Otter Watch

Otters

If you are interested in Otters, the BBC spring/autumn watch team are doing an Otter special on December 20th at 8pm.

With luck one of my pictures of this Otter will be shown.

Bradgate Park - Friday 23rd November 2012

We decided on a visit to Bradgate Park to see if there were any deer about. But the first thing we came across, just inside the main gate, was this Red Tailed Hawk being exercised by the owner. Unfortunately he had to keep it on a long leash, it was part of the agreement with the park trustees. 

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/200 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm 

It attracted a lot of attention and sometimes it was difficult to get pictures without people in as well.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/250 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

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

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/320 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/250 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

The flight photos were more difficult, with trees and people in the way.

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

It's interesting watching a bird of prey flying straight towards you.

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

At rest it seemed to enjoy posing and wasn't nervous about the people close by.

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

In the open area between the rocks and Lady Jane Grey's house there were several small groups of deer and this Red Deer stag seemed to be keeping watch over a group of does. So maybe the rut isn't over.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/125 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

On the way back to the car, Maja noticed a red head in amongst the green heads of a group of mallard, of course it belonged to this Widgeon.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/40 @ f6.3, iso 3200, 190mm

And Finally this Fallow deer was by the stream and close to the gates

Stocking up for winter - 18 November 2012

We decided on sunday to go to Watermead park and while Maja took Skipper for a walk, I stayed in the car park and put some nuts etc on the fence posts. I was hoping to get some photos of small birds feeding up for winter. But after quarter of an hour, there was no sign of any birds, not even robins.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens.
1/50 @ f5.6, iso 1600, 200mm

Then this chap came along and was busily stuffing his face when...

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens.
1/64 @ f5.6, iso 1600, 260mm

company arrived to share his bounty, he didn't seem too happy and when the newcomer started taking more than his share...

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens.
1/32 @ f5.6, iso 1600, 115mm

There followed some threats being thrown around then ...

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens.
1/32 @ f5.6, iso 1600, 100mm 

an all out fight. I was working with low light and when they fought it was over in the click of a shutter and you can see from the blurring in the picture.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens.
1/125 @ f5.6, iso 1600, 250mm

And of course the spoils went to the victor who made the most of them.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens.
1/160 @ f5.6, iso 1600, 220mm

One squirrel had gone and the other was on the ground looking for overspilled food when this Magpie arrived to look at the empty table.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens.
1/40 @ f5.6, iso 1600, 220mm

There is no doubt where the food went though.

Autumn - Saturday 10 November 2012

Not much in the way of wildlife about but the colours of autumn at Thornton Reservoir were worth seeing.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400 mm L series lens
1/64 @ f6.3, iso 400, 100mm

And looking across the water, the reflections were great.

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

I was hoping to have some pictures of the Red Deer rut at Bradgate Park but it's getting late in the year and I've seen no sign of it.