Unfortunately that shot was taken last year, and I haven’t drunk anything alcoholic since, well, since things took a turn for the worst at home. Just haven’t felt like it.
The sort of shot I can only dream of taking. I have all the gear but our wild grey herons won’t fly near enough to me when I’m down near their river.
Only the best people, you know
Cheers
Hugh
That one of Alfred taking off -- it's the kind of shot that I, too, dream of taking and a lot of times -- too many -- I've missed out when my timing wasn't right in sync with Alfred or any other bird, or I didn't have the settings right, whatever..... Yesterday afternoon was just one of those magical situations where it all came together for a few moments and I was more than thrilled when I later looked at the images in the computer and saw that, yes, I'd actually nailed the BIF shot for a change! AND with a fish in his mouth, to boot! WOW. It's easy enough to take photos of Alfred standing around -- I've done that plenty of times -- but quite another to be successful in capturing a BIF shot.
Here on and around the lake we are rather spoiled as after a while our wild birds become accustomed to us and aren't too fussed when they see or hear us walking along the boardwalk or realize that we are standing there staring at them (or, ahem, taking their photos). Even the Hooded Mergansers, who migrate in-and-out of here in the spring and autumn, seem to need to re-acclimate themselves each new season. I see them being very sensitive to any sort of noises or movements when they first arrive, but then as time goes on they seem to relax and it's easier to get shots of them.
All of them -- geese, ducks, herons -- do immediately get skittish with dogs, though, when the human is walking one or more dogs around the lake, especially if a dog barks, and they quickly take off to somewhere else which feels safer to them, even though of course it is highly unlikely that anyone's leashed dog is going to suddenly leap into the water and go charging after the birds.
I am so fortunate to live in this delightful setting that is shared by humans and domestic animals and our wildlife friends....