Wednesday 9 December 2009

Gambian Birds

As some of you may know, we have been on holiday in The Gambia for a couple of weeks and then it has taken another week and half to sort out the rubbish and edit what's left. We were a bit disappionted with some of our shots and don't know whether it's down to the light or the red dust that was everywhere, still you know what they say about a bad workman!
We had a good time and saw some great birds but the 4 days up river were a nightmare for me (sue). I don't mind roughing it but my fear of Spiders, had me living on my nerves and John having to make a sweep of the 'hut' before I would go in it or get off the bed in the morning.






























This is quite a big post but as we haven't put anything up for a while we thought it might be
nice to show some of our Gambia shots. Great to be back though, the heat was at times unbearable.

29 comments:

  1. Those are brilliant photos!

    Does your camera shoot in RAW format? Mine does and I always shoot in RAW now and I can't tell you the number of photos I've been able to salvage that I would have dumped if they'd been shot in JPEG. I use the RAW editor in Photoshop CS3 but it might be worth investigating if there's a RAW editor in the cheaper 'Photohshop Elements' software

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  2. Hi John & Sue
    Look like you had a great time in Gambia.Excellent collection of photos as usual. Well done.

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  3. Gambia, wow! So many beautiful birds. Incredible shots too, it was a real treat to see them.

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  4. Sue,
    Sorry about those spiders. You'd not like it here in late summer they hang from the eaves everywhere here.

    These photos are wow, the kingfisher photos and the four orange birds on the rocks the best!

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  5. Wow!!! Lovely photos and a wonderful variety of birds. I've gotta agree with you about the spiders. I'd be in the same situation you were.

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  6. Hi John & Sue
    Welcome back and what a home coming with all those great images, have only had a quick troll through this morning but will give them more time later. Good to know you found a few spiders for Sue John. Love all the Raptors and Owls. Hopefully catch up with you over the next few weeks for a yarn. in the meantime glad you had a great experience and Holiday.

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  7. Wow!.. what a great birds collection from Gambia.
    My choice is that Northern-Red Bishop.

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  8. Another great collection from the pair of you. Some colourful birds in that lot to add to your life list. I was wondering where you had got to...now I know.

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  9. Great images John/Sue, who took the Pied KF in flight. Thats a brilliant pic.
    Well done.

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  10. Gambia! you lucky people. Shooting raw does help but it is best to get the exposure spot on if you can. Lighting in Africa is much better than here and as a result when in the wrong direction, wrong time of day, it can be a lot harsher, Dark subjects against light backgrounds require more exposure to avoid siloettes. You still have a great collection here though. Welcome back hope you had a great time.

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  11. Welcome back John & Sue. A stunning series of photos to cheer up our drab days. FAB.

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  12. Very nice set of pictures as always they sure brighten a winters day

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  13. Stunning set of photo's. GLad to see you are back on the blog.
    Sam

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  14. Wow - Such a stunning set of photos! The colors are spectacular and the variety of birds leaves me speechless! WELL DONE.

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  15. Great Photos Guys, I have been to the Gambia, and can highly recommend the birding there, with many wonderful habitats to visit.

    Well done.
    John

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  16. Hi JR and Sue.
    How I envy you seeing all the birds I can only dream of seeing.Love the birds, not the place, I too am absolutely scared stiff of spiders.
    Nice to have you both back. Have a good weekend.

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  17. What a way to come back. Spectacular selection.

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  18. You do have a nice set of photos here of birds I have never seen. Wonderful.

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  19. Beautiful pictures. I may have to go to Gambia. What beautiful birds. Thanks for sharing.

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  20. WOW... SUPERB collection. Welcome back. A friend of mine has just returned from Gambia. She spent the whole time changing the life of a poor Gambian family! Sounds like an interesting place and some fabulous wildlife.

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  21. loved looking at the photos - completely fantastic ones! the kingfisher has got to be my favorite though - awesome shot! sounds like a really fun trip!

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  22. I wondered where you'd got to. I am very jealous. Love the photos, especially the red-fronter Bee-eaters. Egyptian plover is no 2 on my wanted list behing Crab Plover.

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  23. Hello John and Sue...I am amazed... beautiful,beautiful photography!! Seems as if your trip was a success. It's hard to choose a favorite...I'm so glad I stopped by! Wow!

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  24. such a variety, i love all of these shots! :)

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  25. Thank you all for your comments,most of these images were Digiscoped by me.
    Sue took the flight shots,which I'm rubbish at.
    Once again thank you.
    John.

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  26. Uau, you guys have an amazing Blog!
    THANK´S FOR STOPPING BY :)

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  27. Excellent shots! It's always hard going through the photos upon ones return home.
    Have a Happy and spider free New Year!

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  28. Lovely shots. Gambia is high on my list of 'want to visit' places so it's great to see accounts and pics.
    Sue - I know exactly how you feel about spiders, etc, I love travelling to the tropics but, like you, I am often a nervous wreck re. the spiders and other creepy crawlies! I have spent many a sleepless night in the Amazon and Thailand, etc...

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