14th May 2012

What to buy the man that has everything he really wants ,another day at the Kingfisher workshop.

As you can see the day started as so many have done this year with rain.

However I think the rain really adds to the image.                                                                                                                                 

Not too impressed by the weather , a Kingfisher looks skyward.

Where's that fish ?

At last a little sun :0)

I know your there !!!!!

Profile

A 5.00am start saw Kay and  I heading north up the M1, in the hope of seeing and photographing Red Squirrels.

At 8.00am we arrived at our pickup point , where we were met by Simon our host for the day.

On arrival at the hide Simon opened the first window , and imagine  my surprise to be greeted  by this cheeky chappy :0)

This all boded well for the rest of our visit, so Kay and I settled in while Simon set everything up for our stay in the hide.

It wasn't long after Simon left that we had our first visitors of the day.

After that our little friends continue to perform for us for the next few hours.    

Even managed a nice Greenfinch image

Wheatear’s , and Pied Wagtails

The weekend was spent trying to photograph Wheatear, and Pied Wagtails, using the 7D, which I haven’t used in a while, apart from briefly at Gigrin.

The Wheatear were very flighty , with about six present , and the constant passage of Joggers , cyclists , walkers , and their attendant children did not make it any easier .

After a little while I managed to find a more obliging Wheatear. It has been my experience with these birds that while many will only let you get so close, you occasionally find one that is a little more accommodating, and will allow a slow approach within photographic range .

So here are some of my images, I hope you enjoy them, incuding a few different Pied Wagtail shots

Thanks for dropping by :0)

14th April 2012

A visit too Strumpshaw Fen was certainly eventful, if not producing any images of note.

The usual Marsh Harriers were active but mostly at some distance , and a heat haze added to the problems of capturing nice images. Also present was an escaped Harris Hawk , complete with bells and jesse's, the local Marsh Harriers and Crows took great exception too this foriegn intruder , and were constantly bombarding it , the poor thing wasn't getting a moments peace.

It had escaped from Kelling in North Norfolk , and was being rather stubborn , about being recaptured, having foiled all attempts by the owners  the day before.

The only images of note , were of a strutting pheasant , very loud , and very proud.  

The other event of note was me taking a tumble with the camera , and lens. This broke the two times converter , and the lens , and camera took a bit of a bang .

I intend too send the camera, and lens to be checked over , and calibrated.

This will give me a break from photography for a few weeks , time to recharge those battery's.

 Other images taken were of the local Geese , doing what they do.

Thanks for dropping in. ( No pun intended :0) )

Last night Kay went out, so after work , I took my battered equipment out too Draycote Water , before I send it off to be checked by Canon.

My eye was immediately caught by a flock of Yellow Wagtails , the light was very poor , the birds small , and skittish .

Using the ridges to approach the birds , I managed to get within eleven metres , and hand held the images .

The crops are quite large, but beautiful birds.

 Half way through the shoot , I got hit by ten minutes of hail , I was frozen too the core . Didn't bother these little chaps though.

Despite the conditions these beauties made it very worth while.

Others birds seen, Wheatear ( male ) , Linnet, Pied Wagtails, Meadow Pipit, Rooks , Kestrel , Great Crested Grebe and various Gulls , and Ducks.

Thanks for dropping by.

12th April 2012

Decided after work to call in at Napton , on a lovely evening .

The local Great Crested Grebe pairs were very active with a lot of agressive posturing between the pairs in the middle of the resevoir , then and, most frustratingly one of the pairs put on a full display over the opposite side of the resevoir from me , out of range of my lens . Weed , and a fish present for the female , the full monty , and no pictures , arghhhh !!!!.

Just as I was photographing one of the Grebes , a huge boom , made me jump , apparently a Typhoon Jet breaking the sound barrier , on an emergency scramble.

An interesting and eventful visit .

Tuesday 10th April

A very short visit after work to Draycote produced the usual suspects .

Great Crested Grebe, Buzzard , Little Grebe, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail , Dunnock ,Reed Bunting and the usual assortment of Gull , and Ducks.

The most interesting thing was the behaviour of the local Rooks which feeding on on the flys that were on the wall sheltering from the blustery conditions , these clever birds spotted an oportunity , and took full advantage of it

Thursday saw us starting at 8.00am for a trip to Knighton to visits our friends Judy , and David , followed by a trip from Knighton to Rhayader, too photograph the Red Kites at the Gigrin Farm feeding station , and meet up with another Flickr friend, Izzy .

Two short delays on the Motorways meant we arrived at Knighton at 10.20am , where David had the Tea pot warmed up especialy for Kay.

Feeling refreshed we took a short walk around Knighton with two delightful encounters with a Nuthatch , and a Dipper. Unfortunatey no pictures of the Dipper, must go back for him .

Whilst Judy and I walked a little way along the river , Kay and David headed for the local tea rooms , now theres a surprise.

Having joined Kay and David , and after an excellent hot chocolate , our too brief visit to Knighton was over , and we headed of too Rhayader, having said our goodbyes.

Having arrived at Gigrin I found that Izzy ( my Flickr friend ) had not arrived yet , and that there were only two spaces left in the photography hides , so I quickly booked our places .

Izzy arrived shortly afterwards, and we headed down to the hide to set up, and wait for the 3.00 pm feeding.

The clanking noise of the tractor  indicated feeding time had arrived , and out of apparently no where , the sky began fill with Kites.  

 I concentrated on trying to capture the Kites diving in to pick up their food , which they didn't always manage too hang on too.

  I moved to 300mm without extenders to give me a better chance , and my success rate went up .

Didn't totally ignore the higher flying shots

Three and a half hours flew by,( excuse the pun ) , and facing a two and a half hour journey back , it was time to say our goodbye's to Izzy, and head back home.

A great day and thank you to Izzy , Judy, and David, for making it an even better day .   

Hwyl fawr, tan y tro nesaf

Below some images I have managed so far .

  Late evening seems to be the best for light , but may be not for display behaviour, and the contrast is very high .

While at the Carlton  with absolutely nothing on the pond in front, a Grey Heron arrived, and did what Herons do a lot of the time , not a lot.

When all of a sudden , I noticed it had caught something.

Another of the two hundred Water Voles released at Brandon last year, meets a sticky end.

There are a pair of Kestrels nesting near the Carlton Hide , at Brandon Marsh, below a couple of images I have managed to get from the hide .

All a little bit to far away , and the small windows in the hide , means you have to be something of a contortionist to get the lens at the right angle to get the hovering shots.

March 10th 2012

Kay , and I decided to visit Draycote Water  just down the road for us, and often the source for some interesting sightings .

However, not today we saw little on our brief visit , but there was a small flock of Meadow Pipits , and I managed a couple of nice images.

Leaving the Pipits in peace , they get enough disturbance , without be hastled by photographers as well, we headed for Brandon.

On arrival Kay continued her policy of supporting the local economy , we  headed straight for the cafe, and bumped into Di Stone , and Kath, enjoying a nice chat , and a coffee .

Kath and I decided too head for the John Baldwin Hide, to see what was about , while Kay continued to contribute to the cafe's takings.

There was nothing unusual at the hide , but the usual nice cross section , of water birds, and the occasional blue streak of the local kingfishers. A couple of Shovler action shots from the Baldwin.

Decampnig from Baldwin I walked up to the Carlton , which turn up Kestrel , Buzzard , the usual Water Fowl , and some bad tempered coots .

So all in all an enjoyable if univentful day  

Saturday 3rd March 2012

Again taken from the John Baldwin Hide at Brandon , Tufted Ducks have a good wash as they do.

I find I enjoy this kind of photography far more than standard portrait images , it is becoming increasingly important to me to capture behaviour.

Also I am finding this a far more satisfactory way of posting my images , than what has been my main route up to now, which has been flickr.

I can see blogging becoming increasingly important too me this year.

While Kay headed straight for the cafe I took a brief walk round Brandon , and then with a few hours of light left I settled in the John Baldwin hide, to see if I could photograph the Great Crested Grebes . 

The Grebes stayed out of range but the male Goldeneye was less shy once the hide became less crowded .

Annoyingly however he did little but swim and dive, theres only so many portraits you can take.

Then just as the light was fading , he decided to rear up.

Also present  at the hide were , Tufted Duck , Pochard, Teal , Mallard, and a blue streak  ( Brandon Kingfisher flyby :0)  )

Faye + Richie-250

Also providing some entertainment the local Cormorants.

The female Goldeneye also made a brief appearance

A brief visit too Brandon , but as always something of interest , three hours well spent 

This weekend saw us take our first trip of the year too Norfolk, my main target being to see, and photograph Snow Bunting at a well known site near Cley on the North Norfolk coast.

Getting up at 5.00am , and setting off at 6.00am having checked the forecast for the hundreth time , Kay was soon snoozing in the passenger seat as I headed along the A14.

Nearing Wisbech , I was briefly joined by a Barn Owl that flew along side the car for a few hundred metres , I was hoping this was a good omen for our trip. Along the way, another Barn Owl , Buzzards , and Kestrels all made appearances.

At 8.30am we were passing Cley Marsh , a Marsh Harrier was flying over the marsh, the sun was out , the sky blue , all was well with the world .

Arriving at the car park , I was thrilled to see Snow Buntings straight away, in my enthusiasm , and fooled by the sunny weather , I got out the car without my coat , and was immediately cut in two by the icy wind whipping in of the North Sea.The next few hours were spent photographing Snow Buntings , a friendly Knot, and a group of very vocal and active Turnstones.  As was to be expected several other photographers were present , and one photographer in particular provided some excellent advice regarding several species , so thanks Andy it was very much appreciated .

Having enjoyed more than a few hours with these gorgeous birds, it was time too head for Cley Marsh visitor centre , where the cafe promised warming hot chocolate drinks , and bacon sandwiches. 

After refreshments and renewing our NWT membership we quickly nipped out to the nearest hide at Cley , where some nice views of Marsh Harrier , Lapwing , Black Tailed Godwit, Avocet , and two large flocks of Brent Geese  all in a brief twenty minutes left us smiling as we walked back to the car to drive to our overnite accomodation.

Brent Geese

On the way back too Kings Lynn we briefly called in at a site well known for its Barn Owls , and we were lucky enough to see four individuals  all at long range and in rather poor light so no photos worth posting , but I have a feeling Kay and I will be back to this site.

The Barn Owl sightings rounded of a very good day , and we drove happily off to Kings Lynn :0)   

Knot

Sunday 26th Febuary 2012

Leaving Kings Lynn at 8.00 am  we headed for RSPB Titchwell, arriving about 8.30 am we headed for the beach , about a half mile walk through the reserve . On our way seeing Robins , Chaffinch , Linnet , Dunnock , Avocet , Black Tailed Godwit, Redshank , Little Egret , Brent Geese, Marsh Harrier , Meadow Pipit, and Greylag. A very pleasant walk in glorious sunshine.

Kay sat down on a bench chatting to all who passed , while I took a brief stroll along the beach , which unusually for Titchwell  provided very little in the way of sightings .

Returning too Kay , she suprisingly informed me she was heading for the cafe and breakfast , I advised her I wouldn't be far behind , little did I know two hours later , I still wouldn't have made it to the cafe. ( lucky I have a understanding wife ) .

A gentle stroll again produced little in the way of sightings , but the Sky Larks provided some entertainment, obviousy enjoying the warm sunny conditions.

I decided it was time for the cafe , when I heard a familar pinging call ........... Bearded Tits ( Reedlings as they are now offically called ) . Then a brief showing in the reed , four in total , and that was it I wasn't going anywhere for a while .

An hour of hide and seek produced a couple of images , and a lot of frustration, such is the way with photographing these fast moving birds.

After an hour I headed back to the cafe too find Kay on her fourth cup of tea , and chatting to a couple who live in the village where I was born , only Kay :0).

Half a hour later feeling refreshed , I persuaded Kay to let me have another half an hour with the Beardy's , before we headed home , and a couple more images resulted , a satisfying end,  to a lovely weekend in Norfolk .