Early Start

Having located some hares on Friday night on my way home, I found myself reaching with bleary eyes for the alarm at 5a.m the next morning. I headed up to the site and again found plenty of hares and in a very active mood. Unfortunately the light was not really sufficient to get many action shots of this fast moving animal, so I had to settle for mainly portraits.

This one seemed to think it was hiding in the long grass...well this an animal rumoured to be 'mad'.

The bio-lawnmower
This one doing a 'meerkat' impression. Hare are amazing animals and it would be difficult to get bored with their antics.

The light improved just enough, before the hares dispersed for the morning, to get a couple of action shots of them in full sprint.

By 8:30am it was all over and I headed back home for breakfast with a smile.

On the way home

I took a small detour on the way home from work this evening with the intention of trying to photograph some pheasant and red-legged partridge. I thought I would do some larger birds in the absence of my 500mm (which hopefully will be back in a week or so :)). I didn't find any of the birds but was surprised to come across some brown hares.

Both of these shots were taken stalking on foot and it wasn't until I got home that I realised the zoom on the 100-400mm was not fully extended and I was shooting at nearer 300mm. Despite this and using available cover I managed to get in close enough to these shy animals to get a couple of shots. So I think I will make this my weekend project to get some shots.

Ready for take off
I ended up doing some commando style crawling to get in close for this next shot and got a bit damp on the rain soaked grass but at least it gave a nice low angle.

Rain, Rain Go Away

When will it stop raining!!!!. So I guess its time for another rainy day zoo compliation this time with some raptors taken at Edinburgh, Chester and the Alpine Zoo near Innsbruk during last year. First some from the Alpine Zoo

From Edinburgh Zoo, a young Stellar Sea Eagle and the Black vulture from Chester Zoo that look like they are plotting something.

Sunday Lark

Took a short trip out early on Sunday morning and it was incredibly quiet for birds. I fact all that was missing from the scene was some tubmle weed. I managed to locate this solitary skylark but that was all for the session.

Back at home I was pleased to see the Greenfinch make sevral visits to the garden yesrterday and I am hoping it will stay as one of the regulars.

Some more in flight

Raining again and the 500mm still absent so I thought I would try a few more flashed flight shots in the backgarden. Not a great deal back from my efforts though and just goldfinches who are always aggressive towards each other.

An adult going to teach a youngster a lesson about pecking order

and again
Two young ones in dispute

Small Birds in Flight

I have been trying to see if I can photograph small birds in flight in the back garden. It has quickly become obvious and doing a bit of reading that using a single flash set up is not likely to be the ideal approach. I think may be some more experimentation is required or more likely my knowledge of flash photography!!!! Here are a couple of shots

House sparrow

and another goldfinch with some movement blur.

Sunday Morning Stonechat

I went out locally on the Wirral on Sunday morning just as some thunderstorm clouds were brewing. I decided I would concentrate on geting some more photographs of stonechat on a variety of perches.

New Visitor

I have been doing a few goldfinch shots in the back garden to try some different perches.
The light has been terrible and the rain conitnues to pour.
So I thought I would have a play with some flash photography to see if I could get some birds in flight with high speed flash but I'm still trying to work out the correct settings.

We have had a new arrival to the back garden in the shape of a greenfinch, which have never visited previously. I have only manged to get one shot so far but hope they will visited regularly in the future.

Rainy Day Compliation

As the rain just does not seem to want to stop at the moment, my photography has been severly reduced. The weather forecast says tomorrow will be OK, before another week of rain. So I will be out early tomorrow hopefully to find some reed warbler. I thought I would do another captive bird compilation to brighten up a grey day, this time with some of the parrots and conures kept at Chester Zoo

Hyacinth macaw are one of my favourite parrots but they are in quite a difficult enclosure to photograph

Dove from above

A pair of collared doves have been regularly visiting the garden for years, particularly during the summer months so I thought I would take a few shots of them yesterday evening. They seem to be getting more and more inquisitive and I am sure one night one will come through the back door into the kitchen.

Still Waiting

I am still waiting for the return of the 500mm lens and combined with the continued inclement weather (currently lightning and steady downpour as I type this!!), I have not been out that much. I am really noticing the difference in reach and bird size in the frame between 400mm and 500mm. Anyway A couple of shots from the last couple of days with the 100-400mm lens.

Male sparrow taking his parental responsibilities seriously in the back garden.
and a couple of shots of local male stonechat. The first shot was on a very windy day and this fence post offered the only chance of a static perch to get a shot.
Another shot from about an hour ago on a more typical perch and just before the thunder storm let loose.

Out the Back Door

The weather has continued to be poor so to keep the shutter finger exercised I have been taking a few shots in the back garden from the shelter of the kitchen. This Wood Pigeon photograph sums up the recent weather.

Other current visitors at the moment are a pair of Collared Doves which seem quite aggressive towards all other pigeons that come into the garden.

There are large numbers of young birds from this year's broods now visiting the garden with the main two species being goldfinch.

and in the last few days some young blue tits.