A Good weekend - 3 April 2011

It looked as if the weekend was going to be fairly slow, around Watermead a lot of the birds from the winter have gone and we are back to the usual collection - with most of them not putting on a show. On Sunday I was cycle-walking Skipper, he likes that it gives him a good run and being a Border Collie it's something  he needs - lots of exercise.

As we reached the Thurmaston end of the main track, I heard a young mother say to her child, "look he's got a fish!" So I stopped and looked again at the lake, there right in front of us was a Grebe with a fish in its beak.
Before I could get the camera out it dived and shortly after a fish skipped across the surface, but then the Grebe resurfaced with an even bigger fish in its beak. This all happened in a few seconds and I was still astride my bike, but I took what pictures I could and though they're not the best quality I thought I'd show you these two.


Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/5000 @ f 5.6,  iso 1600, 400mm



Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/8000 @ f 5.6,  iso 1600, 400mm

They were the only pictures I got on the way round the lakes. But when I returned to the Meadow lane car-park I had some time to spare and a few bird nuts and meal worm in a container in the back of the car so I put some on a fence post at the end of the parking area and sat in the car with the camera at the ready.

At first nothing happened, but after about ten minutes a Robin appeared, it's usually Robins that get in first especially when there are meal worm about. He hopped about for quite a while, posing and sometimes seemed to be looking right at me.


Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/100 @ f 6.3,  iso 1600, 350mm

There was a brief exchange with the male blackbird, who came to investigate the food and took away a beak full.


Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/125 @ f 6.3,  iso 1600, 380mm

But then it started to rain and the birds disappeared, so I started to pack my camera away and turned to put it in its bag when I caught a movement in the bushes halfway down the car-park. A grey Squirrel popped out and ran down the fence, he looked around then ran towards me - so out came the camera again and I took some photos as he came closer.


Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/160 @ f 6.3,  iso 1600, 200mm

He ran up the fence, to where the birds had been, and feasted on the remaining peanuts. He stayed for quite a long time, despite the rain and hail. After about fifteen minutes he'd obviously had his fill. he climbed down and disappeared into the undergrowth.

Close ups - Swthland Woods 26 March 2011

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/250 @ F7.1, iso 1600,  370mm

I went back to Swithland Woods today, I wanted to try for some closer pictures of the smaller birds. About a week ago I started seeding a tree stump that was further away from the road than the one in the one in the previous entry, which was right beside the road into the car park.

I set the camera on a tripod, lined it up and manually focused on the stump, then covered the kit with a camouflage cape and put some seeds, nuts and meal worm on the stump. I connected a 5 metre USB cable between the camera and my lap top, then using the remote control program (on EOS Utility) set the camera to live view on the lap top screen.

Then all I had to do was watch and wait, it wasn't long before a blue tit came to look. Unfortunately when I looked at the computer screen he was out of the picture, but he didn't feed because the whole area of the feed was covered by the camera.

After several flypasts, they started to come and the Nuthatch (above) was one of the first. But he wasn't sure if he should eat the nut or play football with it.



Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/250 @ F7.1, iso 1600,  370mm

 I'll let you decide if he finally made is mind up to eat the nut or if he's just looking for someone to pass it to.


Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/250 @ F7.1, iso 1600,  370mm

When there is food on offer, particularly mealworms, the Robin is never backwards in coming forwards and this one made several visits. He had an argument with the Nuthatch over it, despite there being plenty for all.


Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/250 @ F7.1, iso 1600,  370mm

In between the others this Coal tit made a few visits, but was very shy and tried to keep out of sight, I got several pictures showing just his back or tail as he ducked. The blue tit came and perched in a nearby bush several times and did several more fly pasts, but never came into view of the camera.

Spring is Here - maybe - 14 March 2011

Having not found many birds in the usual places recently, Maja suggested we went to Swithland Woods and put some seed on an old tree stump by the car park. Here are the results;


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

Cheeky as ever, the Robin was the first one at the table, he looks a lot slimmer than when he had his feathers all puffed out to keep warm. He took a mouthful of meal-worms and disappeared.

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

Next up was this female Chaffinch, she surveyed the area from a nearby post, before commiting herself.



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

And where there's a female the male is usually not far away. This male Chaffinch had a walk round the base of the stump before taking his share.


Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/60 @ f5.6, iso 400, 400mm

Following the Chaffinches, this Dunnok had a feed on the ground and never tried to get onto the stump. 

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

In spring you cant move far without seeing a Blue Tit and this one made several visits getting second and third helpings.



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



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

Then along came the Nuthatch, and bullied his way in. I don't know quite how he did it but the picture on the right shows him flying without the use of his wings (although he did spread them a after I took this).

Let's hope this is the start of spring and plenty of wildlife to follow.

Beacon Hill 13 March 2011

I decided to go somewhere I hadn't been for a while, so Maja, Skipper and myself went to Beacon Hill, we approached from Martin's Woods on Deans Lane and walked up through the woods.

It wasn't any improvement from the wildlife point of view, we could hear a coule of rooks shouting at each other and a Peacock calling in the distance but that was all.



Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/1000 @ f5.6, iso 400, 400mm

Beside the footpath there was a herd of Longhorn cattle ruminating and this one looked up as we passed, so I took his picture.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/1600 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

From the top of Beacon Hill, you can see Old John on Bradgate Park, (if you click on the picture you'll get a better view) and these were the only pictures I took today.

Quiet Times 10 March 2011

As I walk about the various parks of Leicestershire, I'm struck by how little wildlife there is now. Through the summer, autumn and winter, there has been plenty of choice and even some rare visitors. But now there are a few of the more common birds, although very few Moorhens and I've had great difficulty getting decent pictures.

So below are two common birds that attracted my attention at Charnwood water, Loughborough. This seems to have a good selection of the commoners, probably because it's on the edge of a housing estate and they get fed regularly.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/2656 @ f5.6, iso 400, 400mm

Above a male Mallard having a good shake after washing and below a Canada goose having a good loud honk.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/640 @ f5.6, iso 400, 170mm

Another Grey day - 28 February 2011

Yet another wet grey day, the wildlife at Waterrmead Park had more sense than to come out in the rain and the Goosanders, that were floating about on the lakes, had their heads tucked firmly under ther wings.

But the weather doesn't stop a Collie Dog wanting his walk, so Skipper and I were out in it. My thanks to the wet footed man who warned me that the path was flooded and saved me a futile walk.

I doubled back from near the Worcester Avenue path and went round to the hole in the wall hide. But again everything seemed to be hunkered down and keeping warm. As we neared the crossroads a Heron took flight, we must have disturbed him by walking past on the path. He didn't fly far though and posed for several pictures.

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

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

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

A Grey Day at Thornton Reservoir - 25 February 2011

It was a grey day and I nearly didn't take the camera, but as I arrived at Thornton Car park I spotted a shape I didn't recognise and moved in for a closer look. I soon realised it was a Lapwing and it was accompanied by two more, they were sitting on the wall at the side of the wier.



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

Along the path, past the fishing lodge, there is a bird feeder up in a clearing in the bushes. But the birds weren't getting a look in, this squirrel took control of it and his antics were worth watching, if only for the amusement value.


Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/125 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

On the water there wasn't much happening except that the Great Crested Grebe seem to be thinking about pairing up for the breeding season and there were signs of them starting their courtship dances, unfortunately they were all too far away to get a decent picture - but I'll be watching them and as soon as I get anything decent, I'll post it here.



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

As I turned to go back to the car, I spotted a movement in one of the meadow like gardens on the right. First all I saw was the chaffinch, but then the Song Thrush popped up out of a dip in the ground. I was pleased to see him, I have seen any kind of thrush for quite a while.


Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/640 @ f5.6, iso 800, 300mm

I turned away from the Thrush and was serenaded by a Robin, I think he was jealous that I hadn't taken his picture, so always happy to oblige, here he is.

A walk in the Park - 18 February 2011

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1.0  @ F32, iso 400, 100mm

The weather hasn't shown much of an improvement and it looks like continuing like this next week.
On Friday I took Skipper for a walk in Bradgate park, the light was so grey I nearly didn't take the camera. But you know the old adage about a real photographer never goes anywhere without a camera, it must have been  playing on my  subconcious. Because as I reached for my mobile phone, I picked up the camera as well. It was a good thin I did!

As we strolled through the park, there was not a bit of animal life in sight, apart from people and their dogs. I looked at the river and wasn't inspired, but when I reached the waterfall, I decided to play with shutter speeds and get that silky effect that displays the movement of the water.

Furthe along the road to Lady Jane Greys house I spotted a deer crossing the road and knowing they rarely travel alone, I got in closer and hid behind a tree. Skipper lay down behind me and we were rewarded by a mass crossing of about 200 deer. They were looking for grazing close to the house.


Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/ 250 @ 4.5, iso 800, 100mm

This is just the advanced party, there were so many even Skipper was getting restless by the time the last one crossed. 

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/100 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mm

This old one gave me a very suspicious look as I moved round the tree to take his picture, I suspect he could see Skipper on the ground behind me as well. I dont suppose he has many seasons left in him. He looks too old to win a rutting challenge.


Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/100 @5.6, iso 800, 400mm

This one seems to have chosen his mate already, or she chose him, any way they stayed close together all the time I was there.


Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/200  @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mm

I got the feeling this 14 pointer was the boss, he looked magnificent and strutted around like he owned the place.

Not Good Weather for Photography - 16 February 2011

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/1250@ 5.0, iso 800, 100mm

It has not been good weather for Photography recently. Last weekend I was in Snowdonia and the weather was so bad, I didn't take my camera out of its case.  Wednesday I was at Watermead Park and apart from a ragged old teasel and this swan there was not a lot worth taking. It's not just that the light becomes grey and uninteresting, but also the wildlife doesn't come out to play.

I took the swan because of its reflection and its cheek in demanding to be fed and hissing at Skipper who was lying down behind me and bothering no-one.

I ran into Paul as I was leaving and stopped for a chat, he was set up near to the car park, watching for a Heron that seems to be building a nest. Paul can sit there for hours waiting for some action, but I have to exercise Skipper. Sometimes that works in his favour and sometimes in mine (like the Mandarin Duck a couple of weeks ago).

While we were talking, the light dropped and we heard the unmistakable sound of the starlings coming in to their night time roost. I knew it was time to go then and a chill air was creeping in.

As we left I looked up and saw a clear Moon - not quite full - but a good view non-the-less. So I decided to experiment with some pictures, Paul cycled away as I took my camera out again. I experimented with various pictures and reflections. This was the result.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/2500@ 5.6, iso 3200, 400mm

Using just my 100 - 400mm zoom at 400mm I was very pleased with the clarity of the results. Note the craters on the left side and round below - you can see them better if you click on the image to increase its size.

A rare visitor - 2 February 2011

As I walked around Watermead Park in the sunshine, I noticed that only the usual birds were in evidence - Swans, Coots, Canada Geese and Mallard. I didn't even see a moorhen.



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

This Tufty was looking quite dapper so I took his picture, then he turned away and paddled after a female I dont know if he thought spring had come.

At the "hole in the wall" hide There was only a couple of Mallard and a Heron in the distance so nothing to take there and I continued on my way. Skipper decided his stick wasn't big enough so dropped it and picked up one that was over twice his length, which he carried for the rest of his walk and only relinquished it when we got back to the car park.

I carried on round the back of the North West Lake past the pollarded trees, standing like sentinels on guard over the lake. I was please they hadn't pollarded the last tree on that side, it's a large and good looking tree that I took pictures of when it was covered in Hoare frost a few weeks ago.




Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/100 @ f14, iso 800, 100mm

Round past "Moorhen Marsh"  there were just a couple of coots drifting about aimlessly in the sunshine and I'd just about resigned myself to there being nothing else to take.
But as I approached the dog bin, near the path to Worcester Avenue, I noticed a number of Mallard milling about and stopped to watch them, just in case they decided to flap or take off, or even have a fight.

I noticed there was a bird on the log, down near in the water to my left, at first I thought it would be a Moorhen  or Coot, they both like to roost there. But as my eyes adjusted to the light and awkward view between the branches, I realised it was a Mandarin Duck.
 


Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/640 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm



Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/1000 @ f5.6, iso 800, 400mm

I've never seen one here before. a schoolgirl standing at the end of the footpath, just a few yards away, must have thought I was a bit mad as I said "Skipper, it's a Mandarin!" I often speak to him like that and he knows to wait until I've finished taking pictures, even if he's not sure what the odd shaped black box does. I think the schoolgirl was wondering when the chinaman was going to come past.



Stags Fighting at Bradgate Park - 5 February 2011

Here as promised are the fighting stags, it may be practise but the one on the left had been sniffing the rears of the females and his male parts seem rather prominent. So maybe the weather has fooled him into thinking it's time for the Rut.


Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/250 @ F5, iso 800, 150mm



Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/250 @ F5, iso 800, 150mm



Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/250 @ F5, iso 800, 150mm



Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/320 @ F5, iso 800, 150mm



Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/320 @ F5, iso 800, 150mm


 The Stag on the left won the day, unfortunately the two spectators got in the way of the finale.

Bradgate Park - 5 February 2011

We were driving past Bradgate Park on the road from Anstey to Newtown Linford, when Maja noticed a lot of deer close to the wall, I'd always thought there should be a chance of photographing them in that area but have never seen them there before.

So we stopped and I crept over to the wall and was surprised by about 40 deer using the wall as protection from the strong winds.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/640 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mm

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/1000 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mm 

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/1000 @ 5.6, iso 800, 400mm

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/1000 @ 5.0, iso 800, 160mm

These last two were squaring up for a fight, it was a bit half hearted and I guess it was only practise. I will post pictures of that when I've sorted them.

Long awaited entry - 5 February 2011

This has been a long time coming, my internet connection broke, so I've not been able to post anything for a while - I'm hoping it's all ok now.

You haven't missed much, there has been a lot of grey and wet weather. But on Thursday last, there was some sunshine and I took Skipper out to Watermead Park to see what was about. There wasn't a lot but I did manage to get some pics.



Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/1000 @ 5.6, iso 400, 275mm

The first thing to catch my eye was right by the Meadow Lane car-park these two Mallard posing on a log. I've seen them there before but they usually get off as soon as anyone looks at them.

Just beyond the crossroads and dogbin there is a track leading towards the hides path. This is a favourite place for Skipper to go for a swim, but he wont go in if there are any birds already there. Luckily there weren't today and he rushed around looking for a stick, he gets most upset if I throw one and it sinks (as some do). He swims in circles looking for it until I call him out but even then he'll look back from the bank to see if he can see it.

We walked on to the "Hole in the Wall" hide (or fence if you prefer), where I could see some Canada Geese and Male and female Goosander.


Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/2700 @5.6, iso 400, 400mm

This Male decided to get into a flap and stretch his wings, so I took several shots of him with his wings in different positions.

We walked on to the next big lake, and I was surprised at how few birds I could see. But, as I followed the track round the back of the lake, the reason soon became apparent.


Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/2700 @ 4.5, iso 400, 100mm

The park staff were pollarding the trees, the noise from the chainsaw and JCB plus the smoke must have driven them onto other lakes. But if we want a nice accessible park, it has to be manged properly and they looked to be doing a good job of it.

As I walked back towards the car-park the sun was shining through the trees and hedges and I noticed this Bracken leaf in the ditch, it seemed to have been picked out by a beam of sunlight.


Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/60 @ 5.6, iso 400, 400mm

 Ordinarily I'd probably walk past this leaf without noticing it but the way it was picked out, and all the other leaves were left in the dark, just appealed to me.

Opposite the car-park I sat on the picnic bench and watched more Goosander, some swans and in the distance a couple of shovellors. But this Coot drifted into view while having a good scratch, so I thought I'd catch him with his leg up.


Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/250 @ 5.6, iso 800, 310mm

I know we shouldn't anthropomorphise but by grin on his face he seems to be enjoying his scratch.