Great Tit.

Canon 20D, Canon 500mm f4, 1/1000 sec @ f5.6, ISO 400.
Arca B1 on cross member of hide.
Full frame, levels, hue/saturation, Neatimage on background.


Hi,

Not posted for a while as I've been a little tied up with other things recently.
This is a shot from a few days ago from a new hide I've just built for bird photography over the coming months.

Having recently gone from a 100-400mm to a 500mm I came across one slight inconvenience whilst setting up my bird feeding station, i.e. an increase in minimum focus distance from 6 feet to at least 15 feet which would mean repositioning my hide at least 9 feet further back. Only slight problem is my current hide is situated and built into the front of a 7 foot high bank
Anyway, armed with a shovel and spade the digging begun, and then some more digging and some more and a bit more.
I must have shifted more earth than a fleet of Kabuta digger's that week
Anyway, job done, even if I did take a week to fully recover


LARGER VERSION


All comments always welcome and appreciated.

Justin,

Nice shot. I like the colour of the background, what is it? I'm just setting up my feeders so have been thinking a lot about where to position for the best backgrounds.

I bet your back hurts after the digging... worth the effort though.

Rob

Hi Rob,

The background is distant bracken lit by a late afternoon sun.
Good luck with your set-up.

Nice image Justin, you may want to try using an extension tube to cut down your minimum focus it will save all that digging.

A piece of perfection, first class as always.

Tim

that's beautiful, so simple, the detail is outstanding, don't think there is a thing you could do to improve this shot

As Colin says extension tube will help. I think the 25mm will bring your minimum focussing distance down by abouta metre
Fabulous shot by the way.
Pete

As Colin says extension tube will help. I think the 25mm will bring your minimum focussing distance down by abouta metre
Fabulous shot by the way.
Pete

That's a really excellent shot, and just so simple; sharp and the background is excellent. At least all that digging will have got you fit for carrying the 500mm around with you !!

I have used the 25mm tube with the 500mm quite a lot, but in my hands I never found the wicked sharpness I get from the 500mm alone .. but I would guess that is just me rather than the optics.

Dave

Simple and effective. I use a 25mm tube at the sight I use and find no problems with it.

Regards

Jon

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the extension tube recomendation. I have a set of three Kenko tubes which I use reguarly but I wanted to keep the hide at 15-16ft to keep the right subject size for certain species and I guess the extra working distance is useful too. The exercise was a bonus too......I think

Good shot. Goog blurred BG.
Great.

This is a quality shot Justin, some may think its a bit "studio" with no greenery on the perch, but I like it.

Very nice shot with lovely colours. Well done

This is gorgeous Justin, great position in the shot and the detail in the large version is stunning. Definitely worth your toils!

Very sharp etc Justin , but looks a little "clinical" and hard on my screen. Can't think of the right word.
Good pic though. Technically spot on.
JohnR

I find the BG fits well with the perch.
I hope to get some shots like that at my new hide.
Have fun,
Bertl

Splendid Justin, the OOF bracken really adds that touch of magic.

John

a perfect Great Tit shot Justin, the background is great.

Matt

A perfect shot - can't fault it.


Simon

Everybody has said it. As good a shot as you would ever want of this nice male Great Tit. Definately worth all the effort.

Thank you

A simple everyday subject Justin that you have captured exceptionally well.

Major

I was taking notes on a home made hide today. If this is the quality that a hide offers, I'm off to the workshop!

Cracking light on this Justin - many happy days ahead methinks, so well worth the toil.



mark

Ah yes, my kind of shot. Bird on a stick, perfect perch, superb BG and very sharp!

Can't believe you have the sharpest 500 as well!!!! Great shot all round Justin. Reminds me, I need to sort my feeders out for some photography!

Hi Graeme,

I was looking at your website just yesterday coincidently. I was wondering if you were still doing much photography.
Be sure to post some shots for us to see once you get your feeders set-up

Very nice image Justin and a great BG.