To mark a minor milestone, my 4000th post, I post these images to pay tribute to all the PF contributors who have shared wonderful images of their local wildlife, particularly in The yard birds thread and The 300mm+ lens club (from which most of these are X-posted). Thanks to all of you - I have found your contributions enjoyable, inspiring, informative and encouraging. A special mention also to the late and much-missed Rupert.

Swamp wallabies, large and small. KP and DA 55-300 PLM




Bush rat. K-3 + FA*300 f4.5. (Gardening Australia magazine used this image, with my permission, in their November 2019 issue.)


Buff-banded Rail. First shot K-3 + FA*300 f4.5; the other two KP + DA 55-300 PLM.






Grey Butcherbird. K-3 + Sigma 400mm f5.6 tele macro


Eastern Whipbird. K-30 + Sigma 400mm f5.6 tele macro


Rainbow Lorikeets. KP + DA 55-300 PLM


Eastern Yellow Robin. K-3 + Sigma 400mm f5.6 tele macro


White-browed Scrubwrens. K-S2 + DA 55-300 PLM. A bit too much flash here, but still worthwhile.




The point is, you don't need to travel to remote locations to get good wildlife shots. Even in a city apartment, a water source on a balcony can attract surprising visitors. In suburbs, towns and rural areas, there are endless possibilities. And when the wildlife comes to you, you don't need large, heavy or expensive gear. A consumer zoom or an old telephoto prime on an entry level body will do fine.

A little fill flash can help - ideally off-camera, close to the subject and diffused, but even on-camera with a diffuser and low output can work (as several of these shots illustrate). If you don't overdo the use of flash, you won't scare off the wildlife.

These are all with tele lenses, but some people set up the camera close to the subject, pre-focus and fire the shutter remotely (using wifi or a remote shutter release). For that, even a wide-to-normal lens can give great results.

Catch-in-focus is another common trick with manual focus lenses.

Check out the threads I've linked to for more ideas.

[GRB]

It certainly draw a wide variety of characters. Nice shots.

[swip]

I think it is the colorful design of the bird bath that attracted them all. Great set.

[Unregistered User 8]

Excellent series Des. Water is in short supply everywhere, so well done keeping these little critters going mate.

[Des]

It certainly draw a wide variety of characters. Nice shots.

Thanks. And it's the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the range of visitors.

I think it is the colorful design of the bird bath that attracted them all. Great set.

Ha! Thanks. We bought the birdbath at a market years ago and I've never see another like it, unfortunately.

Excellent series Des. Water is in short supply everywhere, so well done keeping these little critters going mate.

Thanks Pete. It's win, win. The wildlife enjoy using the bath and we enjoy seeing them.

[malkywinter]

Lovely visitors, I like the colours you've captured. Nice sharp eyes too!

[foxandcrow]

A great series and quite a variety, truly amazing.

[Bertrand3000]

I really enjoyed your shots, wonderful animals, thank you for sharing.

[Urs]

Great captures! Congrats! well done!

[Varunvg85]

To mark a minor milestone, my 4000th post, I want to pay tribute to all the PF contributors who have shared wonderful images of their local wildlife, particularly in The yard birds thread and The 300mm+ lens club (from which most of these are X-posted). Thanks to all of you - I have found your contributions enjoyable, inspiring, informative and encouraging. A special mention also to the late and much-missed Rupert.

Swamp wallabies, large and small. KP and DA 55-300 PLM




Bush rat. K-3 + FA*300 f4.5. (Gardening Australia magazine used this image, with my permission, in their November 2019 issue.)


Buff-banded Rail. First shot K-3 + FA*300 f4.5; the other two KP + DA 55-300 PLM.






Grey Butcherbird. K-3 + Sigma 400mm f5.6 tele macro


Eastern Whipbird. K-30 + Sigma 400mm f5.6 tele macro


Rainbow Lorikeets. KP + DA 55-300 PLM


Eastern Yellow Robin. K-3 + Sigma 400mm f5.6 tele macro


White-browed Scrubwrens. K-S2 + DA 55-300 PLM. A bit too much flash a bit here, but still worthwhile.




The point is, you don't need to travel to remote locations to get good wildlife shots. Even in a city apartment, a water source on a balcony can attract surprising visitors. In suburbs, towns and rural areas, there are endless possibilities. And when the wildlife comes to you, you don't need large, heavy or expensive gear. A consumer zoom or an old telephoto prime on an entry level body will do fine.

A little fill flash can help - ideally off-camera, close to the subject and diffused, but even on-camera with a diffuser and low output can work (as several of these shots illustrate). If you don't overdo the use of flash, you won't scare off the wildlife.

These are all with tele lenses, but some people set up the camera close to the subject, pre-focus and fire the shutter remotely (using wifi or a remote shutter release). For that, even a wide-to-normal lens can give great results.

Catch-in-focus is another common trick with manual focus lenses.

Check out the threads I've linked to for more ideas.

Amazing shots...

[The Squirrel Mafia]

Pretty great captures!

[Des]

Thanks very much to everyone for your kind words. Glad you liked them.

[Des]

Another remarkable recent birdbath user: Lewin's Rail. KP + DA 55-300 PLM at 300mm

[MikeNArk]

Well focused shot with wonderful colors. What bird is that?

[Des]

What bird is that?

Thanks for your comment. It's a Lewin's Rail (Lewinia pectoralis: https://www.swifft.net.au/cb_pages/sp_lewins_rail.php) - a species of water bird that is uncommon and rather elusive. Which makes its appearance in our birdbath quite amazing!