My study notes - camera setting

best lowest ISO setting: 160-200 

http://www.emptybucketstudios.com/canon-5d-native-iso-test/

good articles:

打鸟心得----BIF 飞鸟片的对焦，追焦和构图
http://bbs.wenxuecity.com/photography/1059206.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposing_to_the_right
http://bbs.wenxuecity.com/tech-talk/1218123.html
http://kentjarrett.com/birdsinflight/

camera setting for eagles from Larry's article:

Shutter Speeds = 1/1600 or higher. At 1/1250 you will still get some wing blur.
ISO = 400 to 800. Some high-end camera’s can go faster, but be careful for noise.
Aperture = high as possible, I like to shot at f 7.1 or 8
Depending on light I shoot in Shutter Priority or Aperture Priority.
Fastest continual shutter speed your camera will drive. (Drive Mode)
Exposure Settings. It is so easy to “Blow” out an Eagles white heads and tail feathers!
Adjust your EV settings in the field as needed and even as the light changes.
I will shoot as high as + 1 & 2/3 on a cloudy day.
Advanced Camera Settings:
In order to track a flying bird, slow down your auto-focus tracking sensitivity to as SLOW are you can get it. This will prevent other things that pop in and out of your frame from grabbing focus. It also helps to speed up focusing.

eagle counts info:
http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/MississippiRiverProject/Education/EagleWatching/EagleCounts.aspx

Mostly birds land into the wind and always fish into the wind.
Most birds will launch into the wind.
Use your natural light
East side of a river in the morning
West side of the river in the afternoon
Flashes tend to turn the birds
Some use “Better Beamer” extenders
Blue skies with clouds provides nice backgrounds!
Back Button Focus: will really help with your keeper rate and not ending up with unwanted photos.

Top Ten Tips:

Tip #1: Watch your composition.
Tip #2: Adjust your elevation.
Tip #3: Adjust your camera settings.
Tip #4: Use the user programmable modes.
Tip #5: Shoot away from the sun.
Tip #6: Shoot in short bursts of 2 or 3 images.
Tip #7: Don’t skimp on depth-of-field.
Tip #8: Shoot with both eyes open.
Tip #9: Pay attention to the background.
Tip #10: Don’t skimp on Image Stabilization.