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Mrs Sparrow hawk goes shopping
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Defiantly not the best quality images I have ever posted, but I am posting them any way because they go to prove you should always keep your camera close to hand, because you never know when you are going to need it.
Today I had to go to one of those large barn like warehouse called DIY stores, this one was the very new (HOME BASE) nearly in the centre of Nottingham, I had found what i was looking for when my eye was distracted by this vision swooping across the ceiling and alighting on one of the cross beams below a clear panel in the roof.
My 1st thought was that somebody was flying a falcon in the hall to get rid of an unwanted pigeon or sparrow that tend to get into them. Further investigation revealed no bell or leads (Jessies) attached to it legs.
My 1st ident was ? peregrine but as I got a better look I realised it had rounded wing ends and not pointed ones, and was a Female Sparrow hawk (Accipiter nisus)note the lovely chestnut barred chest in the lower image. For details about this beautiful small Raptor Have a look at this Page on the RSPB web Site.
After having got a couple of images , all taken on full optical zoom with flash set to maximum to try and overcome the light coming in through the roof light I was shooting against. Not a good combination not the most powerful lens or flash but it made a difference, we have detail.
I then spoke to one of the managers and apparently it had been in a day already , must of chased a bird in through the auto sliding doors these places have. and the they had spoken to somebody about it and they had said they were to leave the doors and the hall lights off. the idea being that it would be attracted by the outside light . Unfortunately I think they forgot the sky lights and it seemed to prefer sitting these to going down low to the door. I hope they manage to get her out, I would of thought her main problem would be dehydration as there is no source of water. I nearly suggested a pigeon on a string as bait the streets of Nottingham have more than a few to spare.
I rely hope this works out.
Having got a couple of images I went and made my purchase and hurried home to see how the images came out.
Well what you see here are probably around 90% crop as they where dark and very small.
Adjustments to image
Open image in PS
Crop image to 1200pixels High and save as Genuine Fractals. and close image.
Open image from GF folder and re-size image to 360 dpi to make a few pixels more to work with.
Shadows and Highlights to darken the skylight and lighten the Sparrow hawk.
Sharpen a hughe amount with USM, then clone out the resulting white line around the bird . Crop and paste the 2 images together , I decided on a double image because they both showed different aspects of the bird.
Flatten image
Save as
post to site and hope you like.
Happy New Year to you all where ever you are. Keep the images coming. |
coasties, PDP, red45, Dave, marhowie, Luc has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
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Happy New Year Robert. This are very interesting shots and a great note. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Robert
It is now 1131 a.m 1st January 2006 here in New Zealand. I just popped in to say.... HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I hope you have a safe prosperous 2006. Look forward to some more brilliant work from you.
- red45
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2703 W: 74 N: 8857]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(30219) - [2005-12-31 18:43]
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Happy New Year Robert and thank you once again for TN!
You're right - cam is man best friend ;-) Not best quality, but very interesting opportunity shots. I like picture and story!
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- Dave
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 525 W: 47 N: 674]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(2173) - [2005-12-31 19:19]
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Hi Robert,
I can identify with not having the best quality images...:-( My little camera just doesn't measure up, but at least I almost always have it with me...;-)
The note and the story it tells is awesome!
Thanks for sharing,
Dave
Ps May you have a Very Happy New Year!
Thanks for sharing these images of the sparrow hawk Robert. I know I get excited when I spot a new visitor and more often than not I'm all thumbs and the moment escapes me!
I spotted an american robin for the first time two days ago and just as I was ready to shutter the d*%m mockingbird attacked it, defending its territory and it was gone..
Hopefully next year we'll have some better luck..Happy New Year!!
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- PDP
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 2821 W: 344 N: 3779]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-n.gif)
(11769) - [2006-01-01 16:05]
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Hi Rob, as you say not the best quality. But I think worth posting. Maybe he was after some tools or materials to build a nest :-)
