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Once Bittern, Twice Shy

Discussion

15 replies
Posted by Andy Stunell on September 6, 2009 at 12:21 AM
Taken at RSPB Leighton Moss in Cumbria, this was only my second visit and i had gone with the hope of catching the Juvenile Marsh Harriers i saw during my first visit. i Had been sat in the hide for about 3 hours with not much activity when this Bittern stalked along the edge of the reed bed. it was the first time i've seen one so went away a happy boy :biggrin:

ISO 200
S/S 1/320
F/10
400MM F/2.8 + 2xTC
1DMKIII

50% crop with a little highlight recovery to bring back the highlights on the neck. i played with this as a landscape format but feel this works better.

C&C welcome and appreciated

Thankyou

Andy
Posted by Justin on September 6, 2009 at 1:33 AM
A good result from your visit to the reserve. :cool:
Posted by Tim Munsey on September 6, 2009 at 3:01 AM
Nice one, haven't been there for ages, sounds like a great visit.

Tim
Posted by Brett Lewis on September 6, 2009 at 6:55 AM
I'm not surprised you happy to bag a shot of one of these.. I guess you'll being going back a little more frequently? Well seen and captured.

Brett :toast:
Posted by Barry Southon on September 6, 2009 at 7:45 AM
Andy

Well captured I know the buzz you get when one of these pop up.
:wink:
Posted by David Sewell on September 6, 2009 at 7:53 AM
Lovely shot, and an especially nice eye. It makes the time spent in the hide worthwhile doesn't it?

David

:toast: :toast:
Posted by Andy Shepherd on September 6, 2009 at 10:08 AM


Congrats on your first Bittern Andy, like the shot too :toast:

Andy...
Posted by David Taylor on September 6, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Yes, a really great shot. Well done indeed. :smile:

:toast: :toast: :jump:
Posted by Andy Stunell on September 6, 2009 at 11:16 AM
It certainly makes the early mornings and time in the hide worthwhile , was great just to see one and watch it in its natural habitat :jump:

Reply posted by Tim Munsey on 09/06/09 at 08:01 am BST

Nice one, haven't been there for ages, sounds like a great visit.

Tim

Hi Tim i'll probably head up there the end of next month, let me know if you fancy going

Andy



Posted by Craig Jones on September 6, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Brillant portrait of this very hard to find/see bird,hope you had chance to hear their call :confused: Lovely detail in the bird and the light looks harsh but you have done really well here Andy :wink: :wink: :wavey:
Posted by Guy Rogers on September 6, 2009 at 2:14 PM
Hello Andy.

Got my first one this year as well and I was well pleased as well.

Is a nice portrait and good eye contact.

:wavey: :wavey: :wavey:
Posted by Maggie Campbell on September 6, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Lovely shot Andy. Well captured. :toast:
Posted by Ian Mason on September 6, 2009 at 5:23 PM
Wonderful to see and even better to get such a crisp clear shot. Maybe crop a little from the right?
Posted by Dave Bartlett on September 6, 2009 at 5:28 PM
Cracker!! Nice eye :toast:
Posted by Andy Stunell on September 6, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Hi craig, yes the lighting was quite strong but i was so shocked to see one that i didn't think to add any exposure compensation :mad: had to pull the highlights slider to 80% in Aperture to bring back the detail on the neck.

Ian thanks for the crop suggestion aswell, i'll have a look at that today and post it up

Cheers for the comments, i must be doing something right :biggrin:
Posted by Drew Mellowship on September 8, 2009 at 7:50 AM
It's a good starting point I think - not that I could do much better anyway. the image in general just seems a little messy & not quite straight. However saying that in terms of sharpness and subject I can't complain - hope that was fairly put?!?

Drew :smile: