Christmas Day at the Watermead - 25 December 2011

I managed a short walk yesterday before our venison dinner, there were quite a few people out at Watermead park despite the rather grey weather and because of it the light wasn't too good for photography. So you'll have to excuse the images not being up to the standard that I usually try to achieve on the blog.

This first picture is not at all good for focus etc. but I have included it as it shows a cormorant in full breeding plumage - on Christmas Day!!!

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

That's one very confused bird - let's hope there are no receptive females or, when the cold weather comes the chicks might not survive.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 800, 250mm

 These two Mallard obviously did not have the Christmas spirit, they had a bit of a ding-dong over a bit of bread that was thrown in close to where I was standing.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/80 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

One bird that can always be counted on to raise the spirits - this Robin was sitting in the hedge by the car park belting out its sweet song. I don't care what people like Chris Packham say, what other reason could the Robin have for singing at this time of year, if not for enjoyment?

Happy Yule and a good New Year - 23 December 2011

The weather isn't looking good for the holiday

so I chose a couple of last years pictures that feel a bit seasonal

The first is at the Highwoods in Essex

And the Robin was on a gate at Watermead Park.

Have a good Yule Tide and a happy New Year

Another post at last - 21 December 2011

What a difference a year makes, this time last year we had snow and frosts, ice on the lakes and lots of unusual visitors. This year, hardly anything out of the ordinary and a lot of mud. Coupled with dull days it has not been the year for wildlife photography. Adding to that my poor health and I've taken very few pictures this year.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens

1/125 @ 6.3, iso 400, 380mm

I did manage to get out to Watermead Park South and caught this female Scaup, I couldn't see the male. It has been pointed out to me via a comment from Midlandsbirder that  this is not a scaup it is a hybrid probably with a female Tufty - ah well we all make mistakes sometimes - thanks MB 

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens

1/160 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

A few geese took flight from the island and came to land quire close to the car park giving us a nice view of the underside. I'm hoping to get out more over the holidays

found - the missing birds 17 November 2011

The lakes at Watermead park have been empty this autumn if you compare them with the bird life from this time last year.

But Yesterday I went to Watermead South (near the Melton Road/Soar Valley Way corner). I don't go there very often because there's usually too many people.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/250 @ f5.6, iso 400, 100mm

Here you could almost walk across the lake on birds, the area in front of the car park was so crowded and a large part of the car park was filled with Canada Geese.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/160 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

 The Gulls found it crowded as well and seemed to be taking turns to rest on the fence posts.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/640 @ f5.6, iso 3200, 400mm

 I was sitting on the rocks close to the waters edge, taking close ups of ducks and swans, when I became aware that this Heron had landed within 15 feet of me. It didn't seem to notice me, even though I was wearing a plain green wax jacket and dark trousers. Just shows you don't really need all the cammo gear.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/640 @ f5, iso 3200, 160mm

He stood there for at least ten minutes and didn't move until my wife and dog walked along the path towards him (he was between them and me). Then he took off and flew slowly past me at a nice distance for some pictures.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/640 @ f5, iso 3200, 160mm

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/1000 @ f5, iso 3200, 160mm

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/1600 @ f5, iso 3200, 160mm

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/1000 @ f5, iso 3200, 160mm

They aren't quite as sharp as I would have liked, but the his ISO explains why. As soon as we arrived at the lake the sun took a dive behind some clouds and I had to keep winding it up.

Kelham Bridge - 6 November 2011

Canon EOS 7d, ef 100 - 400mm L lens
1/50 @ 5.6, iso 400, 400mm

A visit to Kelham Bridge proved quite interesting, the first hide there was some activity on the water but a young mother arrived and pointing sideways through the viewing window whispered to her child "look there, it's a pheasant."

Canon EOS 7d, ef 100 - 400mm L lens
1/64 @ 5.6, iso 400, 400mm

I had been so distracted by the water that I hadn't noticed the bird feeders under the trees to my right. The female pheasant, being too big and ungainly to hang from the feeders was scavenging for anything the smaller birds and squirrel might drop.

Canon EOS 7d, ef 100 - 400mm L lens
1/125 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mm

The acrobatics of the squirrel were next to catch our attention as he climbed all over the swinging basket of nuts.

Canon EOS 7d, ef 100 - 400mm L lens
1/125 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mm

He was mobbed several times by a coal tit, unfortunately the tit was flying so fast and from different angles and I didn't manage to get a picture of it hitting the squirrel.

Canon EOS 7d, ef 100 - 400mm L lens
1/125 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mm

You would think it would hurt the bird more than the squirrel, but the tit was clever and only seemed to hit the ears and the tail, enough to be annoying but not hurt itself.

Canon EOS 7d, ef 100 - 400mm L lens
1/100 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mm

The Blue Tits were quite happy with the fat balls and kept away from the squirrel.

Canon EOS 7d, ef 100 - 400mm L lens
1/500 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mm

The sun started to slip from the sky and I was thinking about leaving when I noticed a Moorhen trying to pull out a feed

Canon EOS 7d, ef 100 - 400mm L lens
1/25 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mm, flash

On the way back to the car, I could see a shadow in the bushes which seemed to be keeping pace with us. So I let Maja and Skipper walk on ahead and as I waited, this Robin popped out onto a post.

More Deer at Bradgate park - 1 November 2011

I make no excuses for going back to Bradgate park again, I was hoping to catch the last of the Rut. But Although we heard a few calls there was no fighting and we think the Rut is finished.

It didn't stop me finding some pictures though and this Fallow Deer Stag looked worn out, but later he got up and started feeding.

It was a long time before he raised his head so I could get a picture.

Another stag came close but there was no antagonism, so I guess that shows the rut is over.

The Reds were further into the park close to the bridge opposite Lady Jane Gray's house. This one was standing guard over his ladies and was unchallenged another indication that we won't get any more rut pictures this year.

These deer were grazing on the side of Lady Jane's House.

Bradgate park - the Rut - 24 October 2011

Canon EOS 7D, Ef 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/320 @ f6.3, iso 800, 235mm 

From immediately inside the park gates the deer were out in force, this young Fallow deer was keeping out of the way, the Rut can be a dangerous time for anyone getting in the way. Whereas the stag below was taking part - even if we was still a bit young to be successful.

Canon EOS 7D, Ef 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/1328 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm 

The Red deer stag below looks like a veteran of many Ruts and when I got his picture he was hiding under a tree, maybe stopped to catch his breath.

Canon EOS 7D, Ef 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/640 @ f6.3, iso 800, 170mm 

This one looks like he's at his best, he's standing by a group of females and roaring out his challenge to anyone who thinks they might be hard enough.

Canon EOS 7D, Ef 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/1000 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 375mm 

Kelham Bridge - 15 October 2011

Skipper is  well again and we celebrated by taking him out to Kelham Bridge, near Ibstock. The first hide was pretty deserted, the only birds being across the other side of the pool.

Canon EOS7d, EF 100 - 400 L Lens
1/1600 @ f6.3, iso 800, 250mm 

But Skipper enjoyed running about on the grass paths and at the second hide, there were quite a few people and lots of birds. Apparently we just missed a Kingfisher and a water Rail, but while we were watching for pictures I noticed this rock, which with its reflection made a good picture.

Canon EOS7d, EF 100 - 400 L Lens
1/320 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm 

A moorhen, standing on the raised ground near a wooden post, needed to flap so it wouldn't overbalance and as luck would have it, I was watching it through the camera at the time.

Canon EOS7d, EF 100 - 400 L Lens
1/2000 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm 

Then I spotted a Teal (going into eclipse) and as he was posing thought it worth a picture. While Maja took Skipper on a bit further, I stayed in the hide but the Kingfisher didn't return, we thought we heard him calling but he didn't put in an appearance while I was there.

Trials of skipper - 10 september 2011

I've been a bit short on trips out recently, Skipper cut one of his back paws  on something we didn't see. It wasn't till he got into the car and he left blood on the seat that we knew anything about it.

We took him to the vet where they knocked him out and stitched him up, he was great not chewing the bandage at all. But now they've took the bandage off, he's started worrying at it.

The Birds are Back in Town - 26 September 2011

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

We'd only just got out of the car at Watermead car-park when this  Robin came to have a look at us, he was only a couple of metres away but didn't seem at all perturbed about us being there,

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

We gave him a reward for posing, in the shape of some wild bird food and he was happy to look at the camera and pose.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

Of course, as soon as the seed was out the Tits started to show up, there was a Blue Tit but he flew in at great speed, grabbed a nut and flew out again before I could get his picture. This Great Tit was more obliging as he sat watching the Robin picking the seed that had fallen to the floor.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

Round on the lakes there was a variety of the usual waterbirds plus pochard and gadwall all too far away to photograph. But more surprising was the group of Shovellors - they were too far away to get great pictures but these two are acceptable.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

Kirby Muxloe Castle - 23 September 2011

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400 L Lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 800, 100mm

A wander round Kirby Muxloe Castle showed the usual  selection of birds, a few canada geese, mallard, coots and moorhens. The Moorhens usually stay on the island and out of harms way.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400 L Lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

and this female was no exception, strutting around like the lady of the manor.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400 L Lens
1/1000 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

If she was the Lady than this Heron was certainly the Captain of the guard, he stood watch on three of the four corners. Unfortunately he chose the very moment that I was sneaking between trees for a closer shot, to dive for a fish and although I saw him do it I was in no position to take a picture.

Rain Stops Play - 18 Sept 2011

We walked most of the way round Sence Valley Country Park, stopped at the hide where there was a variety of the common visitors, swans, coots, mallards etc. Along the back path where there are often butterflies and dragonflies, but I think they knew what was coming and were hiding.

Down to the top lake where the inhabitants seemed to want to stay between the camera and the sun so no chance of a decent picture.

It wasn't until we were most of the way round the horseshoe lake, retreating from the beginnings of the rainstorm, that we saw our first subject. This Heron, sitting on weed in the middle of the lake.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/500 @ F6.3, iso 800, 400mm

Then I noticed a little Grebe near the side of the concrete runway and turned the camera to get a picture, unfortunately the Heron chose that moment to relocate to a tree at the side of the lake and I missed the flight .... ahh well.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/2000 @ F6.3, iso 800, 400mm

Shortly after that the rain got heavier and just as we shut the doors the view disappeared in a deluge. That was the end of the walk, there wouldn't be any more pictures today.

Fly against the wind - 12 September 2011

Most of the birds  at Watermead  south were hiding from hurricane Katia, but as I walked back towards the car park I spotted Paul (alula site see link) sitting in the bottom of a ditch and pointing his camera into the air. Unfortunately Skipper saw him before he saw Skipper and he was suddenly engulfed by wet fur, excited dog and long wet tongue. I think Skipper regards Paul as part of his extended pack, he's always excited to see him.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/1000 @ 7.1, iso 800, 100mm

 Paul had noticed that the birds were flying between the raised grass islands near the car-park and the lake. But as they returned to the lake they were flying into the wind so they were flying much more slowly, making it easier to take photos.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/1000 @ 6.3, iso 800, 160mm

Nor were Mallard the only ones, the Canada Geese were having fun as well.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/80000 @ 6.3, iso 800, 180mm

And the white domestic geese.