Siren call
The robin's distinctive trill abounds in the UK at present, as the breeding season looms. Unperturbed by loitering humans, this one was taken in Kelsey Par...
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The robin's distinctive trill abounds in the UK at present, as the breeding season looms. Unperturbed by loitering humans, this one was taken in Kelsey Park, Beckenham, UK. Lens: Nikkor 300mm f4
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Mar, 2017Views
970
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Awards
Peer Choice Award
Contest Finalist in Birds On Branches Photo Contest
Peer Award
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Outstanding Creativity
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Behind The Lens
Location
Kelsey Park, Beckenham, UK - a hub of natural beauty that lies just 20 kilometres from central London.Time
Just after midday. At weekends it's essential to visit Kelsey early to have the best chance of capturing small birds, because it's popular with families and from about 10am it becomes quite busy and, consequently, noisier. Ducks and geese hang around to be fed, but songbirds (even customarily brazen robins) tend to become more reclusive. You have more of a chance during the week, when things are a little less boisterous, and this was taken on a Monday.Lighting
My movements around the park are usually governed by the availability of natural light - nothing terribly technical.Equipment
Nikon D800 and Nikkor 300m f4, hand-held.Inspiration
Since rediscovering cameras (in 2008, after more than 20 years away), I have often been drawn to robins for the simple reason that they are photogenic, easy to locate and often bold enough to allow you to shoot them without needing a 600mm lens and 2xTC. Sometimes, they can come too close for a 300mm lens, so I have to walk away from them to frame the shot...Editing
Crop, autocorrect in PS Elements (to see whether that makes a positive difference, which it doesn't always), upload...In my camera bag
Two Nikon bodies - D800 and D700 - plus Nikkor 300mm f4, Sigma 70-200 f2.8, Sigma 24-105 f4 and Sigma 105mm f2.8 macro. That apart, I have a few spare batteries and cards and two Storm Jacket rain covers, which are absolutely brilliant.Feedback
Keep your ears open... Many birds are heard before they are seen and the robin's distinctive song is a common soundtrack throughout the UK. Once I've heard a robin, I usually pause awhile to pinpoint its location, then move slowly towards it - still maintaining a sensible distance - to assess whether it is perturbed by humans. If it flits into the bushes, I know the answer and leave it to its own devices. If it carries on as before, I will watch for a minute before gently raising my camera and taking a few shots - always one at a time. The sound of photographers using a machine-gun technique irritates me and I suspect would have the same effect on birds. I nearly always shoot at about f4, to reduce the depth of field and separate the subject from potentially distracting background elements.
