Back To School !

RR Workshop - 25.1.22

I'm always open to trying something different and when I had the opportunity to use flash as a light source as opposed to just using ambient light I was keen to explore the possibilities. Today I'm having a short workshop with a gent that has been using flash for a number of years to freeze action and also produce different types of images with various lighting effects.

In the past when I've seen flash used to supplement or as a main light source the images always seems to produces a black background never to me looking quite right, that's not to say that was the intension. So it's the start of the learning curve exploring flash as a light source and no doubt incurring more expense for new kit along the way.

All the images below were taken using multiple flash lighting, the settings some of which make perfect sense and others completely baffling like f14 ! Some of the images the low front lighting has been removed to enhance the back "rim' light, in others the lighting levels reduced to give a darker image...see if you can spot the difference !

The Robin and especially the Wren are totally wild individuals and all down the skill and perseverance of the person proving the tuition over many weeks gaining the trust and confidence of the birds. Looking forward to future sessions, watch this space.

Wren

Robin

BOP's !

Wiltshire - 16.1.22

A few weeks back I had the opportunity to spend some time photographing Common Buzzard which in the passed I've had mixed success with, so today it's just over an hours drive from the FOD to a farm owned by a fellow photographer I'd previously met on a trip up in Scotland a few years back.

I'm located on a side of a high ridge ideal for "bops' as they can use the up draft of the ridge to cruise efficiently across the landscape, to get some interest road kill has been put out initially attracting a single Buzzard, perched on a post it's very wary sitting for maybe ten minutes before it decides to move and take advantage of the free offering, plucked feathers are flying on the wind and it's not to long the activity seems to be a magnet to other circling bops.

Thirty minuets have passed and there are now maybe eight or more buzzards present both dark and a striking pale phase bird, they occupy several posts along the fence line some just sat on the grass, the inevitable squabbling starts over what's remaining of the road kill. A couple of Red Kite take an interest but where the Buzzards are just wary the Red Kites are wary of the Buzzards but they are more agile swooping down picking up the last of the scraps.

It's been quite an experience being able to photograph so many buzzards at such a close distance with the bonus of a couple of visiting Red Kite, although the weather hasn't been great being a rather grey day it's been another new experience and one which I might just repeat in a couple of months.

Common Buzzard

Portrait of the pale phase Buzzard against the dark threatening sky.

Red Kite

Also presenter were two Red Kite, very wary of the more aggressive Buzzard and never landing unless they moved away.

Inland Sub-Mariner

Knotford Nook Gravel Pits - 14.1.22

At this time of year I'm always on the lookout for opportunities to get images of the various divers that visit inland water particularly if the lakes are not to large hopefully to get nearer the bird, and with reports of a juvenile Great Northern Diver on a small lake near Otley I'm off to see what's on offer.

Unfamiliar with the area it's soon evident this is a big fishing area and unfortunately the diver's located on a private fishing lake surrounded by a four meter high fence and a sturdy locked gate. A quick rece I locating a lone fisherman further round the lake and start chatting hopeful I can maybe blag my way in, but there's not chance so not wanting a wasted journey time for a change of plan.

Now I've photographed through fencing before and as long as you get the lens right up against the fence your in with a chance of a reasonable image, so with the sun in the right direction and finding a gap in the trees line that's the plan, its just a case of waiting for the diver will come within range of the camera.

The diver occasionally come within range but but frustratingly the trees are an issue but still I manage a handful of images, then and an angler appears with more gear than you can imagine pulled along on a four wheel trolley enough gear that would fill a transit van, a brief chat he's tells me he here until Sunday nights, three days !....time to call it a day. 

Happy I managed to get some images in the camera and even more happy to get out on what's turned into a cracking day. Stay safe.

Great Northern Diver - juvenile

Time To Get The Shorties On "

Denhall Quay - 5.1.22

Winter is the time to catch up with the "shorties" down on the marsh along the river Dee the and the hot spot at the moment being Denhall Quay a couple of miles further south of the more traditional location for me, the Old Baths at Parkgate.

Not being that familiar with Denhall I always like to check out the location first on the internet maps and as suspected parking is at a premium, so the plan is to arrive mid-morning and enjoy the sites and sounds of the estuary. 

Pink feet Geese, Curlew, Teal, Widgeon and Redshank can easily be heard amongst the cacophony of sound, with the bins Marsh and Hen Harrier can be seen at distance further out on the marsh, but the Short-eared Owls that are the stars of the action today.

Normally the action starts mid-afternoon and the reports are there are up to seven SEO's putting on a show at this location alone, on the marsh as a whole there must be more, twenty, maybe thirty over wintering, who knows !

Most people present appear to be photographers, some at locations along the road some out on the marsh itself, there's quite a bit of debate about photographers being on the marsh but the "togs" are easily matched by the many dog walkers or just walkers looking for somewhere different to walk.

Two o'clock a SEO is on the hunt and it's not long before up to five owls are in the air some meeting and interacting and even calling, you always need a keen eye even watching other "togs" which way thier pointing cameras ensuring you don't miss any of the action. 

Managing a last few images just as the sun is setting over the hills of north Wales it's been another memorable day and good to meet up with some familiar faces. Stay safe.

Short-eared Owl