Paul Inglis Media :: Shot of the Month 0001
 Pied Wagtail (Motacilla
alba)
The Pied Wagtail is constantly on the move running over the ground in fast bursts, stopping, wagging its tail up and down then running on. It is incessantly looking for insects, frequently stabbing at the ground or leaping into the air to capture titbits. As a resident on the Island the Pied Wagtail is commonly found foraging at the edge of water where there is plenty of insect life. In the evening it flies to roost, with hundreds of others, in reeds and bushes.
Shooting Information
I wanted to capture the fundamental nature of this often over looked species and decided to embark on a project to realise this goal. I knew from personal experience that these birds are often found feeding on a local shingle beach not far from my home. I spent time studying their movements and feeding habits in order to acquaint myself with them. It didn’t take long before I realised that when it locks onto its target, the Pied Wagtail strikes like lightening. This posed a few problems for me photographically which I eventually overcame. I managed to capture hundreds of behavioural images with this one being a firm favourite.
This image shows a Male Pied Wagtail leaping into the air for its next fill. I captured it using a Nikon D2Xs with a Nikon 200-400mm f/4 VR and TC 17E II attached which was mounted on a Gitzo G1548 tripod with a Kirk BH-1 Ball Head and a Wimberley Sidekick.
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