Southport area reserves - A day with Andy Bate. Part 1
My New Years resolution was to improve my photography, in conjunction with my birdwatching. To improve shots I already had of some species, and get shots of 'firsts' - species I had never seen, or taken shots of before.
Today I hoped to do all of the above. A big ask? Maybe!
Despite the appalling weather of the last few days, the forecast for today was promising for my trip to the various reserves aound the Southport area for a tutorial/workshop with local Pro-Photographer Andy Bate. Arranging to meet at 0830 at the RSPB Marshside reserve gave a great view of the sunrse over the Sandgrounders Hide.
Following a brief run through of my camera settings, photography experience and birding knowledge, it was agreed that we would head over the the WWT reserve at Martin Mere, where the sun would be better placed to give us good views of the wintering Whooper Swans.
Many of the Whoopers were displaying, and reinforcing their pair bonds following their arrival from Iceland to their wintering grounds at Martin Mere
Even some of the Whooper families were squabbling amongst themselves.. or maybe the young were picking up behavioural tips from Mom & Dad?!
Actually I'm not sure if perhaps the cygnets were trying to break the fight up..!
There are so many Whoopers at Martin Mere, it is possible to be overwhelmed and spoilt for choice.
Andy advised me to get an idea of the shot I wanted, then watch & wait for that pose or behaviour. Easier said than done in such a crowded venue!
'Line astern' A pair of Whoopers head straight towards us in the hide.
"Fieldcraft is the key to getting great shots, knowing your subjects is the key to good fieldcraft"
"Give your subjects space to swim or fly into" Using ripples and reflections helps with positioning.
I was happy to get a slightly more serene 'family shot' Though their positioning was not ideal.
Another few seconds of patient waiting and... much better!
But Whoopers aren't the only water birds at Martin Mere, there were plenty of wild Pintails showing well also...
So once more, form an idea of the shot you want, and wait...
Then it was into the main building for a lunch break, a review of my/our shots so far and another question time.
Martin Mere is also home to a number of endanged & captive birds, which are quite amenable to a quick pose.
This Nene was particularly helpful allowing me to get a couple of head-study shots
Whilst a colleague was in a more reflective mood
And giving us the full benefit of its minimal height!
An un-natural break in proceedings due to the Upload Monster eating the next batch of pics. Part 2 can now be found here
Free or not, the uploader should 'do what it says on the tin' and damn well upload!
Kaz
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Don't give up Kaz! There's some brilliant shots here and well worth the visit.
I'll pop back again when you've finished, can't wait.
Viv
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Thats a dam shame as it was excellent blog loved the final 2 shots posted of the reflections lets hope you can get it finished sorry to hear that you have problems uploading.
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Hi Kaz, beautiful pics. A like from me. I've just uploaded my blog from today with no probs but couldn't do anything yesterday !! I thought it was me but maybe not !! Good luck with the second half. Debs
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Love your shots Kaz, the swans have always been a favourite of mine and I cant resist taking them whenever i see them.. keep trying to upload it took me over an hour to do mine yesterday x
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Have you tried resizing the images to 535 pixels on the longest side before uploading? The uploading then takes seconds for each image and is less likely to crash.
I've never had a problem with blogging since I used this method.
Keep going Kaz, we really wanna see those photos!!
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Some good ones there Kaz.
Keep trying. I'll come back when it's finished.
Monty.
http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/469385
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Kev, I always downsize shots before uploading to a max 800x600, same as I use for everything else. If I have to do them a different size just for Fuji, I wont be bothering any more, it takes more than long enough as it is
Why can't we have a mass uploader, then add comments after instead of one by one...?
Kaz
Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish. John Jakes
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52498776@N02/
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Hello Kaz
Just come in from a night on the town...Ah such a shame all did not go according to plan!! What you have presented so far is smashing, the shots and the narrative. Love the shots that you waited for, the groups shot of the Whoopers. Shows you have the patience with the swans but not with the site!!! Lol. Not your fault I am sure, honest. If you still have the rest of the photos that you intended to upload, stick em in another one "part 2".!!! Anyway, from what you have shown, they are lovely photos each. XXX
Steve
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Great blog - some lovely shots
and I too have trouble uploading - it's so'ooooooooooooo frustrating when you think you have done 20 pics and they just disappear 
My last blog took me 2 days on and off !!!! but that was 204 pics - crazy I know !!!
I have just done a new Blog called ‘10 Days in Morocco’ it’s taken me a couple of days to download and is a bit of an epic – sorry. I bet you can’t make it too the end
http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/blog/389003/405199
Check out the Gallery too if you like
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Hi Kaz.
Keep at it and you'll finish this.
The nice crisp pictures will make it worth while Kaz.
I had similar trouble today and it took me the best part of the day to complete it.
Good advice for water fowl
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fuji are providing a free site to upload your photos what do people expect?if you are not happy try somewhere else ,remember thousands of people might be doing the same thing at the same time..............i for one, am grateful that i can show off my limited talent,to get honest opinions on my pics.......
cris...
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keep at it some good shots so far
contrast entry
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crissyb, I agree with you whole-heartedly - I have no issue if the site runs slow because it's busy. I just get mighty p'ed off when I've spent an hour or more cropping, file downsizing, collating, writing and uploading, for 1/2 of my work to just vanish into the ether never to be seen again... Unless I start again!
Kaz
Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish. John Jakes
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52498776@N02/
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Hi Kaz. Nice to see you around on the Fuji site. Lovely photoblog with interesting photography. I particulary thought the second to last image was wonderful in the 'reflective mood'. Thanks for compiling and sharing
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some wonderful swan photos. love the group ones. martin mere only 1 mile from me but i dont go when its cold
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A great blog, Kaz, with some lovely sharp images. Thanks for posting. I'll go find part 2 now.
Pictures through my kitchen window: http://granddadjohn.wordpress.com/2013/01/22/
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congratulations on persevering Kaz - it was well worth it, both blogs are super and you have some cracking shots - A very worthwhile day
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