A few more birds

[Greg_Nuspel]

I cheated these were all from a Raptor Center by Duncan BC

[JAS_Photo]

Gorgeous captures, Greg! Especially the first.

[MoinMoin]

I totally agree with raiven! My special one is the second photo.

[jlabel]

I liked the second photo because it is different

[Mad Aussie]

It is cheating but it's the only way I get close to birds like these too. Great shots Greg.

[JAS_Photo]

Being in a raptor center does not quarantee great pictures. It just means better access. What happens after that is still up to the photographer. A great photo is a great photo, nonetheless. :) I do not really understand the attitude of photography as a substitute for hunting mentality.

[Mad Aussie]

For me it's more about the achievement. If I got a shot like that in the wild I'd die a happy man. I have shots like that from refuges ... the achievement is far less for me.

[1putts]

Nice work. The raptor centres offer great opps.

[Greg_Nuspel]

Thanks for all the kind comments. I was amazed when I first learned about the game farms that cater to photographers and advertise spring promotions when all the young animals are ready. It makes me question some of those cute shots of young 'wild' animals. I wonder how many where shot on these game farms?

[casil403]

Love #1 Greg...great eyes!
I know there's a farm in Montana that does the whole game farm for photographers.
I dunno for me I guess I am with MA/Greg on this one...it's just so incredibly gratifying to get an amazing shot of something in the wild (and in it's natural habitat) doing what it's supposed to be doing while being oblivious to me and my camera. :highfive:

[Marko]

Love the drama and intensity of the eyes in shot 1.

[Mad Aussie]

Just commenting on marko's blog invite to this thread ... I think it's also worth considering that getting shots in places like zoo's can produce challenges of their own too. Fences, people, that sort of thing. So at times a good photograph can actually be very difficult to get in a zoo environment.

[Bambi]

where the picture was taken does not detract the value of it for me. I am amazed that anyone can get a half-decent shot in a zoo or preserve. most of the time the animals are tucked at the back away from the people. I love the shot of the owl in flight. but all 3 are great.

[Greg_Nuspel]

Thanks for all the comments, yes it is hard to get good shots of captive animals. Either fences or people get in your way, the environment is too unnatural. I also find many of the animals are lethargic or reclusive.

[AntZ]

Great shots Greg.

[ArtTwisted]

there certainly is a romanticism behind hiking into the unknown wilderness and capturing an image like that with nothing but a map and a telephoto. That said it doesent mean the zoo pics are worse, just means the wilderness ones can be better. I dont care what anybody says, an animal in a cage in no way can portray the beauty of an animal living in the wild. I have much more respect for a photog who hikes through the african jungles to get that rare snap then the one who goes to his local zoo and is back for lunch.

Its not just the picture, its how you got the picture too.

[edG]

great images Greg :thumbup:

[Michaelaw]

Don't care where you got the Eagle shot, just glad you did..It's wonderful:thumbup:

[pdophoto]

there certainly is a romanticism behind hiking into the unknown wilderness and capturing an image like that with nothing but a map and a telephoto. That said it doesent mean the zoo pics are worse, just means the wilderness ones can be better. I dont care what anybody says, an animal in a cage in no way can portray the beauty of an animal living in the wild. I have much more respect for a photog who hikes through the african jungles to get that rare snap then the one who goes to his local zoo and is back for lunch.

Its not just the picture, its how you got the picture too.

I did not know that my pictures are worthless since they are all taken near my home.

[Hillbillygirl]

Cheating or not, very well done Greg, nice set.

[Kawarthabob]

Very nice shots Greg! I for one would love if there was a santuary near me!

[edG]

great shots, no matter where they were captured