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Skylark

Discussion

8 replies
Posted by Paul Thomas on February 28, 2007 at 5:13 PM
Skylark
One from last summer. There were loads of Skylarks around here last year. Getting a decent photo wasn't easy though as they were always either 100 foot up in the air or hiding in long grass. I struck lucky on my local reserve when I noticed that a male was repeatedly using a particular dead twig as a perch to sing from. Not knowing how the birds would react to the presence of my hide, I did one session about 40 feet from the perch and another about 20 feet away. This shot is from the second second session and is cropped about 30%. Although the birds weren't in the least bit concerned about the hide, this was as close as I could get without going into longer grass where they definitely had chicks hidden. The beak full of grasshoppers was a bonus :biggrin:

Techs: E-500, 50-200mm + 1.4TC, ISO 100, 1/320 at f6.3, levels, USM.

C & C welcome

:toast:

Paul
:biggrin:
Posted by Rene de Heer on February 28, 2007 at 5:16 PM
A nice shot of this skylark. I do find the light a bit harsh and a sparkle in the eye would have been nice.
Rene de Heer
Posted by Graeme Lee on February 28, 2007 at 5:24 PM
I have tried numerous times to get these. Never get near them with my camera :rolleyes:

Nice pose and agree that less harsh sunlight would have helped. A catchlight makes a vast difference generally. Doesn't seem to have compressed very well for web presentation :confused: Love the food in it's beak :toast:
Posted by PhilH on March 1, 2007 at 4:31 AM
Nice one, like the food, and the raised crest, perhaps a bit central in the frame, and as Graeme noted it certainly hasn't compressed very well so there may be a catchlight there....

:toast:
Posted by Richard Tynan on March 1, 2007 at 6:01 AM
It's a nice capture. The skylark looks good with its crest up.

I like the bit of red colour amongst the perch and the sense of the open landscape in the BG.
Posted by Rob Ashton on March 1, 2007 at 6:22 AM
Good species to get but the BG horizon falls in the wrong place for me and takes my attention too much.

Rob :toast:
Posted by David Kjaer on March 1, 2007 at 1:33 PM
Nice shot - for me a little too central and it's a pity the horizon runs through the bird. Agree a highlight in the eye would help a little, but nits aside a solid shot!

David :toast:
Posted by Justin on March 1, 2007 at 4:28 PM
A rewarding shot to have in your collection.Like the way the characteristic crest is shown off to full effect here.Nicely captured. :cool:
Posted by Paul Thomas on March 2, 2007 at 1:13 PM
Thats for all the feedback and suggestions folks. Hopefully I'll another chance this summer to put your suggestions into practice and improve on this effort.

:toast:

Paul