Pernilongo

This year the Black-winged Stilts (Himantopus himantopus) have not had a very successful breeding season at Ria de Alvor. Over-filling of the "flood" by the local fishermen has decimated the nests of Kentish Plover and Little Terns as well as the Black-winged Stilts on two occasions since the beginning of March. Very disappointing, and quite disturbing to watch these loveley birds have their nests flooded.

A few shots of Pernilongo:















Colin

FANTASTIC shots Colin, congratulations!

My favorites are the male on the first one and the last "BIF" female, but ALL of them are very very good.

1 Abraço,
Pedro

PS: Just one question 500mm, 400mm or 100-400mm?

Thanks Pedro - sorry, forgot to include that these were all with the 400 f/5.6 (without the teleconverter), I find I am using this lens more and more.

Colin

hi Colin,

Great shots!

I vote on the second one - the shadow effect is absolutely gorgeous!

1 abraço,
Gonçalo

Hi Colin,

I vote for the third! In flight the long legs don't seem so much out of proportion (I think Tim Burton could use the second shot...) as when standing and the bird gains a more elegant expression. The mottled background works very good.

Sorry to hear about the breeding problems this spring.

Best regards,

Henk

Hi Colin,
Congratulations for all photos.
Since everyone are voting, here is mine: I vote for the last in BIF. The "out of focus" is great!
Best regards,
Loureiro

Thanks Gonçalo (hadn't noticed that shadow in #2 until you mentioned it - it does look quite good!), Henk and José.

Getting "in flight" shots of Pernilongo is quite easy at this time of year since they are very defensive when they have young and on several occasions I have literally had their feet touch the top of my head. I was also quite pleased with the shots which have a nice "bokeh" (blurred background) as I was intentionally testing the AF accuracy of my Canon 1D Mk3 which can have a tendency to "grab" the background rather than the bird - shots of the bird against a clear sky are much easier because of the high contrast.

Pleased to report that Pernilongo, Borrelho-de-coleira-interrompida (horrible name!) and Chilreta have bred again at Ria de Alvor and are either sitting on eggs or have new chicks.

Colin

Colin Key escreveu:Pleased to report that Pernilongo, Borrelho-de-coleira-interrompida (horrible name!) and Chilreta have bred again at Ria de Alvor and are either sitting on eggs or have new chicks.

Hi Colin,

I think it should read "Pleased to report that Pernilongo, Borrelho-de-coleira-interrompida and Chilreta (horrible name!) have bred again at Ria de Alvor and are either sitting on eggs or have new chicks."

1 abraço,
Gonçalo