Bush Stone Curlews, Queensland (Patreon)

These nocturnal ground-dwelling birds were captured with the A1 and the FE 100-400 GM. The aperture was stopped down to f/11. Notice how the bird standing directly behind the bird in the front is still not in sharp focus when using an f/11 aperture, even though they are standing very close to each other.

I only stopped down to illustrate how it is difficult, or impossible, to capture multiple subjects in sharp focus when using a long focal length lens. The problem is more difficult as you get closer to your subjects.

With this information in mind, do you stop down even more (f/16 or f/22 and shoot with very high ISO) or do you isolate one subject and shoot wide open to increase the figure / ground separation (see second image).

Notice the low vantage point used in both images. This helps in choosing a background that is further away than the ground the bird is standing on and therefore increases the out-of-focus blur or 'bokeh'.