FINNISH SUMMER PROJECT JULY 2022 WITH NIKON Z9

Adult Peregrine Falcon (vandrefalk) flight with Wood Sandpiper prey (grønnstilk). 

Nikon Z9, Nikkor 600 mm 4,0 + 1,4 converter = 850 mm, f/6,3, 1/3200, ISO 2500, focus mode Auto Area

Also this summer my main project in Finland was the Peregrine Falcon. As you of course can understand from the pictures the shooting was done in close proximity to the nest and was this year restricted to shooting flights towards the open sky (since I don`t like nesting pictures). The project was applied for and approved by Finnish wildlife authorities as one of 4 admitted European photographers. My whereabout was performed with strict sustainable attitudes. 

All pictures are shot with Nikon Z9, FTZ adapter & my "old" Nikkor lenses 600 mm 4,0 & 400 mm 2,8,  some with 1,4 extender. Focus mode continuous with animal detection. Pictures from ISO 1800 and upwards have been treaded with Topaz Denoise AI. Provided necessary noise reduction working with 45 MP is a big kick for me coming from the D5. Presented pics are small in size : 1080 pix longest side.

Thanks to @Ely-keskus.fi for the peregrine project. 

For all other adventures with wonderful Finnish wildlife and great company thanks to my good friend Eero Kemila. 

Also thanks to Ville Heikkinen.

Adult Peregrine Falcon (vandrefalk) with Woodcock prey (rugde). 

Nikon Z9, Nikkor 600 mm 4,0 + 1,4 converter = 850 mm, f/6,3, 1/3200, ISO 1000, focus mode Auto Area

Adult Peregrine Falcon (vandrefalk) flight with prey (unknown species). 

Nikon Z9, Nikkor 600 mm 4,0 + 1,4 converter = 850 mm, f/5,6, 1/3200, ISO 1250, focus mode Auto Area

Adult Peregrine Falcon (vandrefalk). 

Nikon Z9, Nikkor 600 mm 4,0 + 1,4 converter = 850 mm, f/6,3, 1/3200, ISO 4500, focus mode Auto Area.

Adult Peregrine Falcon (vandrefalk) flight with prey (unknown species). 

Nikon Z9, Nikkor 600 mm 4,0 + 1,4 converter = 850 mm, f/6,3, 1/3200, ISO 2500, focus mode Auto Area

Adult Peregrine Falcon (vandrefalk) flight with prey (unknown species). 

Nikon Z9, Nikkor 600 mm 4,0 + 1,4 converter = 850 mm, f/6,3, 1/3200, ISO 1800, focus mode Auto area.

Very first landing after ery first flight ! Juvenile Peregrine Falcon (vandrefalk). 

Nikon Z9, Nikkor 600 mm 4,0 + 1,4 converter = 850 mm, f/6,3, 1/3200, ISO 1100, focus mode WC1

Long waiting for many days. From Peregrine Falcon hide.   Iphone

We noticed that the Short Eared Owl (jordugle) was patrolling the same field every afternoon / evening. It was worth a try and 8 hours in hide. 

Nikon Z9, Nikkor 600 mm 4,0 + 1,4 converter = 850 mm, f/5,6, 1/1600, ISO 6400, focus mode WL

 

Spending the night in the "diver-hide" paid off !! Red Troated Diver (Smålom) take off ! It was great to work with Z9 in this situation, once the focus attached to the bird it did not release it ! I shot 45 frames of this take off, every single one of them pin sharp. 

Nikon Z9, Nikkor 400 mm 2,8,  f/5,6, 1/2000, ISO 1800, focus mode WC1

Red Throated Diver take off (Smålom). 

Nikon Z9, Nikkor 400 mm 2,8,  f/5,6, 1/2000, ISO 1800, focus mode WC1

Red Throated Diver take off (Smålom). 

Nikon Z9, Nikkor 400 mm 2,8,  f/5,6, 1/2000, ISO 1250, focus mode WC1

Black Throated Diver (Storlom). The most beautiful bird of the Nordic Nature ?? Not only the incredible patterns of black & white and the aero-/ aqua-dynamic shape of the bird, but also their reserved, shy behaviour and the superior dignity of their mere appearance !!  There were difficult color reflections in the water in green yellow and blue, this is why this one is done with black & white 

Nikon Z9, Nikkor 600 mm 4,0,  f/4,5, 1/1000, ISO 500, focus mode WC1

 

Great Grey Owl (Lappugle). It was a warm evening, totally silent ... except the buzzing sound of millions of bloodthirsty Finnish mosquitos. The Lady was sleeping and only briefly cared to open her eyes half way to check my presence. 

Nikon Z9, Nikkor 600 mm 24,0,  f/5,6, 1/1000, ISO 1250, focus mode Single point (even though there were no obstacles & blur in front of the face Z9 struggled to find focus)

Great Grey Owl chicks. 

Nikon Z9, Nikkor 400 mm 2,8 + 1,4 converter = 560 mm,  f/4,0, 1/1600, ISO 4000, focus mode WC1

Great Grey Owl (Lappugle) ... dinner is served, the bigger chick grabbed the food as usual and adult bird flies off to find a new mouse. 

Nikon Z9, Nikkor 600 mm 4,0,  f/4,0, 1/2000, ISO 2800, focus mode WC1

Great enthusiasm in Base Camp as Mom brings in more food ! Great Grey Owl (Lappugle)

Nikon Z9, Nikkor 400 mm 2,8,  f/3,5, 1/2500, ISO 1800, focus mode WC1

Nikon Z9, Nikkor 400 mm 2,8,  f/3,5, 1/2500, ISO 3600, focus mode WC1

Nikon Z9, Nikkor 400 mm 2,8,  f/3,5, 1/2500, ISO 1800, focus mode WC1

Looks like the "High Priest of Dark Forces" calling upon some Supernatural Evil !!?? However, just the female Great Grey Owl (Lappugle) delivering food to the nest in the dark boreal forest.

Nikon Z9, Nikkor 400 mm 2,8,  f/2,8, 1/500, ISO 1600, focus mode WS

Great Grey Owl (Lappugle)

Nikon Z9, Nikkor 600 mm 4,0,  f/4,0, 1/2000, ISO 2800, focus mode WC1