Natures Moments

Brambling down the pond

2012-02-15T18:06:00.001Z

A couple of hours down the pond being entertained by numerous Reed Buntings ,Chaffinch's and the rest of the gang ,always keeping an eye out for the Tree-creeper and a flypast by the Bittern ( alas not today) But I did have a visit by a pair of Bramblings the female was in absolute stunning condition a real treat to the eyes but she was too quick and timid for any quick pics however the male was a bit more tolerant allowing me a few pics whilst the Green-finch and the Robin looked on (,just couldn't resist that robin.).

The last half-hour or so was spent in the pleasant company of Brian (Northumbrian Birding) who had a glimpse of the Brambling and also picked out a distant Goosander and an even more distant Buzzard that he trained his digi-scope on,thanks for the crack Brian I enjoyed it.

Still playing !

2012-02-13T20:32:00.000Z

Still trying to get the feel for my new lens so I thought I would take myself along to the Park and try it out on the usual suspects,a bit dark and dismal to start but got better as the morning went on.No sign of the Jay but they are making brief and timid visits I was told nevertheless the black rabbit ran across when I was setting up "maybe that's the same as a black Cat or one Magpie Mmmmm",anyway here's a few pics of the locals.

Holywell Bittern

2012-02-12T16:32:00.000Z

A quiet afternoon trying to get to grips with my new lens on an unsuspecting Tree-creeper was quickly interrupted with the shout of "Bittern" and get a record shot of that ,this new toy is not something I can throw around that easily and yes it was" crap" but nevertheless a record shot and a patch tick for the lads in the hide.

Gosforth - Shoveler

2012-01-31T13:33:00.000Z

A couple of hours down the park this morning with dark overcast skies and freezing temperatures saw me watching the antics of this female Shoveler, it wasn't going to be a good day for photographs but as the bird came closer and closer I decided to shoot a couple of frames.When I was processing the images I noticed the filter brush on the underside of the ducks massive bill and have included a close crop image to show.

Afternoon with the SEO's

2012-01-28T08:50:00.001Z

Chopwell woods was our first call on Friday morning looking for reported Crossbills which we never found,then onto Far-pastures for the Firecrest again no joy (plenty of Goldcrest tho),Clara-Vale was the next stop both for lunch and to see if the Kingfisher would play ball he also kept his distance which could have been due to the Sparrow Hawk passing through on one occasion taking a Goldfinch from a feeder.It looked like it was going to be a bit of a wasted day darker clouds were forming over in the west but we decided to take a chance at Prestwick for the SEO's, a few of the owls were out when we arrived and it wasn't too long before the cameras were clicking away (oh for more light was the cry) that was not to be but one of the Owls came a little closer allowing for some better pics.

Clara-Vale

2012-01-21T13:45:00.000Z

Friday morning and I had the chance of a visit to Clara-Vale with my mate Bob and his wife Liz,hoping to see the Kingfisher and a chance for Bob to try out his new lens.The weather was dull and overcast as we made our way to an empty hide. Bullfinches were the first to get noticed with there striking plumage closely followed by a flock of eight/ten Yellowhammers that looked like little light bulbs when sitting in the small bush before going down on the ground to feed,only one Siskin no water-rail and no Redpolls as yet, brief glimpses of a Green Woodpecker and two Jays and yes the Blue-Streak did put in its usual appearance,here's the pic of the mornings shots.

Help save this reserve

2012-01-16T20:05:00.001Z

Gosforth Park Reserve; Yes that's the one where all the Bittern pics are coming from at the moment(and how nice they are too) but for how long!!.This reserve is under threat from both adjoining Councils Newcastle and North Tyneside regarding housing development,the most immediate threat is from the proposed Bellway development of 350+ houses at Whitehouse Farm Westmoor.
This reserve needs the land at Whitehouse Farm for its future survival,it provides a wildlife corridor between the park,Westmoor and Killingworth and is the last small area of land remaining only 100 metres from the park woodland (the other side of the road to the garden centre)your protests are urgently needed to try and stop this urban sprawl and help the wildlife on this reserve and there is little time to do it 31 January is the deadline. Please send your protests to Mr Ken Wilson, Head of Planning, Planning Department,
Quadrant East,Cobalt Business Park,North-Tyneside.NE27 0BY. Thanks for your help Joe.

Once Bittern !!

2012-01-07T13:12:00.001Z

I just simply had to pay a return visit and see if I could improve on the hurried shot of the Bittern I posted a short while ago,this time it seemed more leisurely as I had the hide to myself for quite some time and the Bittern didn't disappoint either although further away than I would have preferred (beggars can't be choosers ) it gave me a good few minutes viewing,what more could I ask .

Newbiggin for Desert !!

2011-12-31T11:25:00.002Z

Friday morning saw my good lady and I food shopping at Killingworth in readiness for the family onslaught on New years day, this went quicker than expected so a trip up to Newbiggin to see the Desert Wheatear was on the cards.On arrival there was no sign of it at Church point so I scanned the bay to the left about two thirds of the way along I could see two tripods set up and made my way towards them,I met with birders/photographers on there way back who informed me the bird was still present but very skittish as I got nearer it looked like the bird was making its way towards me so i would lay in wait (as per Holywell Birder ! ).It soon became apparent that this new camouflage jacket does not work on sandunes as the bird turned and fled the other way (drat) anyway had good viewing thru the bins then managed a couple of hurried shots.

Happy New-year everyone.

Boom-Boom

2011-12-30T13:40:00.000Z

My first visit to this local reserve on Wednesday with my mate Bob proved quite productive,after enjoying a good hour at the feeding station we moved on to one of the hide's which had two people with v/large lenses poised at the ready for a bittern which had just been seen in the reeds to our right.We listened to them for a while saying how well the Bittern was camouflaged and the auto focus would only latch on to the reeds (rings a bell )before we move to another hide which we had all to our-self, opening the shutters there was no birds evident other than a pair of cormorants way off in a large tree i then caught site of a brown bird flying across from my right Bittern i shouted just as it stated to go down in the reeds i managed a couple of shots not great but nice to get one in flight.

Boxing day Bramblings

2011-12-26T12:08:00.000Z

It was a windy overcast Boxing day morning as I made my way down to the pond, stopping off at the feeding station for a look, first of note were the tree sparrows with a count of five I looked harder and longer but couldn't make any more, next to catch my eye was this nice Brambling which kept itself hidden for most of the time calling occasionally before putting in brief appearances .I moved on down to the hide which seems to have taken a big hit from the new feeding station as there were no birds at all around the hide.Here's a couple of high ISO shots of the Brambling.

Cauliflower ear / nice pair

2011-12-03T18:36:00.000Z

Just about sums them up really! Both taken earlier this year in Holywell and up the coast at Beal.

New kids on the block

2011-11-20T14:57:00.001Z

A mid morning trip around the pond this morning surprised me with another breed of sheep in the adjacent field,these look like a more ancient breed I managed a few pics when they came closer.They looked like they were mixing in well with the other flock.

A morning at Kielder

2011-11-12T20:39:00.000Z

The chance of a lift to Kielder for a few hours whilst my son did a small job there was gratefully received. On arrival it was quite misty and very cold with a strong wind blowing straight into the shutters on the front of the hide, not what I had hoped for.With the light levels just above zero photo's were going to be a no no.
If you like Chaffinches this is the place to be as there seemed to be hundreds of them and very little else,birds seen were Great,Coal and Blue Tit,Chaffinch and Greenfinch,Gs woodpecker and Nuthatch and two Carrion Crows, no Siskins and no Red Squirrels!! I managed a couple of pics just before I was picked up you can see how strong the wind was by the crest on the Chaffinches head .

Big Waters and Frosty

2011-11-07T17:08:00.004Z

A trip to Big Waters was on the cards for this morning, the weather was very cold but fine and bright, a few pics was the order of the day,seed had been put out by another gent in the hide so the usual birds in the feeding station were tucking in when through came the Sparrow Hawk .While I was waiting for birds to return another gent entered the hide and we got talking (as ya do)Canon 500mm f4 came up in the conversation only for him to produce one from his bag and offer me a trial (prayers answered) After15 mins play a lot of my questions had been answered and I think I may have saved myself a lot of money ! (if I had it ),I didn't get the gents name and thank him for the try.Anyway here's a few pics with the 400.

I just love the pose on the Cygnet.

Northumberland Park

2011-11-05T14:10:00.000Z

A quick visit to the park with the camera came up trumps with this little fella who was very obliging.