Life on water

[Tordan58]

I have been visiting an area quite close to home with a handful of rather small man-made ponds. The ponds are the result of clay excavation in the 1800/1900's, eventually abandoned in the mid 1950's, gradually reclaimed by nature populating them with dense vegetation and rich aquatic life.

During the course of some visits evening time I spotted in total 40+ bird species. Quite amazing considering the area is squeezed between a motorway, a railway line and urbanized aread. Few people visit the place, the birds are not used to people, land access is difficult, so a telephoto lens is an absolute must.

Sharing some pictures of the life on water. (I have many more to show but will stop for now).

I plan to go back in a few weeks' time to check the area again.

Thanks for looking,
Tord

E620 @800 ISO
Skywatcher 600mm, some with EC14 and some with EC20 (where EXIF says 0mm)

Greylag Geese


Common Gull


Red-breasted Mergansers (quite rare in my home area, haven't seen any for years)


Placid Swan overtaken by Coot


Coot


Red-necked Grebe


Red-necked Grebes (picture taken a bit too late, too long exposure time)


Tufted Ducks


Goldeneyes


Goldeneyes (she does not seem to impressed by his display)


Great Crested Grebes


Great Crested Grebes

[Imageryone]

Re: Life on water

These small areas of old industrial sites always amaze with the diversity of wildlife who inhabit them. In England, many have been turned into leisure areas, but it is the really forgotten ones that spring perpetual surprise.
Looking forward to more from here, Tord, terrific shots.

[EvaWood]

Re: Life on water

I have been visiting an area quite close to home with a handful of rather small man-made ponds. The ponds are the result of clay excavation in the 1800/1900's, eventually abandoned in the mid 1950's, gradually reclaimed by nature populating them with dense vegetation and rich aquatic life.

I love how nature takes over when given half a chance! What a great place, to be able to see so many birds and get this lovely set of photos

[Phill D]

Re: Life on water

Fantastic images Tord and at such a long range too.

[Wee man]

Re: Life on water

What a lovely find with some great shots you are getting good results from your kit

[jdal]

Re: Life on water

Good detail for ISO 800. Another nice set Tord, I really like all the Grebe shots.

[Tordan58]

Re: Life on water

Good detail for ISO 800.

I am happy you seem to like the result.

Many of these pictures are undexposed up to 1EV on purpose (in contrary to what many believe is the right thing to do), otherwise the highlights would have been blown (DXO Optics is not the best in recovering highlights). I also wanted to preserve the natural impression of dark water without losing too much details in the shadows so it was a bit of trial and error.

At ISO 800 there is noise clearly visible in the E620 RAW files. Chromatic noise correction in DXO Optics is generally too aggressive so I usually turn it down to 40-50% of the proposed value, preserving more details.

[Tordan58]

Re: Life on water

Fantastic images Tord and at such a long range too.

Thanks,
I would say the range is between 25 and 100 meters. Air conditions over water were good, over land it would have been an issue.