Scavenger

The winter has been harsh and birds are having to feed where they can. This redwing was scurrying around looking for food among piles of mud and ice scooped out from a canal by a digger instead of feeding elegantly on berries in hedgerows. Taken in poor light but I like the sense of hurry from the blurred feet which I think lends an extra sense of urgency.

7D, 500mm +1.4x
1/100
ISO 400
f5.6
LR2, CS4

Thanks for looking.

This is certainly different Tim. I like the monochromatic almost volcanic look to the surroundings and I agree with you about the sense of 'hurry'. I just think that a slight turn to give a better impression of the bird would have improved it no end.
Robert

Great behavioural record. Nice to see.
JohnR

I love the emotional power of this and agree that the movement on the legs works well in context with the starkness of the surroundings.

I find the large, upward pointing lump a bit distracting though as it competes with the bird for my attention.

Nits covered Tim but I really like the sense of desperation in the hunt for food conveyed by this image

Hi Tim

I'm guessing lots of people have viewed this and thought "what the . . . . ".
Me, I find this image refreshingly real - a big pat on the back for showing a stark account of winter.

The setting is brutal and yet the presence of the bird provides a sense of relief. Maybe this sort of image is a metaphor for the way humans are impacting on the planet – without wildlife look how desolate earth is; alternatively, maybe I'm talking out my hole. Either way, well done for taking and posting something original.

Cheers,
Chris

Thanks for all your comments. Nature isn't all prettiness and bright berries in the winter and I wanted to portray some of the bleakness with this shot.

Cheers

Tim

Have to agree with Chris's eloquence and RL's volcanic reference, different but highly effective

Certainly shows the reality of the weather for some of our wildlife. Excellent posting.