I did grab this crappy shot earlier...
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION
700mm f5.6 1/100 iso400
Full frame
Like I said, a crappy shot - dull lighting, too busy a background, too slow a shutter speed, yada yada yada. But I did take it from the living room! This pleases me no end! He's a regular visitor though so I will get better (this shot's destined for the trash bin).
I did have a session with the yellowhammers that hang out by the bins. There's a bit of spilt grain there that draws in half a dozen of the little beauties constantly throughout the day, always first perching on the long grasses before flying to the ground to feed. So, confident that shots were there for the taking, I set up my chair hide one morning and readied myself for a busy few hours. After just ten minutes the first pair arrived. Excellent. A didn't want to start firing away and scare them off so I let them get settled in and just watched them feed. After a minute or so, as a tester, I fired the shutter once. No reaction. Great news, this is going to be easy. The pair finished feeding and then flew off. I set me exposure, sat back and waited for the next lot.
I didn't see another damn bird for the rest of the day!!
Pesky birds!
PS In the last week or so my agent's sold three of my images...for 2013 calendars! This year's flying by!!!
It's testimony to your huge talent that what you consign "to the trash bin" the rest of us would treasure with pride. 1/100th sec is slow, but the shot seems tight on the bird's head and there is wonderful movement in the wings and tail feathers. And oh to be able to shoot kestrels from the sitting room with 700mm of reach!
ReplyDeleteHave you taken up residence in Heaven Simon? What a place and I like the shot from the living room!
ReplyDeleteCheers Tim, you're too kind.
ReplyDeleteNot quite heaven Christian - no badgers! - but it'll do for me!