A few close ups

[Ollie]

Hi all,
Been stuck indoors today doing that dreaded task decorating a bedroom.

To cut it short while I was waiting for the ceiling to dry to give it a second coat, much to the wife's dismay I might add, (she thought that would be the end of the decorating for today) I decided to get the camera out and see if I could get a few close up shots of the birds at the feeders.

All taken through the open bedroom window with a Canon 400mm f5.6 lens mounted on an Opticron hide clamp fastened to the windowsill. Flash used set at -1/3rd flash exposure compensation. (I did get the ceiling painted again eventually)

Goldfinch.
Never really noticed before how symmetrically if that's the right word these little birds are marked.


Starling.
The Starlings are just beginning to acquire their breeding plumage and starting to look smart. The little bits on the beak are fat from the feeders


Great Tit
Always difficult to catch as they tend to drop in, grab a piece of food and off again as quickly as possible.


House Sparrow male.
One of my favourite birds and much underrated at times


Blue Tit
Not quite as fast as the Great Tits and they do tend to pick a piece from the feeders or table and sit and eat it the feeders giving good photo opportunities.


A couple more Blue Tits.
Not quite as close as the other photos but thought they were worth sharing.





Roger

[Wild-Woman]

They're great Roger. I hope you put them all down in your Big Garden Birdwatch!
Love that goldfinch shot. Very nice.

Jules

[glsammy]

My favourite is the Starling. it's got the lot, the beautiful rainbow colour effect is perfect. I'm fascinated by Starlings, they're another bird many people simply ignore.

They're all excellent shots though, I'm still green with envy with your sightings from your bedroom windows. We're up to three bulldozers now plus a large crane and a lovely new mud pile about 20ft high as well!!
I don't think the RSPB allow those sightings on their sheets do they?

[Ollie]

Thanks Jules and Graham. Was going to post one of the Starling full body but unfortunately the body wasn't sharp like the head, would have had to go to F12 or so to get it all sharp at that range and lose shutter speed and it wouldn't perform and stand at the right angle for me.

Hope you soon have something nicer to look at Graham. Must be a bit depressing to have that kind of view.
Roger

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Ollie

Thanks Jules and Graham. Was going to post one of the Starling full body but unfortunately the body wasn't sharp like the head, would have had to go to F12 or so to get it all sharp at that range and lose shutter speed and it wouldn't perform and stand at the right angle for me.

Hope you soon have something nicer to look at Graham. Must be a bit depressing to have that kind of view.
Roger

Thanks Roger. It is, especially as before it was a small private field. Once got this shot from there:


Never again.

One day there will be lovely houses to look at, within 30 ft of our bedroom, can't wait.

[mh68]

Another nice set Roger. The Goldfinch and Starling would be my pick of these....both are superb.

Mark H

[naturelover]

Ollie excelent photoes,so sharp and clear,love the sparrow did you notice he has dammaged toes, no nails on some of them.

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by naturelover

Ollie excelent photoes,so sharp and clear,love the sparrow did you notice he has dammaged toes, no nails on some of them.

Thanks Betty, hadn't noticed that. Didn't seem to impair his ability to feed as he went onto the feeders just after I took the shot. Wonder what caused the missing nails.
Roger

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by glsammy

Thanks Roger. It is, especially as before it was a small private field. Once got this shot from there:


Never again.

One day there will be lovely houses to look at, within 30 ft of our bedroom, can't wait.

Just hope your new neighbours are bird lovers Graham then there may be a possibility you will get more in your garden. That won't alter the view though
Roger

[big bill]

Geat Pics Guys well done so sharp with nicely diffused backgrounds with the emphasise on the bird

Cheers ...Bill