Sunday 30 December 2012

Woodland Wonders

My last visit birding of 2012 saw me having a quick drive around Reculver at first trying to locate some calling Long eared Owls but despite leaving the car as I do not normally do and wandering around in the darkness I failed to see or hear any. I did see 1 Woodcock though for compensation. I then moved on to an area at Reculver where I saw 3 Bewick's Swans in with c20 Mute Swans. Also here were 10 Tufted Duck, 3 Pochard and 2 Green Woodpecker. Next I took a drive over to Tesco's at Whitstable which had 42 Waxwings all trilling in the car park and showing well. With the sun not quite in position I left them in peace and moved on to my target area for today, Bossenden woods. I have been here a few times but have not normally connected with the woodland species that have been photographed in the past few weeks but with the sun now coming through I had high hopes for the visit. As I left the car I heard a Marsh Tit call followed by a few Long tailed, Great and Blue Tits. I positioned myself in the area concerned which has a convenient fallen log and placed a few treats in various holes and sat back and waited. At first not much appeared apart from a couple of dog walkers wondering why I was sitting looking at a log but eventually a few Great and Blue Tits appeared followed by a couple of Coal Tits. They were a challenge to capture on the camera as they landed and in the same movement took off again. The light was constantly changing but I soon worked out that If I put a treat in a various place and stayed on it with the camera I might get a few shots. This worked out quite well and I got a number of pleasing images of the birds as they came down to feed.


Coal Tit

 With a quick flash a Nuthatch appeared and stayed long enough to grab a few shots. Thankfully it returned allowing me to continue to fire off a number of shots.


Nuthatch

I could hear the odd Marsh Tit but they never came down to feed, that's the excuse I need to return I think. Quite contented with my efforts I left the birds in peace and returned home in the sunshine. 

Blue Tit 

Chaffinch

Well that's it for this year and I would like to thank all the visitors who have taken the time to follow the blog and leave comments throughout the year. Hopefully I can continue to produce the odd nice photo and report in 2013. Happy New Year to you all.

Coal Tit 

Nuthatch

13 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Cheers Chiddy, very pleased with these I must admit.

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  2. Looks like you've visited my garden there Marc :-) Nice images mate

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  3. Cracking images as ever Marc! The colours are superb. I am sure I have seen a reply before, but what equipment do you use to get these?

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    1. Ben. Many thanks for your kind words. I use a Canon 500d slr with a Canon f4 300mm lens and 1.4 converter. For todays shots i took the converter off.

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    2. OK. I use a Canon 100-400mm lens, but am selling it, and was thinking of purchasing the 300 f4 instead. The quality of these images is incredible! Do you find you get much better quality with the converter off for hide work etc.?

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    3. I think there is a noticeable difference in quality with the converter off. I took it off today as I was in the woods and wanted a bit more light with the extra stop. If your subject is quite near, Waxwings etc, I have been taking the converter off. I can certainly see the difference.

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  4. Excellent photos as ever Marc , all the best for the New Year . Cheers Rob

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  5. Nice close-ups at the end of the year.
    Best wishes for 2013

    Ron

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  6. Gorgeous shots, Marc! The lighting is beautiful! Happy New Year to you!

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  7. Nice shots Marc, sunshine as well. Happy New Year.

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  8. Perfect photos, have an excellent new year in 2013.

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