Birds - Weekly Competition 26th October
Chat Thread
Birds of any description from pets to wild. Whether in flight, perched in a tree or sitting on the water the choice is yours.
No restrictions on PP.
Pictures to be taken between now and Sunday 8th November 2015, 23:59.
Pictures to be posted in the entries thread no later than 23:59pm Monday9th November 2015.
Poll will be up Tuesday 10th November 2015.
Winner to be announced Saturday 14th November 2015.
The Rules for the weekly competition are...
By entering you agree to take responsibility to
Post a topic on the Sunday (or sooner) following your declared win
Create an entries thread
Create a chat thread
Create a poll for that weeks comp and declare the winner on the Saturday
(if for any reason there is a problem and no subject is posted by the winner by Monday night admin will advise second place winner to post the topic asap, do the poll etc)
In case of a tie, the first entry posted wins.
Photos to be taken during the specified dates, ie Saturday xx to Sunday xx
Probably will have to be a sitting duck for me, as I cannot focus on fast moving objects.
I suppose featherless (human) birds are not allowed? I have photographed wild ones in the past.
Quote from: Reinardina on November 01, 2015, 10:58:33 PM
Probably will have to be a sitting duck for me, as I cannot focus on fast moving objects.
I suppose featherless (human) birds are not allowed? I have photographed wild ones in the past.
We might makes an exception for featherless (human) birds done in good taste. :P
. . Or ornaments, or birds in a pet shop maybe?
I was only joking. The local Common, which is on my door step, has a duck pond and I'm sure I can manage something there, weather permitting.
We also have fearless sea gulls in the city, that don't move too fast, and of course pigeons.* My terrace is at the moment regularly visited by magpies and wood pigeons, though the magpies scatter when they see me, and I haven't got vertical blinds yet, to hide behind. (Renovation still ongoing, but coming along nicely.)
I should be able to come up with with a (feathered) bird shot, but thank you for the suggestions and OB's concession.
It would really put the 'voter decides' rule to the test, if I did enter an image of a colourful human bird!
* Pigeons:
(http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11140/normal_Yellow_Birds_framed_res.jpg) (http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=18072&fullsize=1)
Quote from: Reinardina on November 02, 2015, 08:32:46 AM
It would really put the 'voter decides' rule to the test, if I did enter an image of a colourful human bird!
In that case the voters would give you their votes, regardless of the quality of the image! :-[ :P
Quote from: Oldboy on November 02, 2015, 05:44:26 PM
Quote from: Reinardina on November 02, 2015, 08:32:46 AM
It would really put the 'voter decides' rule to the test, if I did enter an image of a colourful human bird!
In that case the voters would give you their votes, regardless of the quality of the image! :-[ :P
You may well be right, it has happened before.
Been out today, trying to catch birds. One or two 'possibles,' but so far nothing really stands out.
Quote from: Reinardina on November 02, 2015, 06:40:43 PM
Quote from: Oldboy on November 02, 2015, 05:44:26 PM
Quote from: Reinardina on November 02, 2015, 08:32:46 AM
It would really put the 'voter decides' rule to the test, if I did enter an image of a colourful human bird!
In that case the voters would give you their votes, regardless of the quality of the image! :-[ :P
You may well be right, it has happened before.
Been out today, trying to catch birds. One or two 'possibles,' but so far nothing really stands out.
Take some birdseed and you will get Robins, Great Tits even Mistle Thrush will come for a feed. :tup:
They don't come here Oldboy. We've got a cat, and he's a killer. Several small mammals and birds every day. Except for the Magpies who seem to delight in teasing him, but even they avoid us humans.
I don't have a garden, only a roof terrace, where small birds normally don't come. (Except for gold finches when there is seed on some of the flowers.) Trying to attract birds 'out of the blue' on the Common, will probably not work. But don't worry, I've already got a picture that would 'do.'
Quote from: Reinardina on November 03, 2015, 05:13:55 PM
I don't have a garden, only a roof terrace, where small birds normally don't come. (Except for gold finches when there is seed on some of the flowers.) Trying to attract birds 'out of the blue' on the Common, will probably not work. But don't worry, I've already got a picture that would 'do.'
That nature reserve you go to, try holding some seed in your outstretched hand, then call them. ???
Quote from: Oldboy on November 03, 2015, 05:23:54 PM
Quote from: Reinardina on November 03, 2015, 05:13:55 PM
I don't have a garden, only a roof terrace, where small birds normally don't come. (Except for gold finches when there is seed on some of the flowers.) Trying to attract birds 'out of the blue' on the Common, will probably not work. But don't worry, I've already got a picture that would 'do.'
That nature reserve you go to, try holding some seed in your outstretched hand, then call them. ???
You mean 'my' country park? But I'm there to work!
I have seen photos of robins eating out of someone's hand, but I'd never manage to photograph that. Besides, we're not supposed to feed wild birds.
But I may still invest in some birdseed, and try the garden downstairs. There probably are small birds there, but as I live on the top (fourth) floor, I don't see them.
I`ve not seen any of the usual birds in my garden at all since this damp , foggy weather came. :(
My neighbour the wildlife photographer reckons there are 49 different species of birds in the fields and woods here. Following Oldboy's advice I put some birdseed out this morning, on a table behind the house. It was all still there as it started getting dark, completely untouched. Looks like there is either enough food in the woods or the cat is a very strong deterrent.
Quote from: Hinfrance on November 05, 2015, 04:37:48 PM
My neighbour the wildlife photographer reckons there are 49 different species of birds in the fields and woods here. Following Oldboy's advice I put some birdseed out this morning, on a table behind the house. It was all still there as it started getting dark, completely untouched. Looks like there is either enough food in the woods or the cat is a very strong deterrent.
They are not use to finding seeds there so don't look. Leave it there for a few days and see what happens. :-\
Quote from: Reinardina on November 03, 2015, 05:32:21 PM
Quote from: Oldboy on November 03, 2015, 05:23:54 PM
Quote from: Reinardina on November 03, 2015, 05:13:55 PM
I don't have a garden, only a roof terrace, where small birds normally don't come. (Except for gold finches when there is seed on some of the flowers.) Trying to attract birds 'out of the blue' on the Common, will probably not work. But don't worry, I've already got a picture that would 'do.'
That nature reserve you go to, try holding some seed in your outstretched hand, then call them. ???
You mean 'my' country park? But I'm there to work!
I have seen photos of robins eating out of someone's hand, but I'd never manage to photograph that. Besides, we're not supposed to feed wild birds.
But I may still invest in some birdseed, and try the garden downstairs. There probably are small birds there, but as I live on the top (fourth) floor, I don't see them.
RSPB want people to feed wild-birds in Winter. What most parks don't want is bread put down for the ducks as it attracts Rats. :tup:
By all means feed local wild birds and enjoy the entertainment. But don't overdo it. You can provide supplements but you must not fill their total daily needs or make them dependent on you. They need to continue to search out food elsewhere so that they get enough variety and don't starve when you go on holiday.
I'm no expert, but I think garden birds probably need more in the way of extra feed, than birds that live totally 'in the wild,' where weeds are allowed to run to seed, and plants and trees are not 'cut to size.'
Quote from: Reinardina on November 05, 2015, 06:33:23 PM
I'm no expert, but I think garden birds probably need more in the way of extra feed, than birds that live totally 'in the wild,' where weeds are allowed to run to seed, and plants and trees are not 'cut to size.'
Garden birds go wild when you don't put the seed out. :yikes:
After my first foray to shoot birds, I did not manage to get near one again. So I'll have to choose one of my earlier shots.
Is anyone else antering?
Right at the beginning, I said I'd have to aim for a sitting duck. Well, I didn't, but it isn't far off!
A nice, good size bird that does not fly, or hop about too much, is about all I can cope with.
So here is my Flirtatious Swan.
(http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11140/normal_coquette_swan_res.jpg) (http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=18126&fullsize=1)
I hope there will be a lot more entries!
I've had absolutely no luck with this topic at all. I don't have a long telephoto lens or a bridge camera so it was always going to have to be something very close, or maybe a flock of birds. As it has been wonderfully warm here this week (got to love an El Nino year) the migratory birds have not been gathering photogenically on the wires. Even the flocks of pigeons that inhabit the semi derelict church in the nearby village have been diligent in their shyness.
I reckon to stand a better chance with the next challenge though . . .
We actually had 2 birds in the garden today. Tiny little ones that were so fast ( no doubt due to our cat) that I didn`t even get the camera to my hand! Might be out for some more sedentary ones later if it brightens up. My vision of a swan in the sunset is a non starter with this dull weather.
This is one of the (high key) shots I came home with last weekend. Decided against it, as it reminded me too much of Georgian wall paper.
(http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11140/normal_Urban_feral_pigeons_high_key_res.jpg) (http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=18135&fullsize=1)
This is what the wall paper might have looked like:
(http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11140/normal_Urban_feral_pigeons_Georgian_wallpaper_res.jpg) (http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=18134&fullsize=1)
I assume everyone is waiting till the last minute, before posting their entries?
I think we ought to suspend the competitions for a while. At least till the new year.
Nope - weather stayed wet and windy so nothing from me. I saw a wood pigeon this morning - first one in our garden for over a week and there are two pairs usually. Where are they all?
Quote from: jinky on November 10, 2015, 11:08:45 AM
Nope - weather stayed wet and windy so nothing from me. I saw a wood pigeon this morning - first one in our garden for over a week and there are two pairs usually. Where are they all?
Apart from your cat, you may have birds of prey or foxes.
Quote from: Reinardina on November 10, 2015, 11:12:46 AM
Quote from: jinky on November 10, 2015, 11:08:45 AM
Nope - weather stayed wet and windy so nothing from me. I saw a wood pigeon this morning - first one in our garden for over a week and there are two pairs usually. Where are they all?
Apart from your cat, you may have birds of prey or foxes.
Yes there`s my cat and the odd urban fox but we`ve always had those and a few varieties of birds - finches, magpies, wood pigeons, robins etc have always been around. We feed them using a platform on top of a high fence post - but this last week or so just one wood pigeon! Seems they don`t like it misty and damp.
Cropped shot grabbed in overcast evening light and not edited in time. Needs a burn here and there :-[
(http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/albums/userpics/11049/normal_Sparrow.jpg) (http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=18143)
Why don't you just enter it?
I know it's against the rules, but rules are there to be broken, especially in dire times like these.
And the poll isn't up yet.
Quote from: Reinardina on November 10, 2015, 03:47:39 PM
Why don't you just enter it?
I know it's against the rules, but rules are there to be broken, especially in dire times like these.
And the poll isn't up yet.
It needs a bit of adjustin burn Reinardina, and I am too knackered having been up since 3.30am; very boaring then and I ended up doing the weather entry at 6.00 am on the dot. ;) Damb PD burns in funny hours at present :knuppel2: but at least I have got the entry in for this weeks challenge early. Thank goodness for the tripod and timer :beer:
Sorry to hear the PD is so bad.
I'm pleased with the weather entry. Was giving up hope altogether.
There have been days, when I seemed to be the only one who was ever on the forum, with my avatar all over the front page, and I hate it when that happens.
Well Reinardina, i have put in a pathetic entry of a wooden owl that i shot on the iPhone, all i had that fitted the bill (get it bill = birds) oh well as much as i tried a spot of PP it was not going to get any better, anyway it made 3 into 4 entries.
Yes it is a struggle to get people to enter and i think that suspending may be a good idea, however will people return or will the migrate ( birds again) to other forums? and not return?
Not sure what to suggest but think that a shake up is required somewhere as i don't like putting an entry in just to make up numbers. If the competitions had more entries each week then the odd week that you have nothing would not be so bad.
Not sure what the answer is but there has been a steady decline on here, perhaps people have found other forums to compete on? who knows?
Yes, if the competition goes, the site may go with it, never to return.
But is it right to keep it alive in intensive care? With three or four people trying to do something?
Apart from the competition, there is hardly anything going on.
I'll be away in December and may keep an eye from Zell am See, but won't have time to participate. Internet in Austria is a very hit and miss affair, so I may not even be able to add the occasional comment.
I don't think there are many successful on line photo competitions, they all seem to die out.
I'll see what it's like when I return from holiday and take it from there.