Venus Pool

Friday 25 May 2012

I spent the day at Venus Pool in Shropshire and on arrival discovered I was the only one there. I spent some time wandering around and saw 42 different species, the highlight being, as far as photographs were concerned, the Whitethroat below. I waited almost  a full hour sitting in the field waiting for this opportunity.







Highgate Common

Wednesday 23 May 2012
A late evening visit to Highgate Common was very productive. It was too late for photographs but I saw two Woodcock flying over and had a brilliant view of a male Cuckoo. In addition I saw Yellowhammers, Willow Warblers and on the following evening a Little Owl on Mere Lane.



Farne Islands

14 June 2009

I love the Farne Islands and have been a few times. Boat trips depart from Seahouses and take you across to the Farne Islands for a brief tour around them before allowing passengers onto Inner Farne. There are from about fifteen to twenty-eight islands, depending on the tide. The prinicpal island is Inner Farne and others include Staple Island and Brownsman. Inner Farne and Staple Island are major sanctuaries in the United Kingdom for breeding sea birds. During the nesting season there are twenty different species of breeding birds including Guillemots, Razorbills, Eider Ducks, Terns (Common, Sandwich and Arctic) and Puffins. The Terns often make themselves heard and felt when 'dive-bombing' visitors who walk close to their nests. There is also a large colony of Atlantic or Grey Seals. A thousand seal pups are born each Autumn.

Longstone Lighthouse stands on the outer group of the Farnes. It was made famous on 7 September 1838 by Grace Darling when she and her father rescued nine survivors from the Forfarshire, a paddle steam ship which ran aground.



Sandwich Tern

There were lots of Terns flying around the boat as it arrived at Inner Farne. They were diving into the sea looking for food and this bird was just about to dive.



Puffin

This Puffin was standing on the rocks as I got of the boat onto Staple Island. It was really close to the walkway and had a mouth full of sand eels. It was an ideal opportunity to capture a lovely photograph in the sunshine.

Bridled Guillemot

This was quite a difficult photograph to take as I was on the moving boat at the time so trying to keep focused on the bird was very challenging as the sea was quite rough. At the last moment another Guillemot swam into view and this in a way spoils the photograph.

Arctic Terns

These birds have a ferocious reputation but in truth they are only protecting their nests and their young. They are very noisy birds and actually peck visitors on the head.

Guillemot

As there are so many birds it is very difficult to take a photograph of one bird by itself. Again, as you can see, there is a bird in the background.

Puffin

The Puffins were the main birds I went to see. They fly in carrying sand eels in the beaks. On this occasion, this bird had no eels but the sight of seeing them fly in is amazing.

Lesser Black-backed Gull

There were two Lesser Black-backed Gulls attacking the Puffins as they flew in with sand eels. When I took the photograpg the bird had been unsuccessful in stealing any sand eels.

Venus Pool

Venus Pool in Shropshire is a place I often go to. There is a fantastic hide with feeders for the birds in a glade as well as four other hides, three looking out on to the water and a fourth one looking out onto a marsh.

Kingfisher

22 September 2008

This was a really lucky photograph. The Kingfisher had been flying around all morning and then suddenly it landed right in front of the hide. The sunny conditions showed the bird's colours really well.

Pectoral Sandpiper

21 September 2008

This bird had been reported on the birding website and therefore I went to Venus Pool immediately, not knowing whether it would still be there. Fortunately it was and right in front of the hide, which was packed with people. I was pleased with this photograph.

The Garden

I will add to this section every time I manage to take a decent photograph in the back garden at home.

Great Tit

21 September 2008

I took this photograph when I was patiently waiting to see what would come along. This Great Tit came almost within touching distance and I managed to take this photograph just before it jumped on to a nut feeder.



Ellesmere

3 September 2008

I went to Ellesmere in Shropshire in the hope of seeing and photographing a Great White Egret. I saw it but unfortunately it was too far away for a photograph. I saw other birds including the ones below.

Coot

After patiently waiting to see the Great White Egret and succeeding, I took this photograph of a Coot sitting in the margins looking rather sly! The weather was dull but his white beak really stands out with his sly looking eye!

Feral Pigeon

For this photograph the sun came out just as I pressed the shutter so I was pleased with the colours.



Snettisham Visit

25 May 2009

This was a day trip to East Anglia to visit RSPB Snettisham in Norfolk.

Oystercatchers

This was taken from one of the hides as Oystercatchers and Bar-tailed Godwits flew in amongst other waders. The sun was shining so their orange beaks and eyes are bright and prominent.

Bar-tailed Godwits

These birds were photographed at the same time as the Oystercatchers. This was one of my first flight photographs and I was pleased with the result. The birds were gliding along with the lovely blue sky behind them.

Scottish Trip

August 2008

The decision was made to tour Scotland for a few days to take in a few areas of outstanding natural beauty and to see if I could see any species and be lucky enough to capture any decent photographs. The trip took in a short stay in the Lake District on the way to Scotland, a visit to the Isle of Mull and Loch Garten and a cross country drive to Northumberland to visit the Farne Islands.

Curlew on the Isle of Mull, Argyll & Bute

13 August 2008

I took this photograph from the car on the coastal route around the Isle of Mull. It was quite dark and gloomy so with that in mind the photograph isn't too bad. The bird was foraging for food amongst the weed.

Juvenile Stonechat on the Isle of Mull, Argyll & Bute

13 August 2008

This was also taken on the coastal route around the Isle of Mull and the photograph was quickly taken from the car window as it landed briefly on the fence. It was a dull day so the colours seen on the bird are quite good.

Hooded Crow on the Isle of Mull, Argyll & Bute

14 August 2008

Two Hooded Crows flew across the road in front of the car and landed on some boulders next to the shore. It was difficult to stop as there were cars behind, so this was taken quickly from the car.

Jackdaw at Inverary, Argyll & Bute

14 August 2008

This was taken on the way to the ferry for the crossing to the Isle of Mull. This one was feasting on a discarded sausage roll!

Kittiwake at Inner Farne, Farne Islands

16 August 2008

This trip to the Farne Islands was at the wrong time of year for Puffins but there were lots of Shags, Fulmars, Gannets and Kittiwakes. This Kittiwake was sitting on a ledge very close to one of the walkways and I had time to set up the tripod to take this photograph.

Meadow Pipit at Strontian, Highland

15 August 2008

I was staying at a bed and breakfast called Heatherbank and there were many Meadow Pipits along the track leading to the house. There were also many Stonechats but this Meadow Pipit sat still for quite a time enabling me to take this photograph.

Herring Gull at Seahouses, Northumberland

16 August 2008

This bird flew across while I was waiting for the boat to take me across to the Farne Islands. A beautiful blue sky!

Grey Wagtail

Female Grey Wagtail at Dudmaston Hall, Shropshire

21 August 2008

I was fortunate to take this phtograph as this bird remained motionless for quite a time. I followed the bird along the edge of the Great Lake for quite some time before it settled.

Blackbird

Male Blackbird at Hampton Loade, Shropshire

29 July 2008

This was one of the first photographs I took with my new camera. This Blackbird was foraging food near to the National Trust car park at Hampton Loade near to the River Severn.

Red Fox

Red Fox at Minsmere, Suffolk

October 2010

 

On entering one of the hides at Minsmere, expecting to see a variety of birds, this Red Fox was lazing in the late afternoon sunshine.

Kingfisher

Kingfisher at Venus Pool, Shropshire

28 July 2008

I took this photograph with a camera belonging to Jim Almond. I met up with him at Venus Pool to seek advice about the type of camera I needed to buy. Jim kindly put his camera around my neck and took me to one of the hides, just as this Kingfisher landed. After taking some similar photographs and also some of a Mute Swan, I returned home and a few days later purchased the same camera as Jim's.

Ynys-hir, Ceredigion, Wales

17 May 2009

Garden Warbler

A group of birdwatchers were standing near to some brambles and rough ground listening to a Garden Warbler and waiting for it to put in an appearance. They waited for a long time, all to no avail. Within minutes of them going, the Garden Warbler appeared and I got this shot!

Wood Warbler

There were a lot of Wood Warblers singing in the woods but they were very difficult to locate. Suddenly one flew onto a lower branch from the tree tops and I managed to get this photograph of the bird singing.

Highgate Common

Highgate Common, Staffordshire

Highgate Common is the closest place to home where I go to see and hopefully photograph birds and other wildlife. The varied species, at different times of the year, is really interesting. Warblers return in the Spring, there are resident birds and a Cuckoo usually returns every year. Green Woodpeckers can be heard, Jays can be seen and often Kestrels and Buzzards hunting.



 

Treecreeper

12 April 2012

This male Treecreeper was very busy catching insects and then landed on this tree stump. Within a few seconds, the female appeared from a hole in the stump where they were obviously nesting. Further trips to see these birds have been rewarding and I soon hope to be able to take some photogrpahs of their young.

Tree Pipit

17 May 2009

When I spotted this bird it was airborn and singing before gliding down to sit in this tree. They remind me of Skylarks in many ways when they are in the air.