Into Hiding
Hello.
Well I finished a job yesterday lunchtime and so, on the way home, I nipped to a bird hide I found a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to capture at close hand some bird shots using my flash (forced). Apart from the Egret shots, all are forced flash with my 135mm lens.
I hope ya like em. Thanks.
The first 5 shots are of the very common Blue Tit.
A cute, brightly coloured member of the Tit family.
always willing to pose for you.
Well most of the time!!! Lol
That's better. I would just like to point out here, surprisingly, the birds were not or did not seem to be bothered by the flash.... Another tip I picked up is, when trying to anticipate where a bird will land, use both eyes, one in the viewfinder and use the other one to keep an eye on the peripheral vision and as soon as you think a bird is going to come into shot, press that shutter and with a bit of luck you will get them landing.
Like this one, just landed, I think it works quite well. This is a female Chaffinch.
Here, the more brightly coloured male, showing the back markings.
This is the female Chaffinch again, not as brightly coloured as the male but still a pretty bird I think
from whichever angle the head is turned.
Another go at the landing, those blurred wings giving a great sense of movement to the shot as a lot of members have commented on.
The largest of our Tits, the Great Tit. Striking colours I think.
Just another angle on the Great Tit, feeding this time.
Our very common House Sparrow. Again, we see them all the time but I think their markings are quite attractive.
Well it is nearly Christmas and I suppose a birdie blog would not be complete without a shot of our own Robin.
The light was never very good Friday afternoon and this shot taken into where the sun was placed, again forcing the flash to make the Autumn leaf stand out against the brighter background.
Last but not least, the Little Egrets. I counted 17 here altogether and they were busy making a noise and moving from place to place.
Landing in the reed beds
in groups of up to six at a time.
Just in front of the hide, the Mallard came in for the night, it is quite dusk now and the flash has lit up the eyes to give that "Red" look to them.
Making an appearance, a Grey Squirrel wanted to be in the blog shots.
Now I have found this hide, I hope to frequent it next Spring and Summer to show other variety of birds and by then, I am hoping that Santa Claus will have brought me 400mm prime lens so that shots like those of the Egrets, will be a lot better.
Thanks for taking the time to pop by. I hope you liked the shots.
See Ya
- Steve Ransome's blog
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These birds are beautiful good job pal. where was the hide? must of been somewhere nice.
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M-A Kirwan
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lovely blog Steve - love the shots of the birds wings
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Great blog Steve and brilliant photos...Many thanks for sharing, it was a joy to see.
Regards
Bob
Bob Cairns
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Nice blog Steve,shame the Egrets weren't a bit closer,not seen any around here yet
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Great blog Steve. Where was this, anywhere near Conwy RSPB, or closer to your neck of the woods?
Mike
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Wonderful shots, great way to spend an afternoon.
Ray
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I very much enjoyed this, nice photo's
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Always a pleasure seeing your shots Steve thank you for sharing these.
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Great set of bird shots Steve, as I mainly use my big lens I've never got close enough to use flash....something to think about in the future though.
Well done mate!
Liked
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Hi Steve a splendid set of bird photos hard to pick a fav but the ones with wing movement appeal to me thanks for sharing Martin
Allways be prepaired you never know what shots around the corner
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Show off, and I thought those "Little Egrets" were called "Long legged white birds", I could be wrong though.
Some stunning photos again Steve, you seem to have a knack of getting the birds to pose for you.
Nice one mate.
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Good shots, the first landing one is my favourite. You were very fortunate to find the hide !
Regards, Mike
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A collection of very sharp photographs. Great to see.
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Great bog on birds Steve well done M8 and one Squirrel shot as well
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Thanks everso much for your feedback folks. Michael, the hide is very close to Bangor, well away from Conway. If you know this area at all, it is located at a place called Tal-y-Bont just outside of Bangor City. If you like, behind the Penrhyn Castle. They have a Kingfisher there too, I will capture the bugga one day!!! Lol
Thank you all again, very heartening to see the response to just a Birdie Blog.
Steve
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Lovely little blog Steve - well done mate- some super captures here.
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am very jealous...I can't capture bird pic's at all...beautiful photo's.
Sue
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A great birdie blog Steve, I like the way the flash has 'brightened up' the birdies, nice sharp captures.
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Well done Mr R, a very colourful and informative collection of shots. Nice use of the flash as well, it has certainly 'brightened' my morning up...
Ian
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Nice Blog Steve,all great captures well done.......A big LIKE from me!
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Regards Michael
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Well what can I say - as always another terrific blog from you, you Flash Devil !
Thanks for your comments on my Flickr page.Chris xxx
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Stunning Steve, superb bird shots, will fave so I can come back for more scutiny. Liked a lot.
Delia
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good blog like the ones with the birds landing shame u still not got a kingfisher.
i saw a kingfisher perched on a tree yesterday gutted it was to far away had camera in hand too but was on a boat at the time lol
wont be going back to try and get a photo i was at longleat and it was near the hippos lol
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Another great blog Steve - quality shots.
I never seem to get close enough to birds to use flash - the second Bluetit shot is my favorite, looks good with the crest raised.
Thanks for your comment on my latest blog.
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I've always loved your bird shots Steve, and it's even better seeing them all together in a blog.
Among my favs are the bird with the moving wings, the one feeding and of course the robin.
Thanks for sharing, always a pleasure to view.
Viv
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Hi Steve what a stunning photoblog as usual you have captured those birds Beautifully my favourite is the blurred bird you did so well capturing that one. I also liked the robin as you said it getting near to christmas. Steve you certainly find some super places to Photograph and keep them coming many thanks for sharing M8T best wishes BoB.
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nice one my Friend
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A good job done, as usual Steve. Thanks for sharing.
Elizabeth
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Cracking stuff, Steve. A 135mm you say? Proves that you don't need a mahoosive lens to get great nature images. Thanks for posting
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Another fab blog from Bird man Steve! My favourite is the second one, a gorgeous sharp shot with a wonderful background. You say " the very common blue tit" but I haven't seen one for ages, perhaps my nuts are inferior! Thanks for sharing, well worth the effort. xxx
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Smashing blog Steve - you've taken some great shots of our feathered friends (plus squirrel!). The 'landing Chaffinch' ones are terrific. I especially enjoyed looking at the Egrets as I actually managed to take a pic of one last weekend - it was the very first time I'd ever seen one never mind capture one with my camera! The pic wasn't that great but I was still thrilled to bits to get it!
Di.
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Great blog, Steve, lovely photos. Oh, and how do you know the blue tits are common?? They could be quite refined!
Karen.
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Very clever with your comeback. LOL. xx
Karen.
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Some lovely shots steve the Tits look very colourful and vibrant thanks for sharing
Gez
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They are so sharp, Steve.
You are certainly good at your bird photography. I know how much you enjoy this subject too.
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I am never disappointed when I read one of your blogs, Steve! The photography is superb. You certainly know your birds! Thanks for sharing.... PS I hope you have been good this year, so Santa brings you a new lens;)
Eleanor
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Hello Steve!
Gorgeous series of photos of our little feathered friends!
I looked through it with great pleasure. I am very grateful to you for your invitation!
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Wonderful photoblog Steve ~ fabulous photography. All things bright and beautiful and you captured the little feathered friends really well. Thanks for sharing Steve and for your message. Glad you liked my firemen photoblog
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Some cracking shots there Steve. Like the Finch with the wings out, stunning. Take a pair of clippers next time to remove those odd annoying branches that get in the way!!!!!
Was it the on board flash you were using?
Spot on.
Stu.
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A very nice set of colourful images Steve. I'll have to have a go at birdy shooting.
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Nice set of shots Steve, well worth the effort
T-mex
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Beautiful capture with action.
This time will pass.
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Awesome photos Steve. The flash works really well and makes the photos look very professional. The colours in the second photo are outstanding.
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Another superb blog Steve, I thoroughly enjoyed it
I can't pick a fav....they're all soooo good [how do you do it?]
Big Mwah to you, Ali xxx
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Stunning bird blog Steve, must try forced flash on my "birds" when the light is rubbish, all great shots, my favorites 1. 6 and 10 outstanding, 14 cute Robin. Rob
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Steve, this is such a fabulous blog, the colours are incredible, my favourite photo is the second one. You really are a master at bird photography. I will have to pop you in my bag when I go away in January, to give me some tips. I am hoping to capture some incredible bird and other animal shots. I will be pleased if they are only half as good as yours. The tip with the flash is very useful. Pam xx
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brilliant - love the Robin - must get out in the early to take pics of our woodpecker will he still be around? cheers Jean
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Great blog Steve. You must have had a wonderful time just sitting there snapping away. Brill. That's your 50 up.
Jean
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this is a really good blog thanks for sharing.
Thanks for taking the time to look threw my bird blog, i also think the bearded tit is my fravourite , thanks again.
Please have a look threw my pictures, I will be very greatfull of any feed back.
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Only just found your blog steve , very glad I did. Some loverly shots.
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