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A couple of days out with my Camera.
Hello
Well in between jobs at present, so I have found a few hours to nip out with the camera to two of my favourite locations. Here are the results of the last couple of trips out. Well Monday was yet another visit to the dentist in Holyhead. I never mind going to the dentist as it gives me an excuse to go to the South Stack RSPB Nature Reserve there.
Arriving at the car park, the first thing I see in the distance is a Wheatear, so they have arrived here at last... I hope to get some better shots later on. This was about 200yards away. Fingers crossed.
This is the original shot. Cropped so you can see more detail.
So, first of all, it's down the steps toward the lighthouse and get a closer look at the cliffs and one makes their way down. The Guillemot are still around but not as many today, most will be fishing out at sea.
The Razorbills too are about, again, not as many but it does give you the chance to get a shot of a single bird on it's own, this was calling.
Then I spot my first Puffin, hard to spot so far away, this was at least 250yards away on a prominence sticking out from the cliffs. Puffins prefer earth banks rather than cliffs as they burrow into the earth to bring up a family.
I look around and spot another outside it's burrow. They look just like toys I reckon, quite amusing really.
They look even funnier stood side by side!!!
Another pair I spotted taking a breather in the sun.
This one spreading it's little wings, how they fly beats me. Same puzzle as the bumble bee!!
So it's back up the steps and then along the cliff path. If you do decide to come to South Stack, please, be very careful. The paths are well worn and in places take you close to the edge. If you notice the rock which this gull is sat on.....It's due to topple quite soon.
Way out at sea, Porpoise break the surface. You can see three in this shot, sorry about the quality, they were a long long way off. Perhaps 1000yards.
I have cropped in again with this shot, you can tell it's a Porpoise by the fin set well back on it's back. Dolphins come around here too but none today I'm afraid.
So further along the cliff-top trail. I spot a Pied Wagtail watching out. A little tip here for budding bird watchers. We walk along hoping to spot the birds, well they too like to look out for us. They usually sit on a prominent place like a rock, post or the top of a bush....So keep your eye out, try not to SUDDENLY break the skyline, walk slowly trying not to break twigs and sticks.
Keep your eyes open, a lot of birds will be present as they don't all sing away all the time. Quite close to the path, I spot this Linnet
along with the female. They move around in pairs when breeding and will often be seen together again sitting in a good "lookout".
Just over the hedge, I spot another Wheatear, quite close this time. Now Wheatear have a habit of sitting on a post or other vantage point,then flying off to catch an insect they spot.
With this in mind, I settle down on a rock and just wait. Perhaps 2 minutes, that's all and sure enough, the bird comes and stands on a rock looking for it's next catch. This time the bird is only about 20 foot away.
Keeping quite still and not making any sudden movements on my part, the bird comes a lot closer....Perhaps within 12/15 foot away and I was able to get this shot, I think my best to date of this striking looking bird. So it's mission accomplished for today and back home.
The next day, Tuesday. It's off to the suppliers but on the way, I call in at the Spinnies Hide just outside Bangor. Slowly opening the hide shutters, I spot a group of Redshank on the bank far side.
Now quite often in a group of birds like this, you will get one a little bit different to the rest and there, at the back of the group, I spot a Spotted Redshank. I have blurred out the Redshank so you can spot it a bit more easily.
Here, a closer crop. Notice the different beak and plumage. So remember when you spot a group of seagulls, there may be an oddity hiding among them. Keep ya eyes peeled, it may pay off.
Just in front of the hide, the fluttering of wings makes me look down to see a Collared Dove having landed to eat grain at the bottom of the feeders.
To the right, the lovely song of the Dunnock (Hedge Sparrow) is just asking to have his photo taken.
Just in front of him, Mum Mallard, teaches the youngsters the tricks of finding their own food.
Joining the Collared Dove, a Squirrel takes advantage of dropped food from the feeders.
Then, right over on the far side of the Island, a Little Egret comes into land. Not a bad shot I thought until I got it onto the computer and saw that bloomin branch right across the body. We can't have that can we
so here I have cloned it out for you....Better? I think so.
After it had landed, I knew it's routine quite well by now and knew that before long, it would be coming further around the island to feed and I would have the opportunity
to catch it feeding, note the timing of the shot...the splashes, frozen in time. Good innit!! Lol
This time of year, the mating plumage of this delightful bird can look like a "Wedding Dress" with the finer feathers looking quite stunning as they display.
And so...Off she flew to her preening perch and look at the time!!! I must fly too.
See ya.
I hope you have enjoyed this little trip with me over the past two days. If you have, my job is done. Join me again sometime soon.
See ya. Thanks
- Steve Ransome's blog
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I haven't looked. I scrolled to the end to let you know I wasn't looking. And what I haven't seen looks like the makings of an excellent blog. Mike
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Great blog Steve. Thought I'd pop back and look at the finished product, and it doesn't dissapoint.
Mike
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great bird blog steve like the wheatear shot to.
aim small miss small
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Splendid photos Steve,. That new bit of kit is really giving some fine results.
Well Done.....Liked.
Edit: Do you ever use 'Llyn Parc Mawr' for your wildfowl shots ?
Jim
Contrast Competition Entry: http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/en
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Smashing blog Steve,with good tips and good pictures
Flickr Page
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Fine results indeed~but even better when individual images are viewed on flickr!!
Another super blog Steve, Mwah
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Loved your pictures, great blog Steve.
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Hi Steve what another stunning photoblog you are certainly putting that new lens through it"s paces and it shows a brilliant blog as usual I have thoughly enjoyed it. Steve a great set of pictures many thanks for posting best wishes BoB.
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smashing blog Steve, looks like you're having fun with your new toy xxx
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Nice one as always, I definatly liked the wedding dress shot lol. you are lucky being where you are to get stuff like this, I note you got the plastic Puffins out again still they make a change ha ha ha, a like from me Steve nice one.regards Leon.
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Simply stunning.
I always enjoy your blogs. Thankyou for taking the time to share such beautiful pictures.
Jon
please have a look at my Gallery My competion entry Tradition
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Brilliant pictures again Steve,one day i will get a good one with my bridge,i keep trying.
ron.
My gallery www.myfinepix.co.uk/gallery/599723
My blog www.myfinepix.co.uk/blog/599723
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Brilliant Steve - the Egret in breeding plumage looks magnificent.
Great clarity and detail in the Wheatear shots too.
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Another set of brilliant bird shots Steve, my favourite is the next to last, he is definitely having a good hair day!! Brilliant plumage.
Thanks for uploading and sharing.
Viv
photogirl
Contrast
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Super photos Steve and some very helpful info. That's one helluva lens you have!
Best regards, Steve
www.myfinepix.co.uk/gallery/252
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great photos are usual steve looking forward to recieving a master class on how to do these at slimbridge in september
contrast entry
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Nice blog Steve, but your tips for bird spotting don't work up here in the land of the crooked spire, well not for me they don't. I pick up camera and head for the door wearing my camoflage outfit and best sneakers, the bird sat in hedge across road spots me and starts singing the warning
" Watch out that crazy woman with the camera is about to leave the house."
It doesn't matter if I go right, left or walk straight forward the bird song continues ahead of me and I'm lucky if I catch sight of a bird.
I now content myself viewing eveyone elses blog and photo of birds and take photos of trains instead lol
Thank you for sharing
regards
Anne
http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/423469
http://www.myfinepix.com/blog/ancient-matilda
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And yet another wonderful set of pics. My favs are the male linnet and the egret in wedding finery stunning plus the amazing detail of the wheatears. What a wonderful part of the world you live in, to have all this just on your doorstep.
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Fab blog Steve, the puffins are so cute, and the shots of the little egret are superb.
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photography- cheaper than owning a dog and you get just as much exercise!
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Great stuff, but I've got to correct you on one point.
If you believe that nonsense about it being theoretically impossible for bumble bees to fly, you're reading the wrong aerodynamics books! In 1973, a feller called Weis-Fogh came up with his "clap and fling" theory which makes it all possible. I found it absolutely fascinating when I read it in the college library, but being all about circulation and starting vortices, I doubt if anyone else would!
Apparently it's quite common in insects, but a few birds do it too, like the rock dove.
Alan - Parky54
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Brilliant again Steve thank you
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Fantastic Steve, all of them. But my fav are the puffins, i just love them. Go on rub it in, you know i didnt get any shots of the chuffin puffins the time i went to see them!!!!! Suppose i will have to make do with your brilliant shots of them!!!!
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Love 'em all Steve. There really is some crackers there.
You always manage to get such a variety wherever you go..
Thanks.
Monty.
http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/469385
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beaut blog as usual Steve..have just bough myself a zoom lens, not as good as yours but hopefully I will be able to get some wildlife shots now.
Sue
http://www.myfinepix.com/blog/570584
http://www.myfinepix.com/gallery/570584
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Top man equals a top blog ... again! Well done steve.
Jan.
http://www.myfinepix.com/user/Egyptian
http://www.myfinepix.com/blog/1241
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Cracking set of shots Steve. Well done.
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It's all been said. Well done Steve.
Dave.
http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/606726
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I'll be little miss echo to the above comments Steve.
Christine
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HiHo Steve,
A lovely blog. The Puffins invoke memories of Farne island and those austere times in the immediate post war years when the adult family members would decaamp to the island around Eastertime to collect eggs to supplement family rations. The remarkable thing about that was the Pyffins survived it, perhaps even more remarkable so did the egg collectors, could say more but perhaps not at this time.
Again nice blog and have liked it.
TaRa, Colin.
colyob
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Good innit! dat dat dat dat daa! blow your own trumpet or what!...and well you might, this is a brilliant bird blog, you had me on the edge of my seat, all those birds, all superbly taken, it helps to have the equipment but that's only part of the story, innit!! Liked and faved. Thanks for that, Mwah! (did a spell check on that one) My first Mwah'er
xxx
Delia
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Amazing photos, Steve! What a variety, including Puffins! Looks like a beautiful part of the country you live in plus photography tips as well! What more could we want? Nothing - perfect, as always....
Eleanor
My Gallery - http://www.myfinepix.com/gallery/381734
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as someone who can't tell the differerence between a Sparrow & a Turkey i found this Brilliant and put it in my favourites
cris...
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You still charming the birds then Steve....LOL!! I'm changing dentists to yours if this is the result of a trip to the dentists...LOL!! Wow, brilliant, dazzling, amazing, awesome!! (and I'm on about the photography now) What a serious bit of kit you have! Well worth the mortgage on that big lens. (joke) You've certainly an eye for the birds as you're producing outstanding professional shots Steve. Excellent work. (You can give me a fiver for the compliments when I see you very soon. LOL!!)
Nice one
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I loved your shots and your blog,the two puffins were my favourite. Thank you for visiting my blog too.
Jason
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My most recent blog:- http://www.myfinepix.com/blog/831611/465633
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nice blog,catchy pictures.Thanks for sharing new species which we do not see in temperate clime.
This time will pass.
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Nice blog, some great pics there well done.
Love the 2 puffins lol really do look like toys
Gillian
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Well done excellent shots well done Best wishes Julie
Julie
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