 |
| |
| This site requires new users to accept that a small amount of member data is captured and held in an attempt to reduce spammers and to manage users. This site also uses cookies to ensure ease of use. In order to comply with new DPR regulations you are required to agree/disagree with this process. If you do not agree then please email the Admins using info@nikondslr.uk after requesting a new account. Thank you. |
| Moderated by: chrisbet, | ||
| Author | Post | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
blackfox
|
time for a new section one from today a wild red squirrel from the isle of anglesey  the perfect day by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
|||||||||
Robert
|
Wow, what tufted ears! No doubt celebrating the cancellation of the nuclear power station. Keep e'm coming. Cluny House Gardens in the Tay valley, not sure if it's actually Glen Tay. https://www.gardenvisit.com/gardens/cluny_house_garden They have a large population of red Squirrels, apparently they leap from tree to tree, visiting photographers have been seen lying on the drive in the hope of seeing them leap between the trees. Some spectacular images have resulted. |
|||||||||
blackfox
|
this ones virtually motorway A55 high speed dual carriageway bar a mile either end from my house |
|||||||||
blackfox
|
and another from today birds will follow over the weekend  mr tufty guy by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
|||||||||
Eric
|
No red squirrels on my last trip, but..... Attachment: 7DB89DA3-3E25-4136-AA77-2E2C2C37DE08.jpeg (Downloaded 61 times) |
|||||||||
blackfox
|
Cool shot |
|||||||||
Iain
|
A old pic but something you don't see often. Attachment: Mole.jpg (Downloaded 59 times) |
|||||||||
Robert
|
Mr (or Mrs) Mole? Like you say, a rare sighting. There is a Badger set within a mile of here, I have access to the land but I have never yet seen a Badger. I can see where they have been trails in the wood but the actual Badgers seem to be invisible. Is there a 'better' time to visit the vicinity of the set? Like late at night, or early in the morning? I have seen deer browsing nearby but only briefly. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Robert wrote:Mr (or Mrs) Mole? Try going a bit before twilight Robert and take some peanuts with you. If you know where the set is put them close to the set and sit and wait. Good luck. |
|||||||||
Robert
|
Thanks Iain, salted or plain? LOL Are they likely to be bothered if they see me? I have seen Badgers in the lanes, they amble along and don't seem too stressed, just get out of the way once there is room to go through a gate or up a side road. See way too many of them on the side of the main road, hit by cars. |
|||||||||
blackfox
|
another red squirrel shot from the other day  the inspector general by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
|||||||||
Robert
|
I like that, it's doing something, nice pose. Does the shutter noise bother them? |
|||||||||
blackfox
|
nope not in the least rob, I know a few spots for these now but this is the best so far as its in a steep valley the food/bait is put out on logs /feeders a few feet up so when they come down your literally at eye level with them as here  |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Robert wrote:Mr (or Mrs) Mole? Sorry Robert just got back to this. Just peanuts you put out for the birds. There eyesight is not too good, bit like mine, but keep down wind of them as they will smell you long before they see you if you don't. |
|||||||||
Robert
|
Thanks Iain, just joking really, I went up to the set this afternoon, there are muddy paths around the set so there must be some activity. The set is very close to an un-made lane (rough and muddy!) I can park within 30 feet of the set, don't know if that's up or down wind, I will have to get a weather vane, like a bit of string hung on a branch, that should tell me. Hmmm time, where DOES it go. I have no ideas how I found time to go to work! LOL |
|||||||||
blackfox
|
another red squirrel shot from anglesey ,  this is nutty by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Saw this one a little further south than the Norfolk coast. Attachment: AE83E961-5621-43AE-8B9F-7E0BAC9C6CC9.jpeg (Downloaded 39 times) |
|||||||||
Eric
|
I think it's a Suffolk red squirrel. |
|||||||||
jk
|
Long necked Suffolk squirrel. I saw one near my granddad's farm at Beccles. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
jk wrote:Long necked Suffolk squirrel. Did you ever see the Suffolk Ostrich? Attachment: 3ACDA956-A238-4AB4-AE6C-FFD31B376E3A.jpeg (Downloaded 36 times) |
|||||||||
jk
|
That is Theresa May. I recognise those print kitten heels from TV. |
|||||||||
Robert
|
|
|||||||||
blackfox
|
return to the red squirrels yesterday  on a mission by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr cache hunting by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr PEEP O' by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
|||||||||
Robert
|
Nothing wrong with those Jeff, Love #3. If I may say, a tad less saturation but I realise you like your red squirrels red, and why not! LOL I'm going to have to visit Wales again soon... It's been too long. |
|||||||||
blackfox
|
Rob I have looked at the photos from the two canon users ( may I spit on the floor in disgust ) that were with me and theres are identical .. while there were a few darker ones there this is pretty close to there natural colour .. this small area of woodland seems to have a very good breeding stock .. yes you do need to get yer bum down here again m8 |
|||||||||
blackfox
|
another squidgy shot , ooh the shame he's flashing his widgy dingle ling a ding dong by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Great Eric and you got the colour balance right! |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Jeff you are a good photographer and take well seen, well composed and pin sharp images why keep spoiling them with very poor colour balance? Any serious wild life photographer would laugh at you and your super pixs are up here for the world to see. Attachment: Red.jpg (Downloaded 33 times) |
|||||||||
jk
|
Well I think we need to balance here. I think Graham's picture is truer to reality but it looks a bit washed out compared with the red squirrels I have seen in Spain. I will need to go dig out my massively inferior pictures and post one now! |
|||||||||
jk
|
Spanish Red Squirrel. D3S with only sharpening applied. Attachment: D3S-1-1982.jpg (Downloaded 36 times) |
|||||||||
jk
|
I would say that my picture was taken in lower light than Jeff's as it was in a pine wood. I will say that the quality of light also makes a huge difference to colour rendering. However that said the red squirrels I have seen in Scotland are redder than my spanish one! Probably something to do with the Scottish ginger gene. |
|||||||||
blackfox
|
I totally dis-agree with graham on this the squirrels in this spot are virtually the colour in my photo ,I might have enhanced it a bit but not by that much ,, we have two main colonies in this part of the world one at formby where they tend to be darker much along the lines of jonathons Spanish one .. where as the ones from anglesey are a real olde English ginger red as shown especially when you get them with sun on them .. on Saturdays trip I did notice a couple of the darker ones there to and there was one that had grey sides but definitely a red .. but definitely none like grahams golden example  |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
JK I would say you were in dull light and colour temp too high and blue. I have been naughty again and fixed colour. No doubt your one from Scotland is darker red colour than the Cumbrian ones. Attachment: JK-1.jpg (Downloaded 92 times) |
|||||||||
jk
|
Thanks for colour fixing, Graham. I wanted to post an untouched image but if I had been showing it normally I would have added some Clarity as well as Vibrance and Saturation. So my image would normally have been adjusted to be somewhere between yours and Jeff's but probably closer to Jeff's image if not quite as red! |
|||||||||
Robert
|
How about a Martian version? I better get back to my paving...  Attachment: 46255678984_7355597d43_b.jpg (Downloaded 33 times) |
|||||||||
jk
|
Robert, I think that you have just breached UKGov regulations namely showing an intelligent being from another planet. Oh no regulations says showing beings more intelligent than an MP. That cant be so difficult these days. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
I have to say that the ones we have up here in good sun light are close to the colour of Jeff's not quite as red but close. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Robert wrote:How about a Martian version? that's clearly a Cumbrian, north facing, squirrel |
|||||||||
jk
|
Eric wrote:Robert wrote: Raised close to Sellafield. A be seen in the dark squirrel. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
oh dear, it heard something in the bushes ...just as I clicked the shutter.  |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
Hi - I'm new here, my interest is horses (I own one) and photography of horses - here is one of my girl - any tips for getting the best photos? I have a D90 - this pic was taken with an AFS Nikkor 55-200G with VR |
|||||||||
jk
|
Welcome chrisbet. Image looks good to me. Maybe needs a little extra sharpening which can be done is any of the post processing softwares. Be careful not to overdo it otherwise you get haloes around the highlight areas. |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
Thank you - I use Gimp under Linux - sharpened 50% it looks like this - not sure what you mean by halos ? Would it be better to shoot in RAW mode?  |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Welcome chrisbet. Horses are such magnificent creatures and great to photograph. I am sure you know a lot about what not to do already (like never shooting from head with wide angle lens unless you want a horse with a tampered bum) As Jonathan said your image isn't as sharp as it could be. Maybe that's shutter speed? Even with VR I always like to double the focal length and make that the shutter speed especially for moving subjects which VR can't help. Eg for a 200mm lens 2x200= 400 > 1/400th shutter speed. I don't know if you photograph any jumping? For me, it's then that you can capture the power of the horse. Some years ago I did some eventing photography. It's all about timing in these situation but a long lens (I think I used 100-300mm) not only means you can stand back but you can also zoom in to detail head shots as well. The 70-300AFS is a good lens for this as it's an FX lens....so you get 105-450 on your DX D90. As with all things you can get more performance from newer cameras. But that's down to how much you want to spend. There are now lots of newer DX bodies (preowned would keep cost down) that would improve on image quality and especially speed of focusing of the D90. You might want to consider that as an alternative to the 70-300mlm lens. If you are doing jumping, crouch to enhance the dominance of the horse. Try to get at least 2 feet on the ground at once....or crop. It just give the horse more solidity when it's attached to the floor. Here are some shots that demonstrate some of these points which hopefully might give you food for thought.    And not forgetting to be ready for the unusual.........    But they don't have to be jumping. Positioning yourself to get a different perspective works too.....   Good luck |
|||||||||
Eric
|
If you don't mind, I've added some contrast and exposure adjustments to your image and a bit of sharpening on the horse itself. Can't do much as it's a low res posted image rather than the hi res original. I've also cropped off the electric pylon that was a bit distracting. Shooting with a larger aperture might exclude (defocus out) some of the background and through more attention to the foreground subject. This alone can make the subject seem sharper. Hope that helps. Attachment: 3A547B7A-DBF9-4EBA-808B-0E211EBAB89B.jpeg (Downloaded 22 times) |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
Eric, Thanks for the tips - great photos, good to be in the right place at the right time - I am a jump judge & timekeeper and I have seen photographers getting into some "interesting" positions! The photo was taken at f4.5, 1/4000sec, ISO 1600, Spot metering & 98 focal length. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
chrisbet wrote:Eric, Ah ok then you know more about this sport than me. It's always difficult to judge people's knowledge and experrise first off. If those were your setting then Iam surprised your image is as soft as it is. You may want to try shooting at different focal lengths to see if there's a soft spot. Zoom lenses are a compromise and often are sharper at different parts of the zoom. The 70-300 I mentioned is a very good lens...sharp throughout the range. Another option is the focusing speed and accuracy of the D90. I am good at spending others money but later bodies were much faster at locking onto and holding focus on moving subject in AFC mode. Wotrth a thought.Also ...worth editing your profile to say where you are (at least country) as it may have a bearing on future replies. For example I was going to say the picture 'Beijing Bound' was was William Fox Pitt preparing for Olympics. But you may not know who WFP was. I sent him that image and he asked if he could use it on his Christmas card. I said ok. The bugger didn't even send ME one of the cards.  |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
But you may not know who WFP was. I sent him that image and he asked if he could use it on his Christmas card. I said ok. The bugger didn't even send ME one of the cards.Lol - meanie! Yes, I wondered about the effectiveness of the autofocus but as the horse was traveling at right angles to me I thought it would have managed to grab it. I will try different focal lengths when I am next out in Italy ( that's where I keep my horse) in March. Don't worry about spending my money, I haven't got any - I own a horse! |
|||||||||
Eric
|
chrisbet wrote:. I've heard that goes with the territory.But you may not know who WFP was. I sent him that image and he asked if he could use it on his Christmas card. I said ok. The bugger didn't even send ME one of the cards.Lol - meanie! It may just be there was not enough contrast in the centre of the image (black horse) for the focus to be sure. I would try stopping down to f8, shutter speed of 1/1000 should be good enough (VR doesn't work well at high shutter speeds anyway) and set it fo AFC continuous focusing....keeping shutter half depressed till you fully depress. Also if you were panning...it can take a bit of 'getting the eye in'. And remember to continue panning AFTER taking the shot....as the tendency is to brake our action too soon and in that moment the subject has moved. |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
More good tips, thank you. I generally use short bursts of continuous rather than single shots - horses move quickly! Yes, I tend to pan with the horse before and after the bursts. This one was taken at f4.5 1/640, 100 fl, ISO1600, spot metering and looks much better but in the shade rather than strong light.  |
|||||||||
Eric
|
chrisbet wrote:More good tips, thank you.Well you seem to be doing the right things and yes that's a lot better. A nice portraiture image as opposed to action shot. But for me...not enough depth of field. f8 or even f11 would have got horse head and rider all sharp....assuming you wanted that. As it is, the point of max sharpness is the horses chest. Edit: looking at it again it may just be the whole image needs sharpening. There is a softness that MAY be the lens under performing at its max aperture. Stopping down to 8/11 for some shots should prove or disprove if the lens is letting you down a tad. |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
Lol - I was trying to put the background out of focus to make the horse & rider stand out - so I am happy that the in focus part is the horse's chest - exactly what I was aiming for |
|||||||||
Eric
|
chrisbet wrote:Lol - I was trying to put the background out of focus to make the horse & rider stand out - so I am happy that the in focus part is the horse's chest - exactly what I was aiming for I will get my hat. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Whilst I understand your (correct) use of max aperture for dof effect I would still be concerned about the sharpness of the key areas. This could be the lens as many need stopping down a stop or two to max sharpness....whilst recognising that's contrary to your dof needs it may prove a point about the lens max sharpness potential in a test. It would be my first check if I were trying to get the images sharper. I don't know how much post capture software sharpening you HAVE applied. Maybe not enough. Most images (especially raw files) benefit from 20% extra kick up the rear. You Gimp treatment shows that. I don't think you are doing anything wrong in the execution ...it may just be the equipment is on its limit or you are not doing enough post processing. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Welcome to our forum Chrisbet, sound like you have had some good help so far. I like your pictures keep up the good work. I agree with Eric more DOF would have helped to get rider sharp as well on your last posted image. Also you cut off horses feet so would improve a lot with tighter crop showing rider and horses heads only or pull back a bit to show all! |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
Graham Whistler wrote: Welcome to our forum Chrisbet, sound like you have had some good help so far. I like your pictures keep up the good work. I agree with Eric more DOF would have helped to get rider sharp as well on your last posted image. Also you cut off horses feet so would improve a lot with tighter crop showing rider and horses heads only or pull back a bit to show all!Thanks - yes, a few things to think about, especially stopping down a little - or maybe swapping to my prime lens for shots like the last one - often though it is not possible to get close enough to frame the image and swapping lenses quickly enough is impossible. It's a learning curve and your hints and suggestions are most welcome. |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
Eric wrote: I don't know how much post capture software sharpening you HAVE applied. Maybe not enough. Most images (especially raw files) benefit from 20% extra kick up the rear. You Gimp treatment shows that. 50% - more than that and the power lines in the background started pixelating.... |
|||||||||
Iain
|
A mammal form today, DSC_4339 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
|||||||||
jk
|
Three eyed deer. |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
Dear, deer..... four ears and one horn |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Is that one playing Hide and Sika? |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Eric wrote:Is that one playing Hide and Sika? Your jokes don't get any better. |
|||||||||
jk
|
That is the problem when we retire, life becomes a huge joke but it certainly does help when we have joke Governments! |
|||||||||
blackfox
|
a couple of goat shots from yesterday on a day out with Robert and his son chris  things you dont notice .? by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr  you old goat by jeff and jan cohen, on Flickr |
|||||||||
jk
|
Capture the moment Nice ones Jeff. |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
Just looking through some of my 1000s of images and thought I would share a couple : That is Ivoire - one of the horses I ride in Italy - and to prove it:  |
|||||||||
Eric
|
chrisbet wrote:Just looking through some of my 1000s of images and thought I would share a couple :Magnificent creature....I'm talking about the horse. Is there a touch of Freisan with all that hair....again....talking about Ivoire. |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
No - he is a Merens horse, they come from the Pyrenees so as tough as they come. He is generally pretty lazy and will get away with anything you let him, but he & I have a good understanding of each other and he works well for me  Merens horses |
|||||||||
Eric
|
chrisbet wrote:No - he is a Merens horse, they come from the Pyrenees so as tough as they come. He is generally pretty lazy and will get away with anything you let him, but he & I have a good understanding of each other and he works well for meAh...never heard of the breed before. Very impressive. It it was the long mane and tail that made me wonder about the Freisian.... Attachment: F4F6BA5C-2A80-442F-9AD1-47A3B60D8C31.jpeg (Downloaded 214 times) |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
Friesians are taller and very showy - not a breed for the amateur, rider or owner, they are highly strung and look at their best with their plumes pulling a glass sided hea**e! |
|||||||||
jk
|
Dont think I want to accompany them! Stay away from the grim reaper. |
|||||||||
blackfox
|
a bank vole from yesterday  |
|||||||||
Robert
|
Lovely Jeff. |
|||||||||
blackfox
|
At that little nature reserve rob, I had it all to myself for about 3 hours |
|||||||||
Robert
|
It's a little haven there. A friend of mine in the village, keen fisherman, he has offered to take me to a little tarn he fishes, he reckons the Foulshaw Ospreys hunt there in season, he had seen them lifting fish from the water. It's not far from here, I would say it's a similar size to yours, more open and on a hillside with a small stream running in and out of the tarn. |
|||||||||
Robert
|
Some horsey pictures.     |
|||||||||
Robert
|
I somehow lost this post last night... Re-creating it from new this morning. Last week I visited Ben Moor botanic garden, hoping my quest for a nice red squirrel photo might succeed. There is a hide and food placed, ropes for the squirrels to run along and perches for them to pose on. Unfortunately the top hinged windows opened outwards and only opened about half way, providing un-interrupted of the ground but not the areas frequented by the squirrels. The windows were filthy, I tried opening the windows fully and propped open with a stick, but this freaked the little creatures, who shot up the trees not to be seen again. I closed the windows and retired, disappointed. Spent the day photographing flowers and the gardens, reflections in pools etc. As I wearily mad my way to the exit before I got locked in for the night, I spotted a little red head in the grass... Of course I had my micro Nikkor 105mm f/4.0 mounted on the D800 and there was no way I was going to be able to hand hold at the distance with the 70-300 because the light was poor and under tree canopy. Fortunately it was a patient little squirrel it waited until I mounted the 70-300 and put the camera on the tripod, using two legs for flexibility. I managed several exposures but the first was best. This is a very heavy crop, almost 100%. Mmmm, forum image wrecking software at work again, so de-saturated that almost looks like a grey squirrel! Will try posting the image via. Flicker.  Attachment: Red Squirrel - Ben Moor.jpg (Downloaded 150 times) |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
The attachment option at the foot of the reply page is really only intended for text files and will degrade images as it compresses the files - use one of the three image insert options in the toolbar to retain image quality. |
|||||||||
Robert
|
I did last night use the blue plus button, this morning I must have used the 'attachment' button. My brain is somewhat addled (more than usually) by an infection. |
|||||||||
blackfox
|
yep blue button works best rob ,good horsey shots though |
|||||||||
amazing50
|
Robert wrote:Mr (or Mrs) Mole? A Trail Camera could watch for you 24-7 and give the times the badger was active. |
|||||||||
Robert
|
Thanks Mike, that's a good idea!  |
|||||||||
amazing50
|
If you try it, let us know how it turns out. |
|||||||||
blackfox
|
3 from Sunday afternoon    |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
One from deepest Tuscany |
|||||||||
Iain
|
I'm watching you!! DSC_8492 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Close encounters takes on a new meaning as a slug creeeeeeps past a distracted hedgehog. (Well it does in the movie) Which goes to show fresh isn't always the preferred choice even in nature. 😆  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Robert
|
Eric wrote:Close encounters takes on a new meaning as a slug creeeeeeps past a distracted hedgehog. (Well it does in the movie). Let's see the movie, please! What are all the little wormy things? Do hedgehogs like slugs? If so we need a hedgehog. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Robert wrote:Let's see the movie, please! What are all the little wormy things? Do hedgehogs like slugs? If so we need a hedgehog.Don't know how to post video on here....get error message using blue cross. Maybe file size? They are dried mealworms and hedgehogs LOVE them. In fact we are not supposed to give them too many as they get too obese. But since I wanted their prolonged attention and we have 5 that come ....I started with a big handful. I thought slugs were one of the staple diets of hedgehogs? I've seen one fall asleep with a frog (half eaten) in its mouth. They eat anything really. We had a laugh watching a hedge hog trying to tackle a fat ball on the lawn. It was like a dung beetle rolling it around. Didn't get that on film though. â˜¹ï¸ She had a quick look at the slug but suspect it was checking the slug wasn't nicking her mealworms...  Of course these are frame grabs from video taken at night (patio lights only) so a bit grainy and soft. Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
Eric wrote:Don't know how to post video on here....get error message using blue cross. Maybe file size?Videos not allowed for direct upload - orders of the management! Upload the video to Youtube or Vimeo etc and post the link using the link button -  |
|||||||||
Robert
|
chrisbet wrote:Videos not allowed for direct upload - orders of the management!I used Flicker, pasted the URL, although not completely painlessly, I don't like the links Flicker add to the URL so I delete them, it works OK with photographs but with movies it seems more complex... |
|||||||||
Robert
|
Eric wrote:They are dried mealworms and hedgehogs LOVE them. In fact we are not supposed to give them too many as they get too obese. But since I wanted their prolonged attention and we have 5 that come ....I started with a big handful. Very interesting, we don't seem to get many hedgehogs around here, shame, we get loads of slugs. I thought the images were very good, esp. given the light. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Robert wrote:Very interesting, we don't seem to get many hedgehogs around here, shame, we get loads of slugs.Very difficult to choose freeze frame without blur given the rapid movement. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Easier to freeze a squirrel.... Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
It's always harder than you think to freeze wildlife, you need a faster shutter speed than you think. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
This tiny baby was eating on our bird table this afternoon I had time to get D850 and 500mm (no x1.4) and it is so tame this is almost full frame if I had moved any closer the lens would not focus: 1/2000sec f14 ISO 1600. I liked your one Eric. This one's mother came a bit later and was very nasty chased it away so she could eat, missed this as I was indoors with my cup of tea. Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
One of a very pregnant Roe Deer on my walk yesterday. N72_7329 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Iain wrote:One of a very pregnant Roe Deer on my walk yesterday.Great capture Iain. We have a muntjac that spends the day in the bushes in our front garden. The little b*gger occasionally gets into the back garden ....where it gets chased out PDQ...due to it munching my wife's price shrubs.  The neighbour rang me yesterday to ask if I had heard the 'squealing'. Apparently a muntjac (maybe ours) got stuck in the school railings opposite. The head went through (at pace) but the bum didn't! They had to bend the railings to free it. It made me wonder if it was also a pregnant mum.....not realising its new midriff width? |
|||||||||
jk
|
Good capture Iain. I get roe deer in the woods behind my house but they dont come into my garden as it is a 6 ft wall in between my garden woods and the other woods and fields. Havent managed to actually photograph them but I see them quite often. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Graham Whistler wrote:This tiny baby was eating on our bird table this afternoon I had time to get D850 and 500mm (no x1.4) and it is so tame this is almost full frame if I had moved any closer the lens would not focus: 1/2000sec f14 ISO 1600. I liked your one Eric. This one's mother came a bit later and was very nasty chased it away so she could eat, missed this as I was indoors with my cup of tea.Nice clear shot. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Eric wrote:Great capture Iain. We have a muntjac that spends the day in the bushes in our front garden. The little b*gger occasionally gets into the back garden ....where it gets chased out PDQ...due to it munching my wife's price shrubs.I had a D7200 and a AF-P 70-300mm I got as a light walk around but it's a sharp little lens. |
|||||||||
jk
|
Fine detail Graham. That D850 has enough MP to crop and get great detail. Did you manage to get a signature on the model release form? |
|||||||||
Eric
|
What am I doing wrong, Graham? Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
jk
|
Another furry bottom. Tree bunny? |
|||||||||
jk
|
Eric, you need to offer bribes to get them to turn around. They lurve Digestive biscuits  |
|||||||||
Eric
|
jk wrote:Eric, you need to offer bribes to get them to turn around.So do I, no chance. |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
Hehe - have you tried them with butter on? The biscuits, not squirrels ... |
|||||||||
jk
|
And strawberry jam and clotted cream! |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Eric, you made an a**e of that one. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Iain wrote:Eric, you made an a**e of that one.Yes...a classic case of heads you win, tails you lose. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Is there no end to it! |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Is there no end to it!It ends at the tail Graham. |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
Youngsters at play - |
|||||||||
Eric
|
chrisbet wrote:Youngsters at play -Great video. Judging from those teats, we may be experiencing something similar soon. Not sure the wife's ornamental grasses will survive.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Don't mind these sort of youngsters hiding in the border... Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Oh dear, interesting pixs! |
|||||||||
jk
|
Clay fox? |
|||||||||
Eric
|
jk wrote:Clay fox?Plastic. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Caught in the act .... Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
This years prickle... Click here to comment on this image. Sorry guys, not a Nikon. Taken on the wife's iPhone. |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
Another phone pic - dozing doggy double -  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
chrisbet wrote:Another phone pic - dozing doggy double -What a lovely photo! Well captured and a clear message. Love it. I am beginning to think we should bin all these big expensive cameras and just use the phones. No processing done on my hedgehog shot...straight off phone and it's sharp as a tack. Of course the dof is lacking because of the small fstop the phone used at close proximity....but still ok. |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
Thanks Eric, I did a tiny amount of sharpening but otherwise as shot. I am surprised at the DOF! Some of my very best photos were taken on a box brownie and a Kodak 44a - very simple cameras where the only control was cloudy / sunny |
|||||||||
Eric
|
chrisbet wrote:Thanks Eric, I did a tiny amount of sharpening but otherwise as shot. I am surprised at the DOF!The smaller the sensor- the greater the dof at any given fstop. It was the same with film ....big film - shallower dof. I often worked at f16 with medium format to get the same results as f8 on the Nikon slr (actually I was using Canon back then  )My wife has always preferred taking shots of plants (ie pseudo macro) with Compact cameras (now phones) because of their smaller sensors. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Nice shot Chris. I used to have two GSDs but down to one now. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
We've had 3 young squirrels exploring the garden. They are crazy 😜. As Chris' video showed, they charge around trees, bushes and lawn. Didn't get a video but here are a few images of their antics...  Click here to comment on this image. A sibling charging at a lovely fury belly........  Click here to comment on this image. Finally....one of the little so and sos's wanted to get at the feeders. I have put plant saucers on the top of the feeders to restrict their access down from the top. This chap sat for a while sizing up the problem.....  Click here to comment on this image. Realising he couldn't get down from the top, he decided the only option was to jump....  Click here to comment on this image. Of course he didn't know a slippery tube was his landing point. Undaunted.......  Click here to comment on this image. He soon discovered there was no grip and slithered and flailed about for a second...  Click here to comment on this image. ...before falling into the bush below. I didn't get that photo as I was laughing too much. He was undaunted. But he waited till I was uploading the days photos before having another go. He fell in the bush again. Will he have another go??? |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
Iain wrote:Nice shot Chris. I used to have two GSDs but down to one now.We have three! The girls hogged the spot in the sun, here is big boy -  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
I think it's easer with two as they exercise themselves by playing when out. Here's mine after a wash and blow dry. Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Good set of squirrels Eric well caught. Great looking dog Ian. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
A couple more squirrel shots and I must move on.... Click here to comment on this image. Now the kits are off her hands mum has been trying to rebuild her figure. She has damaged her right paw, only using it when absolutely necessary. I think it's just the outer claws, as the middle one seems ok. Or she may be getting tired of being photographed and is telling me something?  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
One from yesterday, she was watching me closely as she had three young in the field. DI5_3398-Edit-Edit by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
|||||||||
jk
|
Great portrait! |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Spot on great shot Ian! |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Thank you both, I just liked the way she was peeping through the vegetation. |
|||||||||
GeoffR
|
Spotted at Stowe yesterday. Attachment: _DSC3849_M.jpg (Downloaded 158 times) |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Just seen this Iain...cracking image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
GeoffR wrote:Spotted at Stowe yesterday.I was surprised to hear on Springwatch (so it must be true 😆) that Grass snakes spend more time in water than out. |
|||||||||
GeoffR
|
Eric wrote:I was surprised to hear on Springwatch (so it must be true 😆) that Grass snakes spend more time in water than out.I didn't know that either, thanks. |
|||||||||
rmoser
|
This is a friend of mine. Every time I go over to visit him he comes over to where I'm standing and chuffs at me. The first time it happened, the keeper was standing there. He said that the chuff is the way tigers greet each other. So him chuffing at me is a kind of a tiger "welcome, I'm happy to see you" expression. Apparently it doesn't mean "I'd be happy to eat you"; that's a different vocalization. For some reason, he seems to like me. Maybe he senses I love cats (normally a good deal smaller than him, of course). Rob  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
My 'girlfriend' and I once had a conversation with a zoo head keeper called Carlos at a UK safari park.....he was previously head of Berlin zoo. His body was riddled with scars including a gathered skin area across his throat done by a lion that burst through his passenger door window, while he was looking the other way, and dragged him half out of the window before other keepers came to his assistance. Despite this horrid experience he maintained that the big cats, although surely fatal if they get you, were his favourites characters. His main 'hatred' was reserved for chimpanzees, that were not only unpredictable but vicious and spiteful...just for the sake of it. Half his right calf muscle was missing...a chimp bite. We had been talking outside a lion cage .....well it was a lion cubs cage. And he had heard Janice saying she would love to cuddle the lion cub. (Her and her mother had 6 cats at home!). After introducing himself and telling us the cubs name....Jasper.... he said “you really want to cuddle a lion? “Yes' said my feline loving lady. “Come on then“ Carlos said.......  Click here to comment on this image. She took a shot of me with my hand in Jaspers mouth....but I don't want to show myself ... with 1970s long BROWN hair. Whenever I see this image I always look at the little girl outside the cage...wishing she could have come in. Although a playful cub, he was incredible powerful. Carlos told us not to turn our back on him this would let him sneak up on us from behind. Jan actually forgot once....and he Got behind her and grabbed her 'spare tyre' (it wasn't that big back in those days 😆) She stood up quickly and his teeth snapped shut. When we got home she revealed a 9†vertical bruise....and he was just play fighting. Footnote: You see Graham...I was even using the wrong shutter speed back then. |
|||||||||
jk
|
GeoffR wrote:Spotted at Stowe yesterday.Good capture Geoff. |
|||||||||
GeoffR
|
jk wrote:Good capture Geoff.Thanks JK, would have been much better had I taken it when I first saw it just a few feet from the bank but I was surprised to see it and didn't react. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Eric wrote:My 'girlfriend' and I once had a conversation with a zoo head keeper called Carlos at a UK safari park.....he was previously head of Berlin zoo.Its a good job you went to commercial photography and not wildlife/sport to make a living Eric. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Iain wrote:Its a good job you went to commercial photography and not wildlife/sport to make a living Eric.Cruel b*gger😆 I was only 17 and using Jan's Yashica manual exposure camera for the first Didn't know what an F stop was back then... if asked, I would have probably asked if it was anywhere near a G spot. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
|
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
Just one from Tuscany - not much time for photography, too busy with the horses! Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Pleased to see you got out there OK? Enjoy the horses! |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Put some food out for the birds and this Bank Vole showed up. 500_0267 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Mum's the word! Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
Pretty wild at times but usually captive! Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
chrisbet wrote:Pretty wild at times but usually captive!Sounds like mine. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
HEADS? TAILS?  or Easy Rider?  |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Easy rider for me. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Iain wrote:Easy rider for me.Certainly got a look of Peter Fonda. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
We've had lots of Woodmice living under and inside our outside storage cupboard over the years. (Probably why we get Tawny Owls every night!) We keep the tubs of bird food in this cupboard and occasional get fleeting glimpses of the residents when we burst in on them unexpected. Recently I found a dead mouse in one of the tubs** AND also .a live one moving about but very slowly. I scooped it out and let it walk slowly off behind the tubs over the earth pile it had excavated. I don't know if that mouse survived but one of its offspring did.  Click here to comment on this image. ** When the tub contents get depleted the gap is too large for the mice to jump back out. That's probably why the mouse died .trapped with plenty of dry food but no water. So we now leave sticks and other paraphernalia in the tubs to assist their exit. And they use them.  Click here to comment on this image. Saved to forage for another day.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Where there's food there are mice. Many a time I have opened the food locker ata feeding station I look after and find mice. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Wee, sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beastie! |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
A daimen icker in a thrave 'S a sma' request; I'll get a blessin wi' the lave, An' never miss't! |
|||||||||
Eric
|
The walnuts are ripe for picking.  One young chap is clearly very excited at the news.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
A little taste of Africa/India/China……in Norfolk. We took family visitors around THIS local wildlife reserve last week. I was driving the buggy ‘trying’ to grab the occasional shot whilst avoiding potholes and other buggies. For better photos one would do better going on the specific photographers tours, where they get closer and have more time to compose the beasties…as opposed to grab them passing!  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. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Interesting shots Eric. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Interesting shots Eric.Like I said Graham, you cannot get the best out of the occasion when you are driving a buggy and in a ‘wagon train’ that’s stop start. I think we would go back and have the more exc£usive ‘photographers’ tour next time. But it’s a lot cheaper than going to Africa/India/China. As we well know, you have to be very lucky to happen upon perfect wildlife photographic opportunities without sitting and waiting for them. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
There's always a story on our outings! lol Jan and I were traversing the Grossglockner ....along with the world and his wife. Halting at Bikers Point ( where all the motorbikes gather ) to take in the spectacular views of the highest road pass in Europe, I wandered off piste, so to speak, to get some snow scenes. While a short distance away from Jan and a gathering of Japanese party overlooking my position I saw a Marmot chewing on some grass. I took the photo I wanted and turned to see if Jan had seen it. Trying not to disturb the creature I sort of snorted huskily but with increasing impatient volume.... ....."jan, Jan JAN" "Marmot" pointing at said beast "What?" she mouthed "MARMOT" again pointing at the furry diner "WHAT?" she voiced just about audibly "a F*&%$@ING MARMOT" I finally bellowed in exasperation. As she turned her binoculars in the direction of the insulted creature....the Japanese party started pointing and repeating excitedly " F*&%$@ING MARMOT ". I have just titled it plain Marmot but probably an Alpine Marmot in truth...and not a ...............  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
None of the animals were harmed by the use of AI in the making of these images. Click here to comment on this image. Actually....this is an as shot image for a change. lol |
|||||||||
Eric
|
 Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Shortly after moving to this rural idyl in1972, we were driving along a back road, when as we rounded a bend a large beaver-like creature came waddling across in front of us. I braked and swerved around it. There then followed a lengthy discussion between us as to what it was. We sort of thought it was a Coypu, but never having seen one, and the fact that they had supposedly been eradicated in the UK some years earlier, we did wonder. They are now eradicated being a none endemic species for the UK that was causing damage (supposedly) It is at least commemorated in the fact we named that bend in the road …Coypu Corner…. from then on. Roll forward 40+years and while caravanning in France we saw several Coypu in the open field next to our campsite. They emerged from a small stream/ waterway area each morning …..where the above ‘portrait’ was taken. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Graham will know if this is a black or white ...... Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Black Rhone it eats trees the White Rhino eats grass. Early Whistler in Rhodesia 1970s with White Rhinos, it took several long days to get that close as no long tele lenses for large format colour trans cameras. Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
 Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Black Rhone it eats trees the White Rhino eats grass. Early Whistler in Rhodesia 1970s with White Rhinos, it took several long days to get that close as no long tele lenses for large format colour trans cameras.You REALLY look the part there Graham! |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Nice set of pictures and stories Eric. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Graham Whistler wrote:Black Rhone it eats trees the White Rhino eats grass. Early Whistler in Rhodesia 1970s with White Rhinos, it took several long days to get that close as no long tele lenses for large format colour trans cameras.Armed and dangerous. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Thx Iain...I am having fun trawling through my archives for photos Ive not 'worked up' before.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
One more and I think that's enough. Hope that's given people a few ideas and thoughts about making their photographs sing out a bit more.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
 Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
 Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Not sure a toad qualifies for entry on this animal thread. However, as there is no 'Amphibian, Reptilian' thread and as it's in hiding, I will put it here.... Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
 Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Graham Whistler
|
Nikon D500 Lizards & Crock in Kenya Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
I like the way that 2nd Crane? Is lifting his leg …it’s like he is stepping over the sleeping croc. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Eric wrote:Not sure a toad qualifies for entry on this animal thread. However, as there is no 'Amphibian, Reptilian' thread and as it's in hiding, I will put it here....I guess that’s a leaf toad.—————I’ll get my coat! |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Iain wrote:I guess that’s a leaf toad.—————I’ll get my coat!I suppose with AI I could replace the leaf with a flat cap. |
|||||||||
chrisbet
|
... or replace the toad with a princess???? |
|||||||||
Eric
|
chrisbet wrote:... or replace the toad with a princess????Not sure the flat had would suit her. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Eric wrote:Not sure the flat HAT would suit her.I grabbed a photo of The Princess of Wales off the net and AI’d a flat peaked cap onto her. I can’t post it on open forum for obvious reasons (although it is my own composition ) but I can tell you she looked absolutely gorgeous in it….then again she does in most things. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
 Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
 Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
I photographed this group of Père David’s Deer at a local reserve but only just read up about this fascinating creature and its history….appropriate at the start of a New Chinese Year. ( although it’s the wooden dragon this year, not the deer) It’s a Chinese water margin deer that was exclusively the property of the Emperor, back in the day. The herd was kept inside the Palace grounds until a storm broke down a wall and several escaped….only to be eaten by the starving peasants. The remainder were kept safe until German troops occupied the palace during the Boxer Rebellion….where upon they shot and ate the rest. Except western people ‘acquired’ some before the mass extinction and they ended up in zoos scattered around Europe. That was until the 11th Duke of Bedford brought them ALL together from the zoos to make a small herd on the Woburn Estate. They prospered there, such that some years later Woburn was able to send quite a number back to China for them to repopulate the species that was sacred to them. “Why sacred”, I hear you ask? Well in Chinese ancient history there is a story of 4 men who “changed” into 4 animals…a Horse, Donkey, Cow & Deer. They subsequently morphed into one beast they called the Milu ( which I believe is Chinese for 4 in 1). It then did some negotiating with the gods and brought peace and prosperity to the country….thus it was thence regarded as sacred. So you can understand the significance of having this venerated animal brought back from the dead. A statue of the 11th Duke of Bedford was erected …somewhere in China ….to honour his wisdom, actions and generosity. [If our Chinese members want to correct me on this information …please speak up] Hands up who knew that? Well here it is in all its sacred glory with a horse’s head, donkey’s tail, cow’s feet and deer’s antlers.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
…and for those who thought I should have photographed a wooden dragon to better mark the start of this year…. Click here to comment on this image. Why do we have a wooden (and rope) dragon hanging from the light in the office? Since I retired the room was repossessed by my wife for a Craft Room…and she collects dragons (all over the place)   Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
NO AI....As shot...well almost. Aries was a young Leopard at a wildlife park. We came across him being walked around the centre on a dog lead...a strong chain dog lead. He instinctively left the path and sneaked into the shrubbery watching people with dogs on leads passby. We could imagine he was honing his hunting skills. So it's a straight shot but there was a tiny part of the chain around his neck that I removed....partly to add a bit more natural realism but it also was a shining distraction to the composition.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
 Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image.  Click here to comment on this image. |
|||||||||
Iain
|
Nice set Eric. We’re a bit short of them up here. |
|||||||||
Eric
|
Iain wrote:Nice set Eric. We’re a bit short of them up here.ERRRR......taken near Powburn. |
|||||||||
Current theme is Blue
| A small amount of member data is captured and held in an attempt to reduce spammers and to manage users. This site also uses cookies to ensure ease of use. In order to comply with new DPR regulations you are required to agree/disagree with this process. If you do not agree then please email the Admins using info@nikondsl.uk Thank you. |