December 2018 A couple of hours with secretive (Allegedly) Water Rails

It was really great to spent a few hours sat in a hide watching Water Rails scurry about.  They come out gingerly and walk along little set routes along the reed edges.  They seem to get quite confiding, but any sign of danger they disappear quickly into the reeds with a dart for cover.  Moorhens seem to be their nemesis and always race at them to chase them away.  They even seem to deliberately block their paths sometimes.

Stepping towards me

Water Rail

 From the Willow Hide at Slimbridge WWT they seem to have actually become quite tame and if you have an hour to spare you are almost guaranteed to see them.
This left me with a thought, no matter how rare and secretive a bird or animal is, I bet there is always somewhere where they have become habituated and used to human presence.  This gives great opportunities to obtain images that would otherwise be out of reach!

November 2018 A sunny forecast so time for a Landrover Safari

The weather has been a bit murky lately, so when I woke up with bright sunshine through the curtains I knew it was time for an early morning trip in my Landrover to see what was about.  I had a great morning.  Some of the common birds were about but they seemed to be posing nicely.

Great Tit

Blue Tit

They were beautiful to catch up with even though they are quite familiar.

This Great Spotted woodpecker caught my eye as it landed down on this trunk.  I knew it was there but it seemed to spend an age out of sight around the far side of the trunk.  I even wondered for a minute whether it had flow off as I got down to look through my viewfinder.  Eventually it popped its head up allowing to me to quickly capture this image.

Peek-a-boo

 Heading up the hill one of my favourite birds was sat on a thorn bush.  I was so pleased when it took no notice of the Landrover and allowed me to stop and get the window down.  I put my bean bag on the glass to steady the camera and began getting some images.  It seem oblivious to my presence.

Juicy work lunch

It dropped down on a worm and flew back up to devour it.  I had to reflect on how resourcefull they have to be as the winter comes on. Being flexible with their feeding must really help them survive in hard times.

I really enjoyed the proximity to the Kestrel and it made my morning, but on the way down to home a few Roe deer were out to complete my little foray.

A buck enjoying remaining greenery 

Roe Deer Doe

That was my sort of morning.  Now back for breakfast!

November 2018 Are Kestrels having a good year?

A photography friend has suggested that Kestrels seem to be doing well in his area as he is seeing them "everywhere".  I must admit that I feel I am seeing them more often locally and I was wondering the same thing too.

Hunting

Looking intensely 

I really hope they are as they are such beautiful little falcons to have around.

October 2018 I am so glad that Short Eared Owls are back in our area for the winter

These are really exciting birds to see quartering the grassland hunting voles.  I absolutely love them and it is always a relief when they return in the winter months.  There are no guarantees and some years can be a no show for us in the Cotswold Hills.  They get a  regular photographic following and I also enjoy the great company of the people I see each year.  Sometimes it feels that we have been on hold awaiting their arrival.

Even catching a bit of late sun rays

Straight at me

Hooray they are here!

October 2018 A trip in the sunshine to Canop Ponds in the Forest of Dean

Canop Ponds in the Forest of Dean is always one of my favourite and peaceful places to visit.  It was a lovely early morning with the sun gleaming through the trees.  There are always Little Grebes on this pond and with patience they will come in quite close.  They are great little birds and seem to have territories on the pond that they try and keep to themselves.  They are very efficient fishing birds and seem to spend some time cleaning and manipulating their catch before swallowing it.  This gives an opportunity for some interesting images!

Expert fisher

Beautiful little bird

Of course where there are good fishing opportunities Cormorants are never far away these days.

They like to hang out in the trees to dry off after a fishing trip.

Having a scratch whilst drying out.

That was a great way to spend a morning!

October 2018 Love the way Great Spotted Woodpeckers anounce themselves.

I always enjoy seeing woodpeckers with their deliberate and jerking movements.  Sometimes they pause as if they are deep in thought.  These ones came in quite close but they always make their pipping call when they arrive and give you time to get your camera ready.

Ascending the trunk taking insects

Female watching out for the male

I have one "bogey" bird the Lesser Spotted woodpecker that has always escaped me and I have never seen in my whole life.  Their population has much declined in the UK but I am always hopeful of seeing one.  If it does happen it could be one of my most enthusiastic posts ever!

October 2018 Another smart wader the Ruff

It was great to get close enough to a Ruff to get some decent images.  This one to me is in pristine condition with beautiful plumage.

Pristine Ruff

There are a very few nesting Ruff in the uk almost in single figures.  They are mainly a winter visitor with around eight hundred making our shores so I am very pleased to get a few images.
A great wader!