tdgraves big year 2022 - here's hoping it's (all) better!

[TravelMore]

Lovely reflection on that swan  @Tdgraves. I noticed you also had one on a bif in a trip report as well. Can you remind me what you are shooting with? I'm t- 48 here for zambia and taking a boatload of sony🤣😂🤣😂 

 

First time to Zambia so focussing on reach. Aiming for cats as always, but hippos and carmine bee eaters are High On The Agenda🤞

Edited August 27, 2022 by TravelMore

[Tdgraves]

23 minutes ago, TravelMore said:

Lovely reflection on that swan  @Tdgraves. I noticed you also had one on a bif in a trip report as well. Can you remind me what you are shooting with? I'm t- 48 here for zambia and taking a boatload of sony🤣😂🤣😂 

 

First time to Zambia so focussing on reach. Aiming for cats as always, but hippos and carmine bee eaters are High On The Agenda🤞

canon. I have tended to use the 7d crop frame sensor in the past for birds (as they are generally smaller and further away) but recently I have been using the 5d which has more pixels and faster auto-focus. Our first safari was to Zambia and we had an entry level dslr with a zoom lens, but still got some great photos. Carmines are a nightmare unless you get them on a perch. Enjoy your trip, I’m sure it’ll be fabulous 

[TravelMore]

8 minutes ago, Tdgraves said:

canon. I have tended to use the 7d crop frame sensor in the past for birds (as they are generally smaller and further away) but recently I have been using the 5d which has more pixels and faster auto-focus. Our first safari was to Zambia and we had an entry level dslr with a zoom lens, but still got some great photos. Carmines are a nightmare unless you get them on a perch. Enjoy your trip, I’m sure it’ll be fabulous 

Thx. Hoping my animal eye focus on the a7riii helps. Couldn't justify the jump to an a1 or canon 5r ..... yet😂😂🤣😁

Edited August 27, 2022 by TravelMore

[Tdgraves]

Just found one on my iPhone from South Africa….

Nigel, 14/1/22

 

 

275) Speckled pigeon

[Tdgraves]

Before we went away, I thought I ought to try a Snettisham spectacular, something that is not usually possible due to work. This is where the very high tide pushes all of the waders up the estuary towards the onlooking birders and eventually into the air. The weather in August is a bit more reliable than in the winter, but not guaranteed. The day I went was the last of a run of three, but there were plenty of people there, despite the early hour, which was in fact later by an hour than on day one. It is quite a trek from the car park, especially I was carrying the new lens and tripod. The weather and light were good when I arrived, but it clouded over once the action began. The tripod was a necessity and probably would have been so with my old lens. Most of the action is quite far away and the North sea wind is unforgiving. Anyway, it was indeed spectacular, with he largest number of birds I have ever seen. Photographically it was a bit more of a disappointment, given how far away everything was. Anyway, plenty to add to the list, including some lifers...

 

7T4A9958 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

7T4A0081 by tdgraves, on Flickr

Edited October 3, 2022 by Tdgraves
extra photo

[Tdgraves]

RSPB Snettisham, Norfolk, UK, 31/8/22

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 200-400 f/4L, ISO 400, f5.6, 1/3200

 

7T4A9996 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 200-400 f/4L, ISO 320, f7.1, 1/1250

 

7T4A0236 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

276) Red knot

[Tdgraves]

RSPB Snettisham, Norfolk, UK, 31/8/22

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 200-400 f/4L, ISO 320, f5.6, 1/800

 

7T4A0341 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

7T4A0023 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

277) Common ringed plover

Edited October 3, 2022 by Tdgraves
extra photo

[Tdgraves]

RSPB Snettisham, Norfolk, UK, 31/8/22

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 200-400 f/4L, ISO 320, f5.6, 1/2500

 

7T4A0324 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

278) Little stint (I think)  Sanderling (-1 to the count)

Edited October 4, 2022 by Tdgraves
incorrect ID

[Tdgraves]

RSPB Snettisham, Norfolk, UK, 31/8/22

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 200-400 f/4L, ISO 320, f5.6, 1/3200

 

7T4A0165 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 200-400 f/4L, ISO 500, f5.6, 1/3200

 

7T4A0135 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

279) Eurasian oystercatcher

[Tdgraves]

RSPB Snettisham, Norfolk, UK, 31/8/22

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 200-400 f/4L, ISO 250, f5.6, 1/1000

 

7T4A0021 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

280) Curlew sandpiper

[Tdgraves]

RSPB Snettisham, Norfolk, UK, 31/8/22

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 200-400 f/4L, ISO 250, f4, 1/1600

 

7T4A9933 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

281) Eurasian curlew

[Tdgraves]

RSPB Snettisham, Norfolk, UK, 31/8/22

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 200-400 f/4L, ISO 800, f5.6, 1/8000

 

7T4A0037 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

282) Common tern

[Tdgraves]

RSPB Snettisham, Norfolk, UK, 31/8/22

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 200-400 f/4L, ISO 400, f5.6, 1/2500

 

7T4A0302 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

283) Common redshank

[Tdgraves]

RSPB Snettisham, Norfolk, UK, 31/8/22

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 200-400 f/4L, ISO 400, f5.6, 1/2000

 

7T4A0181 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

7T4A0122 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

284) Peregrine falcon

[Tdgraves]

RSPB Snettisham, Norfolk, UK, 31/8/22

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 200-400 f/4L, ISO 320, f5.6, 1/800

 

7T4A0286 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

285) Twite   Common linnet

Edited October 4, 2022 by Tdgraves
incorrect ID

[TonyQ]

Amazing to see so many birds together. It must be an exciting sight, and you captured it well.

 

I wonder if your Little Stints are a bit big to be Little Stints?

(I am no expert )

They seem to be about the same size as the Ringed Plover

My book says Ringed Plover are about 18-20cm while little Stint are 12-14cm. But I could be wrong…

[Tdgraves]

RSPB Snettisham, Norfolk, UK, 31/8/22

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 200-400 f/4L, ISO 400, f5.6, 1/1600

 

7T4A0300 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

286) Eurasian stonechat

[Tdgraves]

1 minute ago, TonyQ said:

Amazing to see so many birds together. It must be an exciting sight, and you captured it well.

 

I wonder if your Little Stints are a bit big to be Little Stints?

(I am no expert )

They seem to be about the same size as the Ringed Plover

My book says Ringed Plover are about 18-20cm while little Stint are 12-14cm. But I could be wrong…

 

I was wondering about that too, which is why I put the proviso. I suppose that they could be sanderling, but they are smaller than what appears to be an individual sanderling in the middle of shot.

 

I hate waders 

[Tdgraves]

a couple of duplicates and that is it (I haven't poured over every flock to find errant individuals) and I have already posted dunlin. In fact, I distinctly remember seeing a tiny godwit in a flock somewhere, but not enough to prove which type it was...

 

7T4A0306 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

7T4A0303 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

7T4A0257 by tdgraves, on Flickr

[Dave Williams]

Spectacular numbers and well caught in my opinion. Getting closer isn't really a benefit. Re the ID I'd say they  were Sanderling and Dulin along with the RP but only because I'm not sure you get Little Stint in an numbers in the UK but I could be wrong and probably am. That said they are a bit large too.

[TonyQ]

I think they could be Sanderling also

[PeterHG]

Impressive number of birds there and well caught!

[Kitsafari]

Wow at those number of birds. spectacular captures.

[Galana]

15 hours ago, TonyQ said:

I wonder if your Little Stints are a bit big to be Little Stints?

Mon Brave!

I agree they are Sanderling.

I would also gird up my loins and suggest your 'Twite' may well be Linnets?

 

Top marks for the Peregrine too.

Edited October 4, 2022 by Galana
added text.

[Tdgraves]

12 minutes ago, Galana said:

 

I would also gird up my loins and suggest your 'Twite' may well be Linnets?

 

I couldn’t find any in the group that looked like male linnets and hence plumped for twite….