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Coal Tit on Galls
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Coal Tit on Galls

by Geoffrey Baker

Gallery: AvianPosted December 5, 201062 views7 comments
A coal Tit on Marble Galls.

These strange round objects are found on branches of oak trees and are caused by the larvae of tiny Gall Wasps (Andricus Kollari).
They change from green to brown when mature.
From the Autumn onwards emergence holes begin to appear as the contents escape.

This was a single shot and luckily I captured a snowflake as it bounced off one of the galls.

Sony A350
Sigma 50-500 EX
1/250th second
f7.1
ISO 400
330mm
+0.3 stop exposure compensation
Centre-weighted metering
tripod
Slight crop off the top and right hand side.

Comments

7 comments
Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 5, 2010 at 3:07 PM
I like the dull light and overall comp Geoffrey. Detail and sharpness look great. My only nit and it is a small one, a bit of a head turn would have added to the shot IMO.
Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 5, 2010 at 7:47 PM
Very nice. A nice simple setting and presentation. THe sew streaks of falling snow add to the image.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Angela McCain on December 6, 2010 at 12:54 AM
Really nice with great detail in the bird on the larger image. Love the perch. The snowflake is quite nice.
Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments
Comment posted by Andy Shepherd on December 6, 2010 at 9:36 AM

Another fine capture, Geoffrey. I'm liking the Gall perch big time.

Andy...
Registered on September 24, 2006, 123 Posts, 1254 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 6, 2010 at 10:46 AM
Those galls make for an interesting and subtly colorful setting Geoffrey. The snowflake burst is nice too. Looks to me like the wing and back are slightly sharper than the head but only marginally so. Nicely done.
Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments
Comment posted by Mia McPherson on December 6, 2010 at 7:48 PM
A wonderful image Geoffrey, lovely exposure, setting and that snowflake adds interest.
Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments
Comment posted by Derrick Lipinski on December 6, 2010 at 7:51 PM
Beautifully captured, Geoffrey! :smile:
Registered on October 5, 2007, 58 Posts, 2039 Comments