As Chris and Adrian have already posted, there was a get together early yesterday morning.
These are a couple of my shots from there.

Cheers,
Matt.

1. Board walk - I think I over did the colours a bit, but it was a bit of an experiment using some new software. I need to spend a bit more time with this image.


2. Spoonbill - I like the water ripples reflected from the flash.


3. Duck in duck weed

[PentX Girl]

A very nice wetland series!

[goddo31]

3 really nice shots Matt.
#1 I like the colours, however IMO just a little fill light to highlight the boardwalk and lighten the trees only slightly would help. Of course that's very subjective and it could be my monitor too.
2 and 3 are great... I have never seen anything like the bright green of that duck weed before!

And a query if you don't mind What focal length and distance were you from the Spoonbill, to use a flash? I have never tried using a flash on birds as yet, I wouldn't have a clue how to go about it

[MattC]

Thanks for looking and for the comments!

Jason - from memory I was about 10-12 metres away I suppose.
I was using an old sigma 100-300 lens from my film camera, at 250mm focal length - still quite sharp if used in it's sweet spot.
I was also using the Pentax 360 flash mounted on camera to help with some fill light as the sun was rising on the opposite side of the bird.

Cheers,

Matt

[MoiVous]

Great shots Matt!

Look forward to seeing the new version of the boardwalk later! Looks pretty good though. Obviously taken before the birds started to land on the water!

I see what you mean about the reflection of the flash - looks like you've created a new sub-species of spoonbill!

BTW, that duck really exhibits the way that duck weed sticks! Nice image

Cheers

[joodiespost]

some great shots here! loving the first one, so serene

[UltraWide]

Hi Matt

Nice set!!

Glad you made it the same day