Nikon Z7 | My BEST Bird Photography Session EVER!

I normally don't use my Nikon Z7 for bird photography, but in this bird photography outing I'm so glad I had this Z7 camera instead of my usual Nikon D850. Being able to switch between photo and video easily while not taking my eye away from the viewfinder allowed me to capture some magic feeding moments with one of my fav birds, the Osprey. I teamed the Z7 with my Nikon AF-S 80-400mm lens via the Nikon FTZII adapter.
00:00 Introduction
00:20 The Location
01:09 Tracking The Osprey
02:06 Two Osprey To Photograph
04:14 Osprey Catches A Fish
05:41 Osprey Finds A Picnic Spot
08:32 Z7 vs D850 Bird Photography
09:19 Getting Super Close To The Osprey
10:43 Never Stop Creating
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* Music and SFX on this video provided by Epidemic Sound under paid license. Check out Epidemic here: www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
All video footage and photographic images are
© Adrian Alford.
#NikonZ7 #Osprey

[@adrianalfordphotography]

For those interested, I used the focus mode of Wide Area Small when the birds were in flight and switched to Single Point when the Osprey was on the post, placing the focus square on its head. When I left, the Osprey was still happily chomping away on its catch. It was so amazing to witness this bird of prey in the wild so close, and I have some beautiful images to remind me of the moment 📸🦅🤙

[@rdphoto2]

Thanks for saying the focus modes used Adrian. I have the Z6ii and a 500pf but still use my D500 with the PF but have been wanting to try to capture birds with the Z6ii.

[@sidvicious3129]

Wow, Adrian you were pretty close. Great pictures.

[@gewglesux]

"lil help here"~ the fish..

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching

[@denisesavage2382]

Oh my goodness! Can’t believe how close you were able to come to the osprey! To see it’s talons like that. Holy dooley!!!

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching Denise. Yes I was surprised too how close it let me get. I think it knew I meant no harm. I kept a safe distance and got my shots and it kept chowing down. Have a great weekend 📸🙏

How amazing is that, 2 Osprey to capture, bet that made your day Adrian, many thanks for sharing this event - have a great weekend :)

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching Shaun. Was pretty happy watching all that unfold before me. Have a great weekend mate, cheers 📸🙏

[@randybocksnick3750]

Randy Bocksnick-- Adrian you sure have a sharp eye for birds and your results show it in your terrific photos! We have Osprey here in western Montana and I just got the Z100-400 5.6 anxious to try on the Osprey! Wish me good luck, Adrian! Randy Bocksnick( Mont)

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thank you very much for watching Randy. Have an awesome weekend and good luck with the new lens 🙏📸

[@susanlynn5290]

I love ospreys too. You had an excellent day!! Nice captures

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for visiting Susan, appreciate you watching 🙏📸

[@shaunsanders5401]

What an incredible video. Your choice of music added to the excitement. Thank you.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thank you very much for watching Shaun. Have a great weekend 🙏📸

[@colinstalker]

Great video and amazing footage Adrian. The Osprey is my favourite bird to capture in my local. Keep an eye on that post as they usually have a favourite spot to dispatch fish and return again and again! Thanks for sharing!

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Many thanks for watching Colin. Ospreys are just so cool. Have a great weekend mate, cheers 🙏📸

[@CliftonTicehurst]

Wow Adrian, what amazing experience to be so close to those beautiful birds 👐 Fantastic video and images mate 👌 Thanks for sharing 👍 Cheers, Cliff

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Sometimes you can get lucky Cliff. What an amazing afternoon that was. I was buzzing afterwards. Really happy just to see one so close in the wild. Have a great weekend mate and take care, cheers 🙏📸

[@Poita00]

Well done Adrian, awesome to watch, an amazing experience for you.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thank you very much for watching. Enjoy your weekend 🙏

[@tonytfuntek3262]

The perfect combination...The D850 or the Z7 and the Nikon 80-400mm. Great shots. Thank you

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thank you for watching Tony, much appreciated🙏📸

[@bquinn722]

Incredible photos!

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching Brian 🙏📸

[@robbieallcock]

Loved this Adrian - a great vid and so lucky not only to see / film / photograph the Opsrey but so close too! 👍

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Many thanks for watching. A great experience. Enjoy your week 🙏📸

[@fabienneflessa1341]

What a great opportunity to meet these wonderful animals. These are wonderful videos and great photos! And this bird is really very relaxed. There are currently only a few individuals in Switzerland (around 5) and we are always thrilled when we see one!

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thank you so much for watching. Glad you enjoyed the video. Have a great weekend 🙏📸

[@PhilThach]

What a fantastic morning, Adrian! You did a great job capturing it. Bravo!

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thank you Phil, enjoy your weekend 🙏📸

[@mariakelly1552]

Amazing captures Adrian 👏🏻👏🏻. They are quite stunning birds 🦅 😍

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thank you so much 😀

[@bvaldes8791]

Oh wow Adrian this was amazing love to watch these birds of pray at work. You definitely captured some awesome footage and pictures. I can actually relate watching you chasing them to try to see if you get them diving into the water. That photo of them two is one of a kind. Loved it my friend. 👏📸

[@adrianalfordphotography]

You are very welcome my friend. SO glad you enjoyed the video, a lot of work went into it. To witness this magnificent creature so close was a blessing. They are so beautiful. Have a great week and take care 📸🙏

[@rdphoto2]

Another quality video 👍

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching Ron 🙏

[@leod1671]

Great video Adrian, here in Florida I see Osprey often, there are some locations on the beach that they feed year round. It is always exciting to see them in their element and allowing us to catch some cool pictures of them.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching Leo. I remember when I was in Florida how much the weather reminded me of here (minus the tornados). I would have loved to have had the Sony A1 in my hands with a 200-600mm lens for this, but as they say the best camera is the one you have with you at the time. Z7 still did a good enough job for me to share the experience with everyone. Have an awesome weekend, take care 🙏📸

[@slimbirdy]

Gosh this was fun! From the crazy chase to the drama of the catch and then each brilliant shot that got closer and closer. I'm especially impressed though that you can get the absolute best out of this camera for bird photography, when that's not why you bought it.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching. Glad you enjoyed the vid. Have a great weekend 📸🙏.

[@scotttilleyphotography]

I really do wildlife photography for days like that Adrian. So envious that you get Ospreys so accommodating! A fantastic series of images mate and well deserved, kit is obviously working well too 👍

[@adrianalfordphotography]

What an afternoon that was Scott. I was buzzing afterwards. I could just imagine if I had something like the Sony A1 with 200-600mm. Still saving for that set up. Have a great week mate 📸🙏🦅

[@peterviragphoto]

That was awesome mate. Some great close-up footage & stills of a magnificent specimen!

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks heaps for watching Peter. Have an awesome weekend buddy 👍🙏📸🦅

[@christian.irmler]

Wow, what amazing footage! Really a great video, Adrian - and you got also some fantastic images! So great that you got that close to the osprey. I got goosebumps already just by watching the video :) It is generally stunning, which amazing wildlife you have in your area. I'm sure, if I would live around you, I'd also do some wildlife photography. Enjoy your weekend, Christian

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching Christian. A great afternoon with lots happening in the air. When the Osprey caught the fish, it looped around me, like saying, "look at what I've got!" Beautiful nature. Have a great weekend my friend, cheers 📸🙏

[@paulcookphotography]

I'm not sure why Ospreys would fear us, they could probably tear us up a bit if they wanted to! Loved the shot of the two birds at 3:05! But the fish shot at 5:35 was simply amazing! I'd have to say this is the best bird photography shoot I've seen from you. He was a beautiful subject, and he was so willing to let you film and photograph him! Some absolutely stunning shots, both stationary and in-flight! Really enjoyed it! Have a great week down there!

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching Paul. I slowly approached the Osprey inch by inch and I think it was too happy enjoying its Filet O Fish burger to care about me 😂 Yes, those giant talons would rip my face off I think. Gosh it was a big bird up close, the fish it caught was a decent size too. An amazing experience I'll never forget. Have a great week mate and take care 📸🙏

[@philipchilli6405]

Great video. What this video proves is, that a Mirrorless Cameras offer that extra advantage of fantastic video capabilities that the D850 just couldn’t deliver. Regardless, the Osprey rewards you for being an amazing Photographer. You were able to document the event brilliantly, and the combination of photo and video, plus the fantastic music turned this adventure in to a masterpiece. Well done. 👍 (D850 owner).

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching. Yes as much as I love the D850. I wouldn’t have been able to capture the video aspect I did in this with it. Enjoy your week 📸🙏🦅

[@philipchilli6405]

@@adrianalfordphotography actually quick question. I could look this up, but would rather get it from your expert opinion. Can you take photos while it’s recording video? Is that possible? (Not sure if you mentioned this).

[@adrianalfordphotography]

@@philipchilli6405 no you can’t do that.

[@nsfotographi]

wow...what amazing pics...I live in Nova Scotia Canada...we have those birds everywhere. I am still learning how to do bird photography. I will send you some of my pics...subscribed to your channel...take care

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching Ken much appreciated 👍🙏📸

[@ambrosechiu2338]

next time try to visit Berrinba Wetlands at Berrinba (next to Browns Plains). there are about 20-30 black kites and I saw one white-bellied Eagle, plus Pelicans and Darter. you might like these birds.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching.

[@johnnyViDeO]

Magnificent creature! I shoot these in St. Augustine, FL, half way around the world. Did you handhold the video? What were the video settings? TY.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Yes handheld video. I just leave in auto aperture at 6.3 or 7.1 camera does the rest (auto shutter/ iso etc) thanks for watching 🙏

[@johnnyViDeO]

I have a D7500 DSLR, but I can't see through the viewfinder for video. I'm getting the Z7 II and hope to be able to get video shots like yours! Do you shoot 4k 30P? Or 1080, 120P? I think the 7 II might do 4k 60P. @@adrianalfordphotography

[@davidmonro-jones4191]

Great video and photos Adrian. Thanks also for the info regarding focus mode. May I ask what strap you use? It appears to be connected to the lens. I ask as I'm concerned that the typical camera strap will not be strong (or comfortable) enough for my D850 and the 200-500 lens. Look forward to watching your next videos. Take care.

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Thanks for watching David. This is the strap www.ebay.com.au/itm/224393040036?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-154756-20017-0&ssspo=-go2kdfjrzy&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@sharonhaasbroek7464]

Beautiful images. Did you use auto ISO here?

[@adrianalfordphotography]

Yes I did - thanks for watching 🙏