Started a new job last week which has meant a lot of miles covered, however no photos being taken. It has given me the opportunity to watch plenty of bird and mammal life......which helps in passing the time on the commutes to and from work.
There has been two main highlights. The first was two waxwings perched high on the crown of a tree. I was a little surprised and was lucky to be able to pull in at a adjacent junction to make sure. Bins in hand, window down and the frosty air extracting the heat out the car......confirmed!!! Two waxwings under 10 miles from home and according to birdguides possibly the first winter record for the area. Was made up and let's hope this is a good omen for regular sightings of these winter visitors.
My second highlight was late in the evening on my way home. 6 foxes in under 100 metres and one was melanistic....a rare black fox. I have been out a few evenings to try and relocate it but as yet no further sightings. Pity it was in a fairly public area or the camera trap would be getting set up....I fear if I do it will go with a 5 finger discount.
Other sightings have included the starling murmeration in Somerset and as I will be in and out the area for the next 4 weeks let's hope for some photo opportunities and good weather. Plenty of raptors around including Merlin...I love these small raptors.
Deer sightings make my day and this week they have been a plenty, small groups of Roe, herds of Fallow and the odd muntjac.....I always smile when I see the Red Deer stag at a local farm on my way past. He is a stunning 18 pointer...but doesn't really count as a sighting ;)
Well I'm currently sat on a plane heading for what will hopefully be another quick adventure in the land of the cold.....fingers crossed for it being so with beasties a plenty.
May I take this opportunity to thank you all for taking the time to read my entries.
I am very grateful to all my followers and may I wish you all a Merry Christmas and I hope 2015 brings happiness and good health to you all.
Another early rise and at our regular coffee stop we met up with a local photographer friend.
The weather was meant to be poor with heavy rain predicted. However after a check on the weather radar it looked like it would be dry till about 2pm which was perfect as that's the time we would be finishing.
Arriving in darkness and laying the food out hopes were high that the eagles would show. Well the action started in the twilight....a large shape was seen gliding towards the central pine.......Our first Spanish Imperial Eagle!!!!
Looking through the lens we could make out it was a 3 to 4 year old with its spotted feathers. These sub adults are stunning as they change from the juvenile orange to the adult dark brown of adults.
We sat praying that it would stay till we could take some record shots. 30 minutes in and high ISO and speeds of 1/8sec a few shots were taken. I love my 1DX. We needed to worry as it stayed for 3 hours giving us fantastic views on various perches.
Once the light came the action started. I spotted movement on the ground and the Eagle dropped out the tree.
3/4 year old Spanish Imperial Eagle - Twilight
2 red foxes....One on the track the other to the right and a Egyptian Mongoose to the left. The Eagle trying to see them off. Flying all over as it chased them away. The mongoose being the first to vanish without staying for its photo. The foxes being more cunning did manage to get to steal some food before heading back into the forest. The Eagle then returning to the pine for a rest.
Iberian Red Fox
3/4 Year Old Imperial
Not long after another shape gliding past....A second Imperial and this time this year's chick. It tried to join its older sibling with no joy as she saw it off the perch. Finding it's own pine to the left, it made its self comfy.
Juvenile Being chased off
3/4 Year Old Imperial
3/4 Year Old Imperial
After a hour and few fly byes the vultures desensed....100+ arriving all over the lower plato. This brought the adults eagles to the party!!!!
This years Imperial Chick
This years Imperial Chick
3/4 Year Old Fly by
3/4 Year Old landing
Both parents arriving and taking centry posts on either side of the valley.
Adult Spanish Imperial Eagle
What we assume to the the male making various patrol passes to ensure all was in check. We did expect him to chase the young away but lucky for us today his tolerance of them was good.....he only reminded them he and his lady own this area and allowed them to stay. The Ravens seam to have other ideas of who is in charge but the Adults know how to deal with them!!
Adult Imperial & Raven
After an hour the vultures started to walk to the hide and as yesterday the food would be gone in minutes. This did not deter the eagles as the young joined them on the ground to feed. Unfortunately for us away from photo opportunities. The adults weren't hungry today as they stayed on the perches.
Cinereous Vulture
Griffon Vulture
Griffon Dispute
By leaving time we had near 200 Griffon, 5 Black Vulture and three eagles still at the location!!!!
Not like me but today I completely ignored the 50+ Azure-winged Magpies making regular visits, however did take a few record shots of the black redstart and wagtails.
On being picked up a distant Golden Eagle was seen. A perfect end to my winter trek to the Sierra Morena!!!!
The weather was kind and only the slightest of shower. I was hoping for a downpour towards the end as I would love some shots of vultures in the rain......
If you fancy a trip to this stunning location please get in contact as I run various workshops throughout the year. I have a couple of limited places left in mid May.
Future dates will be added including the deer rut in September/October and next winter. I should also be visiting during other times and you are welcome to join me.
www.wildlifeinpixels.co.uk for more details or drop me a message.
The past few months have seen me away from photography, wildlife watching and so forth. I am glad to announce that normal services should return in the coming weeks.
I decided to take up a offer from my good friend Agustín and fly out to Malaga early Thursday for a few days away.
Arriving mid morning in Malaga and without delays I meet Agustín outside the airport. We took a little drive through Torremolinos and before making route to Adamuz we saw plenty of Monk Parakeets. Pity the camera was in the boot as a pair were perched 4 metres from were we were stopped and didn't seam bothered by the passing pedestrians.
Once of the motorway the spotting began and by the time we arrived the raptor count was approaching double figures ....Peregrine, Kestrels, black kites, numerous red kites, sparrowhawk, Griffon Vultures, buzzards and surprisingly a Booted Eagle.
After a quick bite to eat I headed to the woodland hide to pass a couple hours while the Eagle hide was made ready for the following day.
Crested Tit
Blue Tit
Had nice visits from Hawfinch, Chafinch, Blue tit, Great tits, numerous Crested tit, Nuthatches.....also a rare and confiding Rock Bunting made a visit before I headed back for the evening and a few cañas and stunning food at the Chaparro.
Crested Tit
Hawfinch - Male
Nuthatch
Rock Bunting
Friday was an early start and after a quick cafe con leche and tostada we headed to the Imperial Eagle hide before the sun was even thinking of surfacing.
The morning kept us entertained with regular visits from 40+ Azure-winged Magpies, various white wagtails, black redstart, flocks of spotless starlings and goldfinches.
Azure-winged Magpie
Goldfinch
As quick as lighting with a flash from the side, a kill was made........One of my favourite and most secretive raptors took an Azure-winged Magpie out of the pine tree.....A female Goshawk!!! Amazing to see this large raptor move through the branches and take its lunch away.
Photos...not a hope lol
After seeing flocks of distant vultures, I was starting to get worried that this may be one of those rare times that neither vultures or eagles would show.......how wrong was I!!!
Griffon Vulture
Cinereous Vulture
All of a sudden they made a beehive for the hide and within minutes they started to land in good numbers. Within 20 minutes more than 100 Griffon and 3 Cinereous (black)vultures were on the ground. 30 minutes later....bang they walked to the hide and within 15 minutes 80kg of food and part of a boar was all but gone.
Below is a short video from my mobile of part of the group feeding
Cinereous (black) Vulture
Griffon Threat display
Griffon Threat display
BANG was only part of it as during a scrap one of the smaller Griffon was thrown against the hide.
Interestingly there was a very pale Griffon. Much paler than the older adults, we believe it could be a possible Leucistic due to its colouring, light coloured eyes and very pale talons.
Griffon Vulture - Possible Leucistic, very pale and pale claws
Surprisingly Cinereous (black) vultures don't look much bigger than Griffon when stood beside each other, however when they open up was a size difference and the reason most stay away from this aggressive vulture....food is theirs if they want it!!!!!
Kung Fu Cinereous to Griffon
Cinereous & Griffon Vulture
Most of the vultures stayed till the end with the eagles keeping their distance....making their disapproving calls.
Cinereous Vulture
Griffon Vultures
Cinereous Vulture
I am fairly confident that I noticed one of the rarer vultures land....A juvenile Rupples. However I could not relocate it in feeding group as it may have stayed in the valley below with around 30 or so Griffon that didn't fancy dinner. Perhaps a little too fat from the day before.
Normally this would be a fantastic day but Saturday would top this stunning experience.
I will be posting that day after a decision is made on what photos to post. Shouldn't take more than a day or two.....I hope!!
If you fancy a trip to this stunning location please get in contact as I run various workshops throughout the year. I have a couple of limited places left in mid May.
Future dates will be added including the deer rut in September/October and next winter. I should also be visiting during other times and you are welcome to join me.
Day off today, and as we're edging into deer rut season, I decided to take an early-morning trip to Bushey Park, to see how the action is shaping up. Personally, I prefer photographing the deer at Bushey than on the nearby Richmond Common; for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it's generally easier to find the deer without having to trek far, but more to the point, I prefer the backgrounds that are possible to achieve at Bushey. It was a beautiful, crisp & misty morning when I arrived. However, a slight dampener was not being able to get into the park until 8am. This seems to be down to a handover of the management to the Metropolitan Police, with a stricter policy on locking the gates outside of official hours!
16 Point Stag
Never mind, it was still a really enjoyable morning. The Red Deer rut hasn't really got underway yet, but there were plenty of signs that the stags were gearing up for the testosterone-fuelled chaos. I only heard a few grunts and bellows, but observed several wallowing in the mud and thrashing their antlers through the bracken and long grass.
22 Point Stag
I did achieve one shot I've been after for a long time today. The does have their 'rut' slightly ahead of the stags, where they box with each other to establish dominance. While I've had glimpses of this behaviour several times in the past, it's generally lasted only split-seconds. Today, I was privileged to come across a group of about 20 does, attended by a magnificent 22-point stag. Several of the ladies were really going at it, so I was pleased to be able to get a few shots off!
Bushey is also a good site for birds; I saw lots of Egyptian Geese, Canada Geese, Jays, Ringneck Parakeets and Green Woodpeckers this morning. There didn't seem to be too much in the way of migrant waterfowl in evidence yet. I was on the look-out for Red-crested Pochard, as I've seen big numbers here in the last couple of autumns. There were none to be seen on the fountains or lakes when I arrived, however a small group flew in just as I was leaving. Several were starting to moult into courtship plumage; always a treat to see.
Canada Goose
I'll definitely be heading down here quite regularly on my days off over the next few weeks, as the rut gets into full swing. However, next week I'll be photographing their Spanish cousins in the beautiful Sierra Morena mountains - so be sure to check in for regular live(ish) updates!
Hello strangers! Many apologies for the long silence; work has been absolutely crazy the last few weeks, with 12 hours days the norm & days off a bit of a rarity. Compounding that, it's been a bit of a funny time of year for wildlife in the local area; the summer migrants are by & large departing, but winter arrivals haven't put in an appearance just yet. Vegetation is still very high in most sites, so the few occasions I've managed to get out for an hour or two, there hasn't been a huge amount to see!
On the plus side, I have recently upgraded my main lens to the spanking new Canon 500mm f/4 IS II, so I've been itching to give it a proper test-drive! Thankfully, the last week or so, I've managed to get out and about a little bit & I'm pleased to say it's performing very well!
I spent a few hours one afternoon on one of the local private lakes, watching a pair of Little Grebes fishing. I really enjoy working with these entertaining little birds. The female seems to have a particular penchant for eating newts - while the male tends to stick to minnows & sticklebacks.'
Little Grebes
Sadly 'Lonesome George' - a male Great Crested Grebe I've been watching for the last few years, is once again an eligible batchelor. I'd hoped that, after he paired up with a female this spring, he'd succeed in raising a brood. Unfortunately, after two failed clutches, his mate seems to have disappeared & poor George is all alone again. Hopefully, better luck next year.
Lonesome George
I was also pleased to be able to spend a couple of hours watching the resident pair of Hobbies catching dragonflies over the lake at Coate Water - although the site was otherwise very quiet for this time of year.
Hobby
Common Darter (Lunch)
Last weekend, Lou & I spent a few hours in a hide in the Midlands. It's a site where I've previously had good luck with Muntjac Deer, but no joy this time around. For the first 90 minutes or so, a Buzzard was perched close to the hide, which meant that very little was stirring, apart from a few rather handsome pheasants. Once it left, the bird life picked up a little, with a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers and one of their juveniles spending some time on the feeders. Although we didn't see any Muntjac, we were rewarded with a pair of Fallow does and their fawns, which were very nice to see.
Fallow Deer - Fawn
Now that some of the hay fields have been cut, it's starting to get easier to see hares again. I managed to get fairly close to one more or less at eye-level through the stubble. They seem to have had a good year - we saw over a dozen in one field, albeit rather distantly.
Brown Hare
One of my local pair of Little Owls have also had a successful season; I was delighted to spot two owlets out and about on my last visit to their territory.
Little Owlet
This morning, we made the decision to get up mega-early and head down to the lovely RSPB reserve at Arne, on the edge of Poole Harbour. We especially like to visit during the autumn, when the Sika deer are rutting. It's still a little bit too early for that yet, although we did hear a few of their squeaky bellows this morning. We arrived just before sunrise, and spent several hours wandering around the heathland and mixed woodland. An unexpected bonus on the way in was coming across a Nightjar sitting on the entrance road; I'd thought that they would have all made their way across the channel by now. We also spotted a Little Owl flying off a fence by the side of the road.
Little Owl - Not from Arne
The Sika deer were out in force. We saw around 50 over the course of the morning; although mainly does and fawns/ juveniles. Unusually, we only came across a couple of stags. They seem to be mainly congregating under the chestnut trees, and appreciating the windfall nut mast - as were the multitude of Grey Squirrels!
Sika Deer - Doe
Sika Deer - Fawn
Green Woodpeckers are also abundant at Arne - although tricky to get close enough for a decent shot. However one did pose quite obligingly for a few minutes on a dead tree limb in the sun's first rays. We also spotted a Wryneck flying through the glade, but couldn't quite see where it had landed.
Green Woodpecker
It was a good day for raptors, with distant Ospreys out in the channel, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Buzzards. On the Salt marshes, we also saw 9 Spoonbill, Cormorants, Little Egret, Shell Duck, Greenshanks, Herons, Curlew and various gulls.
Small birds were also out in force; highlights were the resident Dartford Warblers, but we also saw Treecreepers, a female Stonechat, Long-tailed Tit, Great-Tit, Coal-Tit, Gold Crest, Gold Finch, Chaffinch, Swallows, Housemartins and Wheatears (in flight).
Stonechat
For me, the invert life was a particular highlight; we found a nest of hornets, which were quite something to watch, as they carted caterpillars and other insects into the chambers at a great rate. I also saw my first Raft Spiders today - a big tick, after several years of looking for them. We saw at least 10 spiderlings (which are still big enough to make most people feel rather uncomfortable!), but no adults today.
Hornets - Trying to be a bit arty
Hornet Nest
Raft Spider
Think that's probably enough for now - I promise not to leave it so long between posts in future!
