February 2017 New bird for me the Hawfinch. Forest of Dean UK

It's always really exciting to see a new bird that you have never managed to see before.  This is the secretive Hawfinch. An early morning trip to the Forest of Dean got the results!

Male Hawfinch

February 2017 Looking back at the Incredible Farne Islands

Looking forward to the spring and summer now.  Going over some archive images is a good winter pastime.  In the UK one of the very best spectacles are the Sea bird colonies.  I particularly love the Fane Islands off the Northumberland coast.

Puffin Inner Farne

Feburary 2017 Thinking back to the Isle of Skye

One thing I enjoy on these dark and cold February evenings is going back through some of my images from previous summer holidays.  This was a great occasion when sitting on the banks of a Loch in the Isle of Skye I first heard the blow and then caught sight of a couple of Pilot Whales. This was my first ever Whale, and I will never forget it.

Pilot Whale in the Isle of Skye

February 2017 never been so close to a Waterail

These are really shy birds so it was a great experience to get so close.  I was thinking that the shutter noise and focus beep may scare it away, but that never happened. It is quite different to get an image that is so full on in the frame.

Water Rail