Red Deer before the winds hit - 8 Feb 2014

The birds not being very cooperative this weather, we decided to see what the dee were about in Bradgate Park. The answer was not too much. But we did find some Red deer stags and a couple of young Fallow deer

1/200 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mmm

1/200 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mmm

1/160 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mmm 

1/1600 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mmm

1/125 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mmm

All taken on 

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

A dearth of wildlife - 1 Feb 2014

Since before Christmas there seems to have been a sad lack of wildlife around Leicestershire, mind you with the weather as it is who can blame them for stopping at home.

I managed to get these Shovelers at Watermead park, otherwise it has just been Mallard, Coots and Mute Swans. I did see an Egret away in the distance but couldn't get close enough for a picture.

1/1600 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

1/320 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

1/320 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

1/320 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

All taken on

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L series Lens.

Deer at Bradgate - 12 December 2013

Since my last post the local birdlife has been conspicuous by its absence, only the common regulars showing themselves. I have spotted the occasional Goosander and Shoveler in the distance and a Dab chick at Charnwood water in very poor light, but nothing available for a decent photo.

So we decided on a visit to Bradgate Park again and the deer did not disappoint. Various young Fallow Deer were out and about and  the variety of colours for deer of the same species was interesting.

1/160 @f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

1/250 @f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

The same thing applies to the older ones, a spread from white to black.

1/125 @f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

This one paused for a drink on its way down a stream and the day was still so the reflections were quite good - albeit only of the back end.

1/80 @f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

A bigger stag seemed to be moulting and the crow was determined to help, although I wonder why - it cant be nest building at this time of year. I think the wide eyed, startled look of the stag shows his opinion of the goings on.

1/160 @f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

1/160 @f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

This Red deer stag looked more comfortable with his lot, but was suspicious of the camera I was pointing at him.

1/80 @f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

1/80 @f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

All pictures taken on a 

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

The hidden Rut - 17 October 2013

Another try to get pictures of the rut ended in failure, we could hear them and there were lots of photographers looking for their chance, but the Rutting deer remained in the restricted reserve and out of sight. I suppose we all want a bit of privacy when doing things like that :o)

There were some singles around though, so I took a few pics of them as a consolation. With the first three there was a whole lot of trotting going on.

1/500 @ 6.3, iso 400, 170mm

1/400 @ 6.3, iso 400, 170mm

1/800 @ 6.3, iso 400, 275mm

Then a nice little 'family' group caught my eye.

1/500 @ 6.3, iso 400, 275mm

I'm not sure what this Red was doing on his own, maybe he had lost his battle already and was keeping out of the way, but he was moving well enough and didn't look tired out. So maybe he was saving himself for the final battles, when all the others have worn themselves out.

1/200 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/160 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

Looking at this one's movements, I'd say he had run his race and was ready for a rest.

1/64 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

I liked these two pictures, for their settings, too often the deer are out in the open. It's nice to see them in some flora.

1/125 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/200 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

all taken with

Canon EOS7d, EF 100 - 400mm, L series lens

A mother's love - July 2013

Young animals are always cute, aren't they?

1/1000 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

And these Mallard chicks really confirm that

1/640 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

Cuddly and furry who wouldn't say ahh when seeing them.

1/1328 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

But a young coot, really can only attract a mothers love.

1/1600 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

They are very nearly bald with eyes so dark you wonder if you're looking into an empty skull.

1/2000 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

But, ugly as they are, they can be adventurous and are often getting seen off by neighbouring mothers.

1/2000 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

Their mothers must love them, they are very attentive and protective. They'll attack much bigger birds to protect their young.

1/1600 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

And they never seem to tire of finding food for their babies.

1/800 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

All taken on a 

Canon EOS 7d with an EF 100 - 400mm L series lens

Swithland woods and a persistent Nuthatch - 20 April 2013

Unusually the Great tit was the first bird to the stump this time, he chose one nut, then seemed to see the bigger nuts and spat out his first choice. His beak seemed to drop open at the size of the monkey nuts.

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

But then after a good feel of the bigger nuts, he changed his mind and picked up his first choice again.

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

The Robin arrived next and being more discerning,  chose the fat covered meal worm sections.

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

The feisty Nuthatch arrived, but he seemed a little nervous and had a good look round ...

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

... before selecting a nut ...

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

and flying off with it.

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

Blue Tits are always nervous, this one landed - took off again ...

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

flew in a circle, then landed again.

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

A Coal Tit was next, he took his time choosing but left when a Nuthatch arrived.

1/1328 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

The Nuthatch, decided to try his luck at the monkey nuts and ...

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

Took some up into his tree ...

1/1600 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

... a branch had been removed from the tree (before it could fall down) and a couple of bits of bark were left sticking up. It was here that he placed them and tried to break into the outer shell ...

1/1600 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

... he gave us a few minutes of entertainment as he tried every thing he could ...

1/1600 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

... even a flying dive to put all his weight behind his beak ...

1/1600 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

... then he stopped to peruse the situation, before flying away ...

1/1600 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

... maybe to fetch help, but we had to leave then.

All taken with a 

Canon EOS 7d, with an EF 100 - 400mm L series Lens

Thornton Reservoir

My movement is a bit restricted at the moment and the few times I've been able to get out There hasn't been a lot of wildlife to see. So I thought you might enjoy this sequence shot at Thornton water a while ago.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400 L lens
1/400 @ 6.3, iso1600, 400mm