Posted by John Robinson on November 6, 2012 at 7:49 AM
Redwing
Good to see these back though not so many around here yet.
Messy background but can't be helped with all the fallen leaves around.D7000 Sigma 50-500mm
ISO640 125th @f11
70% of full frame,
Usual PP.
Thanks for your comments on my last pic.
Cheers
JR
Posted by Neil Burton on November 6, 2012 at 8:01 AM
Background might be less messy if you shot at f7.1 or f8 John, Could also drop the ISO too then, any reason for the f11?
Nice shot of the redwing too!
Posted by John Robinson on November 6, 2012 at 8:34 AM
Hi Neil
Funnily enough I usually do keep it around f8, but with the bigger stuff its difficult to get the DOF when they land "arse" on so to speak. This one decided to go side on! Difficult with the 500mm too.
I could blur the back I suppose but my hands aren't as steady as they used to be ! Might try it.
Cheers
JR
Posted by David Sewell on November 6, 2012 at 8:42 AM
Haven't seen any this way as yet, but doubtless it won't be long. Great shot of one of my all-time favourite species.
David
Posted by John Robinson on November 6, 2012 at 8:53 AM
Thanks David
Had a quick go on the background and lightened it a bit too. Raises the point of an earlier post though- where do you stop !!
Cheers
JR
Posted by Bob Johnson on November 6, 2012 at 8:57 AM
Prefer the 2nd here John as the bird stands out better for me.
Bob
Posted by Neil Burton on November 6, 2012 at 10:20 AM
I said shoot at f8 not cheat :p but it does stand out better. ;)
Now, if you could clone in a baby crocodile it would give the birds pose some context
Posted by Andy Shepherd on November 6, 2012 at 10:53 AM
The repost looks better IMO, John. What sort of numbers of Redwings do you get at the pool during the winter months, John.
Andy...
Posted by John Robinson on November 6, 2012 at 11:09 AM
Andy
Very few !!! There can be hundreds in the area but in all the years I have been using the three pools, I reckon I,ve had about 5 visits at the most. And on top of that, apart from Song Thrushes maybe, they are incredibly nervous. You get one shot at the most.
Cheers
JR
BUT ! If I get my Nikon V1 there will be no shutter noise
Posted by Andy Shepherd on November 6, 2012 at 11:27 AM
Another question for you, John. During the winter months, do the birds keep visiting once the pools have frozen over, or do you allow the pools to run dry. To the local birds your pools must be a well known source of water and a very valuable one when water is scarce, and if that is the case, do bird numbers remain constant throughout the winter months or is there a drop off?.
Andy...
Posted by John Robinson on November 6, 2012 at 12:41 PM
Andy
Good question ! I don't bother with two of the pools in winter much , and I just use the one near the house as its spring fed so is often the last to freeze. The numbers drop in winter purely because there,s so much water everywhere. The thing about the spring fed one is the sound of trickling water which attracts the birds. (The old bird catchers used it as a way of attractibg birds to their traps. ) The birds do come to the frozen water but I think its a mistake as they are so used to one area. I've seen them "drinking" snow or frost anyway.
Cheers
JR
Posted by Andy Shepherd on November 6, 2012 at 12:45 PM
Cheers John, thanks for the reply.
Andy...
Posted by Phil Ellard on November 6, 2012 at 12:58 PM
Lovely shot, not sure ive ever seen one, I am crap at bird spotting!
Posted by Andy Astbury on November 7, 2012 at 8:11 AM
Works for me all day long John - the second post works well at this resolution at least
Posted by Craig Jones on November 7, 2012 at 6:08 PM
Second post is the one, amazing how well their plumage blends in, catchlight brings him to life lovely image with that winter feel if that makes sense
Discussion
14 repliesGood to see these back though not so many around here yet.
Messy background but can't be helped with all the fallen leaves around.D7000 Sigma 50-500mm
ISO640 125th @f11
70% of full frame,
Usual PP.
Thanks for your comments on my last pic.
Cheers
JR
Nice shot of the redwing too!
Funnily enough I usually do keep it around f8, but with the bigger stuff its difficult to get the DOF when they land "arse" on so to speak. This one decided to go side on! Difficult with the 500mm too.
I could blur the back I suppose but my hands aren't as steady as they used to be ! Might try it.
Cheers
JR
David
Had a quick go on the background and lightened it a bit too. Raises the point of an earlier post though- where do you stop !!
Cheers
JR
Bob
Now, if you could clone in a baby crocodile it would give the birds pose some context
The repost looks better IMO, John. What sort of numbers of Redwings do you get at the pool during the winter months, John.
Andy...
Very few !!! There can be hundreds in the area but in all the years I have been using the three pools, I reckon I,ve had about 5 visits at the most. And on top of that, apart from Song Thrushes maybe, they are incredibly nervous. You get one shot at the most.
Cheers
JR
BUT ! If I get my Nikon V1 there will be no shutter noise
Another question for you, John. During the winter months, do the birds keep visiting once the pools have frozen over, or do you allow the pools to run dry. To the local birds your pools must be a well known source of water and a very valuable one when water is scarce, and if that is the case, do bird numbers remain constant throughout the winter months or is there a drop off?.
Andy...
Good question ! I don't bother with two of the pools in winter much , and I just use the one near the house as its spring fed so is often the last to freeze. The numbers drop in winter purely because there,s so much water everywhere. The thing about the spring fed one is the sound of trickling water which attracts the birds. (The old bird catchers used it as a way of attractibg birds to their traps. ) The birds do come to the frozen water but I think its a mistake as they are so used to one area. I've seen them "drinking" snow or frost anyway.
Cheers
JR
Cheers John, thanks for the reply.
Andy...