Ambition Achieved !

Gallery: AvianPosted February 7, 2011147 views16 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

16 comments

Comment posted by Guy Rogers on February 7, 2011 at 2:45 PM

Hello again John.

Cracking shot well done.

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

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on February 7, 2011 at 2:50 PM

Then, congratulations, Jhon ! Looking forward to seeing more of your fabolous captures.
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on February 7, 2011 at 3:13 PM

Simply wonderful, John!

Congrats

D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on February 7, 2011 at 3:25 PM

Excellent - especially the drinking pose, detail and golden tones of bird and setting. Very natural looking pool too.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on February 7, 2011 at 4:13 PM

Superb image- beautiful bird, excellent exposure and BG - I hope to catch it one day- well done, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by Douglas Graham on February 7, 2011 at 4:23 PM

John this is really a nice shot. Techs look good to me and I love the light and the BG. Sharp as a tack. You said a new pool set up did you build this pool? I ask because we have a garden pond that is getting a makeover this spring and I would love to include something like this.

Registered on May 14, 2009, 123 Posts, 522 Comments

Comment posted by KatherineAnne Enns on February 7, 2011 at 4:30 PM

This is fabulous! You had what we call a Big Day! I love the posture and the pool, the whole thing is just amazing!

kat

Registered on January 5, 2011, 22 Posts, 137 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on February 7, 2011 at 4:52 PM

Thanks very much everyone for your comments.
Douglas - Yes - its one of about 5 pools I have scattered around the neighbourhood.
This one is quite small, only about 1 metre across. Some of the others are twice or three times that size. They are all made siply by digging a shallow hole out and lining with pond liner. You then cover up the liner with sand or gravel , and then arrange stones/plants around the edge. The secret is to make the edge steep and the water deeper in the areas you DONT want the birds to go. ! A few trees or bushes around are a help. The birds like somewhere to dive in quick . A few twigs and away you go. Arrange the twigs either at 90% or 45% not straight across. That way they birds tend to perch better. One of my most productive small pools has been there 30 years. Most of them have a wooden hide from 5 to15 foot away.
Hope that helps a bit. Best of luck.
JohnR

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

Comment posted by Karen Summers on February 7, 2011 at 5:50 PM

its a beauty John congrats

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

Comment posted by Raymond Klassen on February 7, 2011 at 6:32 PM

Congrats on the shot. Some may not like the background, but I actually like it, especially since the bird still stands out well.

Registered on November 30, 2008, 114 Posts, 790 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 7, 2011 at 8:46 PM

Really a very lovely image John, the pose of the bird is great , the colors and the great look at the eye and bill.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Bacon on February 7, 2011 at 8:47 PM

Congratulations John on the Hawfinch, it must have been a thrill - and on top of that you got a top shelf image.

Registered on November 24, 2008, 56 Posts, 492 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on February 8, 2011 at 12:12 AM

Lovely image. Congrats on your achievement.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 8, 2011 at 10:41 AM

Wow, what a colorful bird and great job in your pool setup. The larger version looks great, you can even see a water drop going down the beak, way to cool, well done.

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on February 8, 2011 at 5:29 PM

A cracker of a shot, I'd agree! I do like the colours all around.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 9, 2011 at 1:57 AM

Congratulations John, I know what it feels like when it all comes together. Lovely setting and detail

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments