Feeding Buzzard

[Mick Johnson]

These were taken in winter this year from a hide I've had for a few years now.

I do find these birds a bit addictive and I've got far too many shot's of them but I keep going. In fact, so addictive I've just found and setup a new site and now have two to choose from.

I particulary like the third image as it's a bit different from the norm.

I know some may not like this sort of image but Pol says it's ok.

[Stephen]

Re: Feeding Buzzard

Great stuff Mick, beautiful shots. Now its only my opinion of course, but these are better than Ducks any day

[ryme-intrinseca]

Re: Feeding Buzzard

Beautiful shots. great use of depth of field, the uncluttered backgrounds really make the subject stand out!

[Mick Johnson]

Re: Feeding Buzzard

Great stuff Mick, beautiful shots. Now its only my opinion of course, but these are better than Ducks any day

Thank's Stephen, I agree about the Ducks but I do have quite a few.

[Mick Johnson]

Re: Feeding Buzzard

Beautiful shots. great use of depth of field, the uncluttered backgrounds really make the subject stand out!

Thank's, it took me a long time to find this spot and the background is a very long way away.

I can probabaly get away with f11 at certain times of the year. These were f7.1.

[mib2]

Re: Feeding Buzzard

Very good indeed Mick - I love the full set - I think it may just be the latest duck thats caused the problems.
Keep them coming.
\dave r

[Autumn]

Re: Feeding Buzzard

Excellent group Mick.

I see lots of World Class wildlife photography - well actually birds, as one of our Photographic Society members has had his stuff published in magazines worldwide.

The judges can rarely find anything to critique on his and I think that there is very little they could critique on yours. I know they would like the uncluttered and muted background and they always mention the catchlight in the birds eyes. They may say No 3 could do with a little more room to the right, but I think you would be getting extremely favourable comments on this group.

[Pol]

Re: Feeding Buzzard

These were taken in winter this year from a hide I've had for a few years now.

I do find these birds a bit addictive and I've got far too many shot's of them but I keep going. In fact, so addictive I've just found and setup a new site and now have two to choose from.

I particulary like the third image as it's a bit different from the norm.

I know some may not like this sort of image but Pol says it's ok.

Oh aye! Those are definitely A-OK! Superb!

Do they come very quickly after you lay out the bait or do you have to wait in the hide for several hours? On the other hand maybe they know you by now and are probably on the look out you with yer goodies bag.

I especially like that third one. Looks like it's either screeching for joy or belching after a good meal.

Pol

[ekkl]

Re: Feeding Buzzard

Great pics Mick, thanks for sharing them

[Mick Johnson]

Re: Feeding Buzzard

Thank's for the comments.

Autumn, if I was putting that shot in a competition I would 'add' a bit more to the right. I say add because it's not cropped, or shorten the wing a tad.

Pol, I wish they did come quick, and regulary. Before I took these shot's I went ten times and also put a Rabbit out and left it for the day another 3 times so a total of 13 seperate days before they came again. I say they, as both the male and female came on this occasion.

The one with it's mouth open is the female and is calling to the male and covering the Rabbit with it's wings, 'mantleing' they call it. They both did this and they never come to feed together for some reason.

Like I say I have another site now and am confident they will come quite easy as I see them every time I go without fail. I am going late July/August when the young are about as they are nesting very close by.

[Pol]

Re: Feeding Buzzard

Pol, I wish they did come quick, and regulary. Before I took these shot's I went ten times and also put a Rabbit out and left it for the day another 3 times so a total of 13 seperate days before they came again. I say they, as both the male and female came on this occasion.

The one with it's mouth open is the female and is calling to the male and covering the Rabbit with it's wings, 'mantleing' they call it. They both did this and they never come to feed together for some reason.

Like I say I have another site now and am confident they will come quite easy as I see them every time I go without fail. I am going late July/August when the young are about as they are nesting very close by.

Many thanks for all that interesting stuff. I didn't know any of that about 'mantleing' but it makes good sense when you think about it.

Would they go for any other sort of road kill or is it just rabbits? How about fox, hedgehog or badger carcasses, or body parts of those? Would any of those be useful for luring them?

My brother-in-law (David's brother) was the really dedicated, well clued-up twitcher of the family until he died a few years ago aged just 45. He was always out somewhere 'holed up' watching and waiting. He didn't take photos but he did draw some fantastic pictures of what he saw, also made lots of tape recording of the bird calls with identifications and explanations. I so admired his patience and knowledge and artwork.

I admire your patience and skills too! It's wonderful to hear about it all and see the results.

I'm looking forward to seeing something from the new location. It would be fantastic if you could manage to get a few shots of the young'uns too!

Pol

[Mick Johnson]

Re: Feeding Buzzard

Would they go for any other sort of road kill or is it just rabbits? How about fox, hedgehog or badger carcasses, or body parts of those? Would any of those be useful for luring them?

Pol

I'm sure they would have a go at any sort of carcass and I know they spend a lot of time in the fields at certain times of the year feeding on worms etc.

I've not tried anything else but a friend of mine has tried a dead Squirrel, a Hare and a pheasant with no success.

[Pops]

Re: Feeding Buzzard

Nature in the raw. Fantastic shots Mick.
I never forgot seeing some of your Kingfisher shots a couple of years back and they inspired me to go for bird shots. These have just rekindled that inspiration.

[Mick Johnson]

Re: Feeding Buzzard

Nature in the raw. Fantastic shots Mick.
I never forgot seeing some of your Kingfisher shots a couple of years back and they inspired me to go for bird shots. These have just rekindled that inspiration.

Thank's for that Pops, i'm photographing the Kingfisher...again, atm.

[Pops]

Re: Feeding Buzzard

Thank's for that Pops, i'm photographing the Kingfisher...again, atm.

I look forward to seeing them.