Posted by Mike Smith on January 28, 2007 at 5:59 PM
One from today and first trip out of the new year. I have been to Portland Bill many times, but never located Purple Sandpiper here before, but I know they are reported frequently. Their dull plumage makes them quite difficult to locate on the shore rock line. But today I was determined to nail a bit of a bogey bird for me
After a couple of hours searching, I found a party of 4 birds, but sods law was that they were very close to the obelisk and a multitude of day trippers but on a patch of rock that was approachable with care. So having found them I returned to the car and "camo'd up". With a stealthy approach with lens in bag with probable looks of "what is that idiot up to" from the pathway, I got within 100 feet and started to set up my lens on tripod etc, only to find that last autumn I had removed the lens plate to fit on a 300 mm Nikon lens for the Oly E system - ie when I last went to Spain - Doh! I had checked all my kit the night before but not the lens
Deciding there was no point in going further and possibly disturbing the birds, I beat a hasty retreat back up to the footpath and found a prominantry to watch the birds. As is sometimes the case the birds continued to work their way towards me and I thought hang on a minute there is still hope here..... so lying prostrate using my rucksack as a giant bean bag I settled into some photography.
Half an hour later and a few decent photos in the bag the birds were startled and flew further round the headland. Somewhat sore from lying on hard rock, when I looked up I found I was circled by about 35 members of an RSPB birding group bright blue and red walking jackets in abundance, no wonder the birds took flight- hey ho, the trials and tribulations of photography on well trodden ground!
High vantage point meant most shots were record shots but the first time I had encountered photographable Purple Sand. This is one I particularly liked from the day.
Dull overcast conditions, Canon 1DsII, 500 f4.5 lens plus 1.4 tc. ISO 400, 1/125 at F6.7,
Posted by Rob Howard on January 28, 2007 at 6:43 PM
Hi Mike,
Funny story, sod's law I guess, I've done something similiar once, but never again, ALL of my equipment get's double checked before I go out the front door now.
A nice image and worth the wait, I would prefer a lower view point but given the circumstances you can be foregiven, If you go back with all your kit, I reckon you'll nail a stonker.
Regards
Rob
Posted by Major Gilbert on January 29, 2007 at 7:16 AM
Hi Mike
Yes know the feeling. My biggest thing is to get out without all my FCards. Doh!!!
Anyway in spite of the height I like this one. If it wasn't for that puddle perhaps it may not have worked.
Major
Posted by Tim Munsey on January 29, 2007 at 7:21 AM
Discussion
3 repliesAfter a couple of hours searching, I found a party of 4 birds, but sods law was that they were very close to the obelisk and a multitude of day trippers but on a patch of rock that was approachable with care. So having found them I returned to the car and "camo'd up". With a stealthy approach with lens in bag with probable looks of "what is that idiot up to" from the pathway, I got within 100 feet and started to set up my lens on tripod etc, only to find that last autumn I had removed the lens plate to fit on a 300 mm Nikon lens for the Oly E system - ie when I last went to Spain - Doh!
Deciding there was no point in going further and possibly disturbing the birds, I beat a hasty retreat back up to the footpath and found a prominantry to watch the birds. As is sometimes the case the birds continued to work their way towards me and I thought hang on a minute there is still hope here..... so lying prostrate using my rucksack as a giant bean bag I settled into some photography.
Half an hour later and a few decent photos in the bag the birds were startled and flew further round the headland. Somewhat sore from lying on hard rock, when I looked up I found I was circled by about 35 members of an RSPB birding group bright blue and red walking jackets in abundance, no wonder the birds took flight- hey ho, the trials and tribulations of photography on well trodden ground!
High vantage point meant most shots were record shots but the first time I had encountered photographable Purple Sand. This is one I particularly liked from the day.
Dull overcast conditions, Canon 1DsII, 500 f4.5 lens plus 1.4 tc. ISO 400, 1/125 at F6.7,
Funny story, sod's law I guess, I've done something similiar once, but never again, ALL of my equipment get's double checked before I go out the front door now.
A nice image and worth the wait, I would prefer a lower view point but given the circumstances you can be foregiven, If you go back with all your kit, I reckon you'll nail a stonker.
Regards
Rob
Yes know the feeling. My biggest thing is to get out without all my FCards. Doh!!!
Anyway in spite of the height I like this one. If it wasn't for that puddle perhaps it may not have worked.
Major
Tim