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Bittern

Discussion

33 replies
Posted by David Kjaer on February 17, 2008 at 2:06 PM
Bittern
One from last week - the unlucky little rodent is a Water Shrew I don't think anyone told him they are schedule 1!

1D MkIII + 500 f4 iso 400 1/400 at f5.6 very very slight crop and I have cloaned out a strip of Reed Mace trailing from the bill!

Posted by Nigel Blake on February 17, 2008 at 2:12 PM
Very nice indeed David, my only small nit is the virtual legs, I think the bird needs to be higher up in the frame.
Posted by Gary Beers on February 17, 2008 at 2:13 PM
Very nice! I agree with Nigel's nit, but very nice as is....
Posted by Brian Phipps on February 17, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Any image of a bittern is rare enough, so when one is feeding.....superb!

Nice one Dave.
Posted by David Kjaer on February 17, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Hi Nigel

When action like this happens I never risk not getting the image by trying to compose I just concentrate on staying with the bird and getting the head sharp. Unfortunately when it caught the Shrew it came much closer and as I said this is nearly full frame so I couldn't recompose in PS!

David
Posted by Rob Howard on February 17, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Hi David,

Excellent shot. Nice to have a different prey item. Only ever seen these at long distance so nice to see another good shot of one.

Regards

Rob
Posted by Alan Bryant on February 17, 2008 at 2:40 PM
Cracking shot David :toast: :toast:
Posted by Stuart McCrae on February 17, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Very nice image,I've never seen one,let alone one feeding on shrew :rolleyes:

Can relate to the concentrating on the shot rather than the comp,but I think what you have here works. :toast:


Stu.
Posted by Tim Munsey on February 17, 2008 at 2:52 PM
Lunch time eh, cracking shot full of interest.

:toast: :toast: :toast:

Tim
Posted by Craig Churchill on February 17, 2008 at 2:54 PM
Hi David

Great shot,nice to see a shot of a bittern "doing something"!!!
Composition goes out of the window with this sort of shot as it only lasts seconds, so to come away with something this good is testament to your knowledge of the subject and its behaviour.It(It also helps to keep your finger on the shutter button and eye at the viewfinder at all times!)


Craig
www.craigchurchill.co.uk
Posted by Tim Taylor on February 17, 2008 at 2:54 PM
Fantastic shot - I'd love to see a bigger version! Congrats on a great capture.
Posted by Edwin kats on February 17, 2008 at 2:57 PM
:toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast:

STUNNING!!!!!

Edwin Kats
Posted by Phillip Tomkinson on February 17, 2008 at 3:08 PM
Hi David a very nice image.

Phillip.

:toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :smile: :wavey:
Posted by Rene de Heer on February 17, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Who care about the legs.........it is what you said:when there is action thats where you concentrate on! Especially with a kind of rarity like a bittern. Great image.
Rene de Heer
nb sent you an email with some news.....................
Posted by Joanne Mead on February 17, 2008 at 3:23 PM
Genius!

We're lucky just to see a bittern, never mind photograph one like that.

Jo
Posted by Ian Mason on February 17, 2008 at 3:24 PM
Cracking shot! Never seen one and doubt if I will ever see one with a catch.
Posted by Major Gilbert on February 17, 2008 at 3:26 PM
Nice one David. Very difficult when you have that split second to think and more so with all those reedy bits etc in the BG. as well :toast:

Major.
Posted by Paul Ashton on February 17, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Wonderful David. What a fantastic opportunity. So glad you remained composed enough to capture such very rare scene.
Posted by Paul King on February 17, 2008 at 3:31 PM
What a cracker David, these moments sure don't last long enough for composition.
:toast:
Posted by Barrie Courtenay on February 17, 2008 at 3:50 PM
Fantastic shot David

:toast: :wavey: :toast:
Posted by stewart canham on February 17, 2008 at 4:20 PM
Its all been said, but just keep your finger on the button,and worry about the rest later.
Very well done
Stewart...............
Posted by tony flashman on February 17, 2008 at 4:31 PM
You got the shot.......and what a shot.

Tony :toast: :toast:
Posted by Justin on February 17, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Hi David,

A top shot. Great subject, great behaviour.

:toast: :toast:
Posted by Dave Courtenay on February 17, 2008 at 4:54 PM
Two rarities in 1 shot-Top Man

Dave :toast: :toast:
Posted by Andy Astbury on February 17, 2008 at 4:57 PM
You don't do things by halves do you David :biggrin:

Top drawer image :toast:
Posted by Bob Hastie on February 17, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Great shot, never seen a shot of a bittern feeding before
Bob
Posted by Andy Shepherd on February 17, 2008 at 8:23 PM
Hi David,

One of the best I've seen :toast: :toast:

Regards

Andy... :smile:
Posted by PhilH on February 18, 2008 at 3:26 AM
Stunning..... only minor nit has been covered, but as you say getting the shot in this instance has to come first..

:toast: :toast: :toast: :wavey: :toast: :toast: :toast:
Posted by Stephen Kaluski on February 18, 2008 at 3:37 AM
Nice one David, fantastic plumage, brilliant capture :toast: :toast:

Steve
Posted by Jim Greenfield on February 18, 2008 at 4:30 AM
Wow - that is something
Posted by Paul Inglis on February 18, 2008 at 7:33 AM
Hi David,

Very nice, very nice indeed!
:toast: :toast: :toast:
Posted by John Chapman on February 18, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Cracking shot David :toast:
John
Aberdeen :toast:
Posted by Marek Miszczak on February 18, 2008 at 4:06 PM
Fantastic shot..... :toast: :toast: :toast:
Posted by eric weight on February 18, 2008 at 5:37 PM
Great action shot. Bet you're just glad your shutter finger never froze.
:toast: :toast: :toast: Eric