With the Redhead Smew still present at Deeping High Bank I decided to pay a visit to see if I could get any better shots than before. The shots above a slightly better, but still not too pleasing to me!
The only down side to the visit was the fact that my tripod was blown over by the strong wind resulting in my scope being damaged on a hard surface! A nice big dent and scratch now sit on the objective lens of the scope. I am debating as to whether to pay a fortune in getting it repaired or live with a knackered scope.
Nice shots John, but bad news about the scope.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awful shame about the scope John! Your heart must have plummeted with it.
ReplyDeleteYou did get some nice photos of an elegant bird though, it reminds me of the other 'Redhead' the female Goosander, that one I have seen :-)
Love the Bewick's on the last post, what beauties they and the Whoopers are!
Bad news on the scope, and good sighting of the Smew.
ReplyDeleteThanks Keith, it is a bit gut wrenching about the scope!
ReplyDeleteJ
Hi Jan,
ReplyDeleteYes, I felt sick as I saw it crashing to the ground, unable to get there quick enough!
Thanks for the kind words. Yes the Redhead Smew is similar to the female/young Goosander, but almost half the size, about the same size as a Teal.
J
Hi Bob,
ReplyDeleteBad news that will hopefully be able to be turned into good, fingers crossed!
At least some good came out of it with the Smew!
J
A lovely bird to see John.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to read about the scope.. been there done that.. I feel your pain.
Check your house insurance it may be covered.
Thanks Andrew,
ReplyDeleteI think it is covered, it`s an individually listed item, not sure of the cost to repair it yet and whether it out weighs the excess cost.
J
Its never easy along the High Bank John, what with the light usually behind the subject and the distance across the water, but they are nice shots. I would have been pleased with just seeing this species which I haven't before.
ReplyDeleteHi Roy,
ReplyDeleteThank you. That and the bird never staying still doesn`t make it easy for digiscoping!
J
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteAn admirable job of photographing the Redhead Smew. And to echo the others, awfully sorry about the aggravation of having the scope damaged. I hope it is worth fixing. And haven't we had some strong winds as of late..
Take good care,
Gary
Difficult to get close to Smew in this neck of the woods, you did well to get any type of photo.
ReplyDeleteRedhead Smew off to check it out in the book interesting photo. Rotten luck with your 'scope.
ReplyDeleteBad luck with the scope John, I've just had a £200 bill on a camera body and I did'nt drop mine. Hope you have better luck.
ReplyDeleteHi Gary,
ReplyDeleteThank you and Thank you about the scope. It is worth repairing, it`s very expensive to replace it with one the same. Hopefully it will get sorted. I am glad the winds have died down a little bit now.
J
Hi Alan,
ReplyDeleteThank you. I think this is the closest I have ever got to a Smew without them flying off, so I shouldn`t be too disappointed, but I would like a nice photo!
J
Hi cuby poet,
ReplyDeleteIt`s just a `nick name` of sorts to describe a female or juvenile Smew, because of the `red` head that they sport. Thanks about the scope, I am hoping it will get sorted!
J
Hi Mike,
ReplyDeleteThank you. Crikey! I am hoping that it won`t be that dear, but then again the scope is quite valuable, so will probably cost a lot to repair!
J