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| Moderated by: chrisbet, | ||
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Graham Whistler
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Nuthatch with AI much-improved background. Sony A1 with 200-600mm Lens and x1.4 4000 ISO Click here to comment on this image. |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:Nuthatch with AI much-improved background. Sony A1 with 600-200mm Lens and x1.4 4000 ISOThat's a wonderful image, Graham, however adjusted. Did you drop the masked area on a layer above the ai layer to see what the edge effect has been? ANORAK ALERT : is the black fleck on the birds white chest a mark on the birds plumage or an AI artefact? the only reason I ask is I find the AI can make strange 'additions' in the blending area across the mask. Not that it matters in this instance apart from holding AI to account when it comes to additions within the objects boundary. |
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Graham Whistler
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This is the file almost as shot with no AI work at this stage. The finished image was created mostly with the expanding AI crop tool and did not take very long. Click here to comment on this image. |
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chrisbet
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New thread for the new year. |
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Iain
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A couple to start us off. _A019168-2 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr[/url] [url=https://flic.kr/p/2pt6Mr9]  _A019306-Edit by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Eric
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Well done Iain. I do love Kestrels, but never been in a position to photograph one. Although Jan took a video of one ripping apart a blackbird at bottom of the garden a couple of years back, when I wasn’t home.  The poor blackbird at least ‘went’ on a full stomach as he was happily pecking on the fat ball on the lawn when the Kestrel dropped in for lunch. I did wonder if the Kestrel was thinking “ This is very fatty bird”.  |
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Iain
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That is a good meal for a Kestrel. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:That is a good meal for a Kestrel.He certainly didn’t hang around for a pudding! When I came home there was nothing left apart from a few feathers, but I suspect a crow probably took the rest of the carcass after the Kestrel had enough. |
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Iain
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A few from this week. Male Siskin  _A019467 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr[/url] Tree Creeper [url=https://flic.kr/p/2pupWu2]  _A019843 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr And Red Wing.  _A019922 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Eric
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Nice Redwing there Iain. Haven’t seen one around here for 5 years. We need really cold, snow covered weather to bring them into our area. Going back to the winter of 1984/5 we had a deep snow covering in garden for a long period. Our cats were bringing in Redwings every day because they wouldn’t/couldn’t eat the food we were putting out and were just keeling over. The field fares were happy with apples but redwings wouldnt touch it.They were also reticent to come nearer the house where the food was. Silly birds…but very similar in tempremant to song thrushes. |
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Graham Whistler
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Looks as if you had some sun Ian like the Tree Creeper love to see one down here. |
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Iain
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Yes Graham it was a nice day for a change. |
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Eric
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Today was Jans birthday. As we sat having breakfast, and I prepared to do the RSPB 1hour birdwatch, we were surprised with an infrequent visitor ....a Goldcrest. It didn't stay long and anyway I had a mouthful of porridge to contend with but when we went into the lounge we were stunned to see a first for our garden...Redlegged Partridge....or two of them to be precise. They wandered around the garden for the full hour of the birdwatch and even ventured onto our patio pots. They stayed all day and weren't put off by my getting the car in and out....just running a short distance for cover....then reemerging. A lovely birthday gift. the only annoying point was the RSPB survey didn't allow Redlegged partridge to be added to my tally.   Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. Footnote....they were actually running wild in a field....I added my garden for better effect using AI Only joking  |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:Today was Jans birthday. As we sat having breakfast, and I prepared to do the RSPB 1hour birdwatch, we were surprised with an infrequent visitor ....a Goldcrest. It didn't stay long and anyway I had a mouthful of porridge to contend with but when we went into the lounge we were stunned to see a first for our garden...Redlegged Partridge....or two of them to be precise. They wandered around the garden for the full hour of the birdwatch and even ventured onto our patio pots. They stayed all day and weren't put off by my getting the car in and out....just running a short distance for cover....then reemerging.But are you! Nice to see them in the garden, we only see them on the moors here. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:But are you! Nice to see them in the garden, we only see them on the moors here.Yes, genuine. This was the birds first encounter with a fat ball the Jackdaws had been feeding on…..  Click here to comment on this image. OH….I also took some video of them around the garden and I don’t have video AI software, yet. |
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Iain
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Brambling from yesterday. _A100657-Edit by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:Brambling from yesterday.Cracking bird (Jan’s favourite)….I like the seasonal looking surround as well. Sadly we only get them in the garden occasionally during prolonged very cold weather….which we don’t seem to get down here now (not complaining). The other lovely coloured bird I like is the Cirl Bunting. Maybe a caravan trip to Devon is called for.  |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:Cracking bird (Jan’s favourite)….I like the seasonal looking surround as well.We don't get them much up here now, I've only seen two this winter so far. |
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Iain
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Crossbill. _A101174 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Eric
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Excellent photo Iain. Was that local to you? We used to have a flock in the woods at Sandringham back in the 1980’s before I photographed birds ( just watched them). They would congregate in the pines at the Sandringham House carpark! Presumable it was because the cars created potholes that retained water….as they were often seen drinking. The crazy thing was that the public gathered in their thousands to see the Royals go to the church every Christmas. I’ve seen people picnicking in their cars with flocks (20-30 birds) dropping cone detritus down on the cars …and they never noticed. Sadly they have long gone…..not the visitors though |
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Iain
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It was at my local reserve. I've been going there for 18 years and this is the first time I have seen them there, There is a large pine woods just over the river so may have come from there. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:It was at my local reserve. I've been going there for 18 years and this is the first time I have seen them there, There is a large pine woods just over the river so may have come from there.Strange things do happen like that. I was showing my birding mate photos from 1999 when we had a Golden Pheasant appear in the garden. Very nervous and secretive! Hiding at the slightest noise. (The pheasant not my mate) I think there is only one place (in East Norfolk) where they exist…and only in a few pairs. So I have no idea where he came from. Stayed about a week then vanished. Going back to the 70/80s we had Spotted Flycatchers and Redpolls nesting in the garden!! But as they built housing around us the wildlife disappeared. Redpolls only come here in very harsh winters….which we aren’t likely to see again. And Spotted Flycatchers are only found in rural church graveyards, again in the east of the county. We are building so much there is no room for wildlife. My neighbours have gained planning permission to build 3 houses on their garden….right at the bottom of our garden where the tawny owl roosts……not any more. BIG ENLARGEMENT of a print taken on compact camera from house…..so not good but ok for ID.  Click here to comment on this image. ……And a Spofly in the apple tree next to my shed…taken with 50mm Yashica film camera ….BAF (before auto focus)  Click here to comment on this image. |
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Graham Whistler
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A Green Woodpecker in our garden this morning. Had to shoot through glass Sony A1 with a 600-200mm lens Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
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Eric
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Lovely shots Graham. How close was he? |
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Iain
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Nice shots Graham. |
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Graham Whistler
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I was using the lens at 600mm (no x1.4) and it must have been about 25 feet away so images did not need to be cropped very much, 1/500 sec and 1600 ISO. As stated I shot it through the glass as if I opened the door it would have taken off, it was on the lawn feeding for about 15 mins. This photo is the full frame as shot. Click here to comment on this image. |
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Eric
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You are lucky. When they come here they are right down the bottom of our lawn 75+ feet….so lots more cropping needed. |
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Iain
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Your both lucky, I’m lucky to see one. |
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Graham Whistler
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In our garden today in the rain and under bushes Sparrowhawk with a kill. Did my best 5000 ISO Sony A1 500-200mm lens Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
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Iain
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A good meal for a Sparrowhawk. |
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Iain
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I have seen these but this is the first pic I have got of one, not the best. Click here to comment on this image. |
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Graham Whistler
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Ian that looks good to me. This is another shot of the Sparrowhawk. She was there for over an hour and let me very slowly get quite close. Plastic bag on top of camera as we had rain all afternoon. Click here to comment on this image. |
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Eric
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Ive never seen a Firecrest, let alone photographed one  |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:Ian that looks good to me. This is another shot of the Sparrowhawk. She was there for over an hour and let me very slowly get quite close. Plastic bag on top of camera as we had rain all afternoon.That’s a lovely catch, Graham (for you and the Pigeonhawk) . The ones that visit us are more timid and quickly fly off when they see our movement. |
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chrisbet
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Sadly we don't get hawks here - but the resident fox takes out the occasional pigeon  |
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Graham Whistler
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Above photo, before editing in Photoshop as you will see quite a lot of help from AI was needed and all was Content Aware only ie from my camera image as shot. See data of content data as recorded below and yes I DID NOT turn on Content-Aware before editing. Camera data: Sony AI with 600-200mm at 600mm handheld in rain 1/320 sec f6.3 ISO 3200 Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
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Eric
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I am not sure Content Aware alterations would / should be regarded as controversial? It’s the use of AI, to generate images or parts of images from Adobe stock, that ruffles feathers in the competition/ copyright fraternities. I therefore feel that including basic Photoshop adjustments(however sophisticated and automated they may be) in the Content Credentials is a bit unnecessary…especially when you can switch it off beforehand. |
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Iain
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I think for competitions etc that the content credentials should have to be switched on so any AI will be shown so no cheating goes on. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:I think for competitions etc that the content credentials should have to be switched on so any AI will be shown so no cheating goes on.Surely that's down to the organisers specifying the rules of the competition? You can enable Content Credentials AFTER doing the editing and it doesn't retrospectively show what you had done. I do think we are getting our knickers in a twist to some extent over this subject. The key point is....has AI (ie Adobe Firefly) been used to replace key parts of the image? This might contravene the competition rules. I didn't think AI/Firefly use could be switched off in content credentials? Isn't it only the editing actions that are switchable? To my mind, it doesn't matter if you use the clone tool to remove detail or use the content aware feature to do it... it's still basic editing using software features. If you choose to add or replace large elements like a sky or scenery and you do it manually with your own image stock, then its down to the competition organisers to specify that the photograph should be unaltered ....'as shot'. But then, what about adjusting levels, curves, sharpening and cropping? Are they considered different to cloning and substitutions? They are all Adobes programming. |
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Iain
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Heron with frog/toad dinner. _A101886 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:Heron with frog/toad dinner.Good catch!...for the Heron ......and you. |
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Eric
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Saw this in the Rhea-view mirror.... Will get my coat now! Click here to comment on this image. |
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Iain
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What the peck are you looking at! Will you get my coat while you're there Eric. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:What the peck are you looking at! We are going to get banned from the forum. |
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Iain
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If they ban us there will be next to nobody posting. |
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chrisbet
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Hmmm -- in that case your "punishment" is to go and find a new member who will be active ,,,, |
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Graham Whistler
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Goldfinch from Scotland on a good bright Winters-day Nikon D500 with the 500mm PF. I wish I had a lens like this for the Sony A1. Click here to comment on this image. |
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Iain
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Graham Whistler wrote:Goldfinch from Scotland on a good bright Winters-day Nikon D500 with the 500mm PF. I wish I had a lens like this for the Sony A1.The new Sigma 500mm f5.6 seems very similar to the pf |
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Eric
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I enjoyed my D850& 500PF combo but I still think the Sony A1 with 200-600 gives a better result. Unfortunately, the A1 combo is 500g heavier. Just a passing observation…..the Sony 100-400 is lighter than the Nikon 500PF, so might be an alternative, to reduce the weight in the hand. And at £3400 for the 500PF, you could have both the Sony zooms for the same total! |
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Graham Whistler
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I like my Sony 100-400 it is very sharp and has quite a good range and you can get 560mm with the x1.4 extender but for small birds, the 600mm with x1.4 lens gives 840mm and we all agree it is a super lens and with a remarkably reasonable price. |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:I like my Sony 100-400 it is very sharp and has quite a good range and you can get 560mm with the x1.4 extender but for small birds, the 600mm with x1.4 lens gives 840mm and we all agree it is a super lens and with a remarkably reasonable price.Although we may need to add to the lens purchase, the price of a gym subscription to get back some upper body strength fromweight training. |
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Iain
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What I was trying to say was:- I am debating about getting rid of my 70-200 f2.8 and getting a 100-400. I use the 2.8 with the 1.4 tc so am at f4 so would only lose one stop of light. Time to think. |
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Iain
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Male Chaffinch. Even the more common birds can look good. _A102238 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Eric
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Not common round here Iain, only one pair seen this year, Lovely lighting and pose |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:Not common round here Iain, only one pair seen this year,It's amazing how some birds are seen less in places. I would have thought Chaffinch's would be seen everywhere. Another one people say we're lucky to have here is bullfinches. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:It's amazing how some birds are seen less in places. I would have thought Chaffinch's would be seen everywhere. Another one people say we're lucky to have here is bullfinches.They were 4 or 5 years back but like the greenfinch they seem to have vanished. We only get Goldfinches in any numbers (even they are much reduced) and only seen 1 greenfinch and a pair of Chaffs this year. ironically during the RSPB survey hour...so they clearly came to be registered. lol Havent seen a bullfinch for 3 or more years! When we first moved here we had spoflys and redpolls nesting in the garden. Now all gone. I blame the urbanisation that has crept around us, as our garden has been made a wildlife haven. We are like an oasis to any birds that find there way here but they just seem to have given up except when food is short, and gone to quieter less disturbed locations. Pouring with rain again today and these smart little visitors, that have been coming on and off since Jan 28, sought sanctuary under the garden bench in the rose garden area.....  Click here to comment on this image. They first came on Jans birthday (28th) ....I told her it was her birthday present. They have become quite content with my presence moving about the garden and getting the car out.The male even comes towards me if I throw out some food....which makes me wonder if he is a reared bird that avoided getting shot and found himself a wild lady. She runs when I come out the door.....like most women these days. |
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Iain
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A Goosander arrived at a local pond. _A103874-Edit by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:A Goosander arrived at a local pond.Lovely bird. Not often you see them on land. |
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Iain
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Another one just to keep things moving. A close Red Kite, his name is Chester, he is 18 years old this year and still has the radio tracker he was fitted with. Click here to comment on this image. |
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Eric
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Nice exposure Iain….and light on the head too. Was that +1 exp comp on the A1? |
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Iain
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It was +1and a 1/3 |
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jk
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Iain wrote:It was +1and a 1/3Interesting. On my Fujis I tend to use +1.66 but same (+1.33) on my Nikons. |
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Eric
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jk wrote:Interesting.Is that a DX effect? |
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jk
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I dont think so it is just a difference in the Fuji metering. |
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Iain
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A Water Rail. _A105155 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Graham Whistler
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Eagle Owl Click here to comment on this image. |
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Iain
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Nice shot Graham, I'm guessing a captive bird. |
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Graham Whistler
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Some older Nikon D500 with 80-400mm lens Kenya 2019 "Thick-knee" very similar to our Stone-curlew. Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
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jk
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Iain wrote:Nice shot Graham, I'm guessing a captive bird.I can see the tresses on the foot. Ai, Ai or is that Aye, aye. |
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Graham Whistler
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Wild one in game park in Kenya no tresses of AI. |
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Graham Whistler
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Kestrel: Nikon D850 with 500mm F4 Lens Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
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Iain
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Willow Tit. A1100099-2 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Graham Whistler
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Pigeons have been nesting under our sola panels so we had some protection fitted today. All looks good and the birds not too happy! Sony A1  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
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chrisbet
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We had the same problem - solved by fitting an ultrasonic device under the panels .... cheaper, easier and it keeps the buggers off the roof completely. |
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Iain
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chrisbet wrote:We had the same problem - solved by fitting an ultrasonic device under the panels .... cheaper, easier and it keeps the buggers off the roof completely.Wonder if that would keep Pheasants off the bird food. |
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chrisbet
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Iain wrote:Wonder if that would keep Pheasants off the bird food.I expect so - but all the other birds too ......  |
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Graham Whistler
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Some more of our local birds from a friend's hide in his wood from my last trip there. Taken with the Sony A1 and 200-600mm lens. Hope the weather holds for next Saterday's day trip there with two of my Camera Club friends. Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
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Iain
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Nice Graham. |
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Eric
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Is there ever a more beautiful duck than the drake Eider? Click here to comment on this image. |
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Graham Whistler
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Yesterday I had another good shoot at my friend Pete's wood with two friends from Gosport Camera Club. Again my Sony A1 and 200-600mm lens, most shots are ISO ranging from 2000-3200 very little noise! Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:Is there ever a more beautiful duck than the drake Eider?King Eider. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:King Eider.I will let you know if I changed my opinion…when/if I see one. |
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chrisbet
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My vote goes to the Mallard ....  Click here to comment on this image. |
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Eric
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A beautiful engine and masterful engineering ….. But I always found that a strangely inappropriate name for a fast train, a slow flying duck. I was also not actually sure it was the right colour. Why not the green of the Mallard drakes neck? I am supported in this view by an expert in the field….  Click here to comment on this image. |
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Eric
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 Click here to comment on this image. |
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Eric
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One more..... Did I mention I think Eider Ducks are beautiful?  Click here to comment on this image. .......and her ladyship.....  Click here to comment on this image. |
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Iain
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Nice set of shots but a bit confused by the Ostrich! |
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chrisbet
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The "ostrich" is hiding its shame from Eric - everyone knows the secondary wing feathers of daddy eider are blue |
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Eric
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chrisbet wrote:The "ostrich" is hiding its shame from Eric - everyone knows the secondary wing feathers of daddy eider are blueI did know that the mallard speculum is blue and it varies in hue with the reflected light. It may be the purists approach to take the exact colour pigment whereas I would have thought a darker rendition would have been more in keeping on a masculine engine. Better still call it the Falcon or Raven…then soppy blue doesn’t come into it.  |
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chrisbet
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Maybe it was a nod to her majesty - royal blue? |
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Eric
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chrisbet wrote:Maybe it was a nod to her majesty - royal blue?They could have gone the whole hog and called it the Corgi and painted it brown on top and cream underbelly. |
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chrisbet
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Been done - Pullman coaches ... |
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Iain
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Graylag Geese in flight. A1101501 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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jk
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Eric wrote:A beautiful engine and masterful engineering …..I thought you picture looked like a picture of an MP, most of them are headless, clueless and a probably about as useful as a clay pigeon. |
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Iain
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Song Thrush singing away. A1101631 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Graham Whistler
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More good images thank you Ian! |
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Iain
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Graham Whistler wrote:More good images thank you Ian!Thanks Graham. I have to be honest its hard to take bad ones with the A1. |
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Iain
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Tawny Owlet. A1102114 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Eric
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Terrific camouflage, well spotted. |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:Terrific camouflage, well spotted.It’s a nest I have been watching for the last 5/6 years and they seem to use the same trees to branch too so I had an idea where it might be. |
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Iain
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Here is the Mother of the Owlet. A1101711-Edit by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Eric
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Good to catch her in daylight. I was excited to see our blue tits frantically delivering food to the nest box outside our kitchen window this morning. They were frequently stopping at the entrance of the nest box and not going in. It’s seemed likely they were about to fledge. We did see them take out 4 poo bags, so I was hopeful I could catch 4 fledging at least. I set my video camera up and had the A1 (with 800mm) ready on a tripod (for once!). That’s when the doorbell rang and a large parcel ( a new recliner for the conservatory) arrived. I quickly unpacked it and assembled it, having done another such chair a couple of weeks ago. Jan then reminded me I needed to cut down the box to accommodate 2 lamps being collected by courier next Wednesday. Not sure why I chose to do it then, rather than Tuesday evening… but I did! Returning to my kitchen seat some 45mins later, I discovered the video camera battery had died and stopped recording. And there was complete silence. Not a single dickie bird….all gone. The male parent came back a couple of times with food and was perplexed no one was there to take it. Clearly Simple Simon. I opened up the nest and was delighted to see there were no dead birds this year. Maybe the wet weather had reduced the number of eggs this year? But I was delighted to see that whatever number they had…..they all fledged. Just a bit miffed I and the cameras missed the moment. My birder mate Mike reassured me that blue tits usually fledge early morning. So maybe I was seeing the parents frantically trying to get a tail-end Charlie to come out ….and I was too late anyway. Still there’s always next year.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. At least the Robin has seized "this nettle, danger".  Click here to comment on this image. |
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Iain
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Nice too be able to watch them even if you did miss the big moment. . They may have a second brood. |
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Graham Whistler
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Good to see those Eric and Ian we are having a lot of Starlings on the Flutter Butter at the moment also a family of Greenfinches most days. Sony A1 with 200-600mm 1/2500 sec and 5000 ISO Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. Click here to comment on this image. |
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jk
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Iain wrote:Tawny Owlet.Great spot Iain. I must look around more when I go out. There are plenty of trees with similar colouring and camoflague. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:Nice too be able to watch them even if you did miss the big moment.I’ve already cleaned and sanitised the nest box. Which makes me wonder if tits reuse the same nest and bedding for a second brood…or move on? And it also makes me wonder who goes round and clears out the natural nest holes they used? Strange …..we are told to do it in man made boxes, who does it in nature? |
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chrisbet
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I have 2 bird boxes that the tits use every year. The first thing they do on arrival in the spring is to clear out the box. I have never done it for them in the 40 years we have been here! |
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Eric
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chrisbet wrote:I have 2 bird boxes that the tits use every year. The first thing they do on arrival in the spring is to clear out the box. I have never done it for them in the 40 years we have been here!That’s good to know….it will save me doing it againnext year. lol |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:I’ve already cleaned and sanitised the nest box. Which makes me wonder if tits reuse the same nest and bedding for a second brood…or move on? And it also makes me wonder who goes round and clears out the natural nest holes they used? Strange …..we are told to do it in man made boxes, who does it in nature?Birds do their own cleaning. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:Birds do their own cleaning.We live and learn. |
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Iain
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A young Wren taken on my Sony RX10 mkiii at 6400 iso so a bit of noise. RX100341 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:A young Wren taken on my Sony RX10 mkiii at 6400 iso so a bit of noise.Fabulous little cutie ……….i mean the bird of course. |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:Fabulous little cutieOut for a walk and came across them, three of them being fed by mum. Wish I had had the A1 might of got better shots with the quicker focus. |
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Graham Whistler
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Nothing bad about the RX10 mine is the original mk 1 and still takes super photos. |
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Iain
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It's a good camera for things like visiting a National trust place as it can take the landscapes at 24mm but if needed 600mm is available. |
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Graham Whistler
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My mk 1 is only 24-200mm but it is a very sharp lens. Bird photography I use A1 and the big 200-600mm lens |
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Iain
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Graham Whistler wrote:My mk 1 is only 24-200mm but it is a very sharp lens. Bird photography I use A1 and the big 200-600mm lensTo be honest so do I but this just appeared when I was out on a walk so used what I had. |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler
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Young Starling in our garden. Click here to comment on this image. |
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Graham Whistler
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Young Starling in our garden. Also from our garden by pointing the camera up for 2nd shot of this evening's sky. The sky shot, a lot better than our garden fence! Thanks also for 1 min in Photoshop. 24 hrs between the two photos. |
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Eric
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 Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
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Graham Whistler
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Super shots Eric, thank you. I must go there one day soon! |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:Nice shots Eric. It is ages since I've been to Bempton cliffs. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:Nice shots Eric. It is ages since I've been to Bempton cliffs.Likewise. It must be, seriously, 40years! It’s been sanitised for want of a better phrase. Wooden decking viewing platforms with safety rails and manicured pathways. I remember back in the day laying over the cliff edge with a mate hanging onto your feet. Lol Having said that, it gave Jan (with her mobility problems) the opportunity to access the platforms. It was our wedding anniversary, so I took her birding…..classy eh? Lol |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:Super shots Eric, thank you. I must go there one day soon!You would love it there Graham. I didn’t take the 200-600 lens but the 100-400 with TC. For some of the Auks the longer lens would be preferable but the seated Gannet is virtually full frame at 560mm |
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chrisbet
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On my way to the car today had to rescue a fledgling owl that had got itself stuck in a grating over a window - all well now. Click here to comment on this image. |
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chrisbet
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Wet day for these little chaps -  Click here to comment on this image. |
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Iain
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That’s not a fledgling Chris it a adult little owl and they can be nasty little bu***rs. |
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chrisbet
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Iain wrote:That’s not a fledgling Chris it a adult little owl and they can be nasty little bu***rs.Oh, OK, well the silly b*****r got one wing stuck in one hole and one in another - seemed happy enough to let me get it out! The feathers looked immature - maybe got roughed up in its escape attempts. But then I know more about horses than birds. |
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Eric
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chrisbet wrote:Wet day for these little chaps -Nice catch. Lovely birds. |
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Iain
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chrisbet wrote:Oh, OK, well the silly b*****r got one wing stuck in one hole and one in another - seemed happy enough to let me get it out!It’s moult time. |
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Eric
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A few more from Bempton... Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:It’s moult time.I know the feeling...mines coming out more and more. A lady blackbird was following me about in the garden a few weeks back, picking up stuff behind me. I swear she was picking grey hair for her nest. |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:I know the feeling...mines coming out more and more.Wouldn't have a chance of doing that with me. |
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Iain
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Says it all. Click here to comment on this image. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:Says it all.Brill! |
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Eric
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As Mike and I chatted about our respective domestic projects I looked out of the patio door and said "what the **** is that?" It took me 5 secs to process the bird that landed on the tree where my bird feeders hang....." it's a Cuckoo!" I expostulated. Mike nearly spilled his coffee. While I rushed to the room where (yet again!!!!!!!) my camera was nestling, Mike tracked it around the garden. Sadly the blackbirds were harassing it so it kept dodging about. only managed to grab 2 long distant shots and default settings of camera were not conducive to birds....so not 100% sharp and a bit noisy trying to correct this failing. But here you are...a 2024 Cuckoo.......  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:As Mike and I chatted about our respective domestic projects I looked out of the patio door and said "what the **** is that?" It took me 5 secs to process the bird that landed on the tree where my bird feeders hang....." it's a Cuckoo!" I expostulated. Mike nearly spilled his coffee.Nice thing to see from the comfort of the house. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:Nice thing to see from the comfort of the house.Yes. It’s the second time I saw one in the garden. The first was 50years ago. Back then I was only just getting interested in birds. I saw this feathery dollop on the lawn surrounded by our cats! Dashed out and grabbed the bird. At first glance I thought it was a bird of prey because it had a huge curved beak. But as I examined it the bird shook its head and its ‘beak’ fell off. It had obviously nose dived in the lawn and grown a mud extension to its beak. Took it to a lady up the coast that rehabilitated injured birds. She couldn’t find anything wrong with it except it was very malnourished. So she fed it up in her outdoor aviary and after a few weeks at the height of the migration period in good weather, she released it. Don’t know if it made it to Africa…never sent her a postcard. Nice to see though…but the blackbirds didn’t like it. Maybe THEY thought it was a bird of prey? How misguided! |
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Eric
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Well I didn't have to wait another 50 years. He/She came back this morning and although it perched further away, the lighting was better and I for once had the camera to hand.. Click here to comment on this image. |
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chrisbet
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Eric
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Today was a rest day for me....between toilet installations. ( both the ensuite and the bathroom toilets in need of replacement at same time ) I thought I would try to get up close and intimate with the Swifts....( that should get the 'Swiftie' traffic misdirected to our site )It was an eventful couple of hours. Apart from the Cuckoo return, while trying to capture Swifts, a red Kite cruised by, then immediately a Sparrowhawk circled the garden and was mobbed by 12 Swifts. unfazed by them it carried on looking for lunch. After they all departed and the birds reappeared a Wren popped out of the bushes. I grabbed 3 frames before it left!!!!  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
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Eric
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Not sure what the strange brown shadow was around the bird.... went back to original raw and it wasn't there? Must have done something silly in layers when doing border and text. Thankfully I never flattened the layers before saving so a quick redo..... Note: The effect seems to be there when I don't flatten the layer before saving as a jpeg.????????? Weird!  Click here to comment on this image. |
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jk
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Fabulous shots Eric. |
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jk
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Eric wrote:Not sure what the strange brown shadow was around the bird.... went back to original raw and it wasn't there? Must have done something silly in layers when doing border and text. Thankfully I never flattened the layers before saving so a quick redo.....I dont know if it is on purpose or not, but there is a small 'edge line' left and right just inside the grain area, it might be a drop shadow effect but it could be a mask mis-match. |
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Eric
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jk wrote:I dont know if it is on purpose or not, but there is a small 'edge line' left and right just inside the grain area, it might be a drop shadow effect but it could be a mask mis-match.No it was me being lazy and bodging the grain stroke. Saw it after I posted and thought b*gger it, I am not redoing it AGAIN. A case of … I spy with my little eye…something beginning with “C”…….. C*ckup. |
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Iain
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A nice set of images Eric. |
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Iain
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A Little Egret. A1104692 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:A Little Egret.Is that a juvenile, Iain? |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:Is that a juvenile, Iain?Yes it may be, to me it’s legs should be darker if a full adult. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:Yes it may be, to me it’s legs should be darker if a full adult.Yes….my legs are darker than when I was 15. |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:Yes….my legs are darker than when I was 15.That’s like my head. |
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Eric
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OH for a 3000mm lens! To avoid massive cropping in dull light. SIGH! Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
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Iain
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They have come out ok. I could have don with the same 3000mm today myself. I spent a hour with a male Kingfisher which was great except for the fact it was 100+ meters away and didn’t come anywhere nearer than that. Oh the joys of wildlife photography. |
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Eric
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This Sunday morning, lounging in the conservatory with coffee, I didn’t need 3000mm. In fact 30mm would have been sufficient …if I had the camera to hand. Baby wren flew through open patio door over my shoulder onto coffee table. Hopped around tweating happily, un phased by the alien surroundings for several minutes. Jan and I remained motionless so as not to spook him into the closed glass areas. Didn’t need to worry…after finding nothing to eat he “purred” past my ear back into the garden. Magic moment. |
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Graham Whistler
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Super Pictures Eric quality not too bad at all, subject matter A1 |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:This Sunday morning, lounging in the conservatory with coffee, I didn’t need 3000mm. In fact 30mm would have been sufficient …if I had the camera to hand.Nice when that happens. I had a similar experience in a hide that has no door, I was in there on my own when a Wren flew in landed on the bench next to me, looked at me then went around getting spiders etc. This went on with repeated visits for about 20mins. |
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Iain
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A couple from last week. Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:A couple from last week.Iain, immature / female ducks aren’t my thing…..what is it? The short red bill stumped me. |
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Iain
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It’s a juv. Mandarin Eric. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:It’s a juv. Mandarin Eric.Was way out with my thinking. |
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Iain
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Greater Spotted Woodpecker juvenile. A1105259 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Eric
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Lovely composition |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:Lovely compositionThe adults don't land there but this young one did. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:The adults don't land there but this young one did.House hunting for next year? |
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Graham Whistler
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Super picture Ian |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:House hunting for next year?It needs to learn a bit as that hole goes right through. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:It needs to learn a bit as that hole goes right through.Double aspect. |
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Eric
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No sooner had you posted your GSW, one appeared briefly on the bird feeder. As is often the case we have noticed when one woodpecker comes the other comes soon after. Well it was a few days late but this morning this juvenile came hopping around the lawn and trees. Our garden is obviously a dispersal route for fledgling peckers as it happens like this every year. If only they would appear in sunlight as they can be quite dull in overcast light. Click here to comment on this image. He/She first landed on the patio and had to shoot through d/glazing at an angle so not as sharp as window open. I also had to be quick as it was off in a moment...so I unfortunately didn't frame it right to get both feet in. However, do my eyes deceive me ...has it got a number on its right leg?  Click here to comment on this image. |
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Iain
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It’s got something on it but I’m not sure what. |
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Graham Whistler
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Dawn this morning and yes it is a photo! Click here to comment on this image. |
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Eric
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Lovely. A sight I haven’t seen for a long time….dawn. |
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Graham Whistler
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Some of us older folk need a pee at 5.45am and I had asked my tame geese to be ready at that time to fly past our spare bedroom window. No AI need just an amazing sunrise. Sony RX 10 camera, |
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Graham Whistler
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Kingfishers today Sony AI 600mm with x1.4 Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
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Iain
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Nice shots Graham. |
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Eric
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There they are …water droplets on the feathers. Lovely and authentic. |
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Graham Whistler
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Another from the same shoot, I am very pleased with the low noise on these high ISO images from the Sony AI. Click here to comment on this image. |
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Eric
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Had a weird experience yesterday! A flock of gulls descended on the lawn to pick up some scraps and one rather dishevelled herring gull stayed behind. Throughout the day he wandered around the garden, often harassed by magpies pecking his tail…he then charged back at them. Surprisingly, he even climbed on the bird baths and drank his fill….before emptying the ‘other end’ in there. (Why do they do that? Pigeons are just the same!) He was still there as evening approached so I threw him some leftover bits of chicken and ham…which he charged after and gobbled down. Thought no more about it until 11pm, pitch dark and suddenly it flew at the patio doors several times, trying to get in. Quite a big bird to be banging on the window late at night! So I chucked out some more chicken and then shut the curtains so he couldn’t see us…and went to bed. He was still on the patio next morning! So I opened up the side gate and “ushered” him out, before shutting the gate behind. He could have flown back I suppose but a few minutes later he got the message and flew away. We were left puzzled by his actions. Was he sick? Traumatised? Mental? He had dirty marks all over ….very scruffy but perfectly mobile and alert. Anyway it got rid of some meat leftovers. lol But having a gull attack the patio doors after dark was a bit Hitchco*k.   Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
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Eric
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Question for Iain….he hasn’t got a yellow eye ring, so is he not quite fully adult? Possible 3rd year bird? As they apparently have paler eyes and dirty pink legs. Certainly not a breeding bird ..with tatty condition like that no respectable lady would give him a second glance. |
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Iain
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I would say third year. As for its appearance it should well be in moult as most birds go through it after breading season. |
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jk
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Graham Whistler wrote:Another from the same shoot, I am very pleased with the low noise on these high ISO images from the Sony AI.Super sharp images Graham. I guess the camera is tripod mounted or at least a monopod but I could be wrong? |
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Graham Whistler
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Yes tripod you can not be in a hide for 8 hrs holding a 600mm + x1.4 extender giving 840mm, at least not at 84yrs old. Fast shutter speed at least 1/2000 sec or 1/3200 and high ISO 3200 very little noise with the Sony A1 even using 4000 ISO! |
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Eric
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Sat having lunch and noticed a different silhouette on the neighbours roof. Instinctively it was something not seen from our garden before.....grabbed bins to confirm I wasn't seeing things.... then grabbed the camera for ....a quick grab shot, before it grabbed the next gust of Northerly wind to be carried on its continuing migration to Africa. Juvenile Wheatear, Iain?  Click here to comment on this image. |
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Iain
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Its a Wheatear Eric but I think it an adult in the middle of changing from spring/summer to autumn/winter plumage. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:Its a Wheatear Eric but I think it an adult in the middle of changing from spring/summer to autumn/winter plumage.Ok..just lacked the eye stripe definition I was expecting, but can’t recall seeing them in the moult before. Thx |
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Iain
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The eye strip is more pronounced in the autumn/winter plumage so it will come in over the next few weeks. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:The eye strip is more pronounced in the autumn/winter plumage so it will come in over the next few weeks.You know some stuff! |
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Graham Whistler
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Kestrel, do I need to say now that yes this is a photograph? Click here to comment on this image. |
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chrisbet
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Nope - exif says it all - D850 @700mm (your 500mm + 1.4 TC), f8, 1/500 |
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Eric
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chrisbet wrote:Nope - exif says it all - D850 @700mm (your 500mm + 1.4 TC), f8, 1/500…..apart from the sky? |
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Graham Whistler
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Sorry about that when I put in made layer error, Here is corrected shot still pure photography.  Click here to comment on this image. |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:Sorry about that when I put in made layer error, Here is corrected shot still pure photography.Much better Graham. I thought the last Kestrel was dissolving. Lol I didn’t appreciate how big their eyes were relative to their body size. |
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Graham Whistler
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Chaffinch with Sony Ai and 600mm lens Click here to comment on this image. |
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Graham Whistler
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Little Owls three young with parent. Click here to comment on this image. |
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Eric
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Graham Whistler wrote:Little Owls three young with parent.Love that shot. I wonder what they all saw or heard off to the Left of this shot? |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:Love that shot. I wonder what they all saw or heard off to the Left of this shot?Probably Graham had someone waving a mouse about. Nice shot Graham. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:Probably Graham had someone waving a mouse about.Maybe…a few peanuts wouldn’t get their attention. |
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Iain
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Nothing exciting just a female Reed Bunting and a Willow Tit taken on a dull overcast day. A1103078 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr Click here to comment on this image.  A1103087-Edit by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
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Eric
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They are both exciting to me as we don’t get willow tits here anymore and rarely, except in harsh winters, do the reedies come here. The dull light we are experiencing is a real challenge. How I envy the clear, bright light other parts of the world enjoy. It’s a good day when you can use as low as iso4000 at the moment. |
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Iain
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Eric wrote:They are both exciting to me as we don’t get willow tits here anymore and rarely, except in harsh winters, do the reedies come here.You’re right there. The willow tit was taken at 12800iso. |
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Eric
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Iain wrote:You’re right there. The willow tit was taken at 12800iso.Can I ask….did you use Camera raw’s denoise feature for that image? I confess I use it frequently on low light images because the A1 sensor seems to have too much colour noise…especially reds. It’s about my only critique of the camera. |
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