De Wieden

Today Ronald Messemaker, warden of “De Wieden”, and I criss-crossed these beautiful marshes by boat. Despite some heavy rain in the morning we had a very pleasant day. A few photos: 1) Black Tern (Chlidonias niger/Zwarte Stern) catching insects above Tule (Schoenoplectus lacustris/Mattenbies), 2) Scaffolding silhouette with Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo/Aalscholver), and 3) Upcoming fog after sunset.

* Canon EOS 7D with 500mm/f4 IS; ISO-400, f7.1, 1/1000s; from tripod.
* Canon EOS 7D with 500mm/f4 IS; ISO-400, f7.1, 1/250s; from tripod.
* Canon EOS 5D Mark II 100mm/f2.8; ISO-400, f7.1, 4s; from tripod; HDR processing.

Home-made mud

House Martins (Delichon urbica/Huiszwaluw) breeding at a farm near Olen (a hamlet between Nuenen and Lieshout) were very glad with my home-made mud. Here is the recipe: Take some sand, cow shit, and straw. Mix this with water and spread it out.

* Canon EOS 7D with 500mm/f4 IS; ISO-400, f7.1, 1/400s; -0.7 stop; from beanbag, lying on the ground covered by camo cloth.

5D: Superb image quality

The image quality of my new Canon EOS 5D Mark II camera is superb. Vivid colors, well-balanced contrasts and a very low noise level. Moreover, the 17-40mm/f4 wide-angle lens (that I already bought in 2009) now pays off in combination with a full frame sensor for which it was designed. I also have the impression that ND gradient filters work out better in full frame.
The closeby “Kamerven” surrounded by flowering Common Cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium/Veenpluis) is a nice subject to work with.

* Canon EOS 5D Mark II with 100mm/f2.8; ISO-200, f5, 1/125s; from tripod.
* Canon EOS 5D Mark II with 17-40mm/f4 @ 17mm; ISO-400, f14, 1/80s; -0.3 stop; 2 stop ND gradient filter; from tripod.