I’m not sure how many other people have a ‘connection’ to a source of intuition and such. I’ve had a ‘little voice’ that has helped to guide my life for over 4 decades. Sometimes the messages I get are quite serious, like the one that allowed me to avoid what could have been a life-ending car accident some 30 years ago. Others, like the one I got today, lead to far less serious but enjoyable consequences.
NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.
Today’s message was “go to Hendrie Valley and photograph osprey in flight”. I’ve visited Hendrie Valley numerous times in the past and have only on occasion have I seen any osprey. When I did, they were flying quite high and looked like specs in the sky. Certainly nothing I could photograph. Undaunted I headed out. You see – I never question my ‘little voice’
For the first time ever I was met by a pair of osprey flying fairly low and making good image subjects. I already had my Nikon 1 V2 set for AF-C with subject tracking so I was able to immediately start capturing images.
The osprey made a few nice passes allowing me to capture a number of AF-C image runs.
They circled back a couple of times providing some nice angle images. The birds seem to be studying me intently.
After about 15 minutes or so the osprey both flew off and I looked for other image opportunities.
There were a few terns in the area so I concentrated on them. While capturing an AF-C run with subject tracking, one especially playful tern did a ‘spin-a-rama- move’ that looked like a barrel roll.
Even at 15 fps my Nikon 1 V2 could not do this acrobatic tern justice.
A number of terns were fishing and I was able to capture some images of them with fish in their mouths.
I captured one AF-C run with a tern adjusting the angle of a fish in its beak from horizontal to vertical in preparation for devouring it.
And, another run with a ‘down the hatch’ image.
Just before I left Hendrie Valley a gull flew by with a fish it had caught in its beak. Another pleasant surprise!
I only spent about an hour at Hendrie Valley to capture all of the images in this article. I have never spent such a productive hour capturing as many species and behaviours before. Luckily I listened to my little voice!
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15 fps? And only today I was lamenting the fact that 5 fps was as slow as I could go. Even at that I took 117 shots in less than 15 minutes. It’s the culling that wears me out…
Nice post.
Hi Chuck,
I hear you on that one! Shooting at these super fast frame rates does provide all kinds of image selection potential…but as you point out the culling can be very tiring. I’ve started mixing things up a bit and capturing individual BIF images as well as some AF-C runs. During lulls in the action I also do some quick image reviews and make obvious deletions when I can.
Tom
Great pictures. Would the lack of a viewfinder on the J5 make such shots too difficult? I am currently considering adopting N1 to save weight when traveling.
Hi Steve,
Most folks who try to use a J5 for birds-in-flight use a loupe with it which negates the small size advantage of the Nikon 1 system. The J5 is a great travel camera for landscapes, flowers, and street photography. If you aren’t planning BIF images then the J5 would work very well as a travel camera. If you need BIF capability then a V3 or perhaps a used V2 would be a better choice.
Tom
Great shots Tom!
Glad you liked them Gary!
Tom
Wow, amazing capture of the Terns! Good shooting! I just love shooting birds with the V2 and CX 70-300 VR. Even though I jumped at the chance to get a couple used, but absolutely like new, Nikon 1 lenses (6.7-13 and 32mm f/1.2), my 70-300 is still my most used lens. Have to tell you that my V3 will run rings around my V2 for fast action shots. I got the V3 outfit, like new, for a bargain price, so I couldn’t resist it. It’s a lot better than I expected and I like it a lot. I have even switched to it now with my 70-300 because it is so fast! But the V2 body is so DSLR-like that I love the body design and the built in grip.
I really enjoyed this article and the photos. You did a great job again, of course. Like you, I don’t want to wear out my two V2 bodies. Unlike you, I don’t want a model without viewfinder. At 80, as of today, it’s too late for me to change. LOL
Vern
Happy Birthday Vern! Thanks for the positive comment about the article and for sharing your experiences with the Nikon 1 V2 and V3.
Tom
Hi Tom:
Great series on these birds, even the upside down ones. The Ospreys are a delight to capture and you have done an excellent job on these and the other birds with the Nikon 1 V2. Hendrie Valley is a very special place and I can’t wait to return when I recover from my knee injury. The physiotherapist said today it will be a while longer before I can put the knee to any demanding walking. In the meantime I am really enjoying your articles and photos on your Website and on Photography Life.
Thanks for the positive comment Ray! My sincere best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Tom