Birding in BC Community

I’m wondering about this because I want to photograph Black Scoters, but since they usually hang out farther off shore, it can be hard to photograph them, so if you know how to help me, please do. And if you’re thinking my camera is short focal length, it’s not, in fact, it’s a superzoom camera, the Panasonic Lumix FZ80.

It’s not easy. I’d go on a sunny(ish) afternoon when the tide is fairly high.

This is the best I’ve ever managed from Centennial Beach. I’ve seen better shots taken from White Rock Pier, but they are so infrequent there that you would probably have to visit dozens of times before getting lucky.

Cheers

What camera were you using when you took that image?

Nicasso wrote: ↑Dec 23 3:48 pm What camera were you using when you took that image?

Nikon D7200, 300mm f/4 PF with 1.7x teleconverter.

Also, when you took that shot, was the Black Scoter in that image near shore or far offshore?

Nicasso wrote: ↑Dec 25 6:54 pm Also, when you took that shot, was the Black Scoter in that image near shore or far offshore?

At this point it was about 200m away. I waited quite a while, and eventually one popped up in front of all the Surf and White-winged Scoters.

There is a certain level of luck in finding Black Scoters. The first one I saw was off the White Rock Pier and the last ones I saw were near the Pier, but close to shore by the train tracks (high tide of course). In between I've seen them at Point Roberts on several occasions. They do seem more evasive than other Scoters. I once watched an overly aggressive photographer standing at the waterline at Point Roberts, trying to get as close as possible to the Black Scoters which were intermingled with Surf Scoters and I enjoyed watching the BS move to the side of the Scoter raft that was furthest from the waterline. I returned to the location a half hour later when the aggressive photographer was gone and the BS were now the closest Scoters to the shoreline.

The swimmer I find the toughest to photograph is the Red-throated Loon. Again, seen off the WR Pier and also at Point Roberts. You need a LONG lens and luck. Also seen at the end of the South Jetty in Iona. They seem very wary. They dive and then don't appear to resurface. Just disappear. I suspect that they immediately fly off upon surfacing.

Other sea birds difficult to photograph are the Rhinoceros Auklets and various Murrelets and the Common Murre. I've only seen them when on shore, at Point Roberts.

I don't think that there is any special technique to photograph these birds. To improve your odds, you must look often and then have a camera with enough reach to bring them in close enough for photos. Spot focusing is necessary as well. Also I would not use autoexposure when trying to photograph black birds swimming on the ocean's surface.

Ahh, Point Roberts, I remember it fondly....

It does not matter if you have a super-zoom if it has a small sensor, poor quality lens, and/or you have to crop your images a lot.

You need to go out many times, get closer (whenever possible), maybe use a boat, and patience, patience, and more patience.

There are also the times of year when they are migrating either south or north when there are many more around. High tide time often brings them closer to shore. Luck also helps.



Tony
Parksville

Sometimes you will get lucky enough to find one inside a marina and be close enough to get a flight shot.