Only May yet Tim and there's always that certain Crossbill...
I Didn't see the crossbill but for sheer watching joy ,you couldn't beat those summer plumage White winged Black Terns, and for a birder photographer, there's no contest there, Perfect light ,perfect birds, and constantly in view.
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Friday 23rd of May 2014 07:31:59 AM
I will agree with Ian there. We did actually discuss whether the terns or the crossbill would be our bird of the year for gm. Or what ever is still to come.
__________________
Did you see it? It was small and brown and flew that way.........................
Note Mr Tymon won this week, well done John, superb photograph;
Steve Young comments: "The two White-winged Black Terns at Elton Reservoir were popular among BirdGuides contributors this week and we had quite a few images submitted, but this shot by John Tymon has that little something extra that made it my Photo of the Week. With wings and tail fully spread and showing all the plumage detail, this is a great identification photo, while the freshly caught fly adds to the impact of this superb image. As well as the photographer's skill and a fast shutter speed, it is the lighting that has given this shot further impact; try and imagine it taken on a dull day with a grey sky background and no highlight in the eye. It would still have been a good photo, but when everything comes together and you take advantage of it as John has done, that's when you can have a winning shot."
Thanks Nick Im well chuffed ,but as much because its a GM bird rather than one of these rarities hundreds of miles away,which I wouldn't go to see anyway.These were cracking county birds found by patch workers on thier local patch and enjoyed by a lot of people on a rare perfect weather day and more than that at the weekend when after a hard week at week ,I had 6 hours in great company relaxing watching these crackin birds. Cheers John
Second that John. I'm sure Den got some crackers too but that shot of yours is a stunner. Not sure if I was there when you got it but I failed to buy a hat so didn't return that great day. Bird(s) of the Year? Hard to beat...
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Thursday 22nd of May 2014 07:31:19 AM
I ended up doing another 4 hours after you left Tim, I sent Den to the shop for some Bottles of pop when you didn't return as we were melting in the heat ,so not sure if you were there when I took the winning shot, but definitely Birds of the year for me, great birds to watch .
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Friday 23rd of May 2014 07:34:08 AM
Note Mr Tymon won this week, well done John, superb photograph;
Steve Young comments: "The two White-winged Black Terns at Elton Reservoir were popular among BirdGuides contributors this week and we had quite a few images submitted, but this shot by John Tymon has that little something extra that made it my Photo of the Week. With wings and tail fully spread and showing all the plumage detail, this is a great identification photo, while the freshly caught fly adds to the impact of this superb image. As well as the photographer's skill and a fast shutter speed, it is the lighting that has given this shot further impact; try and imagine it taken on a dull day with a grey sky background and no highlight in the eye. It would still have been a good photo, but when everything comes together and you take advantage of it as John has done, that's when you can have a winning shot."
Thanks Nick Im well chuffed ,but as much because its a GM bird rather than one of these rarities hundreds of miles away,which I wouldn't go to see anyway.These were cracking county birds found by patch workers on thier local patch and enjoyed by a lot of people on a rare perfect weather day and more than that at the weekend when after a hard week at week ,I had 6 hours in great company relaxing watching these crackin birds. Cheers John
Second that John. I'm sure Den got some crackers too but that shot of yours is a stunner. Not sure if I was there when you got it but I failed to buy a hat so didn't return that great day. Bird(s) of the Year? Hard to beat...
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Thursday 22nd of May 2014 07:31:19 AM
I didn't see the birds but they are a favourite of mine, so when I saw John's photos on Bird Guides a couple of days back I knew he had captured them in all their glory. I actually expected to see this as the winning shot: when you are a photographer (as I sort of am!), you know when you see something truly perfect that is right in every aspect. I hope, John, that you get the chance to take many more rarity shots in our county. Birds should be queueing up to have their snaps taken by you.
Note Mr Tymon won this week, well done John, superb photograph;
Steve Young comments: "The two White-winged Black Terns at Elton Reservoir were popular among BirdGuides contributors this week and we had quite a few images submitted, but this shot by John Tymon has that little something extra that made it my Photo of the Week. With wings and tail fully spread and showing all the plumage detail, this is a great identification photo, while the freshly caught fly adds to the impact of this superb image. As well as the photographer's skill and a fast shutter speed, it is the lighting that has given this shot further impact; try and imagine it taken on a dull day with a grey sky background and no highlight in the eye. It would still have been a good photo, but when everything comes together and you take advantage of it as John has done, that's when you can have a winning shot."
Thanks Nick Im well chuffed ,but as much because its a GM bird rather than one of these rarities hundreds of miles away,which I wouldn't go to see anyway.These were cracking county birds found by patch workers on thier local patch and enjoyed by a lot of people on a rare perfect weather day and more than that at the weekend when after a hard week at week ,I had 6 hours in great company relaxing watching these crackin birds. Cheers John
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Thursday 22nd of May 2014 07:31:19 AM
Note Mr Tymon won this week, well done John, superb photograph;
Steve Young comments: "The two White-winged Black Terns at Elton Reservoir were popular among BirdGuides contributors this week and we had quite a few images submitted, but this shot by John Tymon has that little something extra that made it my Photo of the Week. With wings and tail fully spread and showing all the plumage detail, this is a great identification photo, while the freshly caught fly adds to the impact of this superb image. As well as the photographer's skill and a fast shutter speed, it is the lighting that has given this shot further impact; try and imagine it taken on a dull day with a grey sky background and no highlight in the eye. It would still have been a good photo, but when everything comes together and you take advantage of it as John has done, that's when you can have a winning shot."
