Waxwings Visit Weymouth

[AdeKing]

I noticed that Waxwings have been regularly sighted in Weymouth over the last week, so I popped down earlier this week and was stunned by how trusting these birds are. They allowed an approach of 2-3m without batting an eye.

The light was dismal on the day that I got this shot, but I'm quite pleased with the result.

Not a lot of processing was done, apart from some contrast and sharpening done in in DPP.

#1


#2



Judging by the catchlight in the eye, my Speedlite 550EXwas used in #2 (Manual at 1/32 power .....I think).

Comments and critique are welcome.

Ade

[oldcanon]

Re: Waxwings Visit Weymouth

You clever, lucky chap - I've still not seen one yet

[colin C]

Re: Waxwings Visit Weymouth

I am envious and have never seen one in the flesh.

Colin

[AdeKing]

Re: Waxwings Visit Weymouth

Thanks Colin and oldcanon,
I have to confess that Waxwings are just about my favourite winter visitor, I think that they are just stunning birds.
I have never had views of them like I have this year, and the fact that I've got some nice images to boot, is a bonus.

Thanks for taking the time to look.

Ade

[Muscat]

Re: Waxwings Visit Weymouth

I am told that about 2 weeks ago there were over 2,500 of these little fellas in a bay between Sandwich and Margate about 20 miles from where I live and did I see one of them did I heck. Unfortunately they have now moved on

[raymon]

Re: Waxwings Visit Weymouth

Great shots taken when an opertunity presents itself, I have yet to see a waxwing in the wild, dead envious.

Ray

[AdeKing]

Re: Waxwings Visit Weymouth

Muscat, 2,500 Waxwings, thats a sight that I'd like to see, its a shame that they didn't grace you with their presence though. When you do get to see them though, if my experience is anything to go by, they are incredibly trusting and don't spook easily so give plenty of photo opportunities.

raymon, thanks for your comments. I notice that you're based in Bracknell. When I used to work for Dell in Bracknell a few years ago, we used to quite often see Waxwings in the trees lining the cycleway that runs along the Wokingham Road between the 3M roundabout and the Downshire Way roundabout. I hope that you get to see some soon.

Thanks for taking the time to look and comment,

Ade

[pelliott1954]

Re: Waxwings Visit Weymouth

Very nice Waxwings shots Ade, sadly, like a lot of others I have never seen a Waxwing.

Some very nice shots on your Website also Ade.

Regards Paul

[Stan]

Re: Waxwings Visit Weymouth

Two nice shots particularly the second with the inclusion of the berries.
There were a flock near Sainsburys in Poole a few weeks ago but unfortunately I missed them

Stan

[AdeKing]

Re: Waxwings Visit Weymouth

Paul, thanks for taking the time to comment and for your kind comments about the images on my website. Sorry that you've not managed to see a Waxwing yet, but believe me, when you do, you'll remember it.

Stan, there was also a big flock at Asda in Poole feeding on the berries there, but I didn't manage to get that far over. Thanks for the comments, I like the second shot with the berries, but prefer the pose in the first one. The first shot was taken after the greedy little beggar had stripped all of the berries from the branch its sitting on.

[gary1968]

Re: Waxwings Visit Weymouth

2 stunning shots, No1 is my fav.
Thanks for sharing,

Gary