Saturday, February 23, 2013

Unexpected

Sometimes when you are out taking photographs you manage to capture something quite unexpected

This happened to me the other day!  We'd been walking along the canal towpath trying to photograph the Dabchicks or Little Grebes.  They are quite small birds and you can find them easily enough by listening out for their constant chatter but my goodness are they swift!  They dip and dive and hide under the vegetation, turn their backs on you and move so quickly under the water that you have no idea where they will pop up next.  It is hard to focus on them and take a photo before they disappear again.  This one lingered for just a short while under some vegetation on the bank opposite to the towpath but I managed to capture an image of it.  I glanced at it and just thought it had a leaf in front of its face but when I finally downloaded my photos I could see that it was in fact a small fish in its beak, perhaps a minnow?  That was unexpected!

Here is a link to the RSPB's page on Little Grebes and you can listen to their chattering on there, it is quite distinctive.
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26 comments:

  1. Louise23 February 2013 at 21:25

    I do like the sound they make! What a great capture your photo was, perfect timing. It occurs to me now that I've never actually walked the Cromford Canal. We've cycled part of it but never walked there - something to consider soon I think.

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    1. Rosie23 February 2013 at 21:47

      The walk along the canal is lovely and you can divert up to Middleton Top from the junction if you want a change of scenery. We did it in stages Middleton top to Black Rock, Black rock to the junction and from the basin up to the junction. I haven't been much further along the canal than the junction but we did once see water voles just along there as well as the dabchicks:)

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  2. Simone23 February 2013 at 21:56

    That's an amazing photo Rosie! I bet wildlife photographers wait ages to get a shot like that. x

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    1. Rosie24 February 2013 at 20:39

      I wish I had the patience and dedication that the wildlife photographers have. I had so many blurry photos before that one:)

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  3. June23 February 2013 at 23:00

    Dear Rosie,
    As we were walking along the Tiverton towpath during half term we saw the unexpected too - a kingfisher. We watched it for close on half an hour diving in and out of the water. Like your little grebe it was very, very fast. I tried to get a photo but all I got was a blue blur - but at least I know the blur was a kingfisher. Little grebe with a minnow - a fab shot!
    June

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    1. Rosie24 February 2013 at 20:42

      How lovely to see the kingfisher close to, I've only ever seen them as they pass by as a quick flash of blue on their way down stream. Such a beautiful bird. We've glimpsed them on the canal right up in the city centre:)

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  4. Patricia23 February 2013 at 23:05

    I enjoy going on a canal walk along the towpath. We haven't got many down here in Essex but often try to seek them out if we go away for a weekend. Lovely photo Rosie and a nice surprise.
    Patricia x

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    1. Rosie24 February 2013 at 20:44

      There is something nice about walking along canal towpaths I think it is because life seems slower there and there is usually so much wildlife:)

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  5. Jay23 February 2013 at 23:07

    Great photo of the little grebe!

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  6. **Anne**23 February 2013 at 23:08

    What a fantastic photo. It really is a delight when you can capture nature in such a way. Thanks for sharing.
    Anne xx

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    1. Rosie24 February 2013 at 20:45

      Thanks, Anne, I was quite pleased that the photo wasn't blurred like most of the others I took:)

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  7. Vintage Tea Time24 February 2013 at 09:27

    Brilliant photo - how lucky! Have you got an SLR camera?

    Abby x

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    1. Rosie24 February 2013 at 20:48

      Thanks, Abby. My camera is a Fuji FinePix S4000. It's what they term as a bridge or bridging camera:)

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  8. Diane24 February 2013 at 09:39

    Well done - what a great shot. xxxx

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  9. MorningAJ24 February 2013 at 12:04

    Oh nice photo. You caught a great moment. I love canal walks.

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    1. Rosie24 February 2013 at 20:50

      I wonder if he enjoyed his lunch? It actually look a bit big for him:)

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  10. tlcukjourney24 February 2013 at 13:43

    That IS unexpected. I have never ever seen a duck with a fish!
    Fantastic photography!
    Have a great week!
    Tammy x

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    1. Rosie24 February 2013 at 20:51

      I think I managed to catch him just before he tried to swallow it:)

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  11. rusty duck24 February 2013 at 18:23

    Great shot. And well spotted!

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    1. Rosie24 February 2013 at 20:52

      Thanks, I was just there at the right time as it was deciding what to do with fish:)

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  12. Ruth Kelly24 February 2013 at 20:52

    Clever you getting a shot like that. How fun!

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    1. Rosie24 February 2013 at 20:54

      Thanks, Ruth! I hope he enjoyed his fishy lunch:)

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  13. MaryP27 February 2013 at 16:32

    Excellent photo, you were so lucky to capture it. Mx

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    1. Rosie27 February 2013 at 16:46

      Thanks, glad you like it! I was very lucky it wasn't blurred:)

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