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Posted by Andy Shepherd on November 26, 2012 at 5:19 AM
One from earlier in the year, Common Snipe doing a bit of bill stretching. Photographed on a very dull and wet day, which seems to be the best sort of weather to photograph this species.
1/320th @ f5.6 iso400
Please view the large version.
Thanks for the feedback on my last post and thanks for looking.
There are a few more shots on the blog for those interested.
Very cool Andy you would not think they could do that.
Phil.
Posted by David Sewell on November 26, 2012 at 6:47 AM
So it does not have a mis-shaped upper mandible? I have seen that a few times, but I am astonished that a snipe can apparently bend a bill like this. Amazing capture, Andy, and I agree that they are easiest to photograph in dull wet conditions.
David
Posted by Andy Shepherd on November 26, 2012 at 6:59 AM
Hi David,
This Snipe's bill is dead straight when in the relaxed position, I too was astonished to see just how flexible the upper mandible is on this species.
Andy...
Posted by David Sewell on November 26, 2012 at 7:02 AM
Amazing, you live and learn. Well, I do anyway
David
Posted by Neil Burton on November 26, 2012 at 7:55 AM
Amazing, a well timed moment!
Posted by keith mitchell on November 26, 2012 at 8:03 AM
Andy we live and learn, seen them with there bill open but not with that curve and kinky tongue.Even for a bird that likes it's feet in water they do like to get up off the ground to dry out.Very well caught bet your pleased with this.
Keith.
Posted by John Robinson on November 26, 2012 at 8:29 AM
Nice work Andy.
Spent a lot of time with Snipe this past two years and seen this quite often. never been able to get it though (Nearly said "on film " then- should be "on sensor" I suppose!)
Great stuff.
Cheers
JR
Posted by Bob Johnson on November 26, 2012 at 8:38 AM
An beauty and very unusual pose Was you tempted to do something about the whites on the post?
Bob
Posted by Andy Shepherd on November 26, 2012 at 12:28 PM
Thanks for the feedback guys
Hi Bob, I thought about removing the white areas, but to be honest I couldn't be bothered
Hi Andy, composition and the angle of the bird is spot on for me, but the open bill, well that's the icing on the cake!
Based on the bird, I think you could squeak a bit more detail out of both the subject & post, but agree on leaving the white in, otherwise it could just blend even more into the BKG.
BTW just be careful, this has an untagged profile.
Nice one.
TFS
Steve
Posted by Paul Whippey on November 26, 2012 at 4:48 PM
Cracking Andy. An educational photo too, fantastic!
Posted by Jeroen Stel on November 27, 2012 at 7:48 AM
Stunning behaviour captured here Andy!
Love this shot!
greetings,
Jeroen Stel
Posted by Phil Ellard on November 27, 2012 at 12:01 PM
Looking good all round
Posted by Nick Mckeown on November 27, 2012 at 1:12 PM
Absolutely stunning Snipe shot Andy and I thought at first it was a bent beak until I read the comments. I think this makes this shot pretty special and again I have learnt something new about our wonderful wildlife. If I hadn't seen it I would not have thought it possible! Wish it was mine!
Discussion
18 repliesOne from earlier in the year, Common Snipe doing a bit of bill stretching. Photographed on a very dull and wet day, which seems to be the best sort of weather to photograph this species.
1/320th @ f5.6 iso400
Please view the large version.
Thanks for the feedback on my last post and thanks for looking.
There are a few more shots on the blog for those interested.
Andy...
Phil.
David
This Snipe's bill is dead straight when in the relaxed position, I too was astonished to see just how flexible the upper mandible is on this species.
Andy...
David
Keith.
Spent a lot of time with Snipe this past two years and seen this quite often. never been able to get it though
Great stuff.
Cheers
JR
Bob
Thanks for the feedback guys
Hi Bob, I thought about removing the white areas, but to be honest I couldn't be bothered
Andy...
Based on the bird, I think you could squeak a bit more detail out of both the subject & post, but agree on leaving the white in, otherwise it could just blend even more into the BKG.
BTW just be careful, this has an untagged profile.
Nice one.
TFS
Steve
Love this shot!
greetings,
Jeroen Stel
Nick.
Cheers guys
Andy...
Ian
Ian