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Ambition Achieved !

Gallery: Regional: UKNPPosted February 7, 2011268 views30 comments

Hawfinch at pool
Had an incredible experience today at a new pool setup.
19 species in one hour including the one I,ve dreamed of for over 50 years !
The hawfinch turned up along with a load of other stuff and I got one shot. It returned later and I took several more- even remembering to reduce the zoom down to about 135 so as to get more in focus ( albeit a smaller subject size )in the difficult conditions .The bird was about 5 foot away!
Days like this make it all worthwhile. I can pack it all up now, and throw away the cheap D200, and the Sigma 300!!!
More shots to follow.
D200
Sigma 100-300
160th @f5.6 ev-1 800ISO
Contrast down 1
Neat image. 70% of full frame.
Levels
Small bit of wayward blue tit cloned out.
John Robinson
PS Species photographed drinking or bathing were- Hawfinch, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Brambling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch,Siskin, Redpoll(Common and Lesser),Nuthatch, House Sparrow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Cole Tit, Blackbird,Wood Pigeon, L.T.Tit,G.S.Woodpecker, and Robi

Comments

30 comments

Comment posted by Matt Cole on February 7, 2011 at 2:37 PM

a stunning looking bird John and you certainly took advantage of its brief visit. You must be chuffed to bits with this.

I can't believe the variety of birds you got. Amazing.

Matt

Registered on February 18, 2008, 17 Posts, 267 Comments

Comment posted by Oscar Dewhurst on February 7, 2011 at 2:40 PM

Great shot John - the work has really paid off

Oscar

Registered on August 6, 2009, 85 Posts, 502 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Rogers on February 7, 2011 at 2:40 PM

Hello John.

Cracking image and I'm pleased for you its nice when all the hard work pays of.

Registered on January 16, 2007, 450 Posts, 995 Comments

Comment posted by Iain Tookey on February 7, 2011 at 2:43 PM

Superb John, what an hour you had! :)

I've never seen one of these up my neck of the woods.

Registered on November 20, 2008, 3 Posts, 17 Comments

Comment posted by John Varley on February 7, 2011 at 2:51 PM

Congratulations John. It's a superb picture, I love how the colours on the bird echo in the background.

John

Registered on November 1, 2003, 4 Posts, 51 Comments

Comment posted by Dale Sutton on February 7, 2011 at 2:52 PM

Superb stuff John.

Dale

Registered on December 9, 2009, 15 Posts, 84 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Davies on February 7, 2011 at 3:34 PM

Super stuff , so when's the D3s arriving ?

Registered on February 3, 2009, 21 Posts, 327 Comments

Comment posted by Phil Mclean on February 7, 2011 at 3:38 PM

It's a cracker John.I can feel your excitement coming through my screen!

Phil.

Registered on March 16, 2010, 30 Posts, 153 Comments

Comment posted by Roy Bailey on February 7, 2011 at 4:11 PM

Thats a very impressive list of birds coming to your set up. Good things come to those who wait,and 50 years is some wait.Very pleased you got your shot and relieved for you that it came out so well.

Registered on November 16, 2008, 24 Posts, 486 Comments

Comment posted by Andy Shepherd on February 7, 2011 at 4:20 PM

Thats one of the best Hawfinch shots I've seen on UKNP, it's superbly photographed, and the exposure and colours are spot on, big congrats John.

Andy...

Registered on September 24, 2006, 123 Posts, 1254 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Mason on February 7, 2011 at 4:46 PM

Quite superb! The water droplet on the beak is a nice touch and I love the pool.

Registered on December 14, 2005, 399 Posts, 2305 Comments

Comment posted by Karen Summers on February 7, 2011 at 5:08 PM

congrats John really pleased for you its great when you get a moment you won t forget, great shot colours, exposure all good and that beak always amazes me

Registered on December 3, 2009, 83 Posts, 818 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Macdermott on February 7, 2011 at 5:25 PM

Bang on John

Congrats

Registered on January 31, 2008, 15 Posts, 135 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Smith on February 7, 2011 at 5:53 PM

You got there in the end, it was just teasing you - Stunning bird and usual top notch shot John, but its downhill from here on in regards British birds!

Whats the next pool visitor ambition with global warming - bee-eater or hoopoe perhaps?? - I believe both have bred your way in recent years!

Registered on September 16, 2005, 12 Posts, 46 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on February 7, 2011 at 6:05 PM

Mike
Thanks - Lesser Spotted is one I haven't had at the pools yet !! (And Kestrel and Buzzard and Willow Tit .and ....

johnR

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on February 7, 2011 at 6:56 PM

This is brilliant John, fair play

Didn't you get a shot with all 19 species in at the same time? tutt,tutt, call yourself a photographer

Well done John.

Geoff.

Registered on August 20, 2010, 192 Posts, 980 Comments

Comment posted by Fran French on February 8, 2011 at 1:44 AM

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together! Absolutely stunning John, I certainly am looking forward to seeing some more of your images from your new pool. Makes all the hard work worthwhile.

Fran

Registered on June 9, 2008, 4 Posts, 47 Comments

Comment posted by Neil Burton on February 8, 2011 at 4:18 AM

Try adding some mice to the pool, the buzzards will come ;) Wonderful, I want a garden like yours John!

Registered on September 16, 2010, 26 Posts, 461 Comments

Comment posted by David Sewell on February 8, 2011 at 5:20 AM

Superb, John. Many congratulations, its great to achieve a long term ambition, and done in style as well.

David

Registered on September 10, 2008, 63 Posts, 801 Comments

Comment posted by Dave Bartlett on February 8, 2011 at 7:43 AM

Well done John, and many congratulations. A super shot to make the achievement.

Dave

Registered on March 9, 2008, 9 Posts, 113 Comments

Comment posted by Alan Bryant on February 8, 2011 at 11:10 AM

Well done John

Very nice image

Registered on March 31, 2006, 473 Posts, 1081 Comments

Comment posted by David Taylor on February 8, 2011 at 2:07 PM

Patience, well rewarded in the end. Excellent.

Registered on April 24, 2006, 101 Posts, 837 Comments

Comment posted by Edwin kats on February 8, 2011 at 2:25 PM

19 species in one hour

Incredible John. This is a great shot of one of the most beautiful birds around. Well done.

Edwin

Registered on April 24, 2006, 177 Posts, 399 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Fisher on February 8, 2011 at 3:18 PM

Wow 19 in a single hour, that's amazing. Cracking shot as well.

Rob

Registered on October 15, 2006, 1 Posts, 27 Comments

Comment posted by Justin on February 8, 2011 at 3:52 PM

Congratulations on getting your shot in the end, and a fine one it is too.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 106 Posts, 1697 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on February 8, 2011 at 5:07 PM

Thanks again all. Your interest is appreciated
Mark - D3S ? Fraid not - heating allowance is about the limit of my finances. Ithink the D200 will see me out

Cheers
JohnR

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Danny Green on February 9, 2011 at 5:51 AM

Hello John

Great Shot, you must be chuffed to bits.

Danny

Registered on November 27, 2005, 70 Posts, 313 Comments

Comment posted by David Kjaer on February 9, 2011 at 1:15 PM

A 'stunner' John - well deserved!

David

Registered on January 4, 2006, 128 Posts, 4170 Comments

Comment posted by Kim Connolly on February 9, 2011 at 1:23 PM

Just brilliant John, really fabulous.

Registered on June 18, 2008, 14 Posts, 226 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on February 11, 2011 at 8:14 PM

Thanks again.
Danny - had him 4 times today !
JR

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments