Monday, April 30, 2012

Wheatear

A very windy early afternoon saw me walking along Swansea seafront. Dodging the fallen trees, I saw a half-dozen Swallows flitting overhead, as well as a migrant Wheatear sheltering from the gales on a grass verge. It was quite approachable, but of course I don't have my big lens with me. I returned home to watch some snooker (can't miss Ronnie O'Sullivan!), and came out again later with my camera gear to see if the Wheatear was still around. I eventually located it a few hundred yards along the promenade, on the grass opposite St. Helen's. I tried a few shots with my 500mm lens attached to 1.4x and 1.7x converters, resting my camera on a beanbag on the ground for support:


I got a few strange looks from passing cyclists as I lay face down on the wet grass (but, with a face like mine, I get some strange looks at the best of times, so I'm quite used to it!):


It soon began raining, and got darker still, meaning I was down to a 1/2 second exposure at ISO 1600 (which is pushing it a bit on my 40D) for this shot:


I might head down to see if it's still there tomorrow, but my experience with Wheatears suggests they don't hang around long when passing through on migration, so I don't hold out much hope of it still being around.

9 comments:

  1. It was very windy here in Montreal today, Jeremy. What wonderful bird captures! Thanks so much for sharing.

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  2. Beautiful shots Jeremy! Well worth laying in the wet grass:)

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  3. Wonderful photographed.....compliments.

    Greetings, Joop

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  4. Gorgeous pictures!
    What's wrong with your face??? handsome man :-))
    I think they only want your 500mm lens.
    How long is the distance between you and the birds?
    Sometimes people can't imaging what you see through the lins. Even if they see what you see.
    Have a nice day
    Angela

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  5. Fantastic photography Jeremy. Let people think what they want! This kind of people are not worth it to think about. I know this bird is living also overhere, but helas I never saw it. And now I do know it. Thanks for sharing your great work.
    gr. Marijke

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  6. Beautiful pictures. I appreciate your effort. Lovely bird.

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  7. Those people giving you the strange looks, just might not get our sincere passion;) I am glad that you did lie down on the wet grass to get these splendid captures though Jeremy~

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  8. Some great images of the Wheatear there Jeremy enjoyed seeing your shots.

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