HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE - Show us what it can do, what it CAN'T!

**Des** · 12-04-2021, 05:38 PM

Originally posted by CBM

DES - These are pretty much perfect to my eye; #3 with the drizzle in the background - great stuff! Thank you!

That's very kind of you Chris. Actually I liked the one in the rain too. Great illustration of the KP's autofocus as well!

I'm finding that some finishing treatment with Nik Color Efex Pro helps with a lot of bird images. I'm particularly fond of the Darken/Lighten Center filter.

Originally posted by CBM

Fishing boats in Lubec, ME.

Very atmospheric image. What's the bird in the centre?

That's a long way from Florida!

Last edited by Des; 12-04-2021 at 05:48 PM.

**CBM** · 12-04-2021, 05:43 PM - **1 Like**

Thanks for sharing one of your tools - I am just starting to get a handle on Light Room - good to know what worked so well for you.

**rod_grant** · 12-04-2021, 11:59 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Des

Little Wattlebirds.

Lovely series Des.
You are an inspiration.

**ehrwien** · 12-05-2021, 01:50 PM - **1 Like**

Didn't like those taken in February initially, revisited them and tried something with Nik filters

Great Egret

Canada Goose

**Des** · 12-05-2021, 01:58 PM - **7 Likes**

Originally posted by ehrwien

Didn't like those taken in February initially, revisited them and tried something with Nik filters

Both work really well.

Originally posted by rod_grant

Lovely series Des.You are an inspiration.

Many thanks indeed Rod.

Here's some more. Red Wattlebirds this time - named for the fleshy protrusion on their neck. Both shots 55-300 PLM at 300mm; the first with the KP and the second with the K-S2.

**Rondec** · 12-05-2021, 02:52 PM

Originally posted by Des

Both work really well.

Many thanks indeed Rod.

Here's some more. Red Wattlebirds this time - named for the fleshy protrusion on their neck. Both shots 55-300 PLM at 300mm; the first with the KP and the second with the K-S2.

Those are amazing shots!

**Des** · 12-05-2021, 05:02 PM

Originally posted by Rondec

Those are amazing shots!

Thank you Vincent. Getting close is the key, as usual. The PLM is ideal for yard birds.

**CBM** · 12-07-2021, 06:58 PM - **1 Like**

This was in Everglades NP, on the Anhinga Trail, one young gator - not sure when they lose their stripes, but you can how well the camouflage works when they are young enough to need it.

**Mbaez** · 12-08-2021, 08:18 AM

Originally posted by Des

Both work really well.

Many thanks indeed Rod.

Here's some more. Red Wattlebirds this time - named for the fleshy protrusion on their neck. Both shots 55-300 PLM at 300mm; the first with the KP and the second with the K-S2.

Wow, very beautiful captures! Congrats!

**Des** · 12-08-2021, 03:49 PM - **9 Likes**

Originally posted by Mbaez

Wow, very beautiful captures! Congrats!

Thanks very much Marcos.

Laughing Kookaburra, one of the largest of the kingfishers, and one of the few that doesn't hunt in water bodies. They are an Australian icon - their cackling chorus is one of the most distinctive sounds of the Australian bush. KP + DA 55-300 PLM

**CBM** · 12-08-2021, 05:14 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Des

Thanks very much Marcos.

Laughing Kookaburra, one of the largest of the kingfishers, and one of the few that doesn't hunt in water bodies. They are an Australian icon - their cackling chorus is one of the most distinctive sounds of the Australian bush. KP + DA 55-300 PLM

It looks like you had to thread the needle between branches in the foreground - I love the reflection of the leaves on the upper half of his pupil - beautifully done!

**termy** · 12-08-2021, 05:48 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Des

Thanks very much Marcos.

Laughing Kookaburra, one of the largest of the kingfishers, and one of the few that doesn't hunt in water bodies. They are an Australian icon - their cackling chorus is one of the most distinctive sounds of the Australian bush. KP + DA 55-300 PLM

Very nice snap of an iconic bird.

I still recall my time in Perth, when i first heard the cackling of this bird (in early morning).
because i've never heard it before, was wondering "geez, which noisy fella is this?"

Then one day, the chef of the hostel i was staying at, he got very friendly with one of these birds.
The fella was sitting on a fence, right next to the guy (the guy was feeding it).

That was my first time seeing a kookaburra up close.
And i thought "ok, this fella looks very nice".

Got used to the cackling call after a while and it just became another of those "Aussie sounds" i hear.

Honestly, i rather have to hear this cackling call than the very irritating call of the Koel.
That one is horrors.

**CBM** · 12-08-2021, 08:38 PM - **4 Likes**

Great Blue Heron at Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge earlier today...K70 + 55-300mm @170mm.

**rod_grant** · 12-08-2021, 09:31 PM

Originally posted by Des

Red Wattlebirds this time

Nice again Des. We don't see many Wattle Birds here.
There were a few in the garden a couple of days ago (not identified) but gone before I could get the camera!!

Originally posted by CBM

Great Blue Heron

She's got a very flowing dress on.

northcoastgreg · 12-09-2021, 09:22 AM - **3 Likes**

With the KP:

12-05-2021, 01:58 PM - 7 Likes	#1055
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Originally posted by ehrwien Didn't like those taken in February initially, revisited them and tried something with Nik filters Both work really well. Originally posted by rod_grant Lovely series Des.You are an inspiration. Many thanks indeed Rod. Here's some more. Red Wattlebirds this time - named for the fleshy protrusion on their neck. Both shots 55-300 PLM at 300mm; the first with the KP and the second with the K-S2. Last edited by Des; 12-05-2021 at 02:03 PM.

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12-04-2021, 05:38 PM	#1051
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Originally posted by CBM DES - These are pretty much perfect to my eye; #3 with the drizzle in the background - great stuff! Thank you! That's very kind of you Chris. Actually I liked the one in the rain too. Great illustration of the KP's autofocus as well! I'm finding that some finishing treatment with Nik Color Efex Pro helps with a lot of bird images. I'm particularly fond of the Darken/Lighten Center filter. Originally posted by CBM Fishing boats in Lubec, ME. Very atmospheric image. What's the bird in the centre? That's a long way from Florida! Last edited by Des; 12-04-2021 at 05:48 PM.

12-04-2021, 05:43 PM - 1 Like	#1052
CBM Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2021 Location: Delray Beach, Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 378	Thanks for sharing one of your tools - I am just starting to get a handle on Light Room - good to know what worked so well for you.

12-04-2021, 11:59 PM - 1 Like	#1053
rod_grant Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wangaratta, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,951	Originally posted by Des Little Wattlebirds. Lovely series Des. You are an inspiration.

12-05-2021, 01:50 PM - 1 Like	#1054
ehrwien Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 2,783	Didn't like those taken in February initially, revisited them and tried something with Nik filters Great Egret Canada Goose

12-05-2021, 02:52 PM	#1056
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,663	Originally posted by Des Both work really well. Many thanks indeed Rod. Here's some more. Red Wattlebirds this time - named for the fleshy protrusion on their neck. Both shots 55-300 PLM at 300mm; the first with the KP and the second with the K-S2. Those are amazing shots!

12-05-2021, 05:02 PM	#1057
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Originally posted by Rondec Those are amazing shots! Thank you Vincent. Getting close is the key, as usual. The PLM is ideal for yard birds.

12-08-2021, 08:18 AM	#1059
Mbaez Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: NY Photos: Albums Posts: 3,774	Originally posted by Des Both work really well. Many thanks indeed Rod. Here's some more. Red Wattlebirds this time - named for the fleshy protrusion on their neck. Both shots 55-300 PLM at 300mm; the first with the KP and the second with the K-S2. Wow, very beautiful captures! Congrats!

12-08-2021, 03:49 PM - 9 Likes	#1060
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Originally posted by Mbaez Wow, very beautiful captures! Congrats! Thanks very much Marcos. Laughing Kookaburra, one of the largest of the kingfishers, and one of the few that doesn't hunt in water bodies. They are an Australian icon - their cackling chorus is one of the most distinctive sounds of the Australian bush. KP + DA 55-300 PLM

12-08-2021, 05:14 PM - 1 Like	#1061
CBM Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2021 Location: Delray Beach, Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 378	Originally posted by Des Thanks very much Marcos. Laughing Kookaburra, one of the largest of the kingfishers, and one of the few that doesn't hunt in water bodies. They are an Australian icon - their cackling chorus is one of the most distinctive sounds of the Australian bush. KP + DA 55-300 PLM It looks like you had to thread the needle between branches in the foreground - I love the reflection of the leaves on the upper half of his pupil - beautifully done!

12-08-2021, 05:48 PM - 1 Like	#1062
termy Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 1,154	Originally posted by Des Thanks very much Marcos. Laughing Kookaburra, one of the largest of the kingfishers, and one of the few that doesn't hunt in water bodies. They are an Australian icon - their cackling chorus is one of the most distinctive sounds of the Australian bush. KP + DA 55-300 PLM Very nice snap of an iconic bird. I still recall my time in Perth, when i first heard the cackling of this bird (in early morning). because i've never heard it before, was wondering "geez, which noisy fella is this?" Then one day, the chef of the hostel i was staying at, he got very friendly with one of these birds. The fella was sitting on a fence, right next to the guy (the guy was feeding it). That was my first time seeing a kookaburra up close. And i thought "ok, this fella looks very nice". Got used to the cackling call after a while and it just became another of those "Aussie sounds" i hear. Honestly, i rather have to hear this cackling call than the very irritating call of the Koel. That one is horrors.

12-08-2021, 09:31 PM	#1064
rod_grant Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wangaratta, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,951	Originally posted by Des Red Wattlebirds this time Nice again Des. We don't see many Wattle Birds here. There were a few in the garden a couple of days ago (not identified) but gone before I could get the camera!! Originally posted by CBM Great Blue Heron She's got a very flowing dress on.

12-09-2021, 09:22 AM - 3 Likes	#1065
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,174	With the KP: