Sigma 120-400mm OS Lens Test

[Badllarma]

Here is a couple of image from today testing my Sigma 120-400mm OS Lens the Heron was taken with 2x converter on it and manual focus (a bit tricky)

[sleipnerofasgard]

I have a pic with that heron doing the balancing trick too,but mine was the day before,looks like Ron Barker hide,nice shots too

[Badllarma]

Cheers sleipnerofasgard, Yup Ron Barker hide butterfly was from the Kingfisher, I was wondering if there are any kingfishers ever to be seen from that hide

I had actually gone to sit in the Janet -------- (forgot the name) hide but is was being worked on as 400 mm would be about right for that one (had seen a Greater Spotted Woodpecker there a few weeks before).

Saw my first Avocet there yesterday which I was pleased about (this is only the second time I've been in recent history) BUT they are well out well beyond 800 mm to fill the frame anyway
I joined the WWT yesterday anyway as it only a few miles away and the ideal place for just nipping out to for a few hours

[sleipnerofasgard]

All the pics on my Martin Mere Report thread were from the Ron Barker hide so with your lens you should improve on my Kingfisher shot although i was there from 10 am till gone 4 pm with a short lunch break and that was the only sighting but there were plenty of people at mere sands wood getting good views and pics of one fishing and in the hour and a half that i was there i saw it 3 or 4 times,it really is the place to be for Kingfishers.
And the WWT membership is the best 30 odd pounds you will ever spend,we really are very lucky to have three great sites (including Marshside) in our relatively small area.someone really needs to look into getting a WABbers badge as we all seem to be in the same places at the same time without even knowing

[Badllarma]

He he...I agree with the badges be nice to bump into people from the forums live so to speak

Been back today (Sunday) hide seem pretty busy(I was there early for a Sunday but not early enough ) so went else where very windy though very little showing Janet Kear hide still down

I think I will limit future trips to week days (advantage of working shifts) , or get out of bed a bit earlier

[sleipnerofasgard]

I usually time all my outings for 9 30am but that is Martin Meres fault, they should really open a bit earlier in the summer,don't have that problem at Mere Sands Wood although i usually get out of bed at the same time as i do for work but have to take the dog out (see avatar) for an hour or sothat dog cramps my style,try getting pics of butterflies when the dog is throwing a ball at your feet,and forget about sneaking up on anything although i get good close views of swallows and house martens as they follow her through the grass