Seasons Greetings

We started with frosts turning everything white.

Snow soon followed

If we were clever we had laid in the fuel, ready for the cold weather.

The birds puffed themselves up to keep out the cold

And what other bird suited the season but a Robin

Well a Jenny Wren of course (Ok that surprised me as well)

So we trimmed up for the great day and the dog got in on the act as well

Turkey eaten presents opened and it was time for a bit of fun

We all remember Mid Winter Festivals like that, don't we?

We perhaps wish they still happened?

Well the good news is these pictures were all taken within the last four years so they do still happen and will happen again.

Have a Happy Mid-Winter Day and Good new Year.

My latest Book release 13 Dec 2014

I'm still having trouble finding wildlife to photograph, I cant believe that a couple of years ago I was taking over a hundred pictures nearly every day. Yet today I haven't taken the camera out of its case for two weeks. there's nothing but a few mallards and coots, swans and canada geese.

I don't like being inactive though so here is my latest book, it is a sequel to "Excalibur's last battle."
and is available on Amazon as paperback or ebook, under my pen name "John Gwynant"

Where has all the wildlife gone - 10 November 2014

There seems to be a dearth of wildlife at the moment, it's not been very lively all year. Part of that is my restricted ability to get around the wildlife parks and I suspect the neglect of the parks is a contributory factor, but they cant be everything. Only three years ago the parks were packed, everywhere you looked there were birds, squirrels etc.  Now I go out and only managed one Heron.

However I did get a chance to try out my new Semi Recumbent Trike for carrying my equipment on a photo trip. I can't walk far and cannot ride a conventional bike since my back started with its problem. Mission cycles make a variety of different pedal powered vehicles and this suits me perfectly, although I had to get used to using different muscle groups, unlike a conventional riding position your weight is not over the pedals so has no effect on your pedalling. I have changed the position of the handlebars since taking the picture, so my arms weren't so stretched out. Easy rider position is very comfortable.

1/250 @ 7.1, iso 800, 100mm

1/400 @ 5.6, iso1600, 250mm

1/400 @ 5.6, iso1600, 250mm



All taken on Canon EOS7d, EF100 - 400mm L series zoom

After the Rut 29 October 2014

Bradgate park again and the rut is pread put the Fallows seem to have had theirs while the Reds are just starting.

This one seems to be hiding out of the way, unfortunately he forgot how big his antlers are.

1/200 @ 7.1,  iso 400, 400 mm

It is all just a little too much for this Fallow Deer, he's got his head down for a good sleep.

1/400 @ 7.1,  iso 400, 400 mm

Later when he raised his head, he still didn't look awake.

1/320 @ 7.1,  iso 400, 400 mm

The White Fallows seem to be doing well, these look like winners.

1/1600 @ 7.1,  iso 400, 235 mm

They'll even challenge a camera if they catch sight of it.

1/800 @ 7.1,  iso 400, 180 mm

The Champion - or at least he looks every inch a champion, standing there with his chest proudly displayed and head held high.

1/320 @ 7.1,  iso 400, 200 mm

All taken on Canon EOS 7d, RF 100 - 400 mm L series Lens

The Office Murder

My latest book is now available on Amazon 

as both paperback and ebook

A Murder Mystery

click here for Amazon page

www.amazon.co.uk:

Please leave feedback when you have read it, it helps if I know you have enjoyed it (or hated it).

Strange looking birds - 5 October 2014

We went out to Swithland Reservoir in Leicestershire to look for water birds, there are often Heron and Egret there. After some time we had seen one uncooperative heron and a lot of gulls, mute swans and coots and we were getting bored. There had been trains on the Rothley steam trust line but I hadn't really paid attention to them. Then I began to notice there were a lot more than usual and a quick chat with a bird watcher close by told me it was a gala week end for the Trust.

Just for fun I took a couple of pictures as the trains crossed the viaduct at the end of the reservoir. Then as there was no improvement to the bird population, I decided to have a change for the day and get some better pictures of the steam trains.

1/500 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm 

1/500 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

After taking the above photos we moved to a position at the other end of the reservoir and along a dirt track to get closer. We were rewarded with the photos below and the video, there is sound if you want it.

1/400 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

1/125 @ f7.1, iso 800, 150mm

I have no idea about type numbers etc. but I do like a steam train and it was nice to watch them looking so good and cared for.

All pictures taken on Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 400mm L series lens

The preliminaries Bradgate Park - 25 Sept 14

These two Fallow deer stags seem to entering the preliminaries of the rut, starting with the parallel walk.

1/1000 @ f7.1, iso 800, 260mm

Then it's heads down and antlers in, it was a bit subdued so obviously not yet fired by hormones.

1/800 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

1/800 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

They kept it up for about five minutes.

1/800 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

Then separated and the dark coloured one preened himself  and trotted around proudly.

1/500 @ f7.1, iso 800, 180mm

While the white one left the field, crossed the road and didn't come back.

1/1000 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

Here's one that has found it all just a little too much and decided on a nap instead.

1/320 @ f7.1, iso 800, 190mm

This one was watching in the wings and it wouldn't surprise me if he was in the middle of things when it all kicks off.

1/100 @ f7.1, iso 800, 200mm

The Red deer have started their bellowing and cant be far away from the big battles.

1/640 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

By the park gate, a falconer was exercising his Red Tailed Hawk female, I posted some pice of his male a few months ago.

1/160 @ f7.1, iso 800, 200mm

1/200 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

All taken on Canon EOS 7D, EF 100 - 400mm L series lens

Preparing for the Rut - August 2014

A visit to Bradgate Park showed us the Fallow deer are preparing for an early rut, there was no sign of the Red deer but I'm sure they'll put in an appearance when they're ready.

1/1600 @ f7.1, iso 1600, 400mm

The folly Old John, on the high point of the park always draws people to it and the view around is worth the climb.

1/400 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

These stags look very laid back, resting for what's to come no doubt.

1/500 @ f7.1, iso 800, 250mm

1/400 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

And this one wanted to pose and preen for the camera

1/320 @ f7.1, iso 800, 235mm

1/250 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

This younger one was playing and copying the older deer by trying to collect vegetation on  his antlers, the trouble is the weren't big enough to keep it there.

And this is one of the adults he was trying to copy, first time I've put a video up so I hope it works for you.

All taken on Canon EOS7d, EF 100 - 400mm L series Zoom

The Birds and the Bees and Butterflies August 3rd 2014

There wasn't a lot of wildlife about today but somethings of interest raised their heads.

A Red Admiral was hopping about from bloom to bloom, but would not settle with its wings open so I could get a decent picture of his markings.

1/2656 @ f7.1,  iso 400, 400mm

A Comma wasn't as shy and was happily sunbathing completely unconcerned about the lens pointing at him.

1/500 @ f7.1,  iso 400, 400mm

And this bee was not going to give up its meal for anyone, it didn't even have time to groom itself. Either that or it was a Punk Bee :o)

1/800 @ f7.1,  iso 400, 400mm

Further round a Cormorant found a small open area in all the weeds that the parks people have left to clog up the lakes. The whole park will soon be a no go area as Mossies start breeding in the stagnant pools, maybe that's why they closed down the most popular car park.

1/800 @ f7.1,  iso 400, 400mm

The Cormorant seemed to give up the struggle with the weeds and flew away to one of the few lakes still free from them.

1/3200 @ f7.1,  iso 400, 400mm

1/3200 @ f7.1,  iso 400, 400mm

1/3200 @ f7.1,  iso 400, 400mm

A Moorhen made use of an abandoned Coots nest, it was the only place in another totally clogged lake.

1/80 @ f7.1,  iso 400, 400mm

All taken on a Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L series lens