Egyptian Geese

Was out this morning and there were a couple of Egyptian Geese doing their thing. Quite unusual looking birds (to my mind). Anyway, here are some shots... hope you like them. Any C&C gratefully received as ever.

Morning Preen:




Synchronicity:




Dabbling:




Spotted something... could it be a chap with half a loaf of stale bread...?




It is!! Now this is what happens when someone turns up with food in the morning (or my attempt to capture it anyway):




And this must be the proverbial bread-line. Love the expressions from the Coots...




All were taken with the K-7 and DA*300mm. I was trying to keep the shutter speed up, on ISO400 and using the lens at f4, which obviously gives a pretty shallow depth of field, quite apparent here and there...

Regards

Mat W

Matt

Thanks for posting, I don't think I have seen an Egyptian goose before.

As a record they are nice pictures, but if I can be critical:

1. Would have been a great shot if you had got some seperation between the subject and the other goose.
2+4. Would have been better with both birds in focus (you noted this yourself), and both subjects were all in the frame. Also the coot ?, distracts from the subject.
6. is i bit too busy and neither goose looks sharp.

Sorry for being very critical, I do know it is difficult with subjects like these to get perfect framing, and exposure when you are caught between shutter speed and aperture to get the perfect balance.

I would rather be honest with you though. The colours of the birds a wonderful though, where were they taken ?

Thanks Peter. Very happy for you to be critical, I agree with the points you make, and also that these subjects are difficult (even when they are standing still!!!). I'll keep trying and posting and hope to get better along the way...

These were taken at Pen Ponds which is in the middle of Richmond Park, where I often go early on a sunday morning when it is still quite quiet. It's a fantastic place. I'm guessing these Egyptian Geese have been introduced here, or else exist as a little pocket because I've never seen them anywhere else. They certainly stand out.

Regards

Mat W

P.S. I took this small fellow earlier on in the year, and I wasn't sure what sort of duckling/gosling it was, but I'm thinking now it could have been a young one of these Egyptian Geese. Either way it's a good excuse to post something cute




Regards

Mat

Beware posting proper-gander around here, it's a bit tense at present

A bit more dof would be benefitial on these group shots or trying to isolate a solitary bird may be a better approach if the light wont allow it. Those orange eyes give the impression of a quite demented stare.

Fantastic pun!! proper-gander!!

Thanks for the comments. Good advice. Next time out I shall definitely work on DOF. You're right about the demented eyes as well... They're altogether quite strange birds.

Regards

Mat