Getting domesticated?

I was recently asked to take some pictures of a work coleagues dog as a surprise birthday present for his wife. After a couple of hours at a couple of different locations, I had over 200 shots covering portraits & action. I then had to sift through them to delete the obvious "rubbish" & to burn whats left onto a CD for approval of the owner. His 3 favorite images were then professionally printed, mounted & framed. What you see below are some of my favourites.

Little Bittern

A fellow birder found this bird on Saturday evening at Walton Heath south of the RSPB Ham wall reserve (nice one Alan). I managed to see it on Sunday afternoon, briefly in flight (twice) after a wait of about 1 hour. Several others had been there all day & not a glimpse! It didnt help that most were on the wrong part of the reseve. This is a lifer for me & I went back today & managed a few shots on its brief flights between reed beds.

D2x, Nikon 600mm f4, Gitzo G1548 & wimberley head, 1/1000sec, iso 200, manual metering.