Fluff balls

Ollie · #1 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 10:19 AM

Hi all,
Yesterday whilst at Whisby Nature Park with Graham (glsammy) I took the shots shown below of the Long-Tailed Tits. Call it haste or inexperince if you like but I managed to cut the tails off them when I took them. However I love the expression on these little guys/girls so thought I would still share them with you all.
Cheers Roger.

Click to view full size

Mandy · #2 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 11:35 AM

Lovley pics! They are such endearing birds, I love watching them. They have so many expressive poses and cute features!

Mandy

John · #3 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 12:03 PM

One of my all time favourite birds Roger, and you have captured them so well. I had a real shock when I had one in my hand once. I just couldn't get over how tiny they were.

I think the only one I like better than our L T Tit is the Northern L T Tit. They are real beauties with lovely white faces. That is one bird I would love to photograph.

John

John

Madz · #4 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 12:15 PM

Oh They are just beautiful! If you'd tried to get the whole tail in, you'd have lost the close up expression.

Madz

aeshna5 · #5 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 02:53 PM

Excellent shots Ollie- I remember seeing a line of c8 birds huddled up together on a thin branch at Titchwell a couple of years back + it produced a real "aah" factor from folks.

I've not seen the white headed northern race that occasionally turns up that John mentioned- only seen the photos; think it was 2 winters back when there was quite a mini influx of these birds in a few places.

Long-tailed Tits are certainly one of the beneficiaries of the recent mild winters + are much more common than when I started birding.

Ben! · #6 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 03:08 PM

Great picture, one of my favourite birds and you have taken a great photo of it.

Wild-Woman · #7 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 03:15 PM

Aw! I've just had a rotten day at work, BUT, your pictures have just washed it away for me. Thanks. Wildlife...a cure for all.

Jules

John · #8 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I've not seen the white headed northern race that occasionally turns up that John mentioned- only seen the photos; think it was 2 winters back when there was quite a mini influx of these birds in a few places.

I was in Lithuania a year last September and came across a small flock of them. It was the only time I have seen them and they left a real impression on me, as they are absolutely stunning birds.

John

Ollie · #9 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 05:09 PM

Thanks for all the comments everyone.
John, I would love to see the Northern L T Tit but I don't expect theres much chance of that.
aeshna5, they do seem more common nowadays and as you said our mild winters have helped. Guess when you have such a small body mass as they have a harsh winter is going to be tough to survive.
Jules sorry you had a bad day but glad they cheered you up, hope it goes better for you tomorrow.
Roger

John · #10 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 05:20 PM

For those that don't know what Northern L T Tits look like, here are a couple of links to look at.
Northern Long-tailed Tits, Westleton Heath
Northern Long-tailed Tit

John

Ollie · #11 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 05:28 PM

They are absolute stunners John. Many thanks for the link as I had never seen a photo of one before
Roger

Gandalf · #12 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 08:42 PM

Very nice images of the Long-Tailed-Tits, Ollie.

I don't think it matters that you have not got all their tails in the images as it's their faces and expressions that the eye is drawn-to.

Gandalf: per digitus ad astra

cherrybee · #13 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gandalf

Very nice images of the Long-Tailed-Tits, Ollie.

I don't think it matters that you have not got all their tails in the images as it's their faces and expressions that the eye is drawn-to.

Gandalf: per digitus ad astra

I agree the photos are lovely and the expressions adorable well done Roger and thanks for sharing

Ollie · #14 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 09:02 PM

Thanks for the comments Gandalf and CB.
I did actually get most of the tails of the birds in the frame but seeing as there was a little bit missing off each tail I decided to crop them to balance the photos a bit better and show the facial expression a bit closer.
Roger

Mexico · #15 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 09:09 PM

Ollie
You certainly have capture some stunning images. I've also had a look at your website and was impressed with what you have there. Photography is also a passion of mine and I'm concentrating more and more on combining my other passion of wildlife.

I'd be interested to hear your views on the Bigma lens as it is something I am considering at some point in the future. I use a Minolta 5d and my main lens is currently an old Tamron 300mm f2.8L IF (manual focus!). This is a beast to carry around, especially with the 2x convertor. I've read your thoughts on the lens on the website, but if you have any niggles or concerns I would be grateful if you could PM me with them.

Congrats on the pics once more.

Mex

Barbara · #16 (**permalink**) 28-02-2007, 08:40 PM

Wow Roger your bird images are always excellent, but you have excelled yourself with these three stunning pics, I love the one where tit has it's head to one side, it is so cute.

Barbara

Little Firewall · #17 (**permalink**) 28-02-2007, 09:04 PM

Superb photos.

Any time they appear in our garden by the time I have oh'd and ah'd at them they fly away before I can even think of looking for the camera! Very well caught.

jennyb · #18 (**permalink**) 28-02-2007, 09:23 PM

What beautiful photographs. They are such lovely birds. We get them here occasionally but they always seem so hyperactive. I have never seen them sitting still as they are in your photos. I would not know how to start photographing them.

Jenny