Photos from today's hunt!

[Tom Wilson]

I posted this in the bird section, but I thought since the requests for hunting photos had been made that I would post it here as well--Plus this is hunting--sorta...

Left the gun and dog at home and decided to spend the day behind the lens and still managed to get my Mallards! Hot Dawg!, I even got me a banded bird. For those of you who don't believe in catch and release duck hunting--I submit the following...

[lawdog]

AWESOME PICS! Thanks for posting. Those sure are some beautiful greenheads!

[hanson]

Unreal!!

I love the band!!

[muzzy]

Those are some pretty impressive pics! I have always wanted to start some serious outdoor photography. What kind of camera/lenses did you use for those pics??

Muzz

[Tom Wilson]

Those were all taken with a Nikon D70 and a Sigma 170-500mm lens. You can get into the same setup for around $1,700.00 if you're seriously considering it.

Thanks,

Tom W

[muzzy]

Had a feelin' that it was a D70! Nikon is the baby that I want and someday will have to get! It would be fun to play around with it. How many different lenses do you have and which do you use the most? Those mallard pics are very impressive!

Muzzy

[Tom Wilson]

Muzzy,

I hate to sound like a big baby, but I have dump for lenses. I have a sigma 170-500mm zoom that was used for all of today's photos, and I also have a sigma 70-200mm zoom lens that I often use with a 1.4x teleconverter. I am not happy with the lenses that I own as they are inferior products compared to prime lenses (Nikorrs). I do own three nikorrs, but they are all short lenses. 18-70afs, 28mm, and 60 mm macro. In my own defense and not to deter you from what could also be your passion, great photos are possible from these lenses, but the keep to delete ratio falls well into the delete side. They are slow to focus, and their sharpness is exactly not that--thus my complaints with them. There unfortunately is no positive side to this right now as the equivalent 500mm Nikorr prime lens is a mere $8,000.00 I love photography and I even make money at it, but nowhere near enough to afford this type of equipment. So, I do the best I can with what I have. One day, I hope to get my photography to the point of investing in such lenses, but to be even close to well set up for photography--I'd have to sell my Ranger, and that won't be happening anytime soon. I don't wish to deter you--I just want you to understand that this is an addictive hobby, and if you're serious about it--it can require quite the financial investment to get great equipment. I hope you do get started in it though, as it is great fun and the rewards can be great. I love it, and will do it for the rest of my days. I will just keep doing the best I can and one day, just maybe, I'll get the toys I want.

Thanks,

Tom W

[Quackaddict9]

Awesome pictures! These drakes are like fully plummaged, I havent seen one yet this year, maybe this weekend when I'm in NODAK. The band shot is great, thanks for showing.

[marine_man]

Tom,

Any chance I could get the full resolution version of the first picture e-mailed to me? I would like to use it as my desktop backround... it's a great picture!

My address is: waletzko at hotmail (Contact US Regarding This Word)

Thanks!

marine_man

[WALLEYENUTZ]

Those are some good ones Tom!!

I can't beleive no one has noticed in the first pic that the white band and the chestnut breast is missing around the mallards neck.

cool photo

[Tom Wilson]

Dang Jon,

I didn't even notice that??? I have some older photos somewhere of one that I shot once that was very light grey with a jet black head. That might be more cool than the banded one. You just don't see that kind of color variances that often.

[Dean Schellinger]

TAKE 'UM!!!!

[muzzy]

Tom,

Thanks for the info and no you aren't deterring me from photography. Yes it is expensive but you have to start somewhere right? You are doing great with what you have, but I guess it would be frustrating to have to delete what could potentially be a great shot!

I'd like some of your pics if you have a spare minute!

[email protected]

Take it easy and thanks again!

Muzzy

[The_Duckslayer]

Once again Tom the pictures are simply amazing! Thanks for sharing. Have a good one and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo