The Sigma 50-500mm lens is my weapon of choice when I'm going to spend all day shooting wildlife.
A Pentax K10D is the camera body I use but, you can get this lens for a Canon, Nikon, Sigma, Sony or Olympus cameras as well.
Ideal for wildlife photographers who don't want to carry a bag full of lenses, it is also a favorite of those who shoot sporting events and air shows.
Nicknamed the Bigma, this baby is heavy. Without a camera attached, it's just a tad over 4 pounds (1.86Kgs). It's not something you want hanging around your neck unless you're someone like Arnold, that Terminator guy.
A sturdy tripod or monopod is recommended, not only to steady the camera but, to keep from breaking your back, as well. New, these lenses are selling for $1300-$1500 depending on camera model.
Used, I've seen them go for under $800 probably because people broke their backs not knowing how to handle them.
The Sigma 50-500mm works best in bright light because you won't get the wide aperture settings required for low light shooting, especially at the long end of its zoom. But, a prime lens for any of the major cameras (f/2.8) that reaches out to 500mm will cost a few thousand dollars more.
Auto focus is fast, smooth and quiet. Occassionally, white and grey skies will confuse the Auto focus but, that happens with almost any lens when you're tracking a bird in flight.
Some wildlife photographers claim the Sigma 50-500mm requires a tripod at focal lengths over 300mm. I agree, use a tripod when you can but, when you can't, use your Burst Mode and take the shot.
The photo below was taken, handheld, at 500mm with the Sigma 50-500mm APO DG.
My rating for the Sigma 50-500mm APO DG Telephoto Lens: Five Stars.
GET YOUR SIGMA 50-500MM LENS FOR CANON, NIKON, SIGMA, SONY OR PENTAX CAMERAS WHERE I BUY MY CAMERA SUPPLIES, ANY REPUTABLE DEALER !
The Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) is one amazing bird. These guys ought to get some sort of world travelers award.
The first encounter I ever had with one of these birds was just about two years ago. I recognized the other birds on the beach but, had never seen one of these Turnstone characters anywhere in my life.
So, I hung out awhile and took as many shots, from different angles, as I could. These birds have some colors that make them stand out in a crowd.
They stay close to the water's edge and eat small shellfish, invertebrates and maybe some bugs and veges to balance their diet.
Whatever they eat, it must be good for them. They live to be over 9 years old. They like shores with rocks on them. They got the name Turnstone because, when food is scarce, they turn stones over looking for stuff. And, if they find a worm, they'll eat him, too !
The Ruddy Turnstone breeds in northern latitudes like Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Northern China, Russia and the USA. Places where it's too cold for flip flops so, I guess you won't be seeing me taking any pictures of what goes on when they do that stuff.
These birds come down to the southern latitudes in the winter and visit my Ryukyu Islands. This character was not far from my home. These photos were taken on Kin Red Beach in Okinawa, Japan.
Last night I just got the latest issue of Australian Geographic and that's what prompted me to dig up these old photos from 2009.
It seems like a couple of people way smarter than me hooked some of these Ruddy Turnstones up with ultra lightweight tracking devices they call goelocators.
They say these birds fly non-stop all the way from Australia to Taiwan in six days. That's something like 7,600 kilometers !
They used to think the Ruddy Turnstones, on their return flight, would fly by the Americas but, these guys are tricky.
They sneaked up into Siberia. That's where they do the mating thing. Then, they returned to Australia by way of the Pacific Ocean.
One bird heading back to Australia decided to take a scenic route and flew some 27,000 kilometers total for his round trip.
And, if you are a frequent flier, you may want to change your diet to stay as healthy as these birds (they ain't bad lookin' either) because I know, if everybody had to pay for their airplane tickets based upon how many grams of weight they stuffed into the plane, we'd all go on healthy diets.
The Ruddy Turnstone is one heck of a world traveler. This bird is probably the most travelled wildlife I've ever taken a photo of and didn't realize it until today !
Alright, let me explain. This is my picture. I'm just a visual kinda guy. I have to have a picture to look at when I do my writing. This one just happened to come in handy for what I'm about to tell you.
True Story. I know it's true because it came from a reliable source. I just wonder if anybody else, besides me wants to know what's wrong with that picture. It happened back in a place called Seattle, at an airport, somewhere in the USA. It involves some people, I'm going to start calling Boobs. They work for the TSA.
It involved a woman. She's like a State Representative from Alaska, USA. She just wants to get on the plane and fly home to Alaska. But, the full body scan thing and the Boobs running the machine decide something suspicious is going on under her blouse.
Well, the gal decides she doesn't want to be frisked and takes a boat back to Alaska instead !
Now, I'll probably have to go through all kinds of screening if I ever decide to fly again. The Boobs at the TSA will be waiting for me. Maybe, they'll start checking boats someday, too.
Have a look at the story, yourself. Then, tell me something. What's wrong with that picture ?
You may also like TRAVEL, TSA, TYNER AND THOUGHTS ABOUT THE MOON
A Silly Sign Photo a week may be more than I can handle. Sunday comes around a lot faster than I thought it would. As a matter of fact, it's Monday in Japan, already.
Here is a photo taken by my Nephew, Jarod Sampson. He's a college Dude back in the USA somewhere. Virginia, I think.
Anyhow, I gave him a quick class on the PANASONIC DMC-FZ50 one night and turned him loose walking around Kin Village in Okinawa, Japan while I was tending to other things, like my own bar.
It's kinda cool seeing what photos someone else finds to shoot around here. I'd have never thought of taking this shot. I haven't been a college Dude in awhile, either.
I know, a sign like this may offend some women. Hot Beer and Ugly Women, huh ?
Who knows? It may be good for that other bar's business. I'll have to go check it out sometime.
If it works, maybe, I'll have someone paint a sign on My Place and draw a big crowd to my bar.
I could have a silly sign that says "Cold Beer and One Hot Grandpa". Think it'd work ?
Visit my Homepage for THE PHOTO OF THE DAY
Here are some photos I shot over the past two days in Okinawa, Japan. These bright yellow flowers are popping out all over the trees lining the highways. The hard part, for me, is nailing down the correct scientific name.
To give an idea what one of the trees looks like I went wide-angle and shot this one from across the road. That proves it isn't taller than a two-story house. And almost got me run over by a dump truck, too.
This shot I made to show the tree has some leaves on it. Some of the rocket scientists claim this Golden Trumpet Tree never gets any leaves, just flowers.
For people who are really into looking closer at the leaves, I zoomed in a little closer for you. If it would be of any help for me to go back and eat some of the leaves so, you know what they taste like, let me know. But, first, tell me they aren't poison. I'm trying to lower my poison intake. OK?
Whatever these things are, I'd like to know the exact scientific name. I'm leaning towards calling it the Golden Trumpet Tree (Tabebuia caraiba) but, not sure.
Mrs. RyukyuMike says the trees came from Brazil. She thinks she knows everything, you know. But, she doesn't know Latin. She did come up with the word, Ipe. That's what they call these trees over here.
So, armed with the words, Ipe, Tree, Brazil, Flower and Okinawa, Japan I searched for a few hours last night.
Now, I know we have Golden Trumpet Trees. There must be a hundred different kinds of them. Some people claim they grow 120 feet tall, have no leaves, make great hardwood furniture, boardwalks and all kinds of stuff.
Who knows? These trees may have discovered America, too!
You can say anything you want on the internet. I think it's an unwritten international law.
After you look at these Golden Trumpet Tree photos, if you know your flowers and happen to know the correct scientific name for the ones in Okinawa, Japan holler back at me. OK?
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE PINK TRUMPETS?
