The Australian Hobby is my favourite raptor and I had the pleasure of watching this one for about half an hour as it preened and shook and shuffled.
Canon 5DIII, Canon 200-400mm f/4.0 L IS USM EXT
1/1000, f/5.6, ISO 1600
It was time to leave the Western Treatment Plant but I had a nagging feeling that I should head back down Beach Road, and I’m so glad I did. This beautiful hobby was a fair distance away, on a fence running perpendicular to the road. Looking through the car window meant that the long grasses, that can just be seen in the foreground, were partly obscuring the hobby. It was the perfect time to open the sunroof and take photographs from the roof. It works well for many birds that would flush if the door was opened. I can still visualise the bemused faces of the car sales staff when I took my photography gear into the showroom to make sure it would work the way I’d imagined.
I shared images from this series a while ago, and promised to share more (and there are more beauties to come). Some information on the species and it’s scientific name can be found in the earlier post: A Remarkable Hobby
1/800, f/5.6, ISO 200, focal length 560mm, handheld
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400mm L IS USM EXT
After a day of ‘hazardous’ air quality in Melbourne, the sun glowed like the ball of fire it is.
I was in the paddock with the dogs when I saw the red sun setting. I snapped a couple of awful pics with my phone before running for my camera, hoping to get some decent shots before the sun disappeared. It was dropping so rapidly that it was partly obscured by trees by the time I’d grabbed my camera but I raced to higher ground, and here it is, magnificent and heartbreaking.
Happy birding
Kim
~ Facebook page Kim Wormald – lirralirra
~ Facebook group Ethical Bird Photography
The hobby is gorgeous! I love the progression of movement in the triptych and the fluffy legs! A brilliant capture of the bushfire sun too. Incredible.
After reading your comment I had to scroll back up to check out the fluffy legs, so sweet (which isn’t usually a word I’d use to describe a raptor!) It’s funny that the subject that was moving the fastest was the sun not the bird.
Amazing triptych, Kim! And the red sun setting, stunning, but a tragic reminder of why it looks that way.
Thank you Margot. I was super lucky to see the hobby, especially in such beautiful light. And I totally agree about the setting sun.
How I love that triptych. And its star.
And yes, the sun as been both beautiful and horrendous in recent months. Fires still burn out of control here and we can still see flames from the veranda. When will it end, and at what cost.
Thanks EC, and I hope so much that the fires near you are no longer burning. The cost is extreme 🙁
Still burning but under control. Which is a step in the right direction.
That’s good to know, I hope even bigger steps are made soon
I love your Hobby triptych, Kim! Also, your idea of taking photos through the sun-roof. I have one but never dreamed it would be so useful. Why have I never thought of that? I must investigate further. Thanks! 🙂
Aw thank you Kim! Let me know how you go using the sunroof. I love doing it though sometimes the logistics are a bit tricky to negotiate, especially if there are others in the car 🙂