Grasshopper Warbler
Nothing special about this shot but something I doubt many have seen. I have waited years to do this species and the site we foundwas in deep green cover in marsh land. The birds are extreemely un co operative and move so fast - hence the high shutterspeed. Then- the bird did something I,ve never seen before -it started sunbathing right in front of me. It sat rock still for 5 minutes. I didn't have the wherewithall to alter the camera settings. The light was atrocious- coming straight at the camera and catching every paale coloured stem in site. Still it was something worth seeing !Some will not like the messy backdrop but if I start playing too much it will end up a mess.! I thought the reed stems above made a nice kind of frame !!
Hide.
Hand held. VR on
Nikon D7100
Nikor 50-300mm
ISO 500
800thsec @ f9
Contrast down in camera EV normal
Crop from landscape.
Cheers
Great image John. Would love to get the chance to photograph one. Its a pity about the sunlight direction, but the bird looks fantastic. The triangular 'frame' does have an effect. Well done
Thanks Joe
Must admit I didn't plan it that way but quite liked the effect. I literally had no choice of shooting options and as usual- you take what you can get !!
I,ll never see it again.
Miguel
Thank you !
Me too. The pic is no big deal but the action of the bird 6 foot in front of me made it something special which I will rmember always. It would have made great video.
Thanks John
Beautiful, John! It's as if nature sometimes rewards us with something amazing for all those hours patiently spent in vain, waiting for 'that special' shot like this one!
Yes, wonderful behaviour captured here John. I think I too will remember this frame for a long time to come. Repost looks a bit better but no big deal, as you say, it's the special behaviour that makes this one. Well done. Ian.
John, congrats on getting this tough bird; even more congrats for capturing such great behavior. Very nicely done with difficult lighting. Love the repost, even if it was suggested by someone on a different site.
Unique, interesting! Well seen and capture of this behavior. I like the light angle very much…it is as if the bird is opening itself up to the light. Superb!
Thanks all. Good to see some more or less "natural history" stuff being appreciated. I did also get hundreds of "conventional" shots some of which I will bore you with!
Thanks again.
JohnR
I love both the OP and the RP. But I do disagree with you on several important points:
1-This image is very special.
2-The light is soft and quite lovely.
Love the greens and the pose and the interesting behavior.
BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.
BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.
Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,
Once in a Lifetime.
Reply With Quote
