Reed Warbler

[Rich Steel]

Hi

On the list of birds that are frustrating to photograph the reed warbler would be near the top. You can hear them constantly, you catch glimpses of them darting through the reeds but getting a clear shot is a real headache. Certainly not a job for when the wind is blowing and the reed stems moving around!!

Here is a photo of one that put in a moment within clear view.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k217/squidfish_2006/reedwarb71-1.jpg

Taken with 1Dmk3 and 500mm lens at F5 ISO400 at 1/2500s.

Cheers

Rich

[Dan Walker]

Nice image Rich. Looks like he is being lazy and leaning against the reed to his right. I might try this as a verticle. Bird looks sharp.

Dan

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Lovely capture with a nice pose and head turn . I agree that a vertical could be a nice option but also like it as posted with the OOF reeds. It gives it a very artsy look for me. thanks for sharing.

[John Chardine]

Love this Rich. The habitat and sharpness of the bird make it for me.

[Doug Brown]

I'm with John here. I love the habitat! Sharpness and eye contact are excellent too. I might try to soften the sharp demarcation of the shadow on the reed to the left of the bird. Thanks for posting!

[Tony Whitehead]

This is lovely, Rich. They are a real challenge and you have a great shot - singing too!

[Daniel Cadieux]

I love it as is!! I would only remove the small OOF horizontal reed in LRC. BTW I really like the single blade of grass in that same corner (I'd place your signature in the other corner just because of it ;-) )

[Joe Senzatimore]

Nice and sharp and a great comp. as well. Tough bird and handled very well.

[Raymond Barlow]

wonderful view, with awesome environment.

[Bonnie Block]

Ooooh--love this--and just as you have posted. Very sweet and sharp--the reeds add an interesting, but not overpowering effect.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Wow! Terrific. This is what I call as sharp. The open beak, sharpness, eye contact makes this image for me. I agree with the signature suggestion. This gives a nice idea about the habitat. I love this one. Thanks for sharing.

[Rich Steel]

Many thanks for your replies and comments. It took many hours hard work to get a few photos of these birds. The are a lot more difficult than sedge warblers. I have an idea for photographing them next year that I won't go in to now but hopefully should make it easier, if it works! I will let you know.

Cheers

Rich

[Simon Bennett]

Fantastic sharpness, eye contact and exposure control. Also like the background - reeds can often look cluttered but this has just the right amount of blur - well done.