Communal Bird Photography Thread

[Olybirder]

The idea for this thread came about from an online discussion between Peter aka art frames and myself. We thought it might be interesting to have a thread dedicated to bird photographs by anybody who would like to contribute.

I realise that bird photography is an acquired taste and not appreciated by everyone but this thread could give members a chance to post photos for viewing, comments, advice and tips (given or taken) or just general bird-related chat.

You don't have to be a committed bird photographer but everybody is welcome to contribute if they have a photograph of a bird which they are proud of (or disappointed with and would like some advice.) It would probably be wise to limit the number of images to two or three at a time to prevent the thread becoming too unwieldly (on the other hand it might not take off at all.)

So have a root about on your hard drive and show us what you've got.

To start the ball rolling here are two shots of one of the many migrating Northern Wheatears which are in my area at the moment. It was taken on the ciiffs at Gunton Warren near Lowestoft, which is close to Pleasurewood Hills Amusement Park and above the nudist beach! I always feel slightly conspicuous wandering about there with my binoculars and camera with a long lens. I am sure I will get challenged one day.

As usual taken with the E-M1 and 75-300 II.

Ron

[brian1208]

What a nice subject to get back into posting here with, (having just finished our two week exhibition I now have some time to waste on my own interests )

A studio shot of a Perlin (Merlin / Peregrine cross)

Perlin over shoulder look card by Brian Wadie Photographer, on Flickr

Fledgling Robin picking up a piece of peanut

jeuvenile Robin with nut at 210mm by Brian Wadie Photographer, on Flickr

and finally a de-saturated Reed Warbler shot contra-jour though a curtain of reeds on a local estuary

Reed Warbler PP by Brian Wadie Photographer, on Flickr

I like your Wheatears Ron, hopefully they will start showing down here in Dorset soon

[Olybirder]

Very nice Brian. That raptor is a stunning image. Wonderful colours and I love the sheen on the feathers and the beautiful backdrop.

Ron

[art frames]

Ron

Well done for getting this going so quickly. I hope these help!

I was watching a pair of Grebes nesting on a secluded lake and managed to get a number of shots of nest building and then patiently nest sitting on a few visits.

One day I took along a friend to show him - and as we arrived we spotted the male had been fishing and had the most enormous tench. Over about 20 minutes he tried everything as these pictures show ... to swallow his catch.









I cannot say whether the fish was eaten or given up as we had to move on but it was no longer visible when we returned about 45 minutes later . All was calm and the grebe was not noticeably deeper in the water!

[brian1208]

Thanks Ron, it does look rather good printed on Permajet Titanium Lustre paper and got a lot of attention at the exhibition (sold quickly too )

[Olybirder]

An excellent series of behaviour shots Peter. All that with no hands! I am always amazed at the way birds manoeuvre their catches. I have seen Kingfishers rotating fish in the air in a split second to swallow them headfirst and I have seen Herons struggling with wriggling eels for many minutes.

Ron

[Beagletorque]

Better stick my nose in here too with a couple of previous posts! Hopefully Tord will give us a chance before he gets posting!

Swallow.



A cheeky Wren.



And who could resist the Cuban Emerald Hummingbird!

[David M]

Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak



Ontario, Canada. Related to the European Hawfinch. They're a summer visitor for us. Taken while sitting on our, deck, I should have stood up to get closer to being eye level with the bird but I was only messing around. Handheld, taken with my fungus filled OM 300mm f/4.5 and E-410 body.

[art frames]

I feel this needs a Robin competition to liven things up. Brian has played already (but he may have a few more). I have several too So I am starting with this one. Sat in the bush above me and allowed me to keep taking pictures until we got one we were both happy with.



I believe this is our national bird so who has another to post?

[Beagletorque]

I can almost hear him!

[brian1208]

I can do a quick, scruffy Robin without opening the file marked - "Not another blooming Robin"

scruffy robin 210mm by Brian Wadie Photographer, on Flickr

or one from our local Blashford Lakes nature reserve

Robin departing 50-200 by Brian Wadie Photographer, on Flickr

but without going into the "NABR" file nothing very exciting, sorry

[art frames]

I wish I had the luxury of files. (please insert rest of Python sketch here)

I am trying to get everything organised, but I feel it is beyond me. So I will need to spend ages randomly fishing about in the mess.

But I really like birds flying off shots. That is a cracker.

[David M]

How about an American Robin?



OM 350mm and 1.4x-A. Taken on the Lake Huron shoreline in Ontario.

[pandora]

The Early Bird

[Thomas Westhead]

Hi Guys,

Great idea! Now for a daft question does the image have to be taken with Olympus equipment ?

I also agree with keeping images to say one or two faves from a particular shoot.

Would also be good to state any equipment used to show others what is capable with that particular setup.