As the weather was not so great I decided to spend some time on my website. Please feel to visit and let me know what you think.
www.stuartgwright.com
Saturday, 17 September 2011
Monday, 12 September 2011
Norfolk Trip
As there is not a lot happening around the Midlands it was decided to head to trusty Norfolk. Early start as usual to pick up Ken so we could make the most of the day.
When we arrived the sun was out for a change. First stop was Salthouse where there were lots of Linnets, a few Wheatears and the odd wader on the pools.
After a short stay to strecth the legs we headed off to Wells next to the sea. This was the first time I had been down to the beach area. Looks nice for sunbathing but not really alot around apart from a few little grebes on the lake next to the car park.
From here we headed to Titchwell even though we had been warned it may be busy as a Little Bittern had been seen. Upon arrival the car park was full and a bus load of people had just arrived. We found a space in the car park and headed to the beach were we were hoping to see some waders. It wasn't long when we came across a group of approx 30 people all looking into the reeds. After speaking to the one guy he said he had been there for the last 2 1/2 hrs and all they saw was movement within the reeds. That was enough for me and Ken so we continued up to the beach. A few waders where on the pools but everything was 200 plus meters away :( When we arrived at the beach the wind was so strong it was blowing sand all over us, neither of us dared to get the camera gear out in these conditions. A small break whilst sitting behind the rocks gave us some shelter before heading back to the car. On the way back the crowd of people had got a lot larger and there must have been 100 plus people blocking the path and bankment trying to get a look at the bittern. One kind twicher let me see through his scope, the Bittern was approx. 1 foot within the reeds and you could only just make out what it was. We soon continued one and had to push our way through the crowd of people.
From here we decided to head back to Cley where hopefully it would be quieter. In the middle hide we got some great views of a Little Egret which came out on a regular basis to feed, this was the highlight of the day and some great pics were captured. Whilst in the hide we also saw 3 Marsh Harriers and had a great view of 5 spoonbills flying past us before returning back to the island.
We are now starting to get to know the area better so hopefully the next trip at the end of Oct will result in some good pics. Can't wait.
Little Egret in flight
Having a feed
Enjoying the sun
Back on dry ground
Spoonbills in flight
When we arrived the sun was out for a change. First stop was Salthouse where there were lots of Linnets, a few Wheatears and the odd wader on the pools.
After a short stay to strecth the legs we headed off to Wells next to the sea. This was the first time I had been down to the beach area. Looks nice for sunbathing but not really alot around apart from a few little grebes on the lake next to the car park.
From here we headed to Titchwell even though we had been warned it may be busy as a Little Bittern had been seen. Upon arrival the car park was full and a bus load of people had just arrived. We found a space in the car park and headed to the beach were we were hoping to see some waders. It wasn't long when we came across a group of approx 30 people all looking into the reeds. After speaking to the one guy he said he had been there for the last 2 1/2 hrs and all they saw was movement within the reeds. That was enough for me and Ken so we continued up to the beach. A few waders where on the pools but everything was 200 plus meters away :( When we arrived at the beach the wind was so strong it was blowing sand all over us, neither of us dared to get the camera gear out in these conditions. A small break whilst sitting behind the rocks gave us some shelter before heading back to the car. On the way back the crowd of people had got a lot larger and there must have been 100 plus people blocking the path and bankment trying to get a look at the bittern. One kind twicher let me see through his scope, the Bittern was approx. 1 foot within the reeds and you could only just make out what it was. We soon continued one and had to push our way through the crowd of people.
From here we decided to head back to Cley where hopefully it would be quieter. In the middle hide we got some great views of a Little Egret which came out on a regular basis to feed, this was the highlight of the day and some great pics were captured. Whilst in the hide we also saw 3 Marsh Harriers and had a great view of 5 spoonbills flying past us before returning back to the island.
We are now starting to get to know the area better so hopefully the next trip at the end of Oct will result in some good pics. Can't wait.
Little Egret in flight
Monday, 5 September 2011
Hard to find a subject
I am sure everybody else is feeling the same but the last few weeks it has been really hard to find anything to photograph. I have been staying local at Cannock chase and did manage a few shots over the last week or so.
A bonus is that one of the foxes is now turning up for its regular feed, the bad news is he just sits and waits until I leave to come out.
Sunday, 21 August 2011
Red-necked Grebe again
Had a sleep in for a change this morning and as the weather was good I decided to quickly have a go at the Red-necked grebe at Gailey again.
On arrival it seemed the grebe had moved to the other side of the pool and the sun was right in front of you :(
After spending the next 4 hours waiting and moving around with the good company of Bob I managed to get a few action shots.
On arrival it seemed the grebe had moved to the other side of the pool and the sun was right in front of you :(
After spending the next 4 hours waiting and moving around with the good company of Bob I managed to get a few action shots.
Saturday, 20 August 2011
Red-necked Grebe & Nuthatch
This morning I met with Ken and we visited cannock chase to try for some small birds. One of my fav birds were showing so I had to get a few shots. Apart from the nuthatch, blue tit, great tit and coal tits there wasn't alot else :(
Our good friend Pete was at Gailey trying for the Red-necked Grebe so after a few text messages to check it was showing we headed over to see him.
After a few hours it did come towards us but it was still a far distance. Hopefully if the weather is good I may try again tomorrow.
Our good friend Pete was at Gailey trying for the Red-necked Grebe so after a few text messages to check it was showing we headed over to see him.
After a few hours it did come towards us but it was still a far distance. Hopefully if the weather is good I may try again tomorrow.
Saturday, 13 August 2011
Red Kites at Nant-yr-Arian
After seeing some photo's from others this is a place I have wanted to visited for some time now. I went with one particular shot in my mind and that was the Water shot.
I got there a few hours earlier than the feeding time of 3pm so my son could have a play in the park area. On arrival the weather was not good at all with white clouds everywhere and they were very low to the point where you couldn't see the tree tops at times.
The place seemed pretty quiet at first but by the time 3pm came it was very busy with kids. Lucky for me they mostly left after the first feeding frenzy thinking it was all over.
Shooting hand held at 400mm with low light and white cloud makes things a little more challenging. Below are the best from the day but I will be visiting again to try again.
The water shot I was after.
White clouds.
Flyby
Flyby
I got there a few hours earlier than the feeding time of 3pm so my son could have a play in the park area. On arrival the weather was not good at all with white clouds everywhere and they were very low to the point where you couldn't see the tree tops at times.
The place seemed pretty quiet at first but by the time 3pm came it was very busy with kids. Lucky for me they mostly left after the first feeding frenzy thinking it was all over.
Shooting hand held at 400mm with low light and white cloud makes things a little more challenging. Below are the best from the day but I will be visiting again to try again.
The water shot I was after.
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
West Midlands Safari Park
With a week off work I decided to take the wife and son to the Safari Park. We arrived around noon and joined the traffic around the safari. It was bumper to bumper all the way around and took us over 2 hrs to complete. I managed a few shots but everything was just sleeping in sun and not really doing a lot, like I would :)
After some lunch and a few hours on the rides we decided to drive around again about 6pm as it was now quiet. This time we only saw a few cars all the way around and the animals we really wanted to see where out playing around. The highlight of the day was the lions as the young were playing around with each other and at times they came within a few feet of the car.
All in all a great day out and I will be visiting again very soon. Here are a few mixed pics from the day.
After some lunch and a few hours on the rides we decided to drive around again about 6pm as it was now quiet. This time we only saw a few cars all the way around and the animals we really wanted to see where out playing around. The highlight of the day was the lions as the young were playing around with each other and at times they came within a few feet of the car.
All in all a great day out and I will be visiting again very soon. Here are a few mixed pics from the day.
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