Posted by Mark Sisson on December 8, 2008 at 12:58 PM
...it seems at the vulture feeding station were the Ravens. Generally it was best not to snap away as they were very wary and only once they had settled and fed would any vultures contemplate doing so.
When there were a group of 5 so elegantly set round the dead sheep though it was too much to resist one frame!! Didn't put them off though.
If anyone is worried about the bait, all the food is collected by the BSPB from local farmers who have got in touch with them - it may be natural causes, wolf kill or just old age. They do not pay for carcasses (it would encourage the wrong behaviour) but by removing them they provide a service that would otherwise cost the farmer (and incomes are very low indeed in this part orf the continent), allows the chance for a dialogue 9which means educational opportunity) and is generally now removing the appalling habit of baiting carcasses to kill the vultures off that was prevalent not that long ago. Even the ravens benefit too!
1DS Mk2
300mm + 2x
ISO 400
f6.3 1/100
Mark
Posted by Edwin kats on December 8, 2008 at 1:16 PM
Well done Mark. Good story too. I really like this kind of shots. Birds of prey never seem to be really hungry over here so trips like this would be perfect to get such images.
Well done and keep them coming.
Edwin Kats
Posted by John Varley on December 8, 2008 at 2:30 PM
Hi Mark, love the contrast between the background and the Ravens. They look quite elegant.
John
Posted by Magnus Hird on December 8, 2008 at 2:58 PM
I like this shot a lot, for some reason it reminded me of the old style catalogue poses for mens jumpers, with everyone looking in a different direction. Well exposed and a pleasing background too
Posted by Andy Astbury on December 8, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Cracking image Mark
I wish the raven on the left was looking in to the frame but they aren't very good at taking direction and you can't win 'em all
I'd be very pleased if it was mine
Posted by Ian Mason on December 8, 2008 at 5:33 PM
Lovely colours, detail and DOF. I would be inclined to crop to pano.
Posted by Colin Crowdey on December 8, 2008 at 5:41 PM
I like these kind of shots and you have captured this moment really well, Ravens are much under rated birds, love images of them myself. As already mentioned, shame the Raven on the left is looking out instead of in, but it doesn't detract from the great image
cheers
Colin
Posted by Rob Howard on December 8, 2008 at 6:42 PM
Hi Mark,
Lovely colours and excellent exposure keeping detail in the blacks. Lovely and sharp and showing a great bit of behaviour.
Discussion
12 repliesWhen there were a group of 5 so elegantly set round the dead sheep though it was too much to resist one frame!! Didn't put them off though.
If anyone is worried about the bait, all the food is collected by the BSPB from local farmers who have got in touch with them - it may be natural causes, wolf kill or just old age. They do not pay for carcasses (it would encourage the wrong behaviour) but by removing them they provide a service that would otherwise cost the farmer (and incomes are very low indeed in this part orf the continent), allows the chance for a dialogue 9which means educational opportunity) and is generally now removing the appalling habit of baiting carcasses to kill the vultures off that was prevalent not that long ago. Even the ravens benefit too!
1DS Mk2
300mm + 2x
ISO 400
f6.3 1/100
Mark
Well done and keep them coming.
Edwin Kats
John
I wish the raven on the left was looking in to the frame but they aren't very good at taking direction and you can't win 'em all
I'd be very pleased if it was mine
cheers
Colin
Lovely colours and excellent exposure keeping detail in the blacks. Lovely and sharp and showing a great bit of behaviour.
Thanks for sharing
Regards
Rob
Very well captured moment. I like this one very much.
Interesting image and story!