Posted by Helge Sorensen on October 29, 2007 at 10:22 AM
Just came back from a two-week vacation to the US (photos soon to hit the forum) - when I heart about an invasion of Parrot Crossbills in Northern Denmark. The birds (but not the weather) was very cooperative. Parrot Crossbills have stronger beaks than Common Crossbills and therefore primarily eat Pine cones. Here is a male.
1D MarkIII + 500/4 + tc1.4; iso400, f6.3, 1/500
Posted by Paul Gibbs on October 29, 2007 at 10:31 AM
Nice! Showing the cross bill at what it does best!
Posted by Andy Astbury on October 29, 2007 at 12:40 PM
Cracking image Helge
It's a shame the sky wasn't a bit more compliant
Posted by Graeme Lee on October 29, 2007 at 1:07 PM
Very nice Helge. That's some bill/beak.Shame about the sky but it doesn't really spoil the image for me
When is it a "bill" and when is it a "beak"????
Posted by Paul Hillion on October 29, 2007 at 1:56 PM
Absolute cracking shot of a new bird for me. Looks like you managed to get a good vantage spot fairly level to to the bird.
The pose is just perfect. Nice one
Posted by Mark Sisson on October 29, 2007 at 2:20 PM
Like this Helge - shame about the sky as you say, but the even lighting has helped the colours of the bird in a very obliging pose.
Mark
Posted by Paul Ashton on October 29, 2007 at 2:50 PM
Cracking image Helge. We get Crossbills in the coastal pines during the winter. Unfortunately whenever I've seen them they've always been way up in the tree tops. Still your image has encouraged me to keep trying.
Very much like this, the weather has created conditions where the colours of the bird stand out, I personally would like a touch more room but that is minor.
Posted by Paula Graham on October 29, 2007 at 4:39 PM
What a super-looking bird and I do like the pine in his beak.
Posted by John Varley on November 1, 2007 at 4:48 PM
Fine shot Helge - what a massive beak - I'm sure it makes short work of the pine cone.
Discussion
11 replies1D MarkIII + 500/4 + tc1.4; iso400, f6.3, 1/500
It's a shame the sky wasn't a bit more compliant
When is it a "bill" and when is it a "beak"????
The pose is just perfect. Nice one
Mark
W
David