Bits and pieces...

Very nice series Keith. They are all very nice but love the pheasant shot in particular. There's slight green cast in the last photo. Maybe it's just my monitor.

Thanks, Fee.

You're right, there is a greenness to the last picture, but it's down to the fact that there was a lot of reflected colour from foliage which washed over everything, including the pipit - I left it like that though, because that's how it was in reality.

The meadow pipit is a nicely composed shot and the bird is posed well on it's chosen perch. Good catch-light to the eye and nice detail in the plumage.
Very good close-up's of the fulmar with a pleasant blurred background i both shots, this one must have been in the wars with the broken bill.
Beautiful reflection in the pigeons eye and it has nice colours.
The Pheasant is a terrifically good shot with excellent detail. Good shots Keith, well done.

Very good series Keith. Excellent work.

Keith; Another nice looking series.

wow what a great series third one is my favorite

Nice set.

Thanks everyone.

I have to admit that the more I use the 30D/100-400mm IS combo, the more impressed I find myself.

I've really only used it a handful of times so far, and so I have a suspicion that I will be able to do a lot better when I really get used to the gear - and find some better photographic opportunities.

Nice series Keith, I particularly like the Fulmars and the Meadow Pipit. Good work!

Nice series Keith - love the Meadow Pipit shot.

Nice series, Love the last two shots! The detail in the Pheasant really comes through as the OOF back forces your attention to the subject! (NICE). Nice series!

Many thanks, everyone,

I do like the pheasant - I've been lucky enough to get a little something of this bird's inquisitiveness here, I think; and I do like my meadow pipits!

Hi Anthony,

these are actually two different fulmars.

The beak isn't broken on either bird: what might look like damage is the way the birds' beak is meant to be - the nostril tube on top of the beak stops short, leaving that gap.

This arrangement (common to all "tubenoses" - fulmars, albatrosses, shearwaters, petrels) allow the effective working of a gland within the tube which allows the bird to secrete excess salt.

Very nice series Keith. Foot in the rabbit hole - is that a recommended safety feature? They are all great - but I like the fulmar #1.

I'll be honest, Damian - I wouldn't recommend it!

I was going through a bit of a hard time when I took those shots because of a rather bad eyesight problem with my viewfinder eye (retinal bleeding) that had me thoroughly depressed, so I found myself taking silly risks as a way to prove to myself that one way or another, I'd be able to cope.

I've calmed down a bit now, and more to the point, I can more or less see again out of that eye, so I'm a being bit more sensible now!

Thanks for the kind words.