Good results from my 10 days off.

I had some very pleasing results from photos taken during my last 10 days off. My Treecreeper photo from the 18th of October was used  on TV during the ITV weather forecast.  My Goldcrest shot taken on the 20th October was used on TV on thursday in the Autumwatch red button photo gallery. Then the same photo won a Notable photo award on the birdguides website. Then the Marsh Harrier shot I took during the spring is featured in a web article about a competition in which I entered the picture. A link below will take you to that article. Also a link below to the goldcrest picture on birdguides. Not bad all in a weeek.

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/879216-stunning-images-show-life-and-death-in-shrinking-wetlands

http://www.birdguides.com/iris/pictures.asp?v=1&f=322786

Another Goldcrest fom today. 20.10.11.

Goldcrest Regulus regulus at Far Ings 20.10.11.

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Hundreds or hours went into obtaining this image, Why did I put so much time into it you might ask? simple, because its not an easy subject. Despite the fact that this is a relatively common bird, you just don't get a photo of this species of this quality every day. Many a day I've gone home without a single shot after trying for nothing but this species all day. I've also deleted many average quality images of the species over the last year or so before settling on this one. I enjoyed the challenge involved in getting it. If you've ever tried photographing Goldcrests, then you know how difficult they are to find and get into the viewfinder with all the conditions right. Unlike many more glamourous looking species, when you do manage to find it you don't get many chances of obtaining a decent image. I hope you all enjoyed seeing it as much as I did getting it. Click the image to view a larger version.

My photo featured during the ITV Yorkshire Calendar weather forecast

The treecreeper image posted below featured this evening during the weather forecast on the calender evening news. Not bad since its the only picture I've ever sent in.

Treecreeper.Certhia familiaris. Far Ings. 18.10.11.

A close up of a Treecreeper. Not often they get this close. Taken at 500mm. Due to the partly cloudy conditions today constantly changing the light from bright sun to very dull, I didn't attempt to use the convertor. Tempting as it is with these small birds to gain the extra reach. This bird put in a very brief close pass resulting in a pleasing shot with more detail than I am used to getting. Well worth the effort today in very difficult conditions of high winds and squally showers.
Click on the image to view a larger version.

Far Ings 16.10.11.

Sunday at Far Ings, another Goldcrest and a Long Tailed Tit.

 Click on an image for a larger version.

Goldcrest.Regulus regulus. Far Ings. 15.10.11.

This is one of my favorite little birds. A joy to watch as it skittles through the tree tops picking tiny morsels like spiders, moth eggs and other small insect food. Never easy to photograph as they move very quickly rarely posing for more than a split second. Its a bird I enjoy deliberatly trying to locate and photograph. I only managed a single bird today which was dissapointing for me! It did show in the light quite well though. That made up for seeing several and ending up with no shots, which can often be the case with this species.

Mute Swan. Cygnus olor. Far ings. 15.10.11.

A rather regal looking Mute Swan I think.

Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca. Far Ings. 15.10.11.

Another go today at the Ferruginous Duck. A struggle even with a 500mm to get a detailed image. But at least very nice light today. Oh how us photographers moan about the conditions or our subjects. we're never happy!

Ferruginous Duck. Aythya nyroca. Far Ings 14.10.11.

Had a couple of hours on the patch to try to photograph this bird today. Not great results but got a few shots which is a start. The bird was mostly distant and when it did start to show well it was spooked by a lad with two dogs on the far bank. It flew west and that was that. I decided not to go after it as it was late afternoon and light was fading. I may get another chance at it in the next few days.

Far Ings 27.9.11.

Common Kingfisher and Goldcrest, both taken during this mornings session at Far Ings.

More Kingfisher at Far Ings. 18.9.11

Both of these shots taken at ISO 2000, and whilst they are acceptable I can't say I'm happy with them. There is just no getting away from the fact that there's no substitute for good light.

Goldcrest and Treecreeper at Far Ings today. 15.9.11.

I decided to look for these two species in the small thorn woods around the reserve today after a poor session in the hide. I knew it wouldn't be easy to get many decent shots of these two tricky species with the trees still in full leaf. Also I wondered if It might be a bit early as they are not as numerous here in the summer months.  To my surprise there were a few goldcrests on the reserve already. Not as easy to find yet though as they are in the winter. The treecreepers were not as evident, I only managed to track two birds down. They gave themselves away with the distinct shrill sound rather than thier musical song. I will look forward to trying again during the winter when the light penetrates the bare trees and these lovely birds roam the woods joining flocks of tits feeding.

Marsh Harrier from July 27th.

Here is a Marsh Harrier shot from far ings I didnt get round to editing from July. Never seem to find the time to get them all done.

Male Sparrowhawk at Far Ings today 12.9.11.



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Far Ings 11.9.11.

The first Bearded Tit I've seen in quite a while. A pair were present today but only one showed in the open.  Also male Marsh Harrier made a high speed pass carried by the very strong wind.

Little Grebe 9.9.11.

This Little Grebe fed this chick while its partner fed a second chick. They both caught fish almost at will. The birds didn't mind my presence, but the light was less than ideal this afternoon, with only hazy sunshine breaking through at times and otherwise mostly cloudy . Whatever happened to the summer.

Common Kingfisher. Far Ings Nature Reserve 28.8.11.

Fox at Far Ings 22.8.11.

More Kingfisher today. 7.8.11.

A Day of Grey Heron at Far Ings 3.8.11.

Today was very much a day of The Grey Heron on the patch. It tried to fish in the shallows in front of the hide with very little luck. It caught just one fish in about an hour despite many strike attempts. It constantly followed the large shoal of minnows instaed of standing still and waiting for the fish to come to it. Eventually it caught a large fish as reward for its rather comical display.