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Dartford Warbler

Discussion

11 replies
Posted by Paul Hillion on April 23, 2007 at 6:07 PM
Dartford Warbler
I've been visiting the same area for the last 3 weekends now, arriving at sunrise as this is when these birds (the same pair) seem to be most active. I've mainly just been sitting and watching, eventually managing to get within reasonable distance for a decent shot.

Canon 500f/4 with 1.4x on tripod, f/8 @ 1/320, ISO 400, +1/3EC.

Thanks.
Posted by David Taylor on April 23, 2007 at 6:56 PM
Everything comes to he who waits. It was certainly worth waiting for this. Excellent with a really great BG. Shame about the ring but only to be expected with this species, I suppose.



:toast: :toast:
Posted by Justin on April 24, 2007 at 3:31 AM
A nice close-up portrait showing that characteristic red eye and long tail off very well.
Posted by Paula Graham on April 24, 2007 at 3:50 AM
Getting this shot certainly justified all the patience and effort you put in.
Very nice
Posted by Dave Courtenay on April 24, 2007 at 6:39 AM
Nice
Posted by Graeme Lee on April 24, 2007 at 8:41 AM
WOW, a great capture of a bird I've only seen twice and chased once...unsurprisingly, never got a shot of it :wink:

Surprised you chose to overexpose by a 3rd Paul?

:toast:
Posted by Paul Hillion on April 24, 2007 at 9:36 AM
"Surprised you chose to overexpose by a 3rd Paul"

I'm still very much in the learning stage of bird photography and I tend to experiment with different settings (if the situation allows) - this image is from a series of shots from the morning and I like I say I tried various settings, for instance last weekend I tried my flash & better beamer to provide a little fill flash in pretty much the same light conditions and I was happy with the results. I find I'm getting a lot more shots where I've nailed the exposure pretty good so my practice must be paying off :smile:
Posted by Mark sellings on April 24, 2007 at 9:44 AM
Hi Paul,

A real beauty of a shot - also, just checking but I'm not sure if you need a Schedule 1 license for photographing these guys at this time of year? maybe one of the pros could clarify - I may well be wrong :biggrin:

:toast: :toast:

Mark
Posted by David Kjaer on April 24, 2007 at 12:57 PM
Nice one I know how difficult these birds can be!

David :toast:
Posted by Graeme Lee on April 24, 2007 at 3:21 PM
It wasn't a criticism Paul. I was just interested. Good way to get detail in your dark to midtones i suppose :wink:
Posted by John Chapman on April 25, 2007 at 11:44 AM
The hard work is paying off Paul. A very nice shot indeed. :toast:
John
Aberdeen.
Posted by Jeremy on April 25, 2007 at 3:49 PM
I saw one of these on the Gower recently, where apparantly they are now breeding. Would love the chance to get a shot like this - superb!