Wildlife News

A couple of bits of wildlife news caught my eye yesterday that I thought I would share with you.

Now I do like my Bird books and have shared a few options on here with you in the past.  I have even spent over £70 on one title The Scottish Ornithilogical Club  'Birds of Scotland' - this is a wonderful piece of work.  Two large volumes and weights a tonne - definitely not a field guide.

However, I think I might draw the line at spending this sort of money on a book that you would be too scared to open a page of.

I received an interesting tweet yesterday, via RSPB I think for my second piece of news from the Norfolk Wildlife Trust.  It seems that the Cley Reserve has had a great breeding bird year, particularly for rare breeding birds.  However, it was the data in the table at the end of the article that caught my eye.  Now while I was aware of the limited numbers of most of the species there, what I wasn't aware of was the relatively scarcity across the UK of birds like the Gadwall, Shoveller and Pochard, as well as the Little Ringed Plover. Clearly these really are quite rare in the grand scheme of things.

Martin

A few Good News stories

With all the horrible wet weather around at the moment, I thought I would have trawl around and bring you some of the more enlightening stories from the world of wildlife that made me smile.

Quite close to me here in the UK, I found this story about the Brown Hairstreak butterfly which has made a comeback in Worcestershire - good news  in a year that has seen generally less butterflies.

On the eastern side of Scotland in year 4 of the Sea Eagle programme, a further nineteen juvenile sea eagles were released as part of the widening on their range in Scotland - good luck to them in the their quest for survival.   This first year will be their greatest challenge.

Staying in Scotland for the moment, the first wild  Beavers to be born in Scotland for over 400 years were successfully raised by their parents.  Now regular readers will know I have mixed emotions about some release programmes, so I will watch this project with interest.

Going back a couple of months, it was pleasing to hear that Purple Herons have successfully bred in the UK for the first time at Dungeness in Kent.

One other final bit of good news to share is that one of our guest photographers, young Ashley Hugo who did a blog for us here, got some good results in his GCSE's this year - so well done to him.

Tell us about any wildlife stories that you have heard about that you would like to share.

BTW - only 4 months to Christmas so get saving  :-)

Martin

News Update

Great story here on a very prolific breeding and very old Osprey.

Well done to her.

I also see that the Ospreys at Rutland Water are doing very well, based on the Twitter feed I get from there.  More on their website here

Apologies for two quick short blogs today - but time pressures have overridden blogging.  Back with more content tomorrow

Martin

In the news this week-The good and the bad

There have been a couple of articles in the forums this week that caught my eye for different reasons, Firstly another case of a so called wildlife photographer trying to bull shit his way to fame, It made a daily news paper in the UK, Its soo stupid that you cant believe the paper would fall for it or expect their customers to fall for the story, Images obviously taken at one of Montana's games farms, This is another case where it brings wildlife photographers integrity in to suspect, I have said many times here be truthful, Its the only way, Once you have been sussed as a liar and a cheat it will be game over, Its takes a long time to get a good name and just seconds to loose it
The full story here at least the dickhead involved was named

I watched a programme a couple of years ago on a small island in the middle of the pacific called Midway, Its called that as its in the middle and the nearest neighbours are 2000 miles away, Just about everything that ends up in the sea ends up on this tiny island, The problem is that its the home of many species of Albatross and they feed their young plastic thinking its food and the consequences are not pretty, Midway is now open to tourists and mainly wildlife photographers who can get very close to these wonderful birds, One guy has documented the strife that these birds are going through and the devastation that the waste/rubbish is causing, We as nature/wildlife photographers can help in these kinds of matter by documenting the destruction that humans are causing even in the remotest of places and try to bring it to the worlds attention-see here for more

Dave

Sad news - Louisana Oil Spill

Of course this story is all over the news streams at the moment, and rightly so. See here.

It will be a disaster for the wildlife across a vast area.  Lets hope that they can stop the leak soon and get this disaster cleaned up for the sake of the natural environment and wildlife.

Martin

News round up

Just a quick one from me on this Good Friday before I go off and start demolishiong and rebuilding fences.

Firstly, I hope you enjoyed our April Fools spoof from yesterday.  I was minded to just do a story about a Golden Eagle in the garden, but when the Polar Bear on Mull story came through on my Twitter feed, I thought I would use that link to build on my story.

I am sure that all of our readers are astute enough not to have fallen for it.

Two weeks ago, my PC got hit by a nasty virus that took me ages to fix, but in so doing killed off internet access.  I have been deliberating on getting a new PC for a few months so this just made the decision for me.  I 'built' my spec and ordered in from pcspecialist.co.uk.  I ordered it on a Monday pm and it arrived one week later.  It would have been here on the Friday if they had had Kaspersky in stock.

So it turns up, I set it up, plug in my plug and play Lacie monitor, and no picture is showing.  So with  a few options tried, I was only able to get a 800 x 600 res image on a television screen.  So after a long call into the support line, we managed to get the monitor working via the on board graphics card. while they sent me a new graphics card.

That arrived yesterday, I swapped over and still had the same result.  So another call in to support, make a few amends to the BIOS and we are fully up and running.

In the interim, I decided that I would get another monitor so that when I repair the original PC it would be available for further use, as it was still a prety good spec.

I was going to get the 24" Dell that Dave bought a few years ago.  Needless to say that has been replaced, and doing a few web searches it seems that the replacement has colour issues - not what you want when you are trying to do accurate colour work.

So I had a look at the options from Colour Confidence, a specialist supplier to the imaging industry, and opted for an Eizo S2243W.  It is a 22 " widescreen with 1920 x 1200 res, and of particular importance is the Adobe RGB qualities.  It is capable of reproducing about 95% Adobe RGB.  If you want more than that, then you need to spend a lot more money.

Well what a peachy monitor it is.  The Lacie was excellent, but this is superb.  I have now colour calibrated it with my Gretag Macbeath Eye 2 Display calibrator, and it is very impressive.

So this is my first post from the new PC.  All my photo software is now installed, including the latest Capture One v5.1.1.  I will do a more detailed blog on this in the future as this is one bit of software that Dave and I haven't talked about much.

My PC spec is now optimised as a balance of processor (Intel i5 - 660), RAM (4GB) and graphics card, (1GB Geforce GT) whereas before I paid less attention to the GPU.  CS4 and CS5 when it turns up later this month make more use of the GPU than previous versions so this is something to think about when you are speccing.

As with my last PC, I have two hard drives, a smaller one for the OS and apps, and a large one for the files.  I up speeced the motherboard to include the latest USB3.0 and SATA 6 technologies for future proofing.  Windows 7 64 bit is my OS.  64 bit will enable the use of more 3GB of RAM.   I have started off with 4GB, but will upgrade with a further 4GB when it becomes necdessary.  I will wait to see what the performance of both Capture One and CS5 is like before I make that step.

If you want to know any more, please drop me a comment and I will reply.

Best wishes to all our readers over the Easter Holiday

Martin

Nikon on the marketing spend ascendancy

By the time you read this, Focus on Imaging will either be on it's last day or have come and gone.

Even though I work at the venue, I haven't bothered going in this year as there is nothing I need to spend my money on there, particularly as most things can now be got from Amazon more cheaply these days or I tend to support my Pro dealer for the larger items.

But walking through the venue yesterday, I noticed loads of Nikon ads - banners, posters sites and massive great 40 foot hoardings on the drive in but nothing from Canon at all.

Crappy phone pictures for you

Martin

News - a quick wildlife update

After my lengthy post on Sunday, thought I would make it a short and quick update on some wildlife stories that caught my eye.

This story about frogs in the cold weather caused me a little concern as I have yet to see any activty in my pond this year.  It is still early and cold so I am hopeful that normal frog service will be resumed in the next week or two.

Sadly, there are some undesirable folk around and the killings, cruelty and poisonings continue here, here and here.  To add to this theme, the RSPB report that killing continues in Malta and with the migration due soon, we can only hope that this sad story ends.

Meanwhile off the coast of Wexford in Ireland, a young male Humpback Whale has been captured on film breaching.  Some of the stunning images can be seen here on this movie clip.

Hope this is a positive end to the sad stories in the middle of this blogpost.

Martin

News - Butterflies uses the upper winds to migrate

This was a big story yesterday here in the UK on the early news on Radio 4.

It seems that the insects have a compass sense that enables them to selects the right uppers winds to make journeys of several thousand kilometres to escape the harsher weather in the northern hemisphere.

More details  here for the full story.

Just a quickie

Ok folks, pretty short of time today so just a few quick thoughts to share with you.

I have done one or two posts recently on geek gear aka new phone, iFad, Netbook etc and tried to explain some of the relevance of it to photography.....or not as the case may be.

Last year I posted the link to a great little application that someone sent to me called the Photographers Ephemeris - this is great and lives on my Netbook and has seen use a few times.

Well my new phone runs on Google's Android Platform and so is well supported by many apps, in the same way that Apple do with the iPhone.

So what I hear you cry, stop boring me with techno crap.

Well once you get through a lot of the dross apps, and believe me there are plenty, there are some eral little gems that I have been using and will use when further afield.  Apps such as Sunrise and Sunset times, at any location in the world, including the location you are in via the GPS facility.  Great for knowing those keys moments for that sweet early and late light.

I also just downloaded a Tide App - which will tell you all the high and low water times and heights, again for any world location.  Another little beauty for knowing when to plan trips and when to be in location for those water bird trips.

The same goes for World weather too.

The Maps function is brilliant as it will locate you directly on the satellite map/aerial image from Google Maps.

My final recent addition is a compass which works well as a Silva compass.

Now these are all well and good, but, and you knew there was a big but coming didn't you  :-), they are only as good as your battery life and in some case the ability to get 3G signal.  Now I have looked at some of the places I have been to, and are planning to go to this year, on the network availability maps and 3G isn't going to be a lot of good to me.  So I won't quite be throwing away my plastic sun compass yet, but I know I can easily write down the numbers before the trip of the key bits of data I need to know without having to spend out money on tide tables etc.  So as long as you use it to prepare ahead of tripswhen you have signal then I think these will be great additions, all is the size of a small phone.  And if you are operating in areas with great signal then your life might just be easier.

Martin

Anyone worked out the point of the iPad yet?

Like lots of people, I like my technical gizmos and enjoy staying well connected on the move.  It has been fantastic this last year with my little Samsung Netbook and 3G stick, both from a personal and work perspective.  I am enjoying even better and easier connectivity via my new HTC Hero phone.

So when Apple launched the iPad last week, many of us have been scratching our heads and wondering just why.

I can see absolutely no need for something that is the same size as the Netbook, has got a fraction of the facilities, and over twice the price.

There are some very funny You Tube videos already posted that made me chuckle, particularly based on the Downfall of Hitler film.

So what is the relevance of this post to this blog.  Well as I have said here in the past, the Netbook is a brilliant tool for backing up images, plus processing, plus blogging while mobile. 

Sadly the iFad fails to hit any of these needs for me, and yet again an outrageous price.  They are beginning to make Canon's comedy prices look reasonable.

So to conclude, yet again another triumph of style and high pricing over substance.......a solution for a problem that doesnt exist or has already been covered well by existing phones and netbooks.

 

Have a look at the different options below if you want value and performance for money.

Right that's enough of that.  I am off to see some wildlife.

Martin

A Few News Stories

Wow, the last subject that Dave posted has certainly appeared just about everywhere.

From mainstream media right through to thousands (probably) of different on-line sources.

My thought pretty much concur with the comments left by Dave and Julian on this thread.  So let us know your views too.

But it was while looking at other stories in the UK, I came across a good one about Barn Owls doing well in Grizedale - this is great news, although a pity they have used a picture of a captive Owl. They should have asked me  :-) and then sadly shootings of Red Kites in Northamptonshire.  Just what is it with some people

Also thanks to Ashley Hugo for the link on his blog down in Cornwall.

Ashley is clearly a remarkable young man so pop across to his site and have a look at his work.  Wish I had been that good when I was 15.

Martin

Headless seals wash up on Whitley Bay beach

 Saw this story today - very sad

Headless seals wash up on Whitley Bay beach - Times Online

Martin

Feed the birds in this harsh weather

One of my work colleagues that knows of my love of wildlife was pleased to tell me that she had been putting out feed for the birds in the these terrible weather conditions that we have been getting here in the UK, and asked my advice on a few things.

One of the things I said that is critical during times of continuous sub zero temperatures is access to water.

One of the last thing at night and first thing in the morning tasks here in my garden has been the break of the ice on the pond to enable the birds to drink.

Now the hole has been getting smaller and smaller and the ice is now thicker and thicker, but nevertheless they have always had water for drinking or bathing.

It was while thinking about the advice I had given to Debbie, I found this link which covers feeding in more detail.

If you only ever buy one bag of bird feed a year, please make it now

Even the Bitterns are being fed at Leighton Moss where frozen lakes are a problem for them.

While I was on the Wildlifeextra site, I also found this fascinating story of Peregrines hunting at nighttime - it is worth a look

Martin

News - a few interesting stories

While looking through the online Times this week, it was interesting to see these stories of interest to wildlife lovers.

I talked about reintroduction programmes last year.  This story about White Tailed Sea Eagles reinforces that with some thought proking views.

Skomer is a great place off the West Wales coast to photograph Puffns and other sea bird.  If you are looking for a new job, this could be right up your street.

Following on from my post last year about the death of birds due to wind turbine strikes, scientific research is now showing that the noise effects are having damaging effects to the local breeding bird populations.  Once again these so called inefficient 'green' devices are more problematical than the benefits they provide.

Martin

News - Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS L 11 announced

See the link here on the Canon USA site

Martin

That time of the year - Grey Seals

So we can expect to see lots of Seal images all over the forums from Donna Nook et all as the Grey Seal population comes ashore to deliver their new offspring, so if you are going there please think about giving the animals some space. There was some bad behaviour last year so I understand so lets hope there are no repeats. We have talked often enough on here that the welfare of the subject takes priority over the image.

More interesting for me was the story from the Farne Islands last week.

Last week five of the National Trust wardens had been stuck on the Farnes for three weeks while surveying the seal population. Food was running short as the boat was unable to take them off due to continuous high winds and heavy seas. Full story here.

The weather is bad news for the young seals who also suffered terribly last year with their numbers being decimated. Lets hope it is better around other parts of the coast although I understand it has been equally as bad around the south west too.

Update: Just remembered that I had this a bookmark on Donna Nook in Firefox so thought I would share

Martin

News - T4 Cameras

Had a quick catch up with Bruce at T4 cameras yesterday and had a good old chat about many things Canon and Nikon, as his shops stock both.

Seems like the Witney in Oxfordshire store is now at Canon EOS Pro Store status, so congrats to them on that.

And while I appreciate that it is too late now and they are all full, but they are running a series of flash seminars at the Witney store as the first in a series, so check out their website to follow up. If I get to hear of any future ones, I will flag them up on here.

Like many camera outlets this year, it has been a more difficult trading year for many dealers, much of that thanks to the ridiculous hikes in gear prices as result of the exchange rates and some less acceptable, at least from my perspective, of gear prices from the manufacturers, and by that I am talking about the unbelievable and unacceptable hike by 50% on the RRP for the 1Dmk4. Whatever the final selling price settles out at, a 50% shift in the base price is outrageous.

Looking like it will be January before either the 1Dmk4 and the Nikon D3s hits the stores in reasonable numbers. Although Bruce did get 3 of the new model Nikon 70-200VRf2.8 lenses in yesterday, so we've got them here now Dave :-)

So to all you would be new gear purchasers, please make sure you support your local or preferred pro dealers - the service and support that I have had from Bruce in the past few years has been second to none, and don't always look to the bottom line price as your sole reason to buy from some non de-script 'on-line' only retailer.

Whenever I have bought my larger bits of kit, and certainly those that might go wrong, then I always prefer to deal with a reputable pro dealer and somewhere with a shop that I can walk it back to if I need to - that is why I have bought my kit from Bruce at T4 and will do so for all my future large value bits of kit.

Martin

News - A few wildlife stories

Here are few interesting stories that have caught my eye that I thought I would share with you.

Earlier this year, I posted a number of images of Painted Lady butterflies. It has been a bumper year this year, the like of which hasn't been seen for many years. Well here is a story about their migration.

While on the subject of butterflies, this story also got my attention as it is relatively local to me, and talks about the important work creating and managing habitat in Worcestershire. Hopefully this work will pay off next year.

Over at the RSPB site, this story makes for sad reading and follows on from earlier themes I mentioned before here around the random killings of birds of prey - this time it is the plight of Red Kites. Unfortunate situation as they are doing very well in certain areas.

Also check out today's Blue Peter - you will have to look at BBC i-Player by the time you read this. Sea Eagles from Mull, from were I have previously done a number of reports are featured. Although sadly not available for any blog readers from outside the UK. Blame the Beeb not me.

Looking at The Gloster Birder site, it seems like it is a good time to get to WWT Slimbridge at this time of year, with lots of interesting winter visitor arrivals.

If you hear of interesting stories, please let us know via the comments, we would like to hear what is going on in your part of the world.

Martin

News - Camera Body Prices

Well it looks like a few of the new body releases are already starting to drop price at a reasonable pace.

A good site resource I have been using to benchmark prices for a few years now is Camerapricebuster here in the UK.

The Canon 7D is now down to £1299 at Jessops surprisingly, who are not usually known for their cutting edge prices, but fair play to the. Just exercise caution when considering memory cards there, as they have been pretty extortionate compared to some of the online offerings that are available.

The latest Nikon offerings of the 300s and 3s are also coming down well as can be sen there too. Certainly, at the current prices the D3s looks a much better option than that of the 1Dmk4, although comparison of those two are totally meaningless until they have decent circulation and availability.

Not that I am in the market for a new DSLR body, but considerate all part of our information service to you at no price to you :-)

Also just to add to Dave's post here on Phase One Capture One V5 Pro, there is also now the standard version available here for download, which is considerably cheaper than the Pro version. 30 day free trail available once you have registered.

Martin