Sunday 21 December 2014

The twelve birds of Christmas - part four

The seventh bird

Well two birds strictly speaking but the same species. The first being the long-staying male Red-backed Shrike at Winterton North Dunes. The second being a first winter Red-backed Shrike at Lowestoft, Suffolk, also a long stayer. In both cases heavy rain put paid to an extended photo session but not before I had at least managed some reasonable shots.


Male Red-backed Shrike, Winterton North Dunes NNR, Norfolk
 
A little later and a more soggier looking bird!   










 Taken on a tripod at f5.6, ISO400, shutter speed 1/125 and focal length 700mm.

Slightly less striking but a fine bird nonetheless, I called this one "The Bird's-Eye Shrike" in recognition of its preference for the brambles right behind the stunning back-drop of the fish finger factory in Lowestoft, Suffolk.


First winter Red-backed Shrike, Lowestoft, Suffolk

 Taken on a tripod at f5.6, ISO640, shutter speed 1/200 and focal length 700mm.


The eighth bird

On the same day I got soaked trying the photograph the Red-backed Shrike at Winterton, I tried to photograph a Wryneck at Great Yarmouth Cemetery. Not the easiest place to find birds because there is lots of cover and heavy rain didn't help. With only distant views, I decided to head home when the bird broke cover and flew down onto the path in front of me. I managed a few shots before it disappeared from view. By then I was 'super-saturated'!


Wryneck, Great Yarmouth Cemetery, Norfolk

Taken on a tripod at f5.6, ISO1000, shutter speed 1/1000 and focal length 700mm.



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