Taken today at Slimbridge from the Zeiss Hide. The Bittern showed well but usually ass on. It only appeared briefly in the open at the start of the day down on RHS of the hide, then tucked itself away nicely in the reeds for the rest of the day - only the wind parting the reeds gave anybody a half chance - this is one of those chances.
Manual focus, BB on hide ledge
500mm/X1.4
F6.3/1300'/400ASA
Slight USM and a 50% (approx 8M) crop.
So thats what that football shaped thing was in the reeds today!!!
Seriously though a classic bittern shot in typical habitat.
Just enough of a gap in the reeds to make the image work.
A great image!!!
Craig
Craig Churchill Photography
Posted by Kevin Lewis on January 21, 2007 at 5:56 PM
Lovely environment shot Tom, glad it showed up for you :)
Posted by Niall Riddell on January 22, 2007 at 7:13 AM
I like this shot Tom - as well as the gap in the reeds you have captured an interesting posture and a small shaft of sunlight is falling on the bird. Good job!
Niall
Posted by Alan Bryant on January 22, 2007 at 12:55 PM
Great shot
I've yet to see, let alone even photograph one of these.Hmmmm a trip to slimbridge i think.What sort of time would be best to see him ?.
Well basically turn up at 9.30am and leave your watch in the car
It first showed about 10.45 (fleetingly), then crossed the ride (in 30 seconds) some 15 minutes later dissappearing into the LHS reeds, then reappeared (just about visable, with the help of binos, inbetween the reeds if you know what you are looking for in patternation) some 25 minutes later and then made sporadic appearances (usually head down and ass on) at about 25min intervals (each showing duration about 15sec- 2 minutes) for the next 2hours but it didn't come back out of the reeds for anybody to get a clean shot... I left at 2pm.
Have fun - bring a flask and butties... patience is key, otherwise a personal MP3 player is a good idea.
Posted by Brian Phipps on January 22, 2007 at 1:31 PM
Tom,
You forgot to mention to Alan about gloves, hat, scarf, neck tube, thermals and anything else that can be worn if you are planning to open the corner window!!
Posted by Alan Bryant on January 22, 2007 at 1:40 PM
Thanks Tom
I will be going up there on a week day, not the weekend as i know very well that slimbridge can get very busy with loud kids with mums and dads.
Oh and i will rap-up warm(thank you Brian ).
I'll post a pick if i get one haha
Posted by Kevin Lewis on January 22, 2007 at 3:56 PM
It is kinda cold in that corner with the south facing window open :)
I do like the image a lot, especially the lighting on the bird (you must have been lucky to get the sun coming through the reeds like that) and the environmentl / camouflage feel to the image. It must have been a long way away for such a big crop to be needed, Other people seem to getting full framers using 600mm lenses, but alas no such luck when I went. I get the impression it shows regularly from about 11am for an hour. An hour is all I could be bothered with, what with the cold wind and constant noise in the hide (not that the noise worries the bird, just me).
It was set right back in the far RHS reeds and the sunlight was intermittent (actually, given this is the UK, I suppose that I should say 'thankfully intermittent') - this is the best from a long day. I have been considering the purchase of a 600mm but I much prefer to find the subject wild (if I can) hence the additional weight of a 600 is a big consideration on a long walk.
Discussion
11 repliesTaken today at Slimbridge from the Zeiss Hide. The Bittern showed well but usually ass on
Manual focus, BB on hide ledge
500mm/X1.4
F6.3/1300'/400ASA
Slight USM and a 50% (approx 8M) crop.
So thats what that football shaped thing was in the reeds today!!!
Seriously though a classic bittern shot in typical habitat.
Just enough of a gap in the reeds to make the image work.
A great image!!!
Craig
Craig Churchill Photography
Niall
I've yet to see, let alone even photograph one of these.Hmmmm a trip to slimbridge i think.What sort of time would be best to see him ?.
It first showed about 10.45 (fleetingly), then crossed the ride (in 30 seconds) some 15 minutes later dissappearing into the LHS reeds, then reappeared (just about visable, with the help of binos, inbetween the reeds if you know what you are looking for in patternation) some 25 minutes later and then made sporadic appearances (usually head down and ass on) at about 25min intervals (each showing duration about 15sec- 2 minutes) for the next 2hours but it didn't come back out of the reeds for anybody to get a clean shot... I left at 2pm.
Have fun - bring a flask and butties... patience is key, otherwise a personal MP3 player is a good idea.
You forgot to mention to Alan about gloves, hat, scarf, neck tube, thermals and anything else that can be worn if you are planning to open the corner window!!
I will be going up there on a week day, not the weekend as i know very well that slimbridge can get very busy with loud kids with mums and dads.
Oh and i will rap-up warm(thank you Brian
I'll post a pick if i get one haha
I do like the image a lot, especially the lighting on the bird (you must have been lucky to get the sun coming through the reeds like that) and the environmentl / camouflage feel to the image. It must have been a long way away for such a big crop to be needed, Other people seem to getting full framers using 600mm lenses, but alas no such luck when I went. I get the impression it shows regularly from about 11am for an hour. An hour is all I could be bothered with, what with the cold wind and constant noise in the hide (not that the noise worries the bird, just me).
Dave
Forest of Dean, UK