WWT Slimbridge Day Trip Part 3 - last bit

My days out to Slimbridge are usually spent photographing the wildfowl from the wild hides capturing the sorts of birds in my last post. But when I went a couple of weeks back, the water levels were low and there were very few close in birds to photograph.

So taking a walk to the western end of the reserve to the Kingfisher hide (no Kingfishers ) I set about getting some images of common garden birds. Yes, the sort of thing I get regularly in my back garden.

I haven't put much time into these common little birds over the recent past, so I set about to rectify that.

Lots of sightings of various Tits, Finches and a delightful Reed Bunting, which sadly didn't pose in a suitable place for me.

But here are a few common birds, that always give me great pleasure to watch.

Back next time with Red and Fallow Deer from Bradgate Park for you

Martin

From the Kitchen Doorstep part 2

As a follow on to my last blog, as I mentioned I have been grabbing 30 minute slots of time in the garden when I get home from work to get some images of our garden visitors.

All common species, nothing 'special' but I enjoy watching them, studying their behaviours and enjoying the interaction between the different species.

The juvenile Starlings are great fun and go around in little gangs and they are certainly getting through the fatballs - 6 today!!

Martin

From the Kitchen Doorstep

As I mentioned recently, photo opportunities have been rare and short.  With that in mind, I have set myself a few 30 minute challenges in the garden to see what I can get.

Pond life has been limited - frogs and newt tadpoles are all growing but pretty boring photographically until they change a bit more.  There are no damsels or dragons at the moment, although it shouldn't be too long before we get a few more.  The next flush of butterflies are also due as well, so it was time to think about a few bird challenges.

So with the wildflower meadow at its highest I had to go for a few shots around the edges.

With a bit of food on the lawn, the little birds like to come and sit on my rustic wonky gate through into the wildlife garden, before dropping onto the food.

Sitting on the kitchen step after my return from work while Jac rattled the pots around making supper, it was a struggle of available light v acceptable ISO but I got these few to share with you that I quite liked.

Back next time with Blackbirds and recently fledged Starlings - cheeky things


PS - Happy Summer Solstice for all our readers in the northern Hemisphere, and for you guys and girls down under - summer is on its way to you now

Martin

Winter Draws on

The UK has been getting a lot of snow this winter, but here in the West Midlands, or more precisely Warwickshire it has passed us by......until yesterday that is, when a narrow belt went through here and down through as far as the south east.  We had about 10 to 12cm of snow and a low of about -17 deg C overnight

I mentioned a few weeks ago that the extremes of weather changes your local wildlife, and it was no exception here.  Walking on the recreation ground in Stratford yesterday afternoon as the snow was coming down, |I saw a first for round these parts.  An Oystercatcher got up from the muddy area around a small flowing brook that feeds the River Avon.  I guess it was grubbing around for worms and other such like.  Well it was a surprise to see it.

We have been seeing lots of Fieldfare and Redwings around us and I managed to get some images on a walk first thing this morning.  All a bit distant as I used my walkaround kit of 7D, 300f4 IS L and 1.4 EFTC.  A nice lightweight combo, but obviously missing the firepower length of the 500.

 Fieldfare

 Frosted Cow Parsley Head

 Redwing

A female Great Spotted Woodpecker also popped into the garden first thing.  Light was poor and these were taken at ISO1600, but it was great to see and get a few record grab shots.  A beautiful male Bullfinch was also present but sadly not close enough for an image.

It made a pleasant change to pick the camera up again after a few 'weeks off'


Martin

Surprise Garden Visitor on Sunday

I have seen a Reed Bunting in the garden on a couple of fleeting visits over the last couple of years but they are very infrequent.

I rattled off a few pictures today of this one that popped in for a few feeding sessions, essentially just for record purposes.  Taken through glass it is not as sharp as I would like obviously and with the messy feed table, but thought I would share it with you all anyway. Virtually full frame and ISO 1600.  1Dmk111, 500f4L + 1.4 EF TC

It provided a bit of light relief for me while I was wading through a massive report I am writing.

This male is on its way to breeding plumage.

Martin