Saturday, 17 November 2012
Waxwings
Yes it's that time of year again when we all go made for Waxwings. After not seeing any last winter and hearing of some in Derby (Thanks Pete) I managed to get a few hours away from decorating.
Sunday, 28 October 2012
Stags, Owls and a Kingfisher
Its been a while since I last posted so here is a quick catch up of what I have been doing over the last month or so.
Following the Osprey at Upton things went very quiet which allowed me to spend some time around my local patch "Cannock Chase" where there is a small pond which usually produces some some Hawkers. This year was a lot better than the last two and there were plenty around.
As early October approached with the colder morning and the rutting season started it was time to head to Bradgate Park in Leicester. Early morning have a different feel to the place and the light can be really nice as the sun comes up.
A walk up the hill side also produced some nice close up shots of the stags.
I decided to see if the Kingfisher was around and after sitting in the hide for 6 hours we only saw her for a brief moment but I did manage a hover shot with a catch.
After seeing some great shots of the short eared owls Avonmouth I had to give these ago. The first visit provided some close fly by's and prob the best I have managed to date.
Following the Osprey at Upton things went very quiet which allowed me to spend some time around my local patch "Cannock Chase" where there is a small pond which usually produces some some Hawkers. This year was a lot better than the last two and there were plenty around.
As early October approached with the colder morning and the rutting season started it was time to head to Bradgate Park in Leicester. Early morning have a different feel to the place and the light can be really nice as the sun comes up.
A walk up the hill side also produced some nice close up shots of the stags.
I decided to see if the Kingfisher was around and after sitting in the hide for 6 hours we only saw her for a brief moment but I did manage a hover shot with a catch.
After seeing some great shots of the short eared owls Avonmouth I had to give these ago. The first visit provided some close fly by's and prob the best I have managed to date.
The following two visits were not as successful and there was no sign of the owls. At least the Kestrel kept us entertained in the freezing wind.
More pics can be found on my flickr site.
Sunday, 16 September 2012
Osprey at Upton Warren
Well after going to the Highlands earlier this year and having no luck with the Ospreys it was a delight when one was reported locally.
After seeing the first reports of it at Upton I was unable to visit until the following weekend due to work commitments, would it still be around by the weekend??
Lucky for me it was and as I write it is still showing well at Upton.
We got to Upton just before 9 am as it was foggy earlier in the morning. It wasn't long before a few regular faces started to appear (good to see everybody again).
The Osprey was regular on the hour from 9am till 2pm when I left and was fishing in variety of places over the sailing club.
The first few visits it fished closer to where we were stood but as the crowd of photographers grew it seemed to favor the middle of the pool more.
Ken had made a visit earlier in the week and got some nice close shots of the Osprey so he very kindly let me use the 600mm which made it a lot easier to get pics when it was more distant.
After seeing the first reports of it at Upton I was unable to visit until the following weekend due to work commitments, would it still be around by the weekend??
Lucky for me it was and as I write it is still showing well at Upton.
We got to Upton just before 9 am as it was foggy earlier in the morning. It wasn't long before a few regular faces started to appear (good to see everybody again).
The Osprey was regular on the hour from 9am till 2pm when I left and was fishing in variety of places over the sailing club.
The first few visits it fished closer to where we were stood but as the crowd of photographers grew it seemed to favor the middle of the pool more.
Ken had made a visit earlier in the week and got some nice close shots of the Osprey so he very kindly let me use the 600mm which made it a lot easier to get pics when it was more distant.
Monday, 27 August 2012
Something Different
As it's that time of year when the bird's go quiet and there isn't much around to photograph I thought I would try something different. What I didn't know is that you have to get up at silly o'clock in the morning to photograph butterflies.
The alarm set at 3 am I was up early and the weather forecast was good so I headed to meet Ken. We arrived whilst it was still dark but by the time we got the gear together the sun was just coming up.
It didn't take us long before Ken spotted the first Butterfly, we continued to search and there was plenty.
When the sun first came up it gave us some really nice yellow early morning light.
The alarm set at 3 am I was up early and the weather forecast was good so I headed to meet Ken. We arrived whilst it was still dark but by the time we got the gear together the sun was just coming up.
It didn't take us long before Ken spotted the first Butterfly, we continued to search and there was plenty.
When the sun first came up it gave us some really nice yellow early morning light.
Chalkhill Blue
It was a steep learning curve for me on the different type of species there and it wasn't all that easy to spot them at first.
As the sun continued to rise we spotted more and more butterflies present.
Brown Argus
Small Heath
Adonis Blue
Ken had warned me that the grass would be wet and tall in places so I am very glad I put on the waterproof trousers because by the time I had rolled all around the floor taking pictures I was soaked through.
As the temperature warmed up the butterflies became very active and more or less impossible to photograph so we called it a day. The best thing of it all was we had bagged up by 8.30 am and ready to go back home.
With a successful day behind us we opted to try again the next day with John but this time down Oxford.
YES another 3am alarm was set and I was driving south to meet the clan. This time we were not so lucky as it was very windy which meant the butterflies stayed low in the grass which made it more or less impossible to find. After several hours of searching all I managed was another Brown Argus and a Grasshopper.
Brown Argus
Grasshopper
Hopefully the weather is good next weekend so I can try again, but for now I am glad for no more 3am alarms.
Saturday, 11 August 2012
Quick visit to the Highlands
I had been waiting for this some time now and was really looking forward to it. After seeing some of the Osprey pics from a new hide in Aviemore it was decided we had to visit. Due to work and holidays it was decided we would make the 7 hour drive up north early Saturday morning and then return back home Sunday evening, "YES" we must be mad.
Early Saturday morning Ken and John arrived at my house where we loaded the car and headed north, the roads were quiet for a change and the weather was also good so we made good time and was in the Highlands for midday.
There were a few species I really wanted to see and if possible get some shots of, these included Red Grouse, Divers and of course the Osprey's.
We called into a few of the local lochs but there wasn't really much around apart from a pair of spotted flycatchers. Our good friend Pete had told me about another Loch not too far away so we headed off there in the hope of some Red Grouse. On arrival we spotted a Cuckoo perched on the wires but the heat haze was just too much to get any really nice pics. It wasn't long before we spotted three divers in the loch but they were a long long way off, after watching them for a while and taking to a birder with a digi he pointed out that they were Redthroat divers. Great to see although they kept their distance.
As we started to turn around at the Loch we spotted out first Red Grouse. We all managed to get some shots but again we were really struggling with Heat Haze.
We headed back to Aviemore where John knew a location for Red Squirrels. The reds showed well but the back ground and set up wasn't great so I didn't really get anything special but did manage one shot I liked.
We continued to wait several more hours and still nothing :( looks like they were just not feeding today. By 8.45am Gordon called it a day as he had not even seen another Osprey flying around. We couldn't believe it, this was the first time Gordon and his hide had not produced several hits in morning session, trust it to be me.
We were determined not to go home empty handed so after speaking to the other two photographers they told us about a location for Red Grouse. Looking at the map it looked like a little de-tour which we could take on the way home. We packed up the gear and headed off in hope of some Red Grouse. As we drove down a single lane and crossed a bridge, Ken shouted stop, "it was a Otter". We quickly pulled the car to the side and got the camera's but by the time we looked again it had gone.
Once we arrived at the Grouse location it didn't take too long before I spotted the first Red Grouse, well actually there was a family of about seven of them. We all got shots and continued to drive slowly and again within 5 mins we spotted more. This continued for the next two hours so in the end we all got plenty of shots .
It was now time to head home so off we went on the 8 hour drive hour :(
The Highlands is a great place and I will be visiting again in the near future but next time it will have to be for longer than just a weekend.
Early Saturday morning Ken and John arrived at my house where we loaded the car and headed north, the roads were quiet for a change and the weather was also good so we made good time and was in the Highlands for midday.
There were a few species I really wanted to see and if possible get some shots of, these included Red Grouse, Divers and of course the Osprey's.
We called into a few of the local lochs but there wasn't really much around apart from a pair of spotted flycatchers. Our good friend Pete had told me about another Loch not too far away so we headed off there in the hope of some Red Grouse. On arrival we spotted a Cuckoo perched on the wires but the heat haze was just too much to get any really nice pics. It wasn't long before we spotted three divers in the loch but they were a long long way off, after watching them for a while and taking to a birder with a digi he pointed out that they were Redthroat divers. Great to see although they kept their distance.
As we started to turn around at the Loch we spotted out first Red Grouse. We all managed to get some shots but again we were really struggling with Heat Haze.
We headed back to Aviemore where John knew a location for Red Squirrels. The reds showed well but the back ground and set up wasn't great so I didn't really get anything special but did manage one shot I liked.
It was now getting early evening so it was time for some Pub food. After eating we met up with Gordon so he could show us the Osprey Hide in advance of the early morning start. The hide looked great and I was now really excited.
A very early morning alarm went off at 3.45am :( to get ready for the Ospreys. By 4.30am we were at the hide where we met Gordon and two other photographers. By 5.10am the first Osprey was flying around above us so all was looking good. Ten mins later another Osprey turned up and and made it very clear he was going to dive and some point soon. The only big problem was it was still dark and even with ISO 1600 I only had a shutter speed of 1/40 :(
The Osprey dived and I tried for a few shots but as soon as I heard the slow shutter I knew they would be no good. Oh well it was still very early and the light was getting better every min so we just had to wait for the next one. A hour past and we hadn't seen another Osprey and nor had Gordon whom was on the look out from the car park. Whilst waiting I decided to take a few pics of the Grey Wagtail catching minnows from the pool.
We were determined not to go home empty handed so after speaking to the other two photographers they told us about a location for Red Grouse. Looking at the map it looked like a little de-tour which we could take on the way home. We packed up the gear and headed off in hope of some Red Grouse. As we drove down a single lane and crossed a bridge, Ken shouted stop, "it was a Otter". We quickly pulled the car to the side and got the camera's but by the time we looked again it had gone.
Once we arrived at the Grouse location it didn't take too long before I spotted the first Red Grouse, well actually there was a family of about seven of them. We all got shots and continued to drive slowly and again within 5 mins we spotted more. This continued for the next two hours so in the end we all got plenty of shots .
It was now time to head home so off we went on the 8 hour drive hour :(
The Highlands is a great place and I will be visiting again in the near future but next time it will have to be for longer than just a weekend.
Sunday, 15 July 2012
Little Owls, Kingfisher and Woodpeckers
Ken, John and myself had arranged to visit Mark Hancox site to photograph some kingfishers. Due to the rain the week before it looked like we were going to miss out on the Kingfishers as the hide had been under water. We decided mid-week to go anyway and photograph some little owls with the hope that the water levels may fall and allow us to also photograph some Kings.
We met Mark at 7 am and by 8 am we were sitting in pop up hides waiting for the little owls. We could here a owl calling very close but it did take several hours before they appeared. At first the adult came down for approx. 10 mins and then one of this years young followed. It wasn't long before they both left again but we did manage a good 15 mins of photo's.
This was amazing to see them together and I was chuffed to get the shot.
We sat in the hides for a few more hours in the hope the owls would return but they weren't playing ball. Mark arrived as planned and we asked if we could photograph the kingfishers and he said yes but the hide was still muddy and wet. I didn't care as this is what I really wanted as it had been 2 years since I last photographed a kingfisher.
On arrival to the hide Mark was waist deep in the water making sure the BG was clean for us, what a top guy.
I had several shots in mind and in particular the diving shots :)
It was only about 5 mins before the first Kingfisher appeared, by now the sun was out and it was time to try for the shots I wanted. Both John and Ken laughed as I was firing off the shots in attempt of the diving shot. It didn't take long before Ken saw some of my attempts and joined in on the fun.
Here are a couple of shots I manged in the end.
It was great fun trying for the dive shots but as they were perching so well at times it would be just rude not to take a few perch shots also.
Mark had explained that the Owls seemed to show well later in the afternoon so we returned to the hides again before leaving. He was spot on as we only had to wait a hour before the young showed again.
All in all a great day out and one I would recommend to anybody.
We met Mark at 7 am and by 8 am we were sitting in pop up hides waiting for the little owls. We could here a owl calling very close but it did take several hours before they appeared. At first the adult came down for approx. 10 mins and then one of this years young followed. It wasn't long before they both left again but we did manage a good 15 mins of photo's.
We continued to sit in the hides in the hope they would show again soon. Whilst sitting in the hides we had heard a green woodpecker and a spotted on several occasions but they were nowhere in sight. I heard the green again and a quick scan around and i noticed he was sitting on the posts. We rattled off a few shots and with John shouting "what are you taking pics of" we also pointed him in the right direction :)
Then out of the blue a spotted woodpecker landed on the same post for a few split seconds. I managed to take about 6 shots before the spotted returned to a nearby fallen tree.
We sat in the hides for a few more hours in the hope the owls would return but they weren't playing ball. Mark arrived as planned and we asked if we could photograph the kingfishers and he said yes but the hide was still muddy and wet. I didn't care as this is what I really wanted as it had been 2 years since I last photographed a kingfisher.
On arrival to the hide Mark was waist deep in the water making sure the BG was clean for us, what a top guy.
I had several shots in mind and in particular the diving shots :)
It was only about 5 mins before the first Kingfisher appeared, by now the sun was out and it was time to try for the shots I wanted. Both John and Ken laughed as I was firing off the shots in attempt of the diving shot. It didn't take long before Ken saw some of my attempts and joined in on the fun.
Here are a couple of shots I manged in the end.
All in all a great day out and one I would recommend to anybody.
Monday, 9 July 2012
Spotted Flycatchers
I visted this site (Napton) last year in the hope of photographing some Spotted flycatchers but I was just a day late :(
After seeing a few pics posted I knew it was time to visit. Ken and myself arrived early and we had the area to ourselves which was a suprise. It only took about 30 secs before we spotted a pair of them. After watching them for a few mins it was obvious that they had a few fav perches, so we et up and started to get a few shots.
It was great to see them flying around and catching insects right infront of us at times. It wasn't too long before a few other togs turned up and it was great to meet Andy and also Dave Hutton again.
When I returned home and took a look at the images I was not that happy. They just didn't have the right bg and where just too far away. Now knowing the place and the behaviour of the birds I decided to give it another go on the Sunday morning. Ken very nicley let me use his 300mm 2.8 with the 2x which gave me the extra reach I needed. I concentrated on the particular shots I wanted and I think the results were good.
All in all a great weekend and another first for me.
After seeing a few pics posted I knew it was time to visit. Ken and myself arrived early and we had the area to ourselves which was a suprise. It only took about 30 secs before we spotted a pair of them. After watching them for a few mins it was obvious that they had a few fav perches, so we et up and started to get a few shots.
It was great to see them flying around and catching insects right infront of us at times. It wasn't too long before a few other togs turned up and it was great to meet Andy and also Dave Hutton again.
When I returned home and took a look at the images I was not that happy. They just didn't have the right bg and where just too far away. Now knowing the place and the behaviour of the birds I decided to give it another go on the Sunday morning. Ken very nicley let me use his 300mm 2.8 with the 2x which gave me the extra reach I needed. I concentrated on the particular shots I wanted and I think the results were good.
All in all a great weekend and another first for me.
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