Tender Moment ?

Gallery: AvianPosted June 20, 2011171 views13 comments

Sand Martins
One from this morning.
Many of the birds at my colony have had nests predated which means many are re building. Others have flying yound and some with second brood chicks. These two are "talking" at the new nest hole which they are still digging out.
D7000 Sigma 50-500
400 ISO

250th @f11
Crop from horizontal
Histogram adjust in Paint Shop Pro

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on June 20, 2011 at 7:43 AM

Lovely intimate shot John. Nice dof and eye contact from both birds

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Oscar Dewhurst on June 20, 2011 at 10:23 AM

Great moment captured hear John.

Do you know what the main predator of the nests is? Is it a sprawk?

Oscar

Registered on August 6, 2009, 85 Posts, 502 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on June 20, 2011 at 10:50 AM

Sweet intimacy!
Is this a pair or parent and fledgling?
Perfect dof, comp, BG. and view of the nesting hole.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Kim Connolly on June 20, 2011 at 1:13 PM

Brilliant timing John, it's a beautiful shot and of course the detail is as always, excellent.

Registered on June 18, 2008, 14 Posts, 226 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 20, 2011 at 1:54 PM

Sweet image, John. I really like the interaction of the two Swallows.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on June 20, 2011 at 5:07 PM

Thanks all.
Sandy
Pair I think.
Oscar
Good question. Most likely Fox but there are Badger claw marks on the lower holes and magpies are at it and a kestrel too. They have it coming from all sides.!
Cheers
JohnR

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on June 20, 2011 at 5:25 PM

I like the intimacy of the image and the excellent techs.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on June 20, 2011 at 7:06 PM

A like the overall comp John. The color of the sand complements the birds.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on June 20, 2011 at 8:01 PM

John, I'm with those who like the intimacy of the shot - for me that's the strongest point here but I also like the pair at the nest hole and the sand color.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on June 21, 2011 at 9:42 AM

Looks like a tender one to me. Love it.You caught the perfect moment.

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Colin Pickett on June 21, 2011 at 5:19 PM

Nice detailed image John see you upgraded the D200. the large versions even better.

Registered on December 30, 2004, 23 Posts, 156 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on June 21, 2011 at 6:48 PM

Thanks
Yes Colin -the D7000 has opened up a whole new experience ! Love it !
Having said that theD200 did me proud and still is -175K activations at the last count ! Crikey (second hand bargain anyone ???