Wildlife Photographic Journals

Mellow Yellow

The trip to Norway has lead to a bit of a backlog in processing of raw files which is an unusual position for me as I usually keep up to date. As a results the next few posts will be photos that were taken before and since my trip. This first post is actually some images that were taken way back in April but which for some unknown reason I have never got round to sorting out.

I have been working hard on a very stressful project in work for the last two years and camera time has kept me sane. So with a view to having some mellow moments in the good company of some wonderful looking birds. I set off southward for a session with some yellowhammers which hopefully would be in their full splendor of fresh spring plumage. The particular site has become a public feeding station where the birds have received free handouts from the public for many years. It is not the most peaceful place for photography due to the continual coming and going of visitors but all my attention was focused on the birds so all the background disturbance seemed to blur away.
I will start with a close-up view to introduce the birds.

To me yellowhammer are very visually striking birds with their combination of brilliant yellow mixed with rust oranges and black streaks.

The only problem with photographing them is they are ground feeding birds and opportunities at this particular site to get one on a perch is rare.

Here's to looking at you looking at me.

This bird kept popping up from a shallow gully.

Eventually one did perch momentarily before hopping to the usual ground position.

As the spring sun started to dip and the shadows lengthened it was time for a couple of last photos before hitting the road home.

The yellowhammers had worked their magic with their bright colours easing all the stresses of everyday life away. I can think of no better form of colour therapy.