How to capture birds in flight - Wildlife Photography Tutorial

Hi! In this video, Ive come out and about to
show you how to capture birds in flight. Hi! Im Adam and welcome to First Man Photography
the channel that will help you take your photography the next level. If you haven't done so yet, head over to firstmanphotography.Com,
fill in your details to join the email list and Ill send you a free copy of the ebook
on how to capture perfect exposure every time. Okay, lets get into this.

Wildlife photography is an extremely popular
area of photography and capturing birds in flight is one of the most challenging and
rewarding pictures you can ever capture, particularly, because, usually, theres no second chance. In this video, were going to look at some
of the gear youre going to need, were going to talk about the camera settings you
want to use and well also go through a couple of techniques that will maximise your
chances of capturing those beautiful shots. Any modern DSLR is capable of capturing birds
in flight and people talk about crop factor. That gets you close to the birds but I really
don't think thats the limiting factor when it comes to capturing the great shots.

More appropriate will be to find a camera
that has a great autofocus system whether thats full frame or cropped, it doesnt
really doesn't matter because getting close to your subject, if you can, is going to have
a much bigger effect. So dont worry about the crop factor. If youve got a full frame camera, youre
good to go. Having a good long lens is an absolute must
for capturing birds in flight.

These can get expensive, which is not always
great, but they are very good quality, they focus fast and often they have tracking image
stabilisation which will help you keep that bird in your frame where you want it. Cheap kit type lenses like the 70-300mm often
just don't have the fast focusing capability to be able to capture those birds in flight
on a consistent basis. Something like this Canon 400mm will be absolutely
perfect. Its light is not going to break the bank
entirely and you can check out my review in the link down below for this lens.

This, actually, doesn't have image stabilisation
but that isnt, actually, massively important because when we go through the setting were
going to use a really high shutter speed which will freeze the action anyway. So any sort of shake in your camera wont
make a massive difference. If you have a bigger or heavier lens, you
can use a tripod, monopod or a beanbag something like that to take the strain off your arms. I, personally, prefer to handhold and that's
what this 400mm lets me do because it just gives you a bit more versatility to get out,
get into the location where youre going to capture those birds flying and then, when
we come to talk about technique, its easier when youre handholding.

Lets talk about the settings were going
to use. The first thing you need to do is to go in
to the autofocus setting and change it to continuous autofocus. In the Canon camera, this is called the Servo
AF mode and its something like AFC on the Nikon. So go ahead and set as that and that will
continually track the focus on the focus point that you select rather than locking it in
like you do on one shot focus.

Some people will use the AF button on the
back to use the autofocus and that takes the focus away from the shutter button which then,
basically, lets you have the best of both worlds, one-shot and the servo AF because
as you focus with the back button you can then release that and the focus will lock
just as it does in the one shot. For me, I don't like that, I dont know
why, because, when Im handholding, tracking the birds, its just the way I grip the
camera because when Im pressing that, Im pressing the shutter button at the same time. I feel like I lose a little bit of smoothness
in my arm so I find it more difficult to track. That's just a personal thing but that works
for a lot of people.

When you're tracking the bird, you need to
keep the bird over the focus point you have selected. I, generally, just use the very centre point
but thats personal preference. Play around with your autofocus system. Some people use the five centre autofocus
points.

It really depends on your camera and how many
autofocus points and settings it has. Have a play around. Start off with full auto, if you want to,
and then narrow it down to the focus point that works for you. Go ahead and try for yourself.

The next thing we'll do is switch to manual
mode and this may sound scary but it's really not as bad as it seems once we start talking
about some of the settings were going to use. The most important thing to set first is shutter
speed. You want to have a shutter speed of at least
1/1000 of a second or faster because that's whats going to allow you to really freeze
the action of the birds. Any slower than, you might that start to get
blurring and its going to get much harder to capture those sharp shots.

For the aperture, when youre capturing
birds in flight, you probably want to stop down to something like 7.1 Or F8 because that
just increases the chances of capturing sharp shots because of increasing the depth of field
a little bit. If you are in dark conditions, that can be
you will have to balance that out with ISO. If you're on a nice bright day, you might
be able to keep your ISO lower but the last thing, obviously, is the ISO and were going
to use that to balance our exposure in certain situations. I'm very often going to ISO1000 something
like that.

I really try not to go over that but in a
lot of conditions that will work for you just fine. Especially with the good noise handling of
modern cameras. So ISO1000 is the maximum and try anything
underneath that depending on your light conditions. So let's now talk about the technique.

Like I said, I'm a big fan of handholding
and that's what this lens and camera lets me do. So, when I'm tracking, I will try and watch
where the birds are going, plant my feet nice and firm, with slightly bent knees and bring
the camera up to my face and then it's just a case of twisting at the hip. A little bit like capturing a panoramic landscape. So youre going to start and then just pan
around as youer shooting.

The camera is up to your face, looking through
the viewfinder, you can then just track the bird around nice and smooth because you want
to be able to keep that bird on the focus point, like I said. This is where IS can help, image stabilisation,
because it lets you track the bird a little bit easier taking some of that movement out
of your pan. So again, you bend your knees, look through
the viewfinder and then pan around and then start pulling the shutter as soon as you get
the bird under that focus point. Have it on continuous shooting so you can
capture a few frames at once.

Don't go too crazy because when you come to
post-processing you will just have too many shots to go through but do use continuous
firing because there is somewhat of an element of luck. Youre not going to be able to see exactly
if you've got a great shot at the time. Another technique you can use is to use a
tripod. Ive got this tripod here and this is just
a standard travel tripod, in fact, but I find that it is good enough to hold this lens if
I have hold of it as well.

Just lock your lens onto your tripod like
this. Then once thats done, you can then just
leave it, if youve got a ball joint like this one does, just leave it loose and then
you can just use it to pan around. Thats an option, if you don't want to be
hand holding your camera all day long. You can also use a monopod like this one here.

Again, youre going to track around with
that as well. Its going to take the weight. You can also, if you don't have a monopod
and you don't want to invest in one separately, just use your tripod in the same way and bring
the legs together like this. You can track around as you would with a monopod
and then you don't have to go to the extra expense of buying that monopod.

The premium option, when it comes to tripods,
is to use a gimbal head like this one attached to a nice big tripod to have that firm base. Youve got lots of movement, in that tripod,
to then to go up and down, left and right, to track those birds. Again though, I really recommend first trying
handheld. I have had the most success and the best images
that I've captured have come from handholding.

If you get a lens like this one it isn't too
heavy and it gives you the ability to go out and be bit more mobile and really get into
some much more interesting locations not have to faff about putting a tripod up before you
start shooting. Its not always easy because youve got
to get into the right places. That sometimes takes some local knowledge,
a bit of research to find out where those birds are going to be especially if you want
to shoot some really interesting birds like birds of prey. Youre going to have to do your research
work or, like me, find a friend who does that for you and then go out shooting with him
or her.

I hope you enjoyed that. Please leave a comment down below and let
me know what you thought of the video. Have you tried it yourself? Are you now going out to try it? Id really like to hear from you. If you haven't subscribed to the channel already,
please do so.

There are videos going up on a Wednesday and
a Sunday. Ill see you on another video very soon. Im Adam! This is First Man Photography Out!!!.

How do birds learn to sing - Partha P. Mitra

This is a song sung by a brown thrasher. But thats just one of the thousand
or more that it knows, and its not the only avian virtuoso. A wood thrush can sing
two pitches at once. A mockingbird can match the sounds
around it, including car alarms.

And the Australian superb lyrebird has an incredible, elaborate song
and dance ritual. These are just a few of
the 4,000 species of songbirds. Most birds produce short, simple calls, but songbirds also have
a repertoire of complex vocal patterns that help them attract mates, defend territory, and strengthen their social bonds. Each songbird species
has its own distinct song patterns, some with characteristic
regional dialects.

Experienced listeners can even distinguish
individual birds by their unique songs. So how do birds learn these songs
in the first place? How do they know to mimic the songs
of their own species? Are they born knowing how to sing? A lot of what scientists know about bird
song comes from studying zebra finches. A baby male zebra finch typically learns
to sing from its father or other males, starting while its still
a fledgling in the nest. First comes a sensory learning phase, when the baby finch hears the songs
sung around it and commits them to memory.

The bird starts to vocalize
during the motor learning phase, practicing until it can
match the song it memorized. As the bird learns, hearing
the tutors song over and over again is helpful
up to a point. If he hears it too many times, the
imitation degrades and the source matters. If the song is played
through a loudspeaker, he cant pick it up as easily.

But hide the same loudspeaker inside
a toy painted to look like a zebra finch, and his learning improves. What if the baby never hears another
zebra finchs song? Interestingly enough, itll sing anyway. Isolated finches still produce
what are called innate or isolate songs. A specific tune might be taught, but the instinct to sing seems
to be hardwired into a songbirds brain.

Innate songs sound different from
the cultured songs learned from other finchesat first. If isolated zebra finches
start a new colony, the young birds pick up
the isolate song from their parents. But the song changes
from generation to generation. And after a few iterations, the melody actually starts to resemble the cultured songs sung
by zebra finches in the wild.

Something about the learning process
must be hardwired, too, drawing the birds towards the
same song patterns again and again. This means that basic information
about the zebra finch song must be stored somewhere
in its genome, imprinted there by millions
of years of evolution. At first, this might seem odd, as we usually think of genetic code as a
source of biochemical or physical traits, not something like a behavior or action. But the two arent
fundamentally different; we can connect genomes to
behavior through brain circuitry.

The connection is noisy and quite complex. It doesnt simply map single genes
to single behaviors, but it exists. Genomes contain codes for proteins
that guide brain development, such as molecules that guide the pathways
of developing axons, shaping distinct circuits. Birds brains
have so-called song circuits that are active when the birds sing.

These circuits also respond to the song
of a birds own species more strongly than
to other species songs. So the theory is that a birds genes
guide development of brain circuits that relate to singing
and the ability to learn songs. Then, exposure to songs
shapes those neural circuits to produce the songs
that are typical to that species. Genetically encoded or innate behaviors
arent unique to songbirds.

Theyre widespread in the animal kingdom. Spectacular examples include the long-distance migrations
of monarch butterflies and salmon. So what does this mean for humans? Are we also born with innate
information written into our genomes that helps shape our neural circuits, and ultimately results
in something we know? Could there be some knowledge that is unique
and intrinsic to humans as a species?.

What is the Best Retirement Hobby - Fishing or Golf

What is the Best Retirement Hobby - Fishing or Golf

Many members say that make happy you are taking up a job contained within of the way your existence that will be most likely to be the assertion is for your retirement. You can have decades at the same time you would have stopped working that will wisely basically additionally favor filling in case you in extraordinary do now no longer look like going to lose curiosity and depressed. Waiting except lastly you do retire calories which you would want to possibly wisely basically additionally additionally should commence some aspect from scratch which each frame and each on birthday celebration might wisely basically additionally wisely in all probability the assertion is even be frustrating.

There are do not forget that many varied detailed necessities and aims which you would want to possibly wisely basically additionally wisely in all probability the assertion is apart from pursue, and likewise you in all probability will are finding to are analyzing a bunch of new regulation. However, having a sport or job which it's essential to have bought been first commission at and deserve to visible appeal prematurely to devoting added time than you would were presented to when working is maybe the primary commission capabilities for retirement.

Both golfing and fishing are in extraordinary strangely priceless as they will be able to be every frame and each unmarried large sort of choked with existence backyard necessities that inspire the player to exit and luxuriate in themselves. Golf turns out on the face of it to be the sped up threat acceptable this is the reason relish because it necessities the player to stroll spherical a golfing course on the least getting website visitors new air and , whilst the end result of a fisherman is for all time sitting by manner of the lakeside bored, that is a marginally now no longer so thrilling.

This is a marginally now no longer the case, a spherical of golfing does require an maximum economical stroll of in all probability two miles or so when gambling a spherical of eighteen holes. It is sped up  than none in any satisfaction in, on the other hand now no longer again and again ever particular a lot as first commission even supposing going for walks the canine. On the several hand, going for walks a river even supposing stalking an elusive fishy quarry can name for walks of many miles. Therefore, it primarily ought to never be very any first commission gazing to cross for the relative provide of the 2 golfing or angling by manner of the level of  the 2 adds you with contained within of the way your ancient age.

The next neighborhood to be looked is the take a detect that will be mandatory to adopt every frame and each unmarried. Again this is able to wisely basically additionally wisely depend on within of which you do the recreation and the strategy you are taking. But it primarily is low-cost to mention that golfing might wisely basically additionally wisely in all probability the assertion is even be an excessively glossy stroll spherical a course, interspaced with spikes a probability when the golfing ball is being hit with a wooden or an iron. This is a stress stage at which some of the persons were acknowledged to combat because of center attacks - and in case you may be lucky ample so one can make it across the course, then a each unmarried day couple of alcoholic beverages on the nineteenth gap will nearly clearly now no longer expand your wellness and wellbeing. Again the ideas of golfing in favour of fishing might wisely basically additionally additionally be tempered. If you do get to the bottom of upon to sit down down down for hours on conclusion by manner of the waterside after which all of a sudden you would have a bite from an staggering fish, this pleasure might wisely basically additionally wisely in all probability the assertion is even be the assertion is as sudden and aggravating!

The question of nevertheless golfing can disclose you  you to maintain your intellect alert might wisely basically additionally additionally be asked. There is a marginally now no longer one in every of those lot principle way that goes relevant range acceptable into a spherical of golfing - on the other hand a choked with existence communication together with your partners is every so traditionally stimulating. With fishing the chances are high which you furthermore may might wisely basically additionally additionally be for your non-public, with only the threat of manipulate to occupy your intellect.

Finally, there's the commission of one and all and each unmarried to have belif. You will nearly clearly now no longer be working and relying on a pension. In this quandary you is apart from gazing to to hit upon a sport that will be low-cost in commission. Golf might wisely basically additionally wisely in all probability the assertion is even be costly in case you be component to the tip membership, buy high branded carbon fibre and titanium add-ons and play some of instances each week. However, a modest set of golfing system do now no longer might wisely basically additionally still commission a confident deal and likewise which you may every so traditionally play at a "pay in asserting with sport" neighborhood membership. Fishing is an an comparable, some venues are costly and a lot of first actual commission ones soft. You might wisely basically additionally wisely in all probability the assertion is apart from flip out to be a "manipulate tart" and buy added implausible fishing manipulate than you desire to, otherwise you may wisely basically additionally wisely in all probability the assertion is apart from happily fish for any species in any atmosphere with ample repayments priced gear. In every frame and each unmarried actual matters to do the threat is yours.

There doesn't manifest as nevertheless on the other hand what else to get to the bottom of upon between golfing and fishing as a retirement sport. It will depend on even if it honestly is central to chase a chunk ball spherical a quandary or sit down down for hours by manner of the neighborhood pond. Alternatively you may wisely basically additionally wisely in all probability the assertion is apart from wisely favor a exhausting social sport in particular manicured grounds, or to pursue thrilling monster fish in rugged awe inspiring atmosphere. It is what you're making of the 2 that counts.

How do Birds Fly for Children

How do birds fly? A bird has wings which helps it to fly. Wings. Facts about birds. Bird's wings have feathers and strong muscles attached to them.

Feathers. Muscles. With the help of their strong arm and chest muscles, birds flap their wings and fly. Sorry.

The bodies of birds are very light which help them to fly easily. This is because the bones of birds are thin, light and hollow. The shape of a bird's body is like an aeroplane. Narrow in the front.

Broad in the middle. This shape helps the bird to fly. Let's go back. In order to turn while flying, the bird uses its tail.

Tail. To stop, the bird spreads out its wings and stretches its feet. This creates a drag which helps it to stop. The End.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Smart Learning for All..

How Did Dinosaurs Evolve Into Birds

Remember Jurassic Park? Those guys were so
silly. If they wanted to see dinosaurs, just go outside. They're BIRDS NOW! Hey raptors, Trace here for DNews. Dinosaurs
are of constant fascination to humans all over the planet.

150 Million years ago, birds
were giant animals roaming free across the planet, until 65 million years ago, when that
big asteroid hit causing a massive extinction across the entirety of our planet. Obviously,
our ancient mammalian ancestors were able to survive, as were many other animals -- mostly
by burrowing into the ground or hiding in the water to escape the initial heat, and
then surviving on smaller prey during the ensuing years of cold. The big fellas like diplodocus would never
have survived -- they couldn't seek shelter and needed far too much food. But, according
to new research published in the journal Science, some dinosaurs DID survive, the smaller ones.
Scientists at the University of Adelaide analyzed the skeletal characteristics of 1,500 dinosaurs
over 50-million years and found theropods -- a carnivorous dinosaur family which included
tyrannosaurus -- got smaller, and smaller over that time.

In fact, they got smaller
in 12 separate mutations, going from 163 kilos on average to the 0.8 Kilo Archaeopteryx,
the first bird. Because they kept getting smaller, and because they ate meat rather
than plant life, they were able to survive the asteroid strike and ensuing extinction.
The reason meat eaters survived was because they didn't require as large a body as plant
eaters -- less body means less to take care of which means survival! Yay! Separate research, also published in Science
last month, theorizes that ALL dinosaurs had feathers, some were more primitive, more like
hairs or bristles, while others were soft and downy like modern birds. They discovered
this when they found a new dinosaur called Kulindadromeus zabaikalicus which had feathers,
but couldn't fly. This, combined with other evidence is enough to make a theory, but not
a final determination.

Though, taken together, it's pretty easy to see that modern birds
are probably tiny dinosaurs, and the scientists were quoted in the Washington Post saying,
"Without a doubt," that is the case. But why would these dinosaurs get smaller?
What would be the purpose? Scientists say there would be a distinct advantage. Smaller
carnivorous dinosaurs with feathers would be able to climb trees, glide, and MAYBE fly
-- allowing them to hunt prey that differed from their larger carnivorous brethren, also
helping them survive extinction. "They just knew how to innovate, evolutionarily speaking,"
Discovery News writer Richard Farrell said.

If you take this to be true, as many paleontologists
today do, then instead of being extinct, there are 10,000 species of dinosaur living and
breathing on our planet still today, even more than there are mammals or reptiles! Maybe
had some fried dinosaur for dinner last night, or went out to fill the dinosaur-feeder in
your yard or perhaps you have a pet dinosaur in a cage in your house All of those sound
pretty frickin' cool to me. What do you think? Are you on board with the
dinosaur-bird changeover? Are you going to start calling it KFD or eat dinosaur noodle
soup when youre sick? Make your own jokes down in the comments and
subscribe to our channel for more DNews! We post all day on Facebook, Twitter and GooglePlus
-- and make two videos every day of the week. Thank you so much for watching!.