Another trip to Minsmere, a bit later than last times dawn visit, but still a good day out (Minsmere rarely disappoints).
Bitterns booming and Cetti's popping up everywhere but I concentrated on the Dunes on the seafront this time in the hope of seeing Dartfords, there were none showing on my last two visits. Sedge Warblers were singing in the reeds on the way down to the Dunes but there was plenty of activity in the Gorse and Bramble on the seafront to keep me happy on a largely sunny, if breezy, day.
Here's what I saw.
Trevor
Peering round the side South Hide, an Avocet feeding.
There's always Blackcaps and Wrens
Sedge Warblers were showing very well singing in the reeds.
Down in the dunes on the seafront Whitethroats, male and female were about.
The usual Stonechat, often a sign that there might be Dartfords about.
Then a glimpse of a Dartford
Then I had possibly my best ever showing of Dartford Warblers for the next hour or so.
A take off display from a Linnet.
Where have my wings gone, was I flapping too hard.
After the Linnet interval more Dartfords.
Finally a Red Admiral that looks like it's survived the winter here.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Just tried something with my Linnet taking off photos just to see what I could do with the sequence and here's the result.
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
A bit more experimenting, put in the starting photo this time, sadly definitely missed the frame where the wings came off.
A fabulous set of photos Trevor.
The linnet photos sequence, was that done using something like Photoshop, or does your camera (like the old SLR's, rewind without winding the frame on) have a setting to take several photos in the same file?
I'm awaiting a decent weather day for a trip to that part of the world.
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
TJS said:The Linnet sequence was done using PhotoDirector 12 using Layers, it's somewhat of a trial and error method so far until I get used to what I'm doing. At the moment I'm having trouble remembering quite what I've done to get the same results each time. I think my camera can do a direct overlay sequence but I've never tried it
Photoshop has a similar setup, though as yet, I've not been that successful, and TBH, I haven't really tried that much either, mainly because the background thwarts any attempt.
Getting a bit more proficient with overlay, here's a Redstart taking off at Minsmere last October.
Practice makes perfect, and a lovely job you're making of them.