Quick review of 2011

2011 has been a great year for me in regards to photography.  If you had asked me at the beginning of 2011 what photo's I was hoping for; then I would had never of dreamed to list some of the images I have managed. 

Below I have chosen a few special moments from each month. 

The year started fairly slow as it always does due the weather but during Feb I managed my first good shot of a SEO.  A drive up north to Warbly Carrs where I met Pete proved to be the right choose.  We both nearly missed the shot due to being the wrong end of the lane, all I remember was a walk turned into a stroll and then a jog and then a near full sprint.  I will not forget that day for many years to come.

During March I made my first ever visit to Norfolk as I was working on the east cost.  I had a great time there although it was a very short time but following this brief visit I decided I would be visiting again several more times during the year.

 April was a special month for me as I had the opportunity to photograph a lone male Dartford.  I spent the afternoon in great company with some friends but the star of the day had to be the Dartford.  What a great experience.



May came and so did spring.  This spring seemed to be a great year for Redstarts and before long everywhere I looked there seemed to be Redstarts.  I really can't wait now until spring 2012 to see these guys again.

June was a good month on my local patch Cannock Chase.  I was told about a sighting of a tawny owl on the chase and a few hours after I was sitting beneath a tree watching this great looking Owl.  This was a delight to see and espically as it was only 10 mins from my house.  A few weeks later I was also lucky enough to see two young fledge.

July is when it seems to go quiet on the birding front but this gave me time to spend with my foxes again.  I spent several hours each early morning and late evening walking the chase to find some cubs.  After about a week looking I was lucky enough to come across a den with good cover where I would hopefully get some photo's.  On the first visit I was not disappointed.  July also gave me time to visit the Red squirrels which is always a delight to photograph.

Looking back at my pics from Aug it seemed to be a quiet month, this is prob due to holidays etc.  Aug whoever did bring the Swallows to Cannock Chase and they were quite happy to be photographed feeding the young. 

During Sep I made another trip to Norfolk but things were still quiet there.  A little Egret at Clay marsh showed well but the highlight for me was when the Spoonbills flew straight past us.

Oct and time for the Bucks to show on my local patch again.  A few early mornings produced some great light and this was a photograph I had been after for a while now.

Nov brought a surprise to my local patch again in the form of a Great Grey Shrike.  On my third visit to the area and sitting away from the crowds the Shrike showed very well for me.

December was all about Short Eared Owls, until now I had not got any good shots of owls in flight.  I visited the site several times during Dec and must have hundreds of shots but always looking for that one which is better than the last.  This was the perfect way to finish year 2011 off. 

Christmas Break

Over the Christmas break I managed a few days out.  Firstly I took the family to Donna Nook to see the remaining seals, all in all we had a nice day.

The following day I visited my fav place at the moment to see the SEO's again :) Sorry to bore you with more pics.  The light wasn't great at all but it was great to see them again and this was the first time I have managed to get a photo of a owl with a vole.

 A quick few hours to the local chase where the norm birds where showing but I had to get a nice Robin as it is that time of year.

A mixed few weekends.

Two weekends ago I took another trip to see the SEO's as the weather forecast was good.  On arrival the weather was good and there were perhaps already around 10 people there.  A quick scan around and we noticed some familiar faces whom we hadn't seen for a while so it was nice to catch up with them. 

By approx 2pm more and more people turned up to the point when there was approx 20 + people present.  This didn't stop the owls showing but they didn't seem to come as close as the previous weeks.  This was not surprising due to the number of people and the noise also. 

The light did make up for this and this time I managed to get some shots at ISO 400 rather than the typical ISO 800 I had been shooting the weeks before.

 More pics of the owls can be seen on my flickr site. 

This weekend the weather forecast was also good but we opted to visit my local ground Cannock Chase in the hope to get a few Redpolls and Siskin.   I got up there early morning and the sun was out but we could see some  bad weather coming in.  In wasn't long before it started snowing heavy :(
By the time Ken arrived the weather had changed again and it looked like we were in for some better.  The next few hours were spent in sun, rain and hail :( along with our friends John and Trev :)

Although we didn't see any Redpolls or Siskins and the light conditions being hard most of the time I was happy with the outcome.

Woody and Short Eared Owls again

After last weekends disaster we decided to visit the short eared owls again :)
As we had a few hours to kill we opted to call into Whitacre heath to see if anything was around.  On arrival there didn't seem much but a Great spotted Woodpecker was returning on a regular basis so we managed a few shots. 

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Around noon we headed off to hopefully see the SEO's although the wind was quite strong.  On arrival we met with good friends Ian and Joe :)

The sun was out but so was the wind.  we waited with only a quick viewing of one before it settled back down.  As Joe said the minute the wind died down the owls came out to play :)

This was prob the closest we had seen then and for the last 45 mins of light we were treated to some great views.

A few of my favs from the day.  I just can't get enough of them :)



Catch up time (but not alot)

I haven't really had alot of time to post due to work commitments etc so here is a catch up from the last few weeks. 

Following the Short Eared Owl visit I was lucky enough to visit again a few times and the light was
better whilst the owls also came a little closer.

The following weekend Ken and myself headed to Knypersley to hopefully get a few shots of the Bramblings.  Upon arrival with met with Steve S and he gave us directions to where they were along with a few tips.  We opted for the car park area and it wasn't long before we got to see the Bramblings through the bins.  Trying to get good pics of them was another things though.  This was the best I managed but hopefully more to follow soon.

On Sunday we decided to head to Conwy to photograph the snow buntings.  This was a good idea as the sun was out but what we hadn't looked at was the 40+mph winds :(
Ken took a walk to locate the snow buntings but came back "sand blasted".  It was so bad he couldn't even keep his eyes open. 
A wait in the car and then a breakfast didn't help as the wind was still to strong and there was no chance of talking any pics. 

We decided to leave even though we hadn't even got the camera's out.  A quick call into Knypersley again on the way home but yet again the wind was too strong and all the birds had taken cover.  Oh well there is always another day I kept telling myself. 

Short Eared Owls

Last year I was lucky enough to visit Warbley Carrs to get a few images of these great birds but its a long drive.  When I received info from some good friends that there were a number of owls showing more locally I just couldn't resist. 

I had not been to this site before and it was a few years ago since Ken also visited so we opted to park where Ken knew.  On arrival we found ourselves standing at the opposite side of the field to our friends.  Was this to be a good move??

Whilst scanning the area with the bins I spotted a Barn owl inn the distance but it seemed very happy just sitting in the hedge.  The sun was out and it wasn't long before Ken shouted Owl, I was so happy that they at least showed.  More and more owls started to appear but they were still distant and favouring the other side of the field.  We stood around hoping we would be lucky and one would fly our way.  As the afternoon went on we noticed that some of the owls had moved to the next field and this was closer for us.  I managed a few shots but they were still large crops.  The good news was that there were plenty of owl and it was just amazing to see them hunting. 

During the week I managed to take a few hours off work and treat the wife to see the owl :)

The weather was not as good as the weekend but I was hoping it would be quiet.  This time I opted for the other side of the field and found the track to get there.  We had only been there for approx 30 mins when the wife said "Owl".  Great they were out again.  They came alot closer this time and I managed some better shots.  Again I could stand there for hours just watching them, what a great bird. 

As i write this I am getting ready to visit again this afternoon, lets just hope for good weather and a close view of them. 

Catch up

I haven't had much time to keep post on the blog due to work commitments so I thought I best catch up.

I have been looking at buying a new camera body now for some time and when the opportunity came up on a 50D I couldn't resist.  So the 30D has been put away now in the cupboard and I have a nice shiny 50D to play with. 

After seeing the pics of the Squacco Heron at Atttenborough we decided to head to Nottingham and try a few shots.  The weather was not the greatest at all but hey a opportunity like this can't be turned down.  On arrival the Squacco was very distance and not really moving around.  Ken arrived approx. one hour later and he must of brought some good luck as the Squacco started to move around.  Alot of my shots were binned but I managed a few. 

A few members from a forum I am a member of had arranged to meet at Cannock Chase so I decided to leave Nottingham and make my way back to the Chase.  Here I met up with them and had a good laugh whilst also trying out the new 50D at high ISO.  The nuthatch was shot at ISO 3200 and I am pleased with the results.

The following day i decided to try for the Great grey shrike again as it was still showing well.  On arrival we saw a few peeps we knew and the Shrike had not been seen as of yet.  It was approx 1 hour before the Shrike was spotted but it didn't seem to be perching in the same stop as the week before.  Another 30 mins passed watching the Shrike at a distance and I decided it would be best to have a walk and try a new spot further down the valley.   After leaving the others it didn't take long to notice it perching on a ideal perch every so often, this would be a waiting game.  I set up with the perch in view along with Paul and we just hoped it would land there again.  It wasn't long before the Shrike did exactly that whilst also coughing up a pellet. 

The new 50D seems to be performing well so all in all a good week.