The Snipe Hunt

Gallery: AvianPosted May 6, 2010164 views12 comments

The snow is from this morning, May 6!

What season are we supposed to be having?

This is a first for me. I have rarely encountered snipe and this morning I saw a pair flying and mused it would be nice to one day get an image. Half an hour later I saw one fly and land. When I got to the spot he was close and I had no more ability to maneuver. I would have really liked to be rid of those two pesky grass stems in front and to have been able to get a lower angle. This is during a light slushy snowfall. I suspected he/she was as disgruntled by the weather as I was. Lighting was even but pretty overcast.

D200, 70-200 @200, minor crop, iso 160, f 5.6 @ 1/180. NX2.

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on May 6, 2010 at 3:59 PM

Terrific photo, certainly unusual with the snow.

Speaking of the snow...keep it in your part of the state!!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on May 6, 2010 at 4:03 PM

Lon,

Sorry about the snow. I used to live in Minnesota so I can sympathize. My only snipe photograph comes from the winter and I was using a 200mm lens as well though it didn't come out as nice as yours. Wonderful image and it's nice to see you posting in avian

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on May 6, 2010 at 4:12 PM

Nice find, Lon. I've heard these a few times on the other side of the mountains from here, but never seen one. Excellent job handling the exposure with the snowy bg.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by jamie pringle on May 6, 2010 at 5:38 PM

This is a unique image of a snipe with the snow and the frozen grass. I like the light in his eye and the detail of the feathers

Registered on August 10, 2005, 323 Posts, 1216 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Vaudry on May 6, 2010 at 6:24 PM

Very nice pic of a bird I am not familiar with. The stems do not bother me at all. I especially like the details in the legs that can be best seen in the large view.

Registered on March 5, 2010, 12 Posts, 53 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on May 6, 2010 at 8:47 PM

I'd be thrilled with this! The grass doesn't bother me a bit. You need to muse more often!! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on May 6, 2010 at 10:04 PM

He really stands out against that snow, congrats on your first snipe Lon

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on May 6, 2010 at 11:08 PM

I like the stems as they are Lon, not distracting and very natural feeling. Tough exposure situation, but you handled it very well. The snow is hard to accept at this time of year but it does seem to make some birds a bit more willing to be photographed.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Conway on May 7, 2010 at 12:08 AM

Any time you can go on a snipe hunt and not be left holding the bag, life is good.

I really like the grasses and the snow, it makes for a delightful scene. Well done!

Peter

Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on May 7, 2010 at 9:06 AM

Nice detail in the snipe and great setting.

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on May 7, 2010 at 3:50 PM

Wonderful job on handling the contrast difference and not blowing out the white snow color, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on May 7, 2010 at 5:12 PM

Very nice. The small twigs don't bother me at all.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments