I took an afternoon walk across Sopley Common this afternoon, keeping careful distance from the odd other person I came across. I managed to see several birds – most partly hidden or in the distance. The most exciting distance one was this dartford warbler, that I got an “id” shot of. I did manage a reasonable shot of this stonechat, that was not as far away. As well as these
I went for a walk towards Hengistbury Head on the second day of Storm Jorge. The weather was mainly bright and sunny -with the occasional downpour. The wind was something else – very strong – especially on the coastline by the headland. Apart from a single gull in flight the wildlife was limited, but I did have some fun shooting the incoming waves.
Over the past weekend I went on a couple of walks over two nature reserves, Blashford lakes ( windy and somewhat dull weather ) and Stour Valley Way – much nicer. At Blashford I did manage to get this shot of a Long-tail tit though. Whereas the Stour Valley yielded more.
I have been out again videoing some Starling Murmuration locally over the December to January period. Here are the resulting videos.
I took a visit on a bright and cold February day to Stanpit in the hope of shooting some wild birds, especially the Stonechat’s which if you can find them there can be fairly co-operative. The walk around was very bracing, and they were not in their normal spot near the playing fields, and it was only near the end of the walk around that I found some in the
Farlington Marshes was the destination on the 12th February, the weather was not kind being overcast. However the Kestrals were. Showing well in the trees near the paths. This first one that I saw and photographed was balancing carefully on one leg. Later on another Kestral was spotted – again perched up high – before flying off when I pointed my Canon 100-400mm lens at it. This is the sequence
Having some time off over the festive period, I visited my local reserves of Blashford Lakes Nature & Hengistbury Head, a few times to try out the Canon 5d MkIV with both stills and its 4k video capability. It also allowed me more time to play with my recent lens addition with it – a Canon 100-400 IS L lens. Whilst out I at Hegistbury Head, I was able to
Here is a short video of an adult and juvenile Little Grebes, taken at Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve today.
Went on an Easter Sunday Afternoon wander around Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve in mixed Sun and Cloud weather. The wind making the later shots of this coot, interesting to take in the choppy lake. Fortunately on land it was easier. And for Easter – you have to take a bunny rabbit!
