Monday 17 December 2012

Looking Back (Part 2)

Before some more photos of the year I called in this morning to Lake View Business Park to see if any Waxwings were around. After a few seconds of looking 1 saw 11 Waxwings in their usual trees and with the sun predicted to be out for most of the day I thought I would return lunchtime to get some more photos. I should have known better for they did not appear in a 15 minute look at 1.15pm. I had another quick look after work where once again they were not to be seen. I parked up at the top of Stodmarsh in calm and sunny conditions after work and watched until it got dark. I noted 6 Marsh Harrier, 3 Hen Harrier including 1 male, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Mute Swan, 33 Greylag Geese, 1 Water Rail heard, 1 Cetti's Warbler heard and c7000 Fieldfare went to roost. Now for a few more photos of the year with more to come in the next day or so. Probably one of my birds of the year was the male Golden Oriole that I saw at Shuart sitting at the top of a tree standing out like a banana. I did not expect to get views like this and I was also lucky to hear one singing a few weeks later at the same site, what a sound. To see a Kingfisher in the hand was a great treat thanks to Chris Hindle who kindly called me knowing I wanted to see one at close range. I was not disappointed at the colours were superb and the views were crippling. I had normally managed to miss out on the Red Kite at Reculver over the years but seeing 6 Red Kites in one day with a flock of 5 made up for this. Unfortunately I was shooting into the sun but again what a view of one of my favourite birds. More to come tomorrow.

 Golden Oriole

 Jack Snipe


 Kingfisher

 Peregrine Falcon

Red Kite

7 comments:

  1. Shooting into the sun Marc ??? I didn't think we had any this year :-) :-) :-)

    Wonder what treats you'll share with us next year .

    ReplyDelete
  2. Another excellent set as expected.

    There can't be many times you can get so close to a Jack Snipe as you did here Marc....HEK!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great shots.. I love peregrine falco.. Congrat

    ReplyDelete
  4. You didn't have to show me, they are beautiful photos, I am jealous.

    ReplyDelete
  5. That Kingfisher is my favorite! Gorgeous photos! The falcon is beautiful, too! Speaking of snipes, do you have the old "snipe hunting" gag that we play on unsuspecting folks here in the US?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You will have to let me know that one Brian?

      Delete