Have a little fishy - Thornton 13 May 2015

This is an interesting sequence that played out in front of me as stopped for a rest by a bench. I was hoping for some Dabchicks, but this Great Crested Grebe was worth seeing. I think the other Grebe was hoping for a share but was disappointed.

1/1328 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/800 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/800 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/1000 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/2000 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/2000 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/2656 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/2000 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/2000 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/1600 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/1600 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/1600 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/1600 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/1600 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/2656 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/2000 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/2000 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

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

Don't forget to look at my books www.johngwynant.blogspot.com

Bradgate Park 7 may 2015

It has been a long time coming but this week's visit to Bradgate Park found a Little Egret in the ponds and it was making a success of fishing. Maybe it'll stay around for the season and bring in a mate.

1/320 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/320 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

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

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

There aren't many fallows with antlers about at the moment and a lot of those that are have their heads down chewing.

1/400 @ f6.3, iso 400, 150mm

This one decided on a bit of hill climbing, it was steeper than it looks.

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

The way this one looked at the camera, I thought it was asking "What you looking at"

16400 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

All taken on Cannon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L series lens

Fairies and Scaries

Welcome to my first collection of new Folk tales. I have tried to include something for children of all ages.

If some give you a warm feeling inside, I hope others make you hide behind the sofa or laugh out loud.

They are all separate stories, so you can read them in whatever order you please and not get confused.

Available on Amazon as ebook or paperback

Thursday April 2 - at Bradgate park

There were a lot of people about, so not much in the way of wildlife. Some of the deer herds were settled in the deer meadow where the public aren't allowed. So I took them from the road.

The Fallow deer were having a laid back day while the sun was shining

1/500 @ f6.3, iso 400, 180mm

1/320 @ f6.3, iso 400, 180mm

The Red Deer Stags were out displaying their magnificent headgear while the females grazed

1/500 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/500 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/500 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/500 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/320 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

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

Don't forget to visit my book blog and see my latest releases.

www.johngwynant.blogspot.co.uk

The singing begins

There wasn't much to be seen at Watermead park, just the usual birds that never leave. I hope things will improve as spring approaches.

There was a Robin singing his heart out beside the path, he was completely undisturbed by people passing just a foot or so away.

1/320 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

1/125 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

1/320 @ f6.3, iso 800, 115mm

all picture taken using 

Canon EOS7d, ef 100 - 400mm L series zoom lens

Have a look at my writers blog, www.johngwynant,blogspot.co.uk for my latest book releases.

Thornton 27 feb 2015

Nothing special today, just the usual common fare.

The water flowing at a good speed over the overspill and these two greylags were happy to while away the day watching it and showing off seeing who could stand on one leg the longest. Either that or the water was cold and they stood on one foot until it got too cold, then switched to the other one.

1/250 @ f7.1, iso 800, 250mm

Whatever the reason it didtn't stop them pausing for a drink while still on one foot.

1/320 @ f7.1, iso 800, 250mm

There are some interesting Mallard Hybrids that can fool you sometimes.

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

And of course a Mute Swan female hoping for a feed

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

All pictures taken on a Canon EOS 7d with EOS 100 - 400 m L series lens

Seasons Greetings

We started with frosts turning everything white.

Snow soon followed

If we were clever we had laid in the fuel, ready for the cold weather.

The birds puffed themselves up to keep out the cold

And what other bird suited the season but a Robin

Well a Jenny Wren of course (Ok that surprised me as well)

So we trimmed up for the great day and the dog got in on the act as well

Turkey eaten presents opened and it was time for a bit of fun

We all remember Mid Winter Festivals like that, don't we?

We perhaps wish they still happened?

Well the good news is these pictures were all taken within the last four years so they do still happen and will happen again.

Have a Happy Mid-Winter Day and Good new Year.

My latest Book release 13 Dec 2014

I'm still having trouble finding wildlife to photograph, I cant believe that a couple of years ago I was taking over a hundred pictures nearly every day. Yet today I haven't taken the camera out of its case for two weeks. there's nothing but a few mallards and coots, swans and canada geese.

I don't like being inactive though so here is my latest book, it is a sequel to "Excalibur's last battle."
and is available on Amazon as paperback or ebook, under my pen name "John Gwynant"

Where has all the wildlife gone - 10 November 2014

There seems to be a dearth of wildlife at the moment, it's not been very lively all year. Part of that is my restricted ability to get around the wildlife parks and I suspect the neglect of the parks is a contributory factor, but they cant be everything. Only three years ago the parks were packed, everywhere you looked there were birds, squirrels etc.  Now I go out and only managed one Heron.

However I did get a chance to try out my new Semi Recumbent Trike for carrying my equipment on a photo trip. I can't walk far and cannot ride a conventional bike since my back started with its problem. Mission cycles make a variety of different pedal powered vehicles and this suits me perfectly, although I had to get used to using different muscle groups, unlike a conventional riding position your weight is not over the pedals so has no effect on your pedalling. I have changed the position of the handlebars since taking the picture, so my arms weren't so stretched out. Easy rider position is very comfortable.

1/250 @ 7.1, iso 800, 100mm

1/400 @ 5.6, iso1600, 250mm

1/400 @ 5.6, iso1600, 250mm



All taken on Canon EOS7d, EF100 - 400mm L series zoom