One of my 'Nutties'

[acherontia]

Here's one I did a little while ago. I've a few others of one from elsewhere that are closer (it dined at the next table!) but I always prefer to see wildlife in typical poses/positions unless it's pretty stunning unusual behaviour that has been captured.



Acher

[Jim Ford]

Even though they're small and not aggressive, other birds don't seem to like them and clear off when a nuthatch comes on a feeder. Perhaps they're wary of the spiteful looking beak!

Jim

[feathered-friend]

nice pic

I find nutties are not too fearful of humans, probably the last bird to disappear when I approach the feeders, and they wait until i get really close!

[acherontia]

I agree - this was a really easy shot. Hardly any effort at all!

I just watched for his approach route for around an hour and waited for him to land on an area that I had previously gauged as far as exposure was concerned , adjusting the shutter speed in conjunction with f4 and ISO 400.

Training the focus area on the eye comes second nature these days as does hefting the 300mm lens and camera into the right position as the bird continuously moves so all in all it was a pretty easy shot, as I'm sure other photographers will tell you!
I suppose I was just 'lucky' that the bird chose this particular typical pose that highlighted the 'bokeh' between bird, tree and background.

All in all I suppose it isn't anything special - now I wish I hadn't sent it into a few competitions and put it in my college exhibition. I can't think why I was pleased with it in the first place, really I think it was something to do with good exposure and not having to oversharpen, or hardly do any PP.
I suppose it is a little 'old hat' portraying a species that isn't particularly hard to take or a little common, even. It all seems to be 'portrayal of the rare and difficult' these days. People seem to have stopped seeing the beauty in everyday things.

Thankyou both for the useful comments I have taken note for future images I take - I'll try to take something a bit harder next time rather than put an image on of something that's been done to death - one way or another .
Perhaps I could get friendly with some twitchers and buy a digiscope and compact camera - that may help with the approach to less common species as I can't afford a bigger lens than the 300mm at the moment

I'll have to wait until OH sells more images to the OSF and Alamy I'd best get back to helping him pp/clean/resize and generally prepare them to a very high standard instead of doing my own which aren't selling yet. Now there's a point - perhaps I should try to aim for the more unusual - either that or get my numbers up to over 1000 images like him. Come to think of it most of the bird images he's sold are of pretty 'ordinary' birds such as sparrows,blackbirds,gannets etc - only very well taken and to stock site standard. When his 80 odd image stacks of insects hit the market, soon, we might both get new lenses!! I live in hope LOL 'It's a hard knock life for us.....' etc etc

Acher

PS - As this is the photography section any interest in the photographic aspect would be welcome! Does anyone think it's a little 'dark'? I find that my images always seem to appear a bit duller when exhibited through the WAB library? Anyone else have this problem? And of course the resolution suffers from the reduction to 72 dpi. This image blew up well to A3 for the exhibition at 320 dpi.

[acherontia]

I've just remembered why I was pleased with it - it came second in 'photo of the month' on my photography forum! I was over the moon!
They're mostly not wild life buffs there - it's a forum for photographers of many persuasions and there's some excellent advice from the experts/professionals there.

I'd recommend these specialised forums for photography to anyone who's interested in improving the techniques and knowledge of photography - besides going to college/ university etc.

Acher

[Tobyh]

Acherontia,

I like the shot, nice and sharp (make sure you view at full size) although I'd agree it's a little dark for me too, not by much though. I really miss my Nutties -a local cat scared them out of their chosen nest tree and havent seen them for over a year.

I often look at pictures I've kept and wonder why I did and then I remember that I've only been serious with a camera for four years and the difference in my shots between then and now is immense - my first image was posted in July 2006 here. This reminds me of the journey of discovery and learning it has been to reach where I am and also that hard work and practice pays dividends. For that reason alone it's worth looking back!

I think you underestimate the effort it has taken you to achieve this image - sure it may have been easy at the time but think of all the effort reaching the level of understanding that allowed this image to be "easy". I did detect a little sarcasm in your post though so I'm sure you're more than aware.

Oh Jim - I've always found these birds to be quite feisty in my area - maybe the other birds are more than aware of their aggressive mature and get out early

TobyH

[acherontia]

Originally Posted by Tobyh

Acherontia,

I like the shot, nice and sharp (make sure you view at full size) although I'd agree it's a little dark for me too, not by much though. I really miss my Nutties -a local cat scared them out of their chosen nest tree and havent seen them for over a year.

I often look at pictures I've kept and wonder why I did and then I remember that I've only been serious with a camera for four years and the difference in my shots between then and now is immense - my first image was posted in July 2006 here. This reminds me of the journey of discovery and learning it has been to reach where I am and also that hard work and practice pays dividends. For that reason alone it's worth looking back!

I think you underestimate the effort it has taken you to achieve this image - sure it may have been easy at the time but think of all the effort reaching the level of understanding that allowed this image to be "easy". I did detect a little sarcasm in your post though so I'm sure you're more than aware.

Oh Jim - I've always found these birds to be quite feisty in my area - maybe the other birds are more than aware of their aggressive mature and get out early

TobyH

Bang on, Toby! I sometimes look back at some of my first efforts (before I bin them or hide them in a dark recess of the pooter) and it is quite a long journey - about the same time for me too.
It's a very steep learning curve and one should always be self critical- I am very self critical. Looking at other's work in a critical manner is also beneficial - though not quite as acceptable these days of 'only giving positive feedback in case you upset someone' type attitudes.
Some of my early stuff isn't too bad but I had no idea about sizing and resolution etc back then and my camera didn't have as many pixels. Good job I didn't print them much! (Another discipline to learn....)

I did detect a little sarcasm in your post

Who? Moi??

Those darn cats - grrr. One's after our resident nesting blackbird - I reckon it's just waiting till the young provide a decent snack.

Acher

[acherontia]

PS - Forgot to say, Tobyh, I like your images - especially the squirrel in the snow and the lamb and mun - I like photographing sheep - they have such interesting faces.

Acher

[Tobyh]

Thank you Acher, always good to hear someone enjoys your pictures - that's what it's all about!

TobyH