than you all for your comments - much appreciated. Now, to try and answer some of your questions in this one post:-
Akira - “ miraculous” - LOL. Mongo is not expecting any Papal notification any time soon but glad you think so - thank you.
Arthur - for many years Mongo has used 9 point AF-C generally and sometimes 21 AF-C for birds in flight. Very recently, as with most of these images, Mongo has started to use single point AF-C if they are very slow moving subjects (again, like these) and even single point AF-S if they are virtually stationary. Have found the recent change to shooting method to have produced better results but only if all the variables and circumstances are right
Jakov - others here and on other forums have said the same about #3. Mongo likes because it demonstrates the group nature of these birds, the reflections in the water and the effect of DOF. Mongo has a few more images of this nature. The beak is a very extraordinary and exaggerated feature in proportion to the body for sure. The only other bird Mongo has photographed with disproportionate features is a tree creeper. Its feet together with claws are approximately 1/3 to 1/2 its body size !! Thats nature for you and all its wise adaptations.
Atpaula - This lens and camera combination make it non-viable to use handheld for any real length of time except for a few shots here and there. Therefore, as a rule, a good monopod with a great head is used regularly. In relation to sharpness, Mongo has noticed that the sharpness of the Tiff files on home monitor is measurable better than files which have been reduced for posting on the net. That is to be expected to some degree. Mongo uses Photoshop to reduce and convert files for posting. Maybe there is a better way ??
Randy - thanks for your comments about why #5 works better. Sharpness is a sometimes strange thing. See my comments above to Atpaula.
Just 2 more images with the communal look.
