Day Three - Another Three Hours!

Got on location at 11.00am - a little late - but some the birds were still feeding.  Very cold - but the light was rather good.

Started doing the gulls.  I was able to get a little closer than I did yesterday - consequently, filling the frame was easier.  I think these were Black Headed Gulls in winter plumage.  The backlighting was really nice.

I've been told to get the birds flying towards the camera with space in front of them to "move into"

Imagine my delight when I saw an Egret?  At first, it was roosting in a tree - but patience was rewarded when it finished its preening, then made its way down to the water's edge, and began fishing!!

Carefully plodding along the water's edge.  Don't you just love those Marigold-gloved feet?

Soon, it started fishing.

Those feet just cracked me up!

The action was s-o-o- fast!  Even with 10-frames a second - it was hard to anticipate when, and then capture the moment!

Just as I was about to pack everything away and head for home to warm up - look what silently arrived?

And just as silently and swiftly flew off!  Was it an apparition?

And so ended Day Three of my practice, practice, practice sessions with the new camera!  I think it's slowly beginning to come together.  Whatever!  I so enjoyed the time out - and will certainly revisit this location again in the future.

I'm working in the morning, but might try to go out again in the afternoon, weather permitting.  But I think rain is forecast!

We are away at the weekend - then from 3rd February, I head to Bulgaria to shoot Dalmation Pelicans - which is what all this practicing has been about!

Wish me luck?

Still practicing!

Spent Sunday 25th morning down at the bird hide overlooking the pond beside the River Plym.

Just kept trying to shoot birds in flight!  Not easy!  They were quite far away because the path around Saltram House was very busy with noisy kids, dogs, cyclists etc!  As I'd made the effort to be there - I had to have a go - so I gave it three hours!  These are my best attempts!

Don't give up the day job - so they say!!

Oh - and this Drake!

I'll keep practicing - and may be able to squeeze in another two days before the weekend.

Shooting birds!

Trying my hand at a difficult discipline.  John Baker and Alan Bastin were kind enough to let me gatecrash a photo session they'd organised photographing woodland birds in flight.  I've always enjoyed nature and would love to have more time to sit in a hide and watch/photograph wildlife in all its forms.

A new camera at Christmas prompted me to give this genre a go!  A helluva lot to learn - and I threw away 99.9% of today's efforts!

However, one or two seemed to work - to a certain degree!  Still not up to the very high standards of the boys - but it's a start!  Now that I've a better idea about how to go about this - I am determined to give it a go in the back garden henceforth!

Some of the shots!

Territorial Robin

Blackcap?

Yeah!!  Blue Tit in flight!!!

Another Blue Tit in flight!

Feisty Robin seeing off a Blue Tit.

OK!  So it's a "bird on a stick"!  So what!

Poised for flight!  I missed the moment!!  Pooh!

A bit "busy" - and it's another Blue Tit in flight!
I will keep practicing!!