Nikon 500pf and a Z6II shooting a spray plane. Being a farmer we sometimes have to use a spray plane to spray out cotton crop. In this case the plane was spraying a boll opener on cotton and a dessicant on the leaves of the cotton plants to speed up the process of harvesting the cotton. I've watched these planes for years on my farm and others so I know right where I need to be so that I don't get sprayed. I was watching the plane over a neighbors farm. While we are always careful where, what and when we spray these chemicals were not dangerous to humans, wildlife or insects.
In the first picture, the pilot saw me taking pictures and called and asked me if I could get a picture of him in the cockpit with his guns up hand signal. The hand symbol is a long time symbol that Texas Tech Red Raider fans use to support their sports teams. Enjoy, the 500pf with the Nikon z6II is a pleasure to use. Can't wait to get something similar with a z mount.
I visited one my favorite locations to photograph crane congregations as they prepare to migrate south for winter. We are still early in the migratory season, so there were "only" about 3000 birds. The drought in my region has significantly impacted the amount of water in the wetland, and the presence of marsh grasses has reduced the appeal of roosting/wading birds. On the flip side, this allowed me to focus on flight photography as birds crossed between me and an autumnal forest patch at a distance.
The image posted was one of about 550 made that evening; I knew that this and the ten frame around it would be my favorites from the day. As I continue to read posts about people switching to the Sony A9ii or A1, I don't know if either of those cameras would have performed any better than the work my trusty D500 w/ 500PF managed to produce.
For the record, this is the type of flight photography I enjoy. These and other large birds are part of a landscape I love to capture. Because I have no interest in chasing swallows or warblers, the D500/Z6ii combo are probably the best and most affordable option for producing the type of wildlife photographs I like to make.
