Life at the old Pool - 24 August 2011

We decided to go for a walk by the lake at Watermead south yesterday, we haven't been there since they closed the car park for resurfacing, which is strange since we usually park at the other side, in Birstall, so we can avoid the traffic. The car park though has been finished for some time and looks quite smart.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/800 @ f5.6, iso 400, 170mm

The usual birds were in evidence, nothing unusual, and there were a few people feeding them. This Canada goose flew straight towards me before swinging off and landing by the rails.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 800, 170mm

With the wind in the direction it was blowing from (ESE) the goose looked like it was flying in slow-motion  and gave me plenty of opportunity for photos.

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

Water water - nowhere - 18 August 2011

The two pictures above tell their own story, this was the sight that greeted us at Thornton Reservoir. Both are showing areas, of the middle of the reservoir, that this time last year were covered in water.
There were few birds and of them most were Mallards and Coots, with a few tufty's and a couple of Grebe. it was a sorry sight and even the Squirrels weren't raiding the bird feeder.

Lets hope we get some serious rain soon!

Distracted - 17 August 2011

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ramblin-Jacks-Bawdy-Tales-ebook/dp/B005HG4Y22/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313577105&sr=8-1

I've been a bit distracted from photography for a couple of weeks, but now my book has been released on Kindle, I can get back to it.

The book is available at the link above and if you don't have Kindle you can get a FREE download from Amazon that emulates a Kindle Reader.

"Ramblin Jack's Bawdy Tales" by John Gwynant (my pen name) is about the risque adventures of the inhabitants of a fictitious English Village 'Lurking in the Wolds'.

A second 'Lurking' book will be out soon, but will be slightly more serious.

I'm going out this afternoon to see what wildlife is about, so another post tomorrow - hopefully.

Watermead Park - 6 August 2011

Watermead was a bit more lively yesterday, with a variety of wildlife showing itself.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/1000 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

The orange tip females were first to show and there seemed to be a lot of them, strange though, no males that we saw.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/1600 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

Then this Red Admiral showed up and settled on a few places where I could get it's picture, nice to see a bit of colour after all the white wings of the orange tips.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/2000 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

A bee joined them and hovered for a second when my lens was pointing in her direction.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/5312 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

As I approached the hole in the wall hide I could see this Heron, but as I got closer I could see a Little Egret and when the Heron saw it, he took off.  After he left another Little Egret arrived and a few minutes later a third landed. It looks like they've decided to settle here.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/3200 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

A short walk at Watermead - 31 July 2011

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

The Lakes at Watermead were so quiet, I thought I would only get a few photos of Mallard and Swans. But this Hoverfly decided to settle for a moment and allow his pic to be taken.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/1000 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

When I first saw this mother with her chicks I didn't realise what she was so I took a picture anyway. It wasn't till I got home and put it on the iMac that I realised it was a Scaup.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/160 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

This Heron seemed unconcerned that it was standing in a position that allowed a good view of it from the path. Then it opened it's beak and gave us a good view of the rather odd shaped tongue.