had to try. Much to my amazement, the exposure came out extremely well and the grain at that high of an ISO was astonishingly unobtrusive. Fortunately this rusty little thrush tends to stop still and pose, after a short burst of movement. I think that is the main reason that such a slow shutter speed provided such clarity. Having the camera already on the tripod helped as well.

Equipment: Canon EOS 5D Markii • Canon 400mm f-5.6 Prime USM L Series Lens • Manfroto Tripod • Doghouse Blind

Exposure: Shutter Speed = 1/60 second • Aperture = f 5.6 • Exposure Mode = Aperture Priority • Focus Mode: One Shot • Lens (Focal) Length = 400 mm • ISO = 6400 • Aprox. Camera Distance = ~10 Feet • Date Shot: 04-18-11

©2012 Robert W. Schamerhorn. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.