Posted by John Swift on October 30, 2006 at 11:07 AM
D2x, 300-800 @ 800mm, ISO 200, 1/250 @ f5.6, C1 Pro
I've been heroically soldiering on with man-flu for the last few days but despite that on Sunday morning I was up and out at Bradgate park to see the sun rise (well almost). A most beautiful morning, quiet, serene and almost entirely unspoilt by deer
Disappointed at the lack of action I thought I'd go and visit my new reservoir location. This paid off handsomely when I saw a flash of neon blue shoot past my car window and into a tree on the other side of the stream inlet. I watched the KF for 30 mins before he shot off on his patrol. Seizing the moment I walked around to the tree he'd been perched in, I found a lovely long discarded branch with a bit of moss and lichen on it and leaned out to push it firmly into the water a couple of feet from the bank in the sunlight. In attempting to push it firmly home the branch broke - suddenly my substantial weight had nowhere to go besides down. I took the opportunity to shout a word of two of surprise before hitting the water. Quickly I looked around to see if there were any witnesses to this embarrassing episode, luck was with me here and I was able to get out and maintain a little dignity.
Later I spent a couple of hours with some Blue and Great Tits who allowed me to squelch close. On looking at the shots later at home I found that they pretty much all had leg rings Apart, that is, from the one seen here.
Regards
John S
Posted by Pete Etheridge on October 30, 2006 at 11:38 AM
Sounds like a trying day... but... what a wonderful image! Surely one of the best Blue Tit shots I've seen!
Glad you had a good day John Nice shot of a Blue tit, I like the muted colours very much but cant make my mind up about the 2 leaves ?
Terry
Posted by Alan Bryant on October 30, 2006 at 11:49 AM
Thats a great(but sad for you )story.Testing times for the nature photographer.
Fantastic shot of the Blue-Tit
Posted by Gavin Law on October 30, 2006 at 11:50 AM
Nice image John, although I find the 2 leaves in the foreground a little distracting.
How could you have missed the deer on Sunday morning, I saw plenty Including the large herd of at least 50 red deer that crossed the road and headed up the hill around 9 am!
Gavin
Posted by Dave Courtenay on October 30, 2006 at 11:50 AM
Nice and sharp and in good light but my eye is drawn to the top LH corner,Not a bad way to end a crappy day
Posted by Andrew Forsyth on October 30, 2006 at 11:58 AM
At least the camera didn't hit the drink too
A
Posted by David Kjaer on October 30, 2006 at 12:29 PM
Hi John
Nice shot - love the light and the two leaves don't bother me too much!
Discussion
9 repliesI've been heroically soldiering on with man-flu for the last few days but despite that on Sunday morning I was up and out at Bradgate park to see the sun rise (well almost). A most beautiful morning, quiet, serene and almost entirely unspoilt by deer
Disappointed at the lack of action I thought I'd go and visit my new reservoir location. This paid off handsomely when I saw a flash of neon blue shoot past my car window and into a tree on the other side of the stream inlet. I watched the KF for 30 mins before he shot off on his patrol. Seizing the moment I walked around to the tree he'd been perched in, I found a lovely long discarded branch with a bit of moss and lichen on it and leaned out to push it firmly into the water a couple of feet from the bank in the sunlight. In attempting to push it firmly home the branch broke - suddenly my substantial weight had nowhere to go besides down. I took the opportunity to shout a word of two of surprise before hitting the water. Quickly I looked around to see if there were any witnesses to this embarrassing episode, luck was with me here and I was able to get out and maintain a little dignity.
Later I spent a couple of hours with some Blue and Great Tits who allowed me to squelch close. On looking at the shots later at home I found that they pretty much all had leg rings
Regards
John S
Terry
Fantastic shot of the Blue-Tit
How could you have missed the deer on Sunday morning, I saw plenty
Gavin
At least the camera didn't hit the drink too
A
Nice shot - love the light and the two leaves don't bother me too much!
David
I agree - a great Blue Tit image. Great detail and lovely light.
Regards
Tony