feisty squirrel - 4 April 2013

Maja and I decided to go to Swithland Woods, hoping the Jay might show up again - or maybe something more rare. No such luck, there was the usual collection; Nuthatch, Dunnock, Coal tit etc.
A magpie was quite entertaining, particularly with the impression of the headless bird and for those of you who are superstitious, there was another Magpie in the trees - so as the song says "two for Joy" - I'll look forward to winning the lottery :o)

1/500 @ f7.1, iso 800, 235mm

Afterwards though it was time for a feed and he certainly didn't hold back at the table.

1/200 @ f7.1, iso 800, 235mm

Later this Squirrel came out and despite being a lot smaller, he wasn't giving way to the car, fortunately the driver had seen him.

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

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

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

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

 He gave way eventually and went off into the woods.

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

Small Bird Central - 27 January 2013

Friday morning and the snow was still frozen to the ground, we visited Swithland woods. Maja took the dog for a walk while I remained in the car. On her way out Maja spread some bird food on the stump of a tree that we'd parked close to.

For five minutes I was thinking "Oh well if the birds don't come I'll take some photos of the snow laden woodland." Then the avalanche started, birds were flying in from everywhere quicker that I could focus on them they fed and left. The first to arrive was the robin.

Canon EOS7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/250 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

Canon EOS7d, EF 100 - 400, L Lens
1/1000 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

He discovered the food on the ground first and was soon watched closely by the magpie.

Canon EOS7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/100 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

The Carrion Crow wasted no time in getting to the main source of the food.

Canon EOS7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

A feisty Nuthatch, always ready for a fight, saw off the crow and took possession of the stump. Another Nuthatch quickly followed but peered over the edge to be sure the other one had gone before climbing up and feeding

Canon EOS7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/640 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

Canon EOS7d, EF 100 - 400 L Lens
1/800 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

A great tit came for a look but retreated to a tree until the Nuthatch left.

Canon EOS7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

When the Robin settled in the tree, I couldn't turn round far enough to get a picture through the front window. So I opened the rear sliding door, half expecting the sound would scare him off. I was wrong, he just sat and looked at me.

Canon EOS7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/2656 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

Not the sharpest of the pictures but I love the pose of this blue tit, I was lucky to get him like this and to be honest I didn't know I had until I saw it on the computer.

Canon EOS7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/800 @ f6.3, iso 800, 390mm

I was just wondering why I hadn't seen a chaffinch when this one arrived for her share.

Canon EOS7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/320 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

This Robin was surprised when the Nuthatch landed just before him and he had to do a flypast.

Canon EOS7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/640 @ f6.3, iso 800, 390mm

But not being a bird to back down from a fight, he returned to press his argument.

I took nearly 300 pictures in about three quarters of an hour, but the light was variable and some of them were too dark despite a picture taken a second later being bright and clear, see the reflection in the Crow's eye, yet the next one of him was unusable.

They were coming in so fast it was difficult to get a picture before the next bird came along, a really great morning, particularly when I remember all those months without a decent sighting.

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.

Between the showers - 18 July 2012

Even when the rain stops for a couple of minutes there isn't much wildlife about, on a recent visit to Swithland Woods I didn't see a single bird.

A quick dive out to Watermead Park between showers and there were only swans and mallard on the water, that was only for a free feed.

Canon Eos 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/2656 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 390mm

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

Back in the car park a couple of magpies were in residence, I think they must have scared off anything else.

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

But not much stops the Chaffinch and here she is having a good feed.

Canon Eos 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/160 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm