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Water Rail on Ice

Discussion

13 replies
Posted by David Kjaer on March 3, 2006 at 9:31 AM
Water Rail on Ice
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)
Posted by Dave Courtenay on March 3, 2006 at 9:38 AM
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 :toast:
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.

Malcolm
Posted by Peter Barritt on March 3, 2006 at 9:48 AM
superb David. well done.
Posted by Michael Sayles on March 3, 2006 at 9:55 AM
:toast: Nice one David! Different and unusual, as well as being technically excellent! I love that pose - Ministry of Silly Walks would be proud!

The background is a bit 'messy', but it sets off the immediate environment.

Michael S
Posted by John Chapman on March 3, 2006 at 9:55 AM
Hi David
a terrific shot of the Water Rail and I agree with the other comments.
John
Aberdeen :toast:
Posted by Nigel Blake on March 3, 2006 at 1:00 PM
Very nice Dave, super posture on the ice, not sure about the "green laser" behind the head, I think I would try to lose that.
Posted by Alan Woolnough on March 3, 2006 at 1:37 PM
I'm green with envy David,

A real beauty, and the icy setting/posture etc make this stand out from the usual rail shots that ive seen also :toast:

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
Posted by Graeme Lee on March 3, 2006 at 2:06 PM
Fantastic and concur with all the others. Is it me or is it walking up hill slightly? A bit of CW rotation maybe?

Graeme
Posted by Vincent Jones on March 3, 2006 at 2:25 PM
All been said :smile: SIMPLY AWESOME :toast:

Nice one Dave

Vince
Posted by Tim Munsey on March 4, 2006 at 1:51 PM
Cor! It's almost walking out of my PC it's so real.

:toast: :toast: :toast:

Tim
Posted by stewart bradshaw on March 4, 2006 at 4:26 PM
cracker... :toast:

Stewart.... :jump:
Posted by Colin Pickett on March 5, 2006 at 12:36 PM
Excellent :toast: :toast:
Posted by Sean Bolton on March 6, 2006 at 4:23 PM
Hi David

An excellent image :toast:

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 :wink:

cheers

Sean