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

Final Part - Slimbridge Trip Report - Part 5

What with one thing and another, I am behind on my trip reports and images, so today is catch up and share the last few images from my Slimbridge trips that I made in February.

My timing was quite good as shortly after these images were taken the Whoopers and Bewicks made their migrations.

One of the Bewicks that made regular fly-by's was 002T as can be seen from its leg ring and neck transmitter.  I am assuming this is either a GPS or radio transmitter for more detailed tracking.  Somebody in the hide said that this bird usually winters in Holland which if that was the case then it was nice to see it over here.  If anyone can give more information on this bird it would be good to hear from you.

A few more for you.  Weather was dry but grey flat light sadly.

The second and third I liked with the juxtaposition of the land.  Shelduck could do with a catch light, but there wasn't one so I ain't gonna add it.  Done that in the past (not on the blog) but will only present wildlife as is unless I tell you that I have removed/added stuff.

Final shot shows a drake Tufted Duck just after a dive as you can see from the mud still on his bill.

Will be back with some Dorset wildlife in forthcoming blog posts including some sunrise/sunset landscapes by way of a change

Martin

Goose Fest - Slimbridge Trip - Part 4

The winter months are a great time to get to Slimbridge or any of the WWT reserves as the wintering Geese and Swans seek food away from their frozen Northern breeding areas.  So my two recent day trips to Slimbrdige were made just in time before they start returning to their summer homes.

In my two recent trips, I was fortunate enough to see four species of Geese and so here are a few images to share with you.

 European White Fronts

 Barnacle

Canada at touchdown - look out Pochard

Greylag flyby

Greylag displaying behaviour to female just off shot

Greylag - final approach

Greylag - moment of splashdown

All with 7D and either 500 or 500 + 1.4.  It was a shame that the Barnacles - the flock was about thirty, and the White Fronts were far away but the sound and sights were wonderful


Martin

Bewick Swans - Slimbridge Trip Part 3

When I made the first of my two recent trips to Slimbridge, I took a few shots with the Canon 5Dmk2 to see how it performed.  You will remember I did a small bit on this blogpost with a lovely Buzzard.

I also had a go with the 5D, the 500 +  1.4 with some in-flight subjects to see how it performed.  Other than a much slower frame rate, at 3.9fps v 8 for the 7D, no significant differences.  Yes there are much fewer AF points, but for in flight subjects and the way I set up the active points this was no worries.

Now why do I mention this?  Well because photographers who follow the benefits of this body over that body do it from studying specifications on paper rather than using the camera they have....or in many cases don't have before offering all sorts of wisdom based on their 'knowledge'

There is only one forum that I actively tend to contribute these days.  Well there have been quite a few threads on why the 7D should be chosen over the 5D or this body over that body.  One of the most common bit of advice dispensed is the faster frame rate and the faster AF blah blah blah.

Well the 5Dmk2 is just fine in both areas.  No there aren't as many points and it is a not as technically well appointed.  BUT you can get fine sharp photos with it, and it works pretty well when you have low contrast subjects against their backgrounds.

Here are few images that I took at Slimbridge with the 5D on some wonderful Bewick Swans,

Nothing special image wise, but demonstrates the ability of the camera

Martin

Take off Run - Slimbridge trip report Part 2

I have taken a couple of recent day trips to WWT Slimbridge, as I previously reported here when I shared images of the Lesser Scaup with you.

This sequence of images was from early morning on the first visit back last month, and while the subject matter is nothing remarkable in that it is the very common Mute Swan, I just liked the light on these images.

Taken with the 7D, 500 + 1.4 at ISO1600, in mode C3

In future parts I will bring you Whoopers (but without the lovely snow that Dave recently shared with us) as well as Bewicks, with an interesting view of the tracking devices used, as well as some different Geese species.

On a sad note as far as Mute Swans are concerned, they are having a tough time here on the River Avon in Stratford with the recent death numbers up into double figures, and no traceable cause at this time, and a horrible story of over thirty now found shot in Somerset

Martin