On the case of curlew

[squidfish]

Hi

Have been undertaking a mini project over the last few weeks to get some curlew shots. The problem with this bird is that you only have to blink in their general driection from several hundred yards away and they start putting distance between themselves and you. I located a flock that was regularly using a meadow during high tides with about 60 birds present. The advantage of this place was there was a small unused car park next to the field which allowed for the 'mobile hide' approach from the car. I have made many attempts at getting the shots but to date the results had been sparse with just one of two shots. So I was back down the other day, thinking that it was going to be another fruitless attempt. Just as I was about to pack up, a pereguine flushed the flock and they came streaming back across the field towards me to land close by. Well certainly with in 500 and 1.4TC range. Minutes later the sun broke through and the stage was set for 10 minutes of joy as I filled a 1 gig card. As I have spent quite some time watching the birds I have found them totally absorbing with their behaviour. Anyway enough from me on to some shots...

At first the light was not to great but managed to steal a flight shot as they came back across the field towards me..


http://aquatic-photography.com/gallery/files/490-curlland.jpg


One thing that amazes me is how different individual birds can look and also how their colour is transformed by sunlight.

Under dull light


http://aquatic-photography.com/gallery/files/490-curll14.jpg


and when the sun shines


http://aquatic-photography.com/gallery/files/490-crl13.jpg


The females have the longer beak


http://aquatic-photography.com/gallery/files/490-crll20.jpg


but the beaks getting stuck constantly into the soil hunting for worms need a regular clean.


http://aquatic-photography.com/gallery/files/490-beakclean.jpg


They put on a fine display of their beautiful calls....


http://aquatic-photography.com/gallery/files/490-crllcry.jpg


http://aquatic-photography.com/gallery/files/490-shoutingcurlew.jpg


and then some decided to bathe http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/emoticons/smiley.gif in some large puddles on the field

Test the water for temperature first


http://aquatic-photography.com/gallery/files/490-crll6.jpg


and then go in a bit further


http://aquatic-photography.com/gallery/files/490-crll9.jpg


before having a good splash around to the clean the feathers

http://aquatic-photography.com/gallery/files/490-cirlbath17.jpg


http://aquatic-photography.com/gallery/files/490-crllbath7.jpg

All those hours of watching from a far now a distant memory http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/emoticons/smiley.gif

Cheers

Rich

[dnrdarryl]

Nice series! I like the bathing shots alot.

Now that you 'collected' your trophy what's next?

Penguins? :-)

[jhoetzl]

Wow, very nice! 500 + 1.4 huh! Holy reach batman!
And as your description says "and when the sun shines" - wow on that one!!!

[Schnauzer]

Really nice series Rich. Luck was with you on this shoot.

[alanhill]

I think I like the flight shot best. But the quality and consistency of the set is the most impressive thing of all.

Alan

[daniel364]

really nice series, very clear