To get to our council recycling facility I have to drive past the local racetrack. It's a chore I don't mind as I usually pause by the Downs to take some photos. On race days they stop the traffic each time a race is due, which is always a good excuse to linger. Never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, I decided to park up and watch one of the races. Happily I had the long lens and monopod in the car, and followed the TV crew to a decent vantage point. While waiting for the race I spotted a cock linnet, my first of the year.
In fact this was going to be a birding post, as the last couple of days have had some excellent sightings, including a noisy wren which appears to have taken up residence in the garden. You'll need to check out the April Birds album for a small selection from the weekend. But now for the horses.
Tightly grouped as they jockey for position
Camera note: all shots taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens
BitzyMe
28 Apr 2008If they saw your shots I wouldn't be surprised if they tried to hire you. Excellent set!
suicidalstones
28 Apr 2008Excellent photos. I enjoyed reading about how you followed the television crew to the shoot.
Joe
cakkleberrylane
28 Apr 2008Beautiful photo of the cock linnet. Very interesting of the horse race. I've never been to one but I've seen them on television. Wonderful colors! It must be very exciting!
SittingFox
28 Apr 2008Cool linnet indeed! :up:
Words
29 Apr 2008Adele, thanks. They're so distinctive. I've known the name of them from the old song for what seems like forever, but only knowingly seen one in the last couple of years.
Words
29 Apr 2008Lois, it's a very long time since I've been to a race but I can actually see the track from my garden. It's about a mile and half away. It would have been more exciting if I'd placed a bet. The winner was Bienheureux, at odds of 9/2 😉
Words
29 Apr 2008Bitzy, thanks. I didn't do too great a job though. I failed to get them as they rode past me!
Words
29 Apr 2008Thanks Joe. I let their truck pull out in front of me when I was caught in the traffic. They ended up turning into the same place I was heading so I just followed. It's an unrestricted area off the track, so no problems.
BitzyMe
2 May 2008Words.. only a true photographer would say that 😉
Flying Red Fox Blog
2 May 2008Nice action shots, iam sure you could ask if you could have a go at Horse racing 😛
Words
2 May 2008Mark LOL! It's too many years since I've been on a horse. Even the flat racing looked a bit much for me.
Words
2 May 2008Bitzy, not at all. It's what's called rank amateurism. I was shooting in a burst and the camera locked up. Next time I get a chance I'll try to remember to take short bursts so that the camera has time to write the images to the card.
BitzyMe
2 May 2008Thanks.. I'll remember that.. I have locked up too and now know why.