Sand Martin

[Stan]

At Blashford Lakes below and to the left of one of the hides are sand martin nesting banks. Like swallows they very rarely perch but i heard a couple of weeks ago that they were perching right outside the hide.

I went and spent 2 hours there on Monday of last week and although there was much flying activity, not one perched

Went back again this Monday and still lots of activity and within a few minutes one perched and preened in front of the hide followed a few minutes later by another. I have around 20 shots but this is one of my favourites, the bird having preened is stretching his wings

This is full frame and shot from a distance of 3.8 metres

Stan

1/800, f8, ISO 400, 420mm

[wayne2418]

Re: Sand Martin

Super shot Stan ... perserverance payed off in the end ...

[tesarver]

Re: Sand Martin

Stan

Tom

[Dave s]

Re: Sand Martin

Cracking shot mate

[Alan_H]

Re: Sand Martin

Brilliant Stan, have never seen one as close as that in photo or illustration

Alan

[AndyMulhearn]

Re: Sand Martin

Very nice shot Stan.

[Brian Sugden]

Re: Sand Martin

Just one word Stan, awesome. That's a future competition winner.

Brian

[Nathaniel]

Re: Sand Martin

Excellent shot showing so much detail. thanks for sharing

[the black fox]

Re: Sand Martin

Simply superb Stan ,can't recall ever seeing a perched one before well done

[Stan]

Re: Sand Martin

Thanks for commenting guys

Just one word Stan, awesome. That's a future competition winner.

I have plans for it Brian and am getting it printed up to see how it looks. We have an exhibition in a month but I already have my allocated 5 shots for that so will probably test the sand martin out on the camera club circuit first

stan

[Brian Sugden]

Re: Sand Martin

Good luck with the camera club circuit, I'm sure it will do very well.

Brian

[Stan]

Re: Sand Martin

thanks Brian

This is the one i think i will print - similar shot but a 5 x 4 ratio suits better

Stan

[mistral105]

Re: Sand Martin

Lovely image Stan - Regards John