Steven Jungerwirth
April 2026 - Breakfast on the Go
Original
About the Image(s)
While walking along a small pond in FLA, I spotted this bird across the water. It was around 8AM. Not sure what he was digging for/eating . . . resolution isn't great. Look like some kind for small crustacean.
Canon R5, 100-500 f4.5-7.1 lens @ 500mm. ISO 16000, 1/1000, f7.1. Crop and basic adjustments in LR. Noise reduction and vignette added in LR.
9 comments posted
Hi Steven,
I like your crop! It really emphasizes the reflection, and the water dripping from the bird's bill gives a sense of motion to the image. It feels like a privilege to watch this bird go about its daily life in such a serene environment, oblivious to outside observation. Posted: 04/01/2026 16:30:00
I like your crop! It really emphasizes the reflection, and the water dripping from the bird's bill gives a sense of motion to the image. It feels like a privilege to watch this bird go about its daily life in such a serene environment, oblivious to outside observation. Posted: 04/01/2026 16:30:00
It's a good scene and good job being patient enough to wait for interesting behavior. Technically, I think we know what the detail is a little grainy: Very high ISO and maybe a tight crop. If you are shooting auto-iso consider capping the upper limit lower (whatever is good for your camera by experience -- I use 3200). I absolutely agree to shoot this at 1/1000 but you could use a shallower DOF to get that ISO down. I usually shoot birds wide open. I'd be interested in other opinions as I am NOT the bird expert. Posted: 04/01/2026 17:29:27
Thank you - I agree with all your points. f7.1 is wide open with this lens @ 500mm :)
I'm never going to own a faster lens of this focal length; between the cost and the weight - just not for me.
I have been shooting in Canon's Fv (Flexible Priority Mode) - which allows you to control everything or nothing (really a combination of AUTO and MANUAL). It's confusing at first, but I've gotten to like it. It allows you to set a max for ISO; I went back to my camera and there was no limit set. I've found that in the 5,000 range, I tend to get pretty usable images. I was surprised with the quality of this image at 16,000; perhaps since denoise software just keeps getting better. Posted: 04/02/2026 10:03:08
I'm never going to own a faster lens of this focal length; between the cost and the weight - just not for me.
I have been shooting in Canon's Fv (Flexible Priority Mode) - which allows you to control everything or nothing (really a combination of AUTO and MANUAL). It's confusing at first, but I've gotten to like it. It allows you to set a max for ISO; I went back to my camera and there was no limit set. I've found that in the 5,000 range, I tend to get pretty usable images. I was surprised with the quality of this image at 16,000; perhaps since denoise software just keeps getting better. Posted: 04/02/2026 10:03:08
The crop is nice, taking away a lot of the extra distracting foliage. The dripping water adds motion. The colors are more exciting in your edited version. Very nice. Posted: 04/01/2026 20:18:50
This is a very good capture of this bird in the peak of the action. The crop focuses on the bird (which is what most people would prefer), but I also kind of like the larger environmental portrait with those big, dramatic leaves. Is your ISO really 16000 or did you mean 1600? Posted: 04/01/2026 22:33:20
Thanks Canan - appreciate your comments! Your question prompted me to go back to the original RAW image metadata; it was shot at 16,000. I rarely get worthwhile images at that ISO. See my response to Will above. Posted: 04/02/2026 10:05:16
If ISO is 16,000, then your software did a great job. It probably also helped that there are not a lot of areas of darkness, which is where the noise shows up most. I think the resolution is fine if you don't do pixel-peeping. I use DxO Photolab to process my RAW images, and I'm amazed at what high ISOs I can get away with thanks to their denoising technology. Posted: 04/02/2026 13:32:54
I enjoy this image. You recorded the image just at the right moment. I think I would enjoy the image more if it were in an 8X10 ratio with less of the water showing. Posted: 04/05/2026 20:20:17
Very nice image! Very good detail and color control. I agree with Will that your patience in taking this shot really paid off (something I need to learn is slowing down and patience when taking photos). Posted: 04/07/2026 21:13:45