WoodcockScolopax rusticola feeding chick.
1DII, 500/4, 1.4xII, 1/125s @ f/8, ISO200, Ev-1/3. Beanbag on car window.
Sorry John, I know you're going to hate me ...2nd Woodie family of the year .
Yesterday was another throughly wet and miserable day in the dales, but one with a few surprises in store for us - mainly of our 2nd Woodcock family of the year. We spent about 90 minutes in total watching the Woodie family feeding just below us in a 2hr period (we moved on to see what else was about, and they where still there when we returned 30 mins later!). Mum was a good parent, finding and presenting a lot of worms for the two chicks - usually two or three beak probes in the earth was enough to produce another worm . While she ate a few herself, if a chick was neaby, then the worm was presented/held out for it to eat - the chick taking the worm by opening it's beak and then wiping it down mums beak until it connected with the delicate morsel being presented. All very civilised - no grabbing or fighting for food on the chicks part, in fact it seemed that when the chick was full, it would hang back for a bit to "digest" a bit, and make room for the next feast.
Sure, I'd have much prefered them to be more in the clear - but that would have been like finding the crock of gold at the end of the rainbow (impossible yesterday as we had no sun ).
Superb - mum, chick and a worm takes this shot over the top. For a shot like this the foreground vegitation does not bother me at all and I believe this image could be rarer than 'hen's teeth!
Simply blooming excellent Nick.... the interaction and interest is all there that the busy fg doesn't detract at all, as David said, a rare image indeed.
Jeeeeeeeeesusss and Jeeeeeeeeeeeesusss again, F£$$%^^& awesome
This really is a rare shot indeed, one of the best interaction shots that I have seen posted. :toast
Dan
An excellent behavioural image of a difficult to photograph species. Would prefer the foreground a bit clearer but otherwise a fine and rare image indeed. Well done.
Discussion
17 replies1DII, 500/4, 1.4xII, 1/125s @ f/8, ISO200, Ev-1/3. Beanbag on car window.
Sorry John, I know you're going to hate me
Yesterday was another throughly wet and miserable day in the dales, but one with a few surprises in store for us - mainly of our 2nd Woodcock family of the year. We spent about 90 minutes in total watching the Woodie family feeding just below us in a 2hr period (we moved on to see what else was about, and they where still there when we returned 30 mins later!). Mum was a good parent, finding and presenting a lot of worms for the two chicks - usually two or three beak probes in the earth was enough to produce another worm
Sure, I'd have much prefered them to be more in the clear - but that would have been like finding the crock of gold at the end of the rainbow (impossible yesterday as we had no sun
Superb - mum, chick and a worm takes this shot over the top. For a shot like this the foreground vegitation does not bother me at all and I believe this image could be rarer than 'hen's teeth!
David
Major
Tim
All the best to you,
John
Jeeeeeeeeesusss and Jeeeeeeeeeeeesusss again, F£$$%^^& awesome
This really is a rare shot indeed, one of the best interaction shots that I have seen posted.
Dan
An excellent behavioural image of a difficult to photograph species. Would prefer the foreground a bit clearer but otherwise a fine and rare image indeed. Well done.
cheers
Sean
a great picture and I bet that there will not be many people who have experienced seeing the Woodcock with chicks.
John
Aberdeen
John
I totally agree with the other compliments.
Best wishes
Phil
Paul
NL/Rotterdam