Kirby Muxloe Castle - 23 September 2011

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

A wander round Kirby Muxloe Castle showed the usual  selection of birds, a few canada geese, mallard, coots and moorhens. The Moorhens usually stay on the island and out of harms way.

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

and this female was no exception, strutting around like the lady of the manor.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400 L Lens
1/1000 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

If she was the Lady than this Heron was certainly the Captain of the guard, he stood watch on three of the four corners. Unfortunately he chose the very moment that I was sneaking between trees for a closer shot, to dive for a fish and although I saw him do it I was in no position to take a picture.

Rain Stops Play - 18 Sept 2011

We walked most of the way round Sence Valley Country Park, stopped at the hide where there was a variety of the common visitors, swans, coots, mallards etc. Along the back path where there are often butterflies and dragonflies, but I think they knew what was coming and were hiding.

Down to the top lake where the inhabitants seemed to want to stay between the camera and the sun so no chance of a decent picture.

It wasn't until we were most of the way round the horseshoe lake, retreating from the beginnings of the rainstorm, that we saw our first subject. This Heron, sitting on weed in the middle of the lake.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/500 @ F6.3, iso 800, 400mm

Then I noticed a little Grebe near the side of the concrete runway and turned the camera to get a picture, unfortunately the Heron chose that moment to relocate to a tree at the side of the lake and I missed the flight .... ahh well.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/2000 @ F6.3, iso 800, 400mm

Shortly after that the rain got heavier and just as we shut the doors the view disappeared in a deluge. That was the end of the walk, there wouldn't be any more pictures today.

Fly against the wind - 12 September 2011

Most of the birds  at Watermead  south were hiding from hurricane Katia, but as I walked back towards the car park I spotted Paul (alula site see link) sitting in the bottom of a ditch and pointing his camera into the air. Unfortunately Skipper saw him before he saw Skipper and he was suddenly engulfed by wet fur, excited dog and long wet tongue. I think Skipper regards Paul as part of his extended pack, he's always excited to see him.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/1000 @ 7.1, iso 800, 100mm

 Paul had noticed that the birds were flying between the raised grass islands near the car-park and the lake. But as they returned to the lake they were flying into the wind so they were flying much more slowly, making it easier to take photos.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/1000 @ 6.3, iso 800, 160mm

Nor were Mallard the only ones, the Canada Geese were having fun as well.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/80000 @ 6.3, iso 800, 180mm

And the white domestic geese.

Not for the squeamish - 8 Sept 2011

An occasional alternative place for us to visit, usually when we have something to do in Loughborough, is Charnwood Water which we visited yesterday. It is quite popular with some of the more common waterbirds, but as we sat in the car looking out towards the lake we saw some very rapid movements on the bank.

Warning!  Don't look if you're scared of rats.

TOO LATE!

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/200 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

The wild Brown rat (Rattus Norwegicus) the common rat in the UK. When you see him in the wild, you see a sleek, well groomed animal in his proper place.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

I stood quite close to this family of rats, watching them running back and forward along the lake side. As long as I didn't move too much they weren't at all bothered by my presence. There was a large male, a smaller female and three young. They all darted for cover when someone walked by with a dog, but soon came out again when they'd gone. The family were feeding on a variety of things, but their favourite seemed to be bread pieces that had gone astray when thrown to the ducks.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/640 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

We  were sitting in the car having our lunch when we noticed a squirrel on the roof of the public conveniences, it sat in the guttering for a while feeding on something we couldn't see. Then descended to the path. I took the camera out again but the squirrel seemed to have disappeared.

After a few minutes it reappeared from a bush and sat eating something, that's always a good photo opportunity. But then I noticed the teats were prominent and that combined with her size must mean she is soon to give birth. We'll be going back there in a few weeks to see if there are any young ones about.

Thornton desert - 5 September 2011

We had a look at Thornton again yesterday, there were quite a few of the more common birds about but we thought that might be because the reservoir is getting lower and squeezing them into a smaller area. The weeds in the dried out areas are up to about 2 feet high (60 cms if you prefer the new fangled stuff).

One good thing though, the old Barnacle Goose that has been around the reservoir for a few years, but not seen for a few months, returned. He was being followed around by a cortege of white goose admirers.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400 L Lens
1/2000 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

And on a rock nearby a Gull was presenting us with the perfect 'postcard' pose.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400 L Lens
1/2000 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

This dry weather seems to have some beneficiaries though, this farmer was getting his crop in easily.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400 L Lens
1/2000 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

Where have all the birdies gone - 1 sept 2011

I'm having difficulties finding interesting birds at the moment, several walks round Watermead, Blackbrook and Thornton and all I have to show for it is A few Butterfly pics and a Dragonfly. I may have to try something different in the future if things don't pick up.

However there were quite a few Speckled Woods fluttering by yesterday.

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

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

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/640 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

And mixing it with them was this Gold Banded Dragonfly, which settled on a leaf to sunbathe

I haven't been bored however, I spent a lot of time tidying and updating my website

www.books4reading.com

And uploading my books to Amazon to make them available to the public

Life at the old Pool - 24 August 2011

We decided to go for a walk by the lake at Watermead south yesterday, we haven't been there since they closed the car park for resurfacing, which is strange since we usually park at the other side, in Birstall, so we can avoid the traffic. The car park though has been finished for some time and looks quite smart.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/800 @ f5.6, iso 400, 170mm

The usual birds were in evidence, nothing unusual, and there were a few people feeding them. This Canada goose flew straight towards me before swinging off and landing by the rails.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 800, 170mm

With the wind in the direction it was blowing from (ESE) the goose looked like it was flying in slow-motion  and gave me plenty of opportunity for photos.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/640 @ f6.3, iso 800, 170mm

Water water - nowhere - 18 August 2011

The two pictures above tell their own story, this was the sight that greeted us at Thornton Reservoir. Both are showing areas, of the middle of the reservoir, that this time last year were covered in water.
There were few birds and of them most were Mallards and Coots, with a few tufty's and a couple of Grebe. it was a sorry sight and even the Squirrels weren't raiding the bird feeder.

Lets hope we get some serious rain soon!

Distracted - 17 August 2011

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ramblin-Jacks-Bawdy-Tales-ebook/dp/B005HG4Y22/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313577105&sr=8-1

I've been a bit distracted from photography for a couple of weeks, but now my book has been released on Kindle, I can get back to it.

The book is available at the link above and if you don't have Kindle you can get a FREE download from Amazon that emulates a Kindle Reader.

"Ramblin Jack's Bawdy Tales" by John Gwynant (my pen name) is about the risque adventures of the inhabitants of a fictitious English Village 'Lurking in the Wolds'.

A second 'Lurking' book will be out soon, but will be slightly more serious.

I'm going out this afternoon to see what wildlife is about, so another post tomorrow - hopefully.

Watermead Park - 6 August 2011

Watermead was a bit more lively yesterday, with a variety of wildlife showing itself.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/1000 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

The orange tip females were first to show and there seemed to be a lot of them, strange though, no males that we saw.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/1600 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

Then this Red Admiral showed up and settled on a few places where I could get it's picture, nice to see a bit of colour after all the white wings of the orange tips.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/2000 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

A bee joined them and hovered for a second when my lens was pointing in her direction.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/5312 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

As I approached the hole in the wall hide I could see this Heron, but as I got closer I could see a Little Egret and when the Heron saw it, he took off.  After he left another Little Egret arrived and a few minutes later a third landed. It looks like they've decided to settle here.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/3200 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

A short walk at Watermead - 31 July 2011

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

The Lakes at Watermead were so quiet, I thought I would only get a few photos of Mallard and Swans. But this Hoverfly decided to settle for a moment and allow his pic to be taken.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/1000 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

When I first saw this mother with her chicks I didn't realise what she was so I took a picture anyway. It wasn't till I got home and put it on the iMac that I realised it was a Scaup.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/160 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

This Heron seemed unconcerned that it was standing in a position that allowed a good view of it from the path. Then it opened it's beak and gave us a good view of the rather odd shaped tongue.

Getting back to it! - 28 July 2011

Not fully fit yet, but I've started taking short walks and pictures when there's anything about.

Canon EOS 7d, EF100 - 400m L Lens
1/3200 @ 6.3, iso 800, 400mm 

This cygnet has been trained well by its parents, as soon as it saw us at the water's edge, it came across for some food.

Canon EOS 7d, EF100 - 400m L Lens
1/2000 @ 6.3, iso 800, 400mm 

This little monster decided to settle close to us, only another dragonfly could love that face

Canon EOS 7d, EF100 - 400m L Lens
1/800 @ 6.3, iso 800, 400mm 

Lots of butterflies about, this speckled wood was flitting about at great speed, but eventually set down for a rest.

Canon EOS 7d, EF100 - 400m L Lens
1/2000 @ 6.3, iso 800, 400mm 

and this Comma was sunning itself when we passed.

Canon EOS 7d, EF100 - 400m L Lens
1/2000 @ 6.3, iso 800, 400mm 

And a bit further round the same bush a common blue damselfly was doing the same.

Canon EOS 7d, EF100 - 400m L Lens
1/64 @ 6.3, iso 800, 400mm 

The waterlillies are starting to look at their best, but there wasn't much in the way of birds to see. Maybe they've gone on holiday.

something different - 16 July 2011

Canon EOS 7d, EF - s 60mm
1/800 @ 7.1, iso 1600, 60mm

I had to go to hospital on Thursday for a minor op, so it'll be a few days before I can get out with the camera again.

I decided to post this Ammonite to show I'm still about.

Butterflies and bugs - 7 July 2011

Canon EOS 7d, Ef 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/640 @ 6.3, iso 800, 400mm

This Speckled Wood butterfly took some keeping up with, it seemed hyper active, hopping from plant to plant and not stopping for more than  a couple of seconds on each. But eventually it settled and spread it wings in the sunshine, giving me a chance to get the picture.

Canon EOS 7d, Ef 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/1000 @ 6.3, iso 800, 400mm

While I was taking the picture of the Speckled Wood, this fly came and settled nearby so I took it's picture as well.

Canon EOS 7d, Ef 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/1328 @ 6.3, iso 800, 400mm

A bit further along and this female Orange Tipped White was too busy taking the nectar to care what I was doing with my camera.

Canon EOS 7d, Ef 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/320 @ 6.3, iso 800, 400mm

At Moorhen Marsh a coot parent was feeding its chick, looking at the head of the chick I suddenly realised where the saying "bald as a coot" comes from. It's remarkable to see such a belligerent bird as a coot, which will ague with anything in its area, being so tender when it feeds its chick.

Canon EOS 7d, Ef 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/500 @ 6.3, iso 800, 400mm

I took some pictures of Teasels and it wasn't until I was at home looking at the pictures on the computer that I noticed this little monster, it looks like something out of a kids monster comic. But in fact it is the Larva stage of a Seven Spot Ladybird, it seems strange that it is bigger than the adult form.

An unusual visitor - 3 July 2011

A walk at Watermead today and first thing was to check on the grebe nest. The mother seemed very settled and comfortable, so i would think the egg is safe under her.I think it's due to hatch towards the end of next week. The mother was very low and didn't look like a good picture, so we'll have to wait for some pictures.

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

Walking on there wasn't much happening until I reached the Hole in the Wall hide and a glance through the gap showed this young Grey Heron. He seemed quite happy to pose and allowed me to take a lot of pics.

Then a flurry of white feathers announced an arrival, at first I thought it was a gull arriving. But it was soon obvious that it was a Little Egret.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/500 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

Not a common bird so far inland, they usually prefer coastal waters, but before long a second one arrived. Unfortunately it went behind the reeds and flew out again when the first one flew at it.