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.  

What a Dismal Week end - 23 January 2011

Well not the best of weekends to out taking pictures, I did go out on Saturday afternoon but I think the birds had decided to stay at home. Although in the early evening as I walked back to the car I was treated to a chior of birds singin out as loud as they could. The tree tops were fair ringing with them. Couldn't see a one though and anyway it was too dark to have captured them on camera.

So I've pulled some summer pics from my archives, to brighten these dark winter days.



Peacock




Peacock



Common Blue



Large White

The sun was out then and the temperature was up and my Border Collie loves a good swim, mind you he doesn't care if its freezing, he still likes to swim.

He's a great dog for a wildlife photographer, when I take my camera out, he just settles down and waits. He never chases the birds or any other wildlife while I'm taking pictures. The only times he moves are; if a swan gets too close or if he spots Paul (alulawildlife - see link) or if Paul tries to take his stick. Then he prances around like a puppy, so does skipper.

Skipper will chase the odd Grey squirrel up a tree if I haven't got my camera out - I dont know how he differentiates, I've never taught him, he just seems to know.

Next weeks weather looks as if it could be better, though colder, so let's hope I can get some decent pics then.




Wildlife watching - 21 January 2011

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/50 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

What does a squirrel do when he/she senses your presence, it doesn't matter how fat it looks, if it's a wild one it'll do what this one did -

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/40 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm

- RUN!

OK so a fiftieth of a second is living in hope, it should have been around a four hundredth fo sharpness but I do like the image at a fortieth and wouldn't have got it if I'd been shooting at faster speeds. 

Sunny Days are here again - 18 January 2011

The sun was out and the wind was blowing, so we decided on a change and visited Thornton Reservoir. All the usual birds were there so nothing to get excited about. But this Black Headed Gull, in its winter plumage (so no black head), gave an interesting display of fishing technique.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/1600 @ 6.3, iso 400, 400mm
(for all three)

These pictures were taken on rapid fire on the 7d which is 8 frames per second, or one eighth of a second between shots. So the whole dive took just three eighths of a second.

After the rain - 17 January 2011

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

A break in the dull wet days and everyone was out looking at the birds. There was  positive army of spotter-scopes and binoculars and more than a few cameras. Trouble is there wasn't much in the way of unusual bird life.

The Canada Geese are back, I haven't seen so many for a while and their honking as they call their mates to fly really fills the air.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/2000 @ f5, iso 800, 235mm

Of course the Mute swans have been here all through the snow, ice and rain. The sedate movement of this one was steady enough for it's reflection to be mostly undisturbed.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/8000 @ f11, 800, 1000mm

As the sun sank slowly behind the trees, it didn't seem to want to go and the birds swimming across its golden glow made interesting silhouettes.

A Grand Week-end - 8 & 9 January 2011

The sun was out, the light was good and there were more cameras per square inch od the Watermead park than I've ever seen. This was mostly due to the announcement in the local press that a Bittern had been sighted.

I didn't go looking for it, the queues were apparently similar to the start of the January sales and one report I heard was that the clicking of so many shutters frightened the poor bird into the reeds.

So we stayed away - maybe later in the week - hmm.

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

Gadwall are much in evidence at the moment and this one provided much amusement, just before I got my camera onto it, when it tried to stand on one leg and fell over. I guess the ice is just as slippy for them as it is for us.

Saturday evening and were beginning to lose the light. But as the sun disappeared in the west, it lit the lake up with a soft redish light. It is one of those strange anomalies of photography that photographers spend thousands of pounds on equipment that gives tack sharp pictures, then look for this kind of light to give a soft feel to their efforts.

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

This Mute Swan set it's sails and with a slight angle to the direction of sunlight was nicely lit up by it's softness.



Sunday and again there was good light, but for some reason - less birds,, maybe it's because more water is opening up as the ice slowly melts.

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

I liked this coot with the droplet of water just falling from it's beak. and similarly the Gadwall below.

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

As I write this on monday morning the sun is coming and going and I don't  know if there will be any light for pictures later - we can only try.