Bird photography backgrounds

How does the background of today's bird photograph fit with the idea of two basic backgrounds that I mentioned in the previous post? Well, it does show the habitat of the moorhen, though not very well: water is only a part of what a moorhen needs. However, I haven't posted this photograph because it is an exemplar of that style, but because it is a discomforting, almost semi-abstract, example of that genre. It's the sort of shot I can't not take!

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Moorhen

Familiarity, it is said, breeds contempt. As far as birds go there is some truth in this observation: common birds are not looked at with the attention that is given to those that are less familiar. Consequently few see the "stars" and beautiful iridescence of the starling. The humble house sparrow is given only the most cursory of glances and so the similar but clearly different tree sparrow is unknown to the man in the street. Most stretches of water provide a home for the familiar moorhen and therefore its charms go unseen. This bird was on the narrow ribbon of water known as the New River where it is above ground in Islington, London. The camera allows us to study its striking beak, colourful legs and subtle brown, blue-grey and white plumage.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2