Wildlife Photography across the Water: Whoopers and Shelduck

Sunday, 13 March 2011

Whoopers and Shelduck

A bit of a late post from me today, but just got back from a few days away. But Jac and I did take the opportunity to drop in to WWT Martin Mere as we came back down the M6 this afternoon to check out what was around.

After a few grey days, the sun came out - very brightly and with the timing of our visit it wasn't the best early/late light that we all strive for.

But I grabbed a few snaps and will share them with you in two themes.

Firstly, there were plenty of Shelduck around, and flying about in small groups or singles.

I am not normally too keen on head on shots - but did this for a change.

Male Shelduck - larger 'bobble' on forehead

The next theme is on the Whooper Swans. There were over 1500 still in at Martin Mere, before they make the migration and the Mere was covered in them. There were scraps galore, and lots of aggressive behaviour as they jostled for space ahead of their 1500 feed.

One small section of them

Sadly no beautiful underlit snowy shots like Dave got from Japan

I loved watching this scene unfold as they flew line abreast into the lens across the far reed beds, before swing round and landing in formation

Martin

1 comment:

Kah-Wai Lin13 March 2011 at 21:04
It is a joy to see the flock of birds flying over. Nice capture!

Kah Wai
http://kwbirding.blogspot.com/
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Bio's

David Courtenay, a self taught wildlife and nature photographer, has been capturing images for over 30 years. He has had a passion for wildlife since early childhood and remembers being glued to the television whenever Survival, Wildlife on One and other natural history documentaries were shown. In the 2006 he swapped his established career for the life of a wildlife photographer, such a move demands a measure of uncompromising passion and commitment.

David has travelled extensively throughout Europe as well as spending more than 7 months in India working with local guides and trackers in search of Bengal Tiger, Asian One horned Rhino and Asian Elephant. He has also photographed Wildlife in Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Sumatra, Africa, Canada and America. Working closely with Conservation companies he tries to raise funds to help Wildlife that has been put on the endangered list by poaching and habitation loss

Martin Dyer has had a passion for avian wildlife since childhood, particularly raptors. Photography was also another keen interest and it was with the specific availability and control of the whole process that digital offers that Martin was then able to combine the two in 2003. Based in the UK, Martin is a regular visitor to Scotland, specifically the Isle of Mull to watch the Eagles resident there. Other trips to Europe and around the UK are usually part of Martin’s agenda in a typical year.

However, as a firm believer on making the most of the local patch, Martin has spent a lot of time and hard work creating a wildlife garden which is reaping the rewards with many new species and varieties of wildlife. A keen member of a number of wildlife photographic groups, Martin is keen to expand his portfolio into other areas of wildlife, and has already established a wide portfolio of images of fungi.