Posted by John Robinson on September 4, 2012 at 8:38 AM
Short Eared Owl
Spending a while back in my old home district prompted me to look back through some old stuff done there.
This SEO was taken in 1972 on Reads Island in the Humber . She’s watching the male coming in with food, which he sometimes dropped on the top of the hide.
There were about 10 pairs nesting in about 300 acres but the island is now being eaten away by the currents and is only a fraction of its original size. This pair had 7 chicks and with two days between egg laying that means 14 days between oldest and youngest. No wonder the little fellas often get eaten !! Got a pic iof them somewhere
Taken with an 8 inch lens off an old plate camera glued onto the front of a set of bellows on a rail and fixed to a Pentax with and adapter which my Dad got made at the local steel works ! How things have changed.
The film would be FP4 but no idea about the exif info. Copied this off the original negative with my DIY copier.I know that nest photography is now taboo but we had no other choice much then. The birds were’nt bothered in the slightest anyway.
Some may find it of interest.
Cheers
JR
Posted by David Sewell on September 4, 2012 at 9:45 AM
Hi John,
The trouble with nostalgia, is that it isn't what it used to be
I remember a lot of time spent doing this sort of thing, using some very Heath Robinson equipment at times as well. I don't mourn the move away from nest photography, what we do now gives images that show much more of the typical life of a bird. I agree that the birds weren't bothered though, at least not in most cases. As you say, times have changed.
David
Posted by John Robinson on September 4, 2012 at 9:52 AM
Thanks David
I certainly don't regret the move away from nest photography but it did throw up a lot of behavioural stuff which otherwise wouldn't be seen. I wouldn't say all birds weren't bothered but if they were then you packed in. However I could quote many instances of horrendous things done to get pictures- and by some well known names too !!
Heres a shot of the 7 young . This would be on Ecktachrome 200 ASA.
Cheers
JR
Posted by Oscar Dewhurst on September 4, 2012 at 3:56 PM
Amazing to see John, I'd give a kidney for a shot like your first!
Oscar
Posted by Phil Ellard on September 4, 2012 at 5:46 PM
intersesting shots John, as someone postdates nest photography i wouldnt dream of doing it, funny how fashions and opinions change. like the first shot and good to see someone else experiementing with black and white conversions
Posted by Nick Mckeown on September 5, 2012 at 3:44 PM
Great story JR and I really like the B+W shot as I think the grass really sets off the owls. You must have a treasure trove of memories, would love to hear some of them one day.
Nick.
Posted by Matt Cole on September 5, 2012 at 4:33 PM
it's true John, you must have an amazing back catalogue. While nest shot have indeed gone out of fashion, the first image above is still an excellent image.
As long as it is done properly and not harmful to the birds I don't see what the problem is with nest photography. Yes we are able to capture other behaviour now but surely the nesting period is a major part of every bird's life and as such is also natural behaviour that is of interest. A lovely old shot John.
Discussion
7 repliesSpending a while back in my old home district prompted me to look back through some old stuff done there.
This SEO was taken in 1972 on Reads Island in the Humber . She’s watching the male coming in with food, which he sometimes dropped on the top of the hide.
There were about 10 pairs nesting in about 300 acres but the island is now being eaten away by the currents and is only a fraction of its original size. This pair had 7 chicks and with two days between egg laying that means 14 days between oldest and youngest. No wonder the little fellas often get eaten !! Got a pic iof them somewhere
Taken with an 8 inch lens off an old plate camera glued onto the front of a set of bellows on a rail and fixed to a Pentax with and adapter which my Dad got made at the local steel works ! How things have changed.
The film would be FP4 but no idea about the exif info. Copied this off the original negative with my DIY copier.I know that nest photography is now taboo but we had no other choice much then. The birds were’nt bothered in the slightest anyway.
Some may find it of interest.
Cheers
JR
The trouble with nostalgia, is that it isn't what it used to be
I remember a lot of time spent doing this sort of thing, using some very Heath Robinson equipment at times as well. I don't mourn the move away from nest photography, what we do now gives images that show much more of the typical life of a bird. I agree that the birds weren't bothered though, at least not in most cases. As you say, times have changed.
David
I certainly don't regret the move away from nest photography but it did throw up a lot of behavioural stuff which otherwise wouldn't be seen. I wouldn't say all birds weren't bothered but if they were then you packed in. However I could quote many instances of horrendous things done to get pictures- and by some well known names too !!
Heres a shot of the 7 young . This would be on Ecktachrome 200 ASA.
Cheers
JR
Oscar
Nick.
Matt