The trick as I see it will be combining all these pieces of advice: high shutter (how high?), f/10 aperture from 10ft distance (for my focal length of 135mm) to get an 8" DOF. Using an ISO of likely 200 unless other setting is needed to achieve other goals above. We shall see!

Ok it's all confirmed. I got a rate of $30/person. They have confirmed 6 handlers to bring out 6 owls/birds at a time as planned. One minor change - please be at the office to pay at 9am. This will allow 30mins to get everyone paid and ready to start at 930. See you there!

Don - thanks for the advice -- I am still in that special place where I need all I can get -- and who wants that frustration of going to a great thing like this and coming home to a bunch of bad photos! I had to look up burst and see it means continuous shooting - good call on that as well. Thanks

I have photographed the birds at the Carolina Raptor Center many times and I have a few suggestions. Bring a long lens if you have one so you can get close ups without disturbing the bird. Set your program to sports or use a high shutter speed and shoot burst because birds make quick movements that can ruin a good shot. Dress warmly and bring a monopod or tripod if you have one. We can also offer The Raptor Center a limited copyright to our best shots to use for marketing and fund raisers.

They said $35/person for 12 people (what we had at time I spoke with them) or $25/person for 25 people (the max). Since we are already at 21 I am guessing they will go with lower rate. I will be talking to them Sat and doing final confirmation --- will post again then!

Ted,
Is it going to be $25 or $35?

MIKE T - This event was originally Sat and we were simply going in to shoot like anyone else would. The event has been MOVED to Sunday AND changed to a special private event. As a result, there is NO event at Raptor Sat AM, but you could still go then and do the same thing since it was just us showing up and shooting like anyone could at any time.

Lindsay - includes entry. Jeff, thanks - corrected (was 10am when it was on Sat). 930-1130 and meet at office between 915 and 930. They will have 6 owls out at a time.

Event says meet in office at 10, other says it's 9:30-11:30. Which is the right time?

Does the $25 or $35 fee include entry? Or is it on top of the entry fee?

If they're bringing the birds out like PhotoWild!, then you can get pretty close to the birds, like 5 feet away, sometimes closer depending on the bird and how many photographers are shooting at a time. They will have at least two birds out at a time so the photographers can split up between which birds they are shooting.

It wont be viewing ring - they will be placing the owls in their natural habitats for photos - whatever that means :) But I think it's safe to say it will be a 15ft-ish type situation.

If its in the viewing ring, the posts are about 10ft away. Maybe more if you're at an angle for better light. They may also perch the birds on their arms and bring them closer.

I don't know Eamon, but I do know last time I was there and they had owls out for a general public thing I was probably 15ft away. Can't imagine it being much worse but not sure. I am bringing my 28-135mm

Do you know how far away from the Owls we will be? I have a 70-210 zoom on a D50, will that be long enough?

Guys and Gals, we need a commitment asap on this event. If we do not get 25 people, the cost is $35/person. Give this some serious consideration ASAP -- they need confirmation from me on number of people to staff volunteers - thanks!

Good news all! I just worked out a great sitch with the Raptor Center - we will be doing a mini "Photo Wild" which is a public event where they have 80 photographers come and shoot. This one is a 2hr private Photo Wild just for us. Each of the 2 hrs they will bring out 6 diff owls and put them in their natural environment (no shooting with people in background). We will bump attendance max to 25 and cost is $25/person to Raptor Center.

Geez...can't you squeeze in 1 more............:)

Karen, will do - I know what the forecast looks like which is why I made comment about rain date. I will make a call as early as possible. Thanks!