Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Forums · UKNP

Hawfinch to die for!

Discussion

21 replies
Posted by Chris Grady on April 23, 2007 at 6:12 AM
Be gentle, it's the first image i've posted.
What an awsome bird to get close to and spend many hours with.

Canon 350D (until the 1D mkIII gets here)
600mm F4 IS
Full frame
1/160sec, f5.6, ISO 400
Processed in Photoshop CS2 - contrast, shadow/highlight, saturation, unsharp mask.
Gitzo 1548 tripod and manfrotto 393 head
Dome hide
Long hours, loads of rollies and keeping very still and quiet!
Posted by Tim Munsey on April 23, 2007 at 6:39 AM
You'll cause a severe bout of jealous eye with this, I see it's not your only one either.
Welcome then.

:toast:

Tim
Posted by PhilH on April 23, 2007 at 6:46 AM
No Jealousy here.... :mad:

Very nice... had a quick look round the images on your site.. some super work....

Welcome and looking forward to more...

:toast: :wavey: :toast:
Posted by Alan Bryant on April 23, 2007 at 6:49 AM
One of the best "eye" shots i've seen on here :cool:

Bit of a shame about the blade of grass going over his body, but thats a very small nit to a cracking shot.

:toast:
Posted by Paul Gibbs on April 23, 2007 at 6:55 AM
Nice shot chris, i've never had the camera to hand when i've seen them. Only nit is the blade of grass, but sometimes like this ist better to have the shot than not, i got my first WW this weekend and had the same thing but still love the shot!
Posted by Pete Etheridge on April 23, 2007 at 7:31 AM
Hi Chris,

Nice to see you posting! We shared a hide at Slimbridge a couple of months back looking for flight shots and it's great to be able to see some of your efforts have paid off. Welcome!
:wavey:
Posted by Nick Railton on April 23, 2007 at 8:18 AM
Hi Chris, I agree with all above. Superb Gallery. I'm looking forward getting my 1D MKIII hopefully soon, my 300mm f/2.8IS arrives from the US next week.

Cheers
Posted by Dave Courtenay on April 23, 2007 at 8:44 AM
Superb looking bird-high on my wish list, :toast: :toast:
Posted by Graeme Lee on April 23, 2007 at 8:46 AM
Jealous??? Naaaaaa!!

Ok maybe a bit :wink:

Superb. The nit about the blades of grass is true in the purist sense but very picky with this rarely seen bird. I'd be more than pleased with this

:toast:
Posted by Paul Hillion on April 23, 2007 at 9:00 AM
What a beautiful looking bird, and image, one bird I've not seen before so thanks. And welcome to the forum :toast:

Had a quick look at your galleries, some cracking shots you have in there.
Posted by Rob Ashton on April 23, 2007 at 9:45 AM
:mad: :mad: :redface:

Jealous....me? Welcome aboard Chris. Very good first post. We look forward to lots more.

Rob :toast: :toast:
Posted by kevin Treadwell on April 23, 2007 at 1:34 PM
Hi Chris and welcome, fantastic 1st post and great images on your web. :jump:
:toast:
Kevin
Posted by Jim Greenfield on April 23, 2007 at 2:23 PM
Hi & welcome. Lucky devil to see let alone photograph one of these. Some great stuff on your site - like the dipper plus reflection particularly
Posted by Javier Martin on April 23, 2007 at 3:01 PM
Lots of detail in this great subject.

Javier
Posted by Paula Graham on April 23, 2007 at 3:10 PM
What a picture!
Well done indeed.
Never even seen a bird like that.
Posted by David Taylor on April 23, 2007 at 6:41 PM
Hawsome!! :wink:

:toast: :toast:
Posted by Justin on April 23, 2007 at 6:43 PM
Fine shot of a fabulous species. :cool: :cool: :toast:
Posted by Chris Grady on April 23, 2007 at 6:44 PM
Just like to say thanks very much for all your comments. Getting shots of the Hawfinches was an amazing experience which made all the effort worthwhile and I'm also very pleased you liked the results.
I posted this particular picture because for me the blade of grass in front of the bird and small bit of sunflower seed shell hanging from his mouth adds a bit of realism to the image which I think make it a little more interesting than just a clean shot - It's my favourite of the bunch.
Once again thank you and hello again to Pete.
Posted by Brian McGeough on April 24, 2007 at 4:21 AM
Hi Chris,

Simply stunning and it's all been said already!!!!! :toast:

Brian
Posted by Barrie Courtenay on April 24, 2007 at 4:36 AM
Hi Chris welcome aboard ,absolute stunner,

:toast: :toast:
Posted by Mark sellings on April 24, 2007 at 9:41 AM
great stuff - appreciate how hard these birds are to photograph, for me the grass is too distracting however, but I guess thats just personal taste.

:toast: :toast: :toast:

Mark
Posted by David Kjaer on April 24, 2007 at 1:06 PM
Beautiful opening image - looking forward to many more!

David :toast: