I don’t know what type of bird this is, but I do know that about four months ago an Australian dollars was worth just over 98 US cents. Today an Australian dollar gets me just under 62 US cents. That is unfortunate math. Hopefully the trend doesn’t continue to zero.
This looks like the Easter Yellow Robin, Eopsaltria australis. Australasian robins (Family Petroicidae) are “small insectivorous birds, some with brilliantly coloured males. May perch sideways on vertical stems. Hunt prey from low perches. Young heavily mottled.” So there you go, quoted from my bird book: “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”.
Ok, so inquiring minds want to know. About how far away from this bird were you when you took the photo? And, what types of settings did you adjust to get the bird so in focus and the background so soft so as to not detract from the bird?
I’m thinking I’d like to get more into photography but have no idea where to start with any sort of camera to start with, and also any special lenses. I have a little Canon point and shoot that is about the size of a pack of cigarettes. I carry it with me all the time and like the portable feature. But, sometimes I wish I had a camera that would do more….or maybe mine would suit me fine but I just don’t use the features it has well enough.
Kira Ora Beth and Josh!!!!!!!!!
glad to see that u guys still on a trip. Watched now all of your pictures. I allready wrote josh an e-mail.
I really hope we can see us again my friends.
Take it easy.
OH u shoot still nice pictures Josh.
If you want to learn more about your camera, I would suggest getting a book and reading it in small chunks. Inbetween chunks, go out and practice what you have read. It seems confusing at first, but with practice comes clarity. The great thing about digital is you can try different settings and get immediate feedback on what is working and what isn’t. I have a book specifically written for my camera, and it’s a great tool.
If I remember correctly, your camera seemed pretty good in giving you control over things. The only problem is cause it’s so little you have to change things via the LCD menu rather than by hand controls, which can be a bit more cumbersome. If you want to take the next step I would recommend getting a low end DSLR like the Canon 350D or something similar. I would think if you shopped around you should be able to pick something up for < 500. Maybe significantly cheaper if you look for a used one on ebay or something. By the way, I only recommend the Canon because it is the only one I have experience with. I’m sure other brands would be comparable. Best of luck, and feel free to email with questions.
10 Comments »
Comment by josh — October 27, 2008 @ 3:15 pm
I don’t know what type of bird this is, but I do know that about four months ago an Australian dollars was worth just over 98 US cents. Today an Australian dollar gets me just under 62 US cents. That is unfortunate math. Hopefully the trend doesn’t continue to zero.
Comment by beth — October 27, 2008 @ 5:35 pm
This looks like the Easter Yellow Robin, Eopsaltria australis. Australasian robins (Family Petroicidae) are “small insectivorous birds, some with brilliantly coloured males. May perch sideways on vertical stems. Hunt prey from low perches. Young heavily mottled.” So there you go, quoted from my bird book: “Field Guide to the Birds of Australia”.
Comment by Louise — October 28, 2008 @ 8:08 am
Ok, so inquiring minds want to know. About how far away from this bird were you when you took the photo? And, what types of settings did you adjust to get the bird so in focus and the background so soft so as to not detract from the bird?
I’m thinking I’d like to get more into photography but have no idea where to start with any sort of camera to start with, and also any special lenses. I have a little Canon point and shoot that is about the size of a pack of cigarettes. I carry it with me all the time and like the portable feature. But, sometimes I wish I had a camera that would do more….or maybe mine would suit me fine but I just don’t use the features it has well enough.
Ok…done!
Louise
Comment by dadman — November 1, 2008 @ 2:24 am
Thanks, Beth!!!
Nice picture, Josh! keep it up!
Comment by andy — November 2, 2008 @ 5:30 am
Kira Ora Beth and Josh!!!!!!!!!
glad to see that u guys still on a trip. Watched now all of your pictures. I allready wrote josh an e-mail.
I really hope we can see us again my friends.
Take it easy.
OH u shoot still nice pictures Josh.
Comment by josh — November 2, 2008 @ 10:16 am
Hi Andy!
Louise,
I think I was about 15 feet away from the bird when I took that one. The settings I used were as follows:
Camera: Canon EOS 350D (Rebel XT)
Focal Length: 240.0mm
35mm equiv: 390mm
Exposure time: 1/100s
Aperture: f/8.0
ISO: 800
Exposure: Aperture Priority
Flash: off
If you want to learn more about your camera, I would suggest getting a book and reading it in small chunks. Inbetween chunks, go out and practice what you have read. It seems confusing at first, but with practice comes clarity. The great thing about digital is you can try different settings and get immediate feedback on what is working and what isn’t. I have a book specifically written for my camera, and it’s a great tool.
If I remember correctly, your camera seemed pretty good in giving you control over things. The only problem is cause it’s so little you have to change things via the LCD menu rather than by hand controls, which can be a bit more cumbersome. If you want to take the next step I would recommend getting a low end DSLR like the Canon 350D or something similar. I would think if you shopped around you should be able to pick something up for < 500. Maybe significantly cheaper if you look for a used one on ebay or something. By the way, I only recommend the Canon because it is the only one I have experience with. I’m sure other brands would be comparable. Best of luck, and feel free to email with questions.
Comment by beth — November 2, 2008 @ 10:24 am
oops.. That was supposed to be the Eastern Yellow Robin.. doh!
Comment by Robin — November 4, 2008 @ 3:23 am
thanks for the scientific name, bethany!!!
Comment by dadman — November 4, 2008 @ 10:57 am
Robin – what’s _your_ scientific name?? ;^)
Comment by beth — November 7, 2008 @ 5:29 pm
Robin’s scientific name is Rob-a-face
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