Preening Ganett

First posting here on this site. Having seen the previous posting for some time and I feel rather reluctant to post, but here goes.

Taken at Bempton cliffs last saturady afternoon. The wind was high, so keeping the 500mm steady (whilst on the gitzo) still proved a handful. This adult was quite happy, secure on his cliff perch to preen himself whilst his eyes were closed. Knowing how high he was, he was either, very comfotrtable, or scared of the height. I know which one I was :-(

SJK

Canon 1D mk II with 500mm f4 with 1.4x

Welcome Stephen

And what a nice shot to start off with .Its nice to see something different like this(i.e preening).Exposure is fantastic for the whites and blackes.Plus its a nice angle showing his little home.

Hi Stephen,

Welcome to the forum

Well exposed with good detail in the white's. It does look a little dark/shaded on my screen, perhaps a touch of fill would have helped.

Good first post look forward to more of your work

Regards

Rob

Thanks guys, appreciate the warm welcome. Have always posted on the Canon Forum, but I see that other NPN members have migrated, so I thought I would have a punt. The stadard here is very high so I think I will need to 'cherry pick' future posting. Once again, thank you.

Steve

Hi Steve,welcome to the forum,about time too........yes a nice image to start the ball rolling

Regards

Barrie

Welcome Steve, and a very nice image too. Not many shots of birds preening seem to work, but I like this one.
Best wishes
Phil

Thanks Phil & Barrie, it feels as if I have just been accepted into an elite club :-)

Barrie, guess you have seen this image recently (sorry), could not let the 'Courtenay' clan work on world domination, LOL. Thanks again and will be posting more soon.

Steve

Hello chap, getting some sneaky practise in for lions and tigers then??

Well Andy, now that's impressive, I better review what I post in future! With regard to 'sneaky practice' every chance I get Andy, I want to make the most of Aug/Sept in Kenya.

Catch you later.

Steve

No need to feel reluctant Stephen - that is a very fine image. As has been said, a wee bit of fill light might just lift it a little but nice composition and tons of detail.

Cheers

Malcolm

First class posting Stephen - and as Malcolm says, no need to feel reluctant

Looking forward to seeing many more of your images

Welcome and nice first post. You must have been hanging over the edge at Bempton to take this one

Hi Stephen welcome a very nice first post.
John
Aberdeen

Yes I was Jim, do you know the location. Just tried it for the first time, but will be back when there are more species. Thank you John, too.

Steve

Great detail and nice post Stephen. Fill-in would have helped a bit here, but I would probably only realise that in hindsight, through lack of experience basically. I'm always very reluctant to use it in case it spooks the subject..... maybe for more common species that you know you're going to get a second bite at, it's worth it, but I suspect this species doesn't hang around your feeders on a regular basis

Very nice and different first post, look forward to the next!

Hi and a very nice first post, agree with the suggestions for a touch of fill, like it

Graeme, I have to agree with your comment re fill in. Not really that upto speed with Flash (as I rarely use it), but my biggest worry is that it spookes the animal whatever you are shooting, thus leaving you with nothing. What does the team think?

Steve