Starling Roost + another

Taken last week on the Somerset Levels and although I had a fantastic sunset and I am told around 2 million birds they didn't really perform. I did get a number of very different images but due to the lack of any raptors at the roost we had none of the fabulous aerial displays these birds are noted for. Some came in quite high and dropped straight down into the roost but the majority came in low as illustrated above!

Canon EOS 1D MkIII + 70-200 f2.8 at 200mm f4 1/250 at iso 800

Nice one David.
Something I must do some day.
You will have to use that noise filter !!
Cheers
johnR

Damn - beaten to the Noise Ninja joke

Great colours, and really gives an impression of numbers.



Mark

Very nice David, link the pinkish sky!
Rene de Heer

Hi David this is a nice shot IMO if there had been more Starlings in the top half of the picture it would have been more dramatic.

There's quite some dust on your sensor matey Needs cleaning....

Seriously....very nice shot. I really like the colors in the sky. Well done

Edwin Kats

Hi John

As I said previously most came in very low but the odd flock came in higher as seen here!

David

Great sky colours, I prefer the second image, but both document the sight very well.

Speak soon

Very nice, lovely colours in the sky. I too prefer the second, as it's more obvious what happening. What a great sight!

Hi David

The second image provides a focal point that is missing from the first post - there isn't anywhere for the eye to rest. That said, I prefer the overall feel of the first image. Can't win them all.

Cheers,
Chris

I think the first post is very nice, even though the starlings aren't displaying as such. The colours are lovely and the whole scene is very tranquil.

Matt

Both really nice images

The sky colouration looks really good David. Shame there arent a few more birds packed in densley to give a bit more impact.
Reminded me to go back re starling roost and have another go.

Major.

Yes the second image looks much more dynamic - I think mainly as the shape and colours are put over much better. At uni(may have been someone famous before hand), someone always said if the image is no good then your not close enough. To an extent I think this is the improvement over the first image.

Drew

Hi David. Love the sky colour and like the second best
John

Hi david, would be interested to know exaxtly where you were for these shots - Ham Wall?

Hi Ben

They were taken from the first viewing platform (over the lagoon) at Ham Wall. Be aware that the roost does move when the birds flatten all the reeds in a given area!

David

I agree - you really wanted the top image with the starlings from the second but still very nice shots

Both are beautiful Dave been trying myself at various places but nothing yet I hope I get something half as good

Danny

Hi David,

Both pictures are really beautiful with great sky colouration. I like the second best