Digsicoping over distance in Summer (1 Viewer)

[Neil]

From the hide in the new Wetlands Park here in Hong Kong most of the waders were over 100 meters away over water in dull overcast weather. My birding mate spotted a small group of 7 Asian Dowitchers that we wanted a record of. I got out the reliable Swarovski 45x eyepiece. Luckily the hides have been built with concrete floors as with school holidays there were families coming and going continuously.
The first photo shows the view from the hide taken at about 36 mm with the camera only. Point 1(drongo) is about 25 meters and points 2 (dowitchers ) and 3 (kingfishers) are about 120 meters. Neil
ps you can see a chinese pond heron on the first post at point 1

Nikon 8400,Fuji F31fd,Canon A640 plus Swarovski STS80HD scope and Sw45x eyepiece and DCA adapter

Hong Kong Wetlands Park,
Hong Kong,
China
August 2007
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7892550@N03/

 

[Matt_RTH]

Quite impressive, especially for the distance! I can relate as I had to resort to some 300-500 m shots this weekend and it is extremely challenging. A great learning experience, though.

 

[tad_rusty]

Very nice depth of field on all of these, any idea as to what you were set at? Love how steady you were I wish I could get the shake out.

RT

 

[Neil]

RT,
The dowitchers were at 9.3 mm on the 8400 (45 x 37 = 1665 mm )
The drongo was at 16mm (45 x 60 =2700 mm ) and the kingfishers were at 24 mm on the F31fd and I used iso 400 (45 x 100 = 4500 mm ).
I didn't mention that I have just bought a large Benro aluminium tripod which is as solid as a rock and gives better support to my ballhead. I used a remote or self-timer and bracketted focus. Neil.

 

[Clive Watson]

Someone needs to construct a photographic hide at the edge of the mud! Are the waders as distant as that at Mai Po?

 

[Neil]

Clive,
You're right. The main scape at Mai Po is 660 x 220 metres and the hides are at either end and along the SW side. There is a new hide being constructed now out in Deep Bay (there are two existing hides out there but with rising silt levels the birds are rarely anywhere near them ) which will be much closer but involve a 1 km walk over a floating boardwalk through mangroves. It should be finished this October and I'm looking forward to it altough I'll have to dump some kit as it's a 6 km round trip to the reception/carpark. Neil.
ps the above photos were taken at the new Wetlands Park which is near Mai Po.

 

[Clive Watson]

Thanks for the info Neil, I'd like to come and have a go at the Mai Po waders one day but I've not sure if they are actually close enough (plus I don't have the time and money). I'm a DSLR man though so I'm in the wrong forum really.