I will even let you off blowing the snow out on the left side
Posted by Major Gilbert on January 13, 2010 at 6:38 PM
The snow on the original is not blown Ian. I only partly created that in my processing as I felt making the snow a really bright white highlighted the bird much more. As such its not blown just merely lost detail as you would expect relating to DOF.
I think this is a phenomenal shot. An incredibly difficult bird with which to work and you capture an amusing, fascinating aspect of behavior superbly, brilliant work!!
Posted by Tim Taylor on January 14, 2010 at 2:00 AM
Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tim
Posted by Mike Andrews on January 14, 2010 at 2:49 AM
Beautiful shot Major.
I am curious (or is that nosey?). Were you in a hide?
My only sightings of these are when they explode from the ground almost beneath my feet, and my reactions are just not good enough to get even a tail-on shot.
If they are taken from a hide, how do you know where to set it up?
I am looking for all the help I can get (and I'm sure others would like to know) to enable me get shots of the quality you always post
Posted by Jeff Harrison on January 14, 2010 at 3:58 AM
Fantastic shot. Whites are a bit blown in places but thats a minor consideration.
Robert
Posted by Paul Hobson on January 14, 2010 at 6:24 PM
Hi Major
simply sublime
Paul Hobson
www.paulhobson.co.uk
Posted by Major Gilbert on January 15, 2010 at 2:38 AM
Thanks everyone for your input.
Mike I was in a car at the time and during this cold snap I thought it probably the best way without causing disturbance to these birds when feeding. This individual however was not one bit bothered by passing traffic and remained at the roadside for a considerable amount of time. I had to use the 300mm giving me a slightly higher POV than is normally created when using the 600mm and coupled with the height of the vehicle was probably not the best but there was no other option as I was more or less directly opposite with not a lot of lee way.
Thanks go out to a Mr Nigel Blake as he had located some the day before and tipped me off.
As for setting up hides to do these I would think you would have to be extremly lucky to get one drop down infront of you. As stated in my last post I had spent the whole of Sunday trundling up and down suitable roadways with the right sort of habitat to locate the previous bird. On that occasion In one stretch I found at least ten birds with four together so they are about but you need to get your eye in otherwise you wont see a thing. Easier said then done.
Major
Posted by Mark Sisson on January 15, 2010 at 4:18 AM
Like your last woodie shot but this is way better - superb behaviour of a notoriously difficult subject.
Mark
Posted by David Sewell on January 15, 2010 at 4:48 AM
How many hours went into this, Major? Between Nigel and yourself, quite a few I would reckon. One of the best woodcock pictures I have ever seen.
David
Posted by David Kjaer on January 15, 2010 at 5:13 AM
Certainly does Major - wonderful!
David
Posted by Ian Mason on January 15, 2010 at 4:49 PM
Discussion
25 replies1/125 @ f6.3.
ISO: 320.
Ex Comp 0EV.
WB: Auto.
Contrast -2.
I think the image tells the story.
Major.
Just shows there are places where the frost doesn't get 18"down !
Cheers
JohnR
I will even let you off blowing the snow out on the left side
Major.
I think this is a phenomenal shot. An incredibly difficult bird with which to work and you capture an amusing, fascinating aspect of behavior superbly, brilliant work!!
Andy
Tim
I am curious (or is that nosey?). Were you in a hide?
My only sightings of these are when they explode from the ground almost beneath my feet, and my reactions are just not good enough to get even a tail-on shot.
If they are taken from a hide, how do you know where to set it up?
I am looking for all the help I can get (and I'm sure others would like to know) to enable me get shots of the quality you always post
Cheers,
Chris
Matt
Robert
simply sublime
Paul Hobson
www.paulhobson.co.uk
Mike I was in a car at the time and during this cold snap I thought it probably the best way without causing disturbance to these birds when feeding. This individual however was not one bit bothered by passing traffic and remained at the roadside for a considerable amount of time. I had to use the 300mm giving me a slightly higher POV than is normally created when using the 600mm and coupled with the height of the vehicle was probably not the best but there was no other option as I was more or less directly opposite with not a lot of lee way.
Thanks go out to a Mr Nigel Blake as he had located some the day before and tipped me off.
As for setting up hides to do these I would think you would have to be extremly lucky to get one drop down infront of you. As stated in my last post I had spent the whole of Sunday trundling up and down suitable roadways with the right sort of habitat to locate the previous bird. On that occasion In one stretch I found at least ten birds with four together so they are about but you need to get your eye in otherwise you wont see a thing. Easier said then done.
Major
Mark
David
David
T
Great shot Major
Ron