oliver_flint

<p>The conductor.</p><div></div>

<p>Calico Pennant Dragonfly (Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve, Pennsylvania)</p><div></div>

<p>This photo of a house finch was taken a couple of days ago while trying to learn how to use a long lens (the Nikon 800 mm with the 1,4x TC; D810 on a good quality tripod). The distance was 100-110 feet. I used a remote trigger so as not to jog the camera but with this lens almost any movement is perceptible in the viewfinder, even the slightest of breezes. In the end I found that manual focus was best. It was a little like using a microscope. The smallest of turns of the focusing ring move objects completely in or out of focus at that distance. It will take a lot of practice to get used to using this lens.</p><div></div>

<p>Trout Lily (native wildflower) with visitor - early Spring in South Eastern Pennsylvania</p><div></div>

<p>Mr Ning Moo - principal viola of the Riverside Symphonia, Bucks County PA.</p><div></div>

<p>Baby iceberg growing in the Delaware - March 2 2015.</p><div></div>

<p>At Washington Crossing on March 2 - a view upriver.</p><div></div>

<p>At Washington Crossing in Pennsylvania the Delaware was more or less completely frozen this weekend. If this had been December of 1776 Washington would have likely been able to cross on foot, but then so could the Hessian mercenaries hired by the British.</p><div></div>

<p>Portrait</p><div></div>

<p>Yesterday evening we went on an Owl Watch at Bowman’s Wildflower Preserve (New Hope, Pennsylvania). I was looking forward to it in spite of the intense cold (18F). This was the first time I had been with naturalists on the trail of owls and expected to see at least one since there is scarcely a patch of woodland around here where they cannot be heard calling. Before I left the house I picked up my camera and my binoculars. It was already 5:30 pm and the sun behind the horizon so I decided just to take my binoculars – there was scarcely any moon so even with my f2.8 300 mm I didn’t think it would be worthwhile taking the camera. By 6:30 pm we were out in the dark in the woods crunching through the thin cover of snow. The leader started playing a recording of a screech owl. Several minutes later there was an answering call and to my surprise the leader whipped out a powerful torch and shone it up into the branches of a nearby tree. There, as easy to see as in daylight was a beautiful screech owl with huge eyes swiveling its head back and forth. I remembered the frequent advice in this forum – always take your camera with you, just in case. Anyone else have a similar moment of profound regret?</p>

<p>And just for fun</p><div></div>

<p>And this</p><div></div>

<p>Also this</p><div></div>

<p>Using the new Nikkor AF-S 20 mm f1.8 over the holidays I found it to be excellent for close-up portraits as well as wide angle shots with good sharpness.</p><div></div>

<p>Holding court.</p><div></div>

<p>Gdansk - August 2014</p><div></div>

<p>Why did no-one mention the Nikkor 35mm f/1,4G? Just curious. For me this has been an outstandingly sharp lens for general photography that's a joy to carry around - very light.</p>

<p>I haven't nearly the same experience as Rodeo Joe with TCs but have recently been using the new Nikon 2x TCIII with the Nikkor 300 mm f/2.8 for bird photography. The attached image shows that this combination can be quite sharp. Following Rodeo Joe's suggestion I imagine the TCIII 1.4x is even sharper.</p><div></div>

<p>Peahen and chick - Philadelphia Zoo, October 17, 2014</p><div></div>

<p>It's very nice to use (very light compared to the 14-24 mm 2.8G ;-). I put up three photos on Flickr showing a true wide angle view, a close up and a macro. The focus is good down to a few centimeters.<br> https://www.flickr.com/photos/in_vitro/sets/72157648323600150/</p>

<p>Winterberry - Bowman's Wildflower Preserve - Delaware Valley, Sept 30 2014</p><div></div>

<p>Cabbage white - in our garden</p><div></div>

<p>Peace Valley Nature Center, Doylestown PA - White-breasted nuthatch</p><div></div>

<p>Peace Valley Nature Center, Doylestown PA - Downie woodpecker</p><div></div>

<p>Peace Valley Nature Center, Doylestown PA - Red-bellied woodpecker</p><div></div>