Sparrowhawk

Well done Jules and Maggie for guessing what my secret encounter was, you can go to the top of the class, the rest of you must stay behind and do 100 lines (crikey, that takes me back a bit) lol

Taken through my living room window lunchtime yesterday.

I went in there to upload a photo, sat down and watched about a dozen or so small birds on my feeding station about 10 feet outside the window while the PC started.
Well, it hadn't even had time to start properly before suddenly, all the birds scattered into the trees and this Sparrowhawk landed on the perch.

I sat here not more than 3 feet or so away from the window, afraid to move in case I frightened it off, but it just sat there for over 5 minutes.
My newly bought Nikon D3 was on the table nearby, I'd been setting it up the night before, but it had a 14-24 wide angle lens on it, my 200-400 was packed away in it's carrying case, so I decided to go for it.

To cut a long story short, I had time to set it all up and took this one and a few more shots hand holding the beast but it was very heavy so I went out the other room and got my tripod and set that up about 4 feet inside the window and took over 50 shots before the bird eventually flew off.

It knew I was there, I have some shots with it looking straight at me over it's shoulder but it didn't seem bothered.

It was a dull, dark day and was raining at the time too, there were a lot of raindrops on the outer pane of the window but I just had to shoot through them.
You can see the raindrops on the bird's back and head too.

A tiny Blue Tit seemed to be teasing the Sparrowhawk, it even landed on the feeders less than 2 feet away for a split second, like it was playing "catch me if you can"

This is the first photo that I've actually processed from my new toy and I've still got a lot to learn.

Nikon D3
Nikon 200-400
1/60th second
f4
400mm
ISO 800
Hand held
Full frame taken with camera in portrait position.

Once on the tripod I took some at f8 and various ISOs up to 3200, they're sharper but the background shows up more, I'll post one again soon.

I did wonder if it were a sparrowhawk yesterday, so can I be let off with 99 lines please?

Lovely shot, you are going to be hard pressed to get something better once you are used to the new toy!

David

Yes very nice. I got it right too.
Mine comes at about 4 oclock every day ( well 3 now ! )
Us bird feeders have a lot to answer for !!
JohnR

That's some window you've got there Mr.Baker - and so bloomin' clean too

The best lens in the world bar-none, on the second best (only slightly) body in the world, c'mon Boyo ya couldn't really go wrong!

Cracking shot Geoff - told you your investment would be a good 'un.

Very nice Geoff

Love the background

I have not had a visit from my Sparrow hawk for a while now but I suspect it will turn up as the weather gets colder.

That's a fine portrait indeed and all the better thanks to such a colourful and attractive backdrop.

I got plenty of sparrows but never get these at my feeder :( I did guess yesterday but kept it quiet for the others to try first ;) It is a wonderful shot.

This lark is all about taking your opportunities and you did it splendidly. Nice work.
eric

Great work great detail and great background

Great Image Geoffrey

I wish

Ron

Where is my prize then? Didn't get many of those at school!

Great image Geoff. Your new equipment is working very well (but in very good hands of course)

Simply superb, nothing else can be said, simply superb

Great shot Geoff, and through a window!

Heath

Sharp and with a very attractive and contrasting background.

T

Hi Geoff.
Geoff this is certainly the best i have seen,raindrops and the quality of the bird is superb.

Keith.

See told ya it would make a difference.!

Super.

It still a S**y but in guise of a N***n Body?

Like the water droplets on the feathers and overall sharpness.

Ian