Having some time off over the festive period, I visited my local reserves of Blashford Lakes Nature & Hengistbury Head, a few times to try out the Canon 5d MkIV with both stills and its 4k video capability. It also allowed me more time to play with my recent lens addition with it – a Canon 100-400 IS L lens.
Whilst out I at Hegistbury Head, I was able to get close to some Turnstones on the shore. These images I took low down to them and they are all at ISO 1600 with a small amount of cropping. The noise performance on this camera I find is excellent.
In this next picture, I was lucky to get some movement in the bird, whilst keeping its eyes sharp as it flicked up a stone.
Now for one with a reflection.
And finally for the Turnstones, one face on.
At Blashford I was fortunate to spot a SparrowHawk at dusk outside a hide window. This shot is ISO 5000.
I also had the opportunity to borrow my brothers newer 100-400 IS L Mk2 on a day – this Robin was taken with it and a 1.4x Converter. The newer lens has slightly better IQ, but the main difference is the far superior image stabalisation (IS) performance. It has 3 modes instead of the olders 2, and stabalises the image much better. Shots around 1/40 second a gettable with this lens. Lastly the other difference is that it can focus a fair bit closer at the 100mm end.
I spent most of my time videoing from the Lapwing Hide overlooking Ibsley Water at Blashford. I do have some footage elsewhere – which will come in a further post, as I also had time to experiment with my sound recording equipment ( ZoomH5 and Rode VideoMic Pro). My musing and results I will add soon.
The sunsets were good on several days – this is a still from one of these days. ISO 800.
Finally the videos (all shot in memory card munching 4k) – firstly of the Starling Murmations that I saw over several days – The first I’ve seen of these since 2013. Even though their numbers are much less than then, ( c600 – 1000 this time around compare to up to c60,000 in 2013), I still find watching them fascinating.
Also from the same location is a video of the Sunsets and impressive gull roost at the lake.
