Friday, 27 February 2009
Thursday, 26 February 2009
Grey Heron Spotted
This image shows the advantage of using 'spot' metering on specific occasions. The Heron was partially hidden behind a fallen tree and there were bushes some distance behind the intended subject as well.
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
The Dunnock
I have featured the Dunnock before on many occasions. This one which I photographed yesterday looks to be a young first winter bird. As a boy I would have called it by its common name, Hedge Sparrow.
Resident throughout the year, this is quite a European bird as it exists throughout the continent.
Resident throughout the year, this is quite a European bird as it exists throughout the continent.
Saturday, 21 February 2009
Scenes from a Cycle Ride
After all the snow and cold weather it was good to get out on the bicycle. The sun was shining, it was mild and blue sky was everywhere. As an experiment I was equipped with a 70-200mm f4L lens on the camera only, I intended to photograph anything of interest using that range.
Although "Spring is just around the corner," it needs to hurry up as I didnt see much that was green. The grass is still pale. Of course the climbing ivy is green as it is throughout the year. Shoots of winter wheat are poking up through the soil. You had to look very close at some of the hedgerow and trees to see small green buds coming through.
The sun was shining on the newly ploughed furrows in this field below. It is a field I often see distant Hares running about.
This Horse below was in a field that usually has several Horses grazing in different penned off areas. This Horse seemed rather distressed about something, strutting around 'neighing' it may have had its foul taken from it. I know nothing about horses other than they have four legs and tail.
The only meaningful bird photograph I was able to get was of this little Long-tailed Tit. Apart from this, I observed Fieldfares at a distance, Chaffinchs and House Sparrows singing in the hedgerow and high flying Gulls.
Horse Play.
Unfortunately this Horse was quite some distance away and behind several fences, which rather spoilt the images of it.
Even here at this point below there was little to observe apart from a Mute Swan at a distance. I would normally expect to see Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe and Little Grebe on this stretch of water.
If nothing else, I can always rely on seeing 'John Deere' in the field somewhere on my travels.
The Snowdrops are fully out now, perhaps a sign that "Spring really is just around the corner."
I looked for these in a little Spinney on the side of the road as I know that they always grow there each year. There where four bunches altogether.
As my fifteen mile round trip was drawing to a close, my legs and other parts of my person where telling me that I had not been on the bike for a while. It will not take long to get back into it though especially now that our weather is improving.
Although "Spring is just around the corner," it needs to hurry up as I didnt see much that was green. The grass is still pale. Of course the climbing ivy is green as it is throughout the year. Shoots of winter wheat are poking up through the soil. You had to look very close at some of the hedgerow and trees to see small green buds coming through.
The sun was shining on the newly ploughed furrows in this field below. It is a field I often see distant Hares running about.
This Horse below was in a field that usually has several Horses grazing in different penned off areas. This Horse seemed rather distressed about something, strutting around 'neighing' it may have had its foul taken from it. I know nothing about horses other than they have four legs and tail.
The only meaningful bird photograph I was able to get was of this little Long-tailed Tit. Apart from this, I observed Fieldfares at a distance, Chaffinchs and House Sparrows singing in the hedgerow and high flying Gulls.
Horse Play.
Unfortunately this Horse was quite some distance away and behind several fences, which rather spoilt the images of it.
Even here at this point below there was little to observe apart from a Mute Swan at a distance. I would normally expect to see Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe and Little Grebe on this stretch of water.
If nothing else, I can always rely on seeing 'John Deere' in the field somewhere on my travels.
The Snowdrops are fully out now, perhaps a sign that "Spring really is just around the corner."
I looked for these in a little Spinney on the side of the road as I know that they always grow there each year. There where four bunches altogether.
As my fifteen mile round trip was drawing to a close, my legs and other parts of my person where telling me that I had not been on the bike for a while. It will not take long to get back into it though especially now that our weather is improving.
Thursday, 19 February 2009
Active Wrens
Spring is definitely just around the corner. Wrens are now starting to make a lot of noise and sing from higher perches.
The first photograph I had to wait quite some time before he came into view and close enough for a reasonable image.
1/400. f7.1 - 400mm. ISO640. Spot metering.
The second set of photographs was of another wren that was perched on the side of a hedge sitting in the sunlight.
Unfortunately I had to crop the images considerably, as he was some distance away and there was a lot of water between us.
The first photograph I had to wait quite some time before he came into view and close enough for a reasonable image.
1/400. f7.1 - 400mm. ISO640. Spot metering.
The second set of photographs was of another wren that was perched on the side of a hedge sitting in the sunlight.
Unfortunately I had to crop the images considerably, as he was some distance away and there was a lot of water between us.
Good News -Bad News
The good news is that the snow has disappeared.
The bad news is that now predictably, the floods have arrived.
These are views of what is normally a long meadow which has a river running alongside it. It is part of one of the areas that I regularly walk. It is at sea level like most areas around here and because of the high water table, can easily flood under such circumstances.
On Tuesday 10th February, I posted some winter scenes. On the last of those views in that post is a river starting to flood. This meadow is just downstream from that position.
Surveying the area I observed that a lot of gulls, ducks, geese, swans and waders are taking advantage of this new patch of water. The other day I photographed Redwings on Ice on this area.
The bad news is that now predictably, the floods have arrived.
These are views of what is normally a long meadow which has a river running alongside it. It is part of one of the areas that I regularly walk. It is at sea level like most areas around here and because of the high water table, can easily flood under such circumstances.
On Tuesday 10th February, I posted some winter scenes. On the last of those views in that post is a river starting to flood. This meadow is just downstream from that position.
Surveying the area I observed that a lot of gulls, ducks, geese, swans and waders are taking advantage of this new patch of water. The other day I photographed Redwings on Ice on this area.
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
Sunday, 15 February 2009
Cormorant Images
(Its that green eyed monster from the blue lagoon again.)
Here are some images of the Cormorant which I took over a local lake. In spring the Cormorant has visible white streaks on its head, a bold white throat and a white patch on its thigh. This is in readiness for the breeding season.
These are birds that are never easy to get close to for a photograph, especially when they are swimming and diving for fish, but you can catch them flying over occasionally.
I often compare birds with aircraft.
Remind you of anything below - The U2 Spy Plane??
Here are some images of the Cormorant which I took over a local lake. In spring the Cormorant has visible white streaks on its head, a bold white throat and a white patch on its thigh. This is in readiness for the breeding season.
These are birds that are never easy to get close to for a photograph, especially when they are swimming and diving for fish, but you can catch them flying over occasionally.
I often compare birds with aircraft.
Remind you of anything below - The U2 Spy Plane??
Thursday, 12 February 2009
Redwings on Ice
The Redwing is one of our winter visitors from Northern Europe and a member of the Thrush family. It normally visits the British Isles for the winter to escape the severe winter conditions in its summer breeding areas.
I don't think they can tell the difference this winter, either that or they may think their onboard compasses have malfunctioned.
I photographed these this morning in a meadow that is normally flooded to varying degrees during the winter, but is now frozen over. There were a few Fieldfares as well in the same area.
Redwings, as with Fieldfares, on arriving in the country eat all the various wild berries that are in abundance at that time. They also eat fallen apples in orchards. Subsequently they then move into the fields to eat available worms, insects and seeds.
Unfortunately they are difficult birds to get very close to for photography purposes.
I don't think they can tell the difference this winter, either that or they may think their onboard compasses have malfunctioned.
I photographed these this morning in a meadow that is normally flooded to varying degrees during the winter, but is now frozen over. There were a few Fieldfares as well in the same area.
Redwings, as with Fieldfares, on arriving in the country eat all the various wild berries that are in abundance at that time. They also eat fallen apples in orchards. Subsequently they then move into the fields to eat available worms, insects and seeds.
Unfortunately they are difficult birds to get very close to for photography purposes.
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
Our Resident Robin
We have a bird feeding tray on the lounge balcony and my wife places bird seed on it each morning. As always, sitting in the tree immediately next to the balcony is our resident Robin. Before my wife steps back from the tray he flies straight on to the tray to feed.
This is one little bird that is going to get through the winter OK.
(The first two photos are taken through double glazing.)
He was quite content while I leaned out the balcony double doors and photographed him on the tray.
This is one little bird that is going to get through the winter OK.
(The first two photos are taken through double glazing.)
He was quite content while I leaned out the balcony double doors and photographed him on the tray.
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
Friday, 6 February 2009
Did you notice that Bird
Probably not.
The Birdwatchers amongst us, if we are honest with ourselves, we tend on occasion to overlook the common bird when out birdwatching.
We go out looking for something different, unusual or something not seen by us personally very often. We want to get that new tick in the book or a good photograph of something we haven't got before. Some of us drive miles to see that unusual bird.
Amongst the Greenfinch we are looking for a Siskin.
Is that another Chaffinch again, I was hoping to see a Brambling.?
Surely there is a different duck amongst those Tufti's.?
Problem is that we ignore the common birds and one day they may not be common anymore. Who would have thought that House Sparrow numbers would be in decline. The Song Thrush was so commonplace a few years ago. I use to hear Skylarks all the time in the summer.
Recently I went out with a 70-200mm lens attached to the camera and didn't take any other in the bag. I had not used it on the 40D before and wanted to try out the spot metering. So I thought I would look at and photograph the common birds I see.
Below is a selection of those.
The Great Tit. "See them all the time", but do we give them a second look, what amazing colours.
Is that a rare sighting of a Bluethroat on migration.? No sorry its only a Robin. They are real characters to watch and that red orange breast.!
The Blackbird, well its a black bird, but catch them in the right light. You may even see one with some white on.
The Mallard our most common duck. As soon as it registers as a Mallard we probably look away, but is there a more colourful duck? not many.
The Coot. Certainly worth studying especially this time of year now when, what I would term "The Coot Disputes" occur. If for nothing else what about those big feet. Observation will reveal to you that they are the most protective and caring parents.
The Blue Tit. Well he definitely competes with the Great Tit for colouring.
Its that brown bird again hopping about under a bush, the dull old Dunnock.
OK, have you ever heard it sing from the top of a bush?, you will not hear a sweeter bird song.
Pheasants yes, we see them in the fields all the time. What we are really looking for is the rare Grey Partridge so we don't give these a second look. What can I say.
So make a note and keep your best photographs of those common birds.
The Birdwatchers amongst us, if we are honest with ourselves, we tend on occasion to overlook the common bird when out birdwatching.
We go out looking for something different, unusual or something not seen by us personally very often. We want to get that new tick in the book or a good photograph of something we haven't got before. Some of us drive miles to see that unusual bird.
Amongst the Greenfinch we are looking for a Siskin.
Is that another Chaffinch again, I was hoping to see a Brambling.?
Surely there is a different duck amongst those Tufti's.?
Problem is that we ignore the common birds and one day they may not be common anymore. Who would have thought that House Sparrow numbers would be in decline. The Song Thrush was so commonplace a few years ago. I use to hear Skylarks all the time in the summer.
Recently I went out with a 70-200mm lens attached to the camera and didn't take any other in the bag. I had not used it on the 40D before and wanted to try out the spot metering. So I thought I would look at and photograph the common birds I see.
Below is a selection of those.
The Great Tit. "See them all the time", but do we give them a second look, what amazing colours.
Is that a rare sighting of a Bluethroat on migration.? No sorry its only a Robin. They are real characters to watch and that red orange breast.!
The Blackbird, well its a black bird, but catch them in the right light. You may even see one with some white on.
The Mallard our most common duck. As soon as it registers as a Mallard we probably look away, but is there a more colourful duck? not many.
The Coot. Certainly worth studying especially this time of year now when, what I would term "The Coot Disputes" occur. If for nothing else what about those big feet. Observation will reveal to you that they are the most protective and caring parents.
The Blue Tit. Well he definitely competes with the Great Tit for colouring.
Its that brown bird again hopping about under a bush, the dull old Dunnock.
OK, have you ever heard it sing from the top of a bush?, you will not hear a sweeter bird song.
Pheasants yes, we see them in the fields all the time. What we are really looking for is the rare Grey Partridge so we don't give these a second look. What can I say.
So make a note and keep your best photographs of those common birds.
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