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Taken yesterday in real 'brass monkey' weather. The last time I photographed Water Rail I was using Kodachrome so when a friend invited me over to his feeding station I jumped at the chance. These birds as a rule do not like being out in the open so don't stand still when they break cover to feed. As a result I have binned far more images than I will keep.
Taken on a Canon 1D MkII + 500f4 f4.5 1/3200 iso 400 from a hide (full frame)
Great shot David,The ice makes this a truly unique image,very difficult bird to see let alone photograph and the birds eye level wraps it off nicely-The best water rail image i have seen
regards
Dave C
Posted by Malcolm Muir on March 3, 2006 at 9:45 AM
Hi David
Can only back up Dave C here - best water rail photo I have seen as well. Really amazing to get such a good look at the feet - perfect for mud, water lilies and thin ice. I have rarely seen water rails, though they are not uncommon here and are easily heard. Brilliant.
A real beauty, and the icy setting/posture etc make this stand out from the usual rail shots that ive seen also
I'm tempted to bin my only rail shots now, which were probably taken in the same era as your KC shots {although mine are B&W}.
I agree with Nigel regarding the green reed, and as this is now a simple job with digital, i personally would make full use of modern PS wizardry, just to round off an already excellent shot.
Very good behavioural/habitat shot, I like the pose of the bird on the ice. The busy background works ok in this shot. I see what Nigel means by the green laser but I don't think it is a big issue here, in fact I mistook it for a reed stem at first glance
Discussion
13 repliesTaken on a Canon 1D MkII + 500f4 f4.5 1/3200 iso 400 from a hide (full frame)
regards
Dave C
Can only back up Dave C here - best water rail photo I have seen as well. Really amazing to get such a good look at the feet - perfect for mud, water lilies and thin ice. I have rarely seen water rails, though they are not uncommon here and are easily heard. Brilliant.
Malcolm
The background is a bit 'messy', but it sets off the immediate environment.
Michael S
a terrific shot of the Water Rail and I agree with the other comments.
John
Aberdeen
A real beauty, and the icy setting/posture etc make this stand out from the usual rail shots that ive seen also
I'm tempted to bin my only rail shots now, which were probably taken in the same era as your KC shots {although mine are B&W}.
I agree with Nigel regarding the green reed, and as this is now a simple job with digital, i personally would make full use of modern PS wizardry, just to round off an already excellent shot.
Alan
Graeme
Nice one Dave
Vince
Tim
Stewart....
An excellent image
Very good behavioural/habitat shot, I like the pose of the bird on the ice. The busy background works ok in this shot. I see what Nigel means by the green laser but I don't think it is a big issue here, in fact I mistook it for a reed stem at first glance
cheers
Sean