Kelham Bridge - 22 May 2012

A boiling hot afternoon and we set off for Kelham bridge, the bushes were full of bird song, mostly warblers and Buntings.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm l Lens
1/1600 @ 6.3, iso 200, 400mm

I tried some pics of reed buntings that were shouting from the middle of a field but they were really too far away. then this reed bunting flew over the path and sat on a reed on the other side of the path. the contrast is not the best but he was only there a few seconds and I had to use the settings I had.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm l Lens
1/1000 @ 6.3, iso 200, 400mm

There was nothing to take at the first hide, but had a nice chat with the locals before moving on to the second hide. Beside the path, on the way the light caught this dandelion clock and tempted me to take it.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm l Lens
1/1000 @ 6.3, iso 200, 400mm

At the second hide I was alone for a while and scanning the area for what might be hiding, when I became aware of an eye looking at me. This female pheasant, kept ducking back into the undergrowth and popping up in a different place. It was funny to follow as she moved around out of sight the grasses and flowers above her waved wildly. So I always knew where she would come out. But she always stayed close to one place and returned to it regularly, I could n't see so I cant be certain but I wondered if she had a nest there

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm l Lens
1/500 @ 6.3, iso 200, 400mm

Finally I liked the reflections in this picture of the moorhen.

A wet afternoon at Watremead - 15 June 2011

It was very much a dash out, with skipper, between showers. It seemed to be clearing and I put my coat on, but by the time I got to the door it was raining again.

I had to visit Paul on the side of the river and decided to go in to Watermead from Mill lane rather than battle with the rush hour traffic and I'm glad I did.

The weather seemed to have improved and I was standing next to the first lake after the bridge when I heard a bird singing, camera at the ready I scanned the bushes next to me. I couldn't see any sign of the songster until I looked up and realised he was sitting on a prominent branch in full view and still singing his heart out.

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

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

He is a Reed Bunting and stayed there singing for about five minutes before moving to another branch and repeating his song, his next move put him out of sight on the other side of the bush.

Then the light started to change and the bird life seemed to mostly disappear.  I carried on round the lakes then this happened.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/2656 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 100mm

And the heavens opened, I followed a thine of over-hanging trees to the hole in the wall hide then round the to the main path and back to the car. I did try some pics of a Little grebe, but it was too far away and the the darkness of the clouds meant they didn't work out, so I deleted them.