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Post your Bird Portraits

Greater Roadrunner in profile. Although it's probably not at the top of your to-do list for today, but did you ever wonder what that colorful eyepatch behind a Roadrunner's eyes is called? It's known as a postorbital apterium. Feel free to mention that the next time you're chatting with friends...or not. :run:

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Apteria means nonfeathered area, it applies to several areas on birds. The areas between the feather tracts on birds are also called apteria.
 
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A couple more captive residents of the wildlife sanctuary/rehabilitation center where I am a volunteer. Both these birds have broken shoulders and cannot fly properly. So, they are both permanent residents of the sanctuary. The area where I volunteer (rehab center) mission is to treat injured wildlife for release. These non-releasable animals are kept on display at the sanctuary for public education purposes and fund-raising. They are all spoiled by the large staff of keepers. I am putting together a portfolio of images of the residents. The staff uses them for promotion, social media, etc.

I get to release some of the birds (all kinds) and mammals (mostly rabbits and opossum) and turtles/tortoises that have been rehabbed. Sometimes the county or state environmental agency gets involved with the releases Other times one of us can do it once we get clearance (some species need clearance as to release location, others not) . It is fun and rewarding to see them fly, swim or lumber off!!

American Bald Eagle
Captive bald eagle in a wildlife sanctuary by Ed Spenser, on Flickr

Roseate spoonbill. A recent addition. We determined he was non-releasable due to his injury and the sanctuary decided to keep him. He is a sweetheart. Kept in a large enclosure with other wading species.

Captive roseate spoonbill in a wildlife sanctuary by Ed Spenser, on Flickr
 
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Nice! Do you find that being in Shutter Priority with 1/1000 sec (a great shutter speed, IMO) with (presumably) auto-ISO works for you? With modern sensors and great PP NR algorithms, shooting at high ISO has become less of a concern. I am also toying wtih the idea of shooting in Shutter Priority these days, having shot mostly in AP in the past.
 
Sam I've done it both ways. I don't do enough of it to have a definitive feeling on it. I think for birds shutter priority is better while insects might be aperture.

I agree on auto ISO, while I'm still playing with the range. With the R5 I like to be 6400 or below if at all possible. With the r3 I've seen good results with 25600, particularly with the noise reductions options available now.

Thank you!!
 
Sam I've done it both ways. I don't do enough of it to have a definitive feeling on it. I think for birds shutter priority is better while insects might be aperture.

I agree on auto ISO, while I'm still playing with the range. With the R5 I like to be 6400 or below if at all possible. With the r3 I've seen good results with 25600, particularly with the noise reductions options available now.

Thank you!!
I haven't used auto-ISO much but IIRC, you can set a not-to exceed limit. Not 100% sure how the whole thing behaves TBH. If you set auto-ISO, in shutter (or aperture) priority, how does the camera decide whether to move the aperture (or shutter) or the ISO? Does one take precedence over the other?
 
I haven't used auto-ISO much but IIRC, you can set a not-to exceed limit. Not 100% sure how the whole thing behaves TBH. If you set auto-ISO, in shutter (or aperture) priority, how does the camera decide whether to move the aperture (or shutter) or the ISO? Does one take precedence over the other?
I believe you can set a range for aperture and iso if you are in shutter priority. What I can't figure out is which one of those two it changes first. I haven't tested it too much really. You can also set a lower limit iirc.
 
I used to shoot in Shutter Priority with Auto ISO - and still do on my 1DXii - but now since moving to the R5ii with three dials I shoot in Manual with Auto ISO.
Top front dial controls Aperture, top rear dial controls shutter and rear dial controls exposure compensation (so I can easily change shutter speed/exposure compensation with my thumb without taking my finger off the shutter - my goto setting is shutter for focus and shooting, only use back button focus for alternate use cases).

Sooty Oystercather, Vic, AuR5II5305-Enhanced-NR-Edit.jpg
 
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