Winsford Soul Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 No picture but I can report a Sparrowhawk at Taylor Towers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Idly looking out of the window I thought to myself 'why is there a chicken on my fence', on careful closer inspection I realised it was in fact a Sparrowhawk; ( no glasses and no observation skills but it was reddy/brown with powerful legs hence the confusion with a chicken )I was so excited (and still am ). I remember when Pete99 reported one. We have literally dozens of sparrows in our garden - well maybe one or two less now - despite them apparently being in decline! As for the 'Common' birds, less is more as they say :) Melly CommonBird from Banbury https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTGH6b7n08LclLoflFwEvEQwaQuJZNl5zYCuAdQYxqY6A_JPckIug Mellytee. I love sparrowhawks, they have that yellow eye that looks so evil. I need to get some decent photographs of them. Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Martyn Pitt Posted March 20, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted March 20, 2014 Sparrowhawks are ace ... here is one from a few years back, it only landed for a split second 4 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Missing Link Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 I occasionally have a sparrowhawk land on my back fence but I've never managed to get a picture because as soon as I make the slightest movement it's off. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Amsterdam Russ Posted March 21, 2014 Author Share Posted March 21, 2014 Nice photo gallery on the BBC News website this morning showing readers' photos of Spring wildlife. http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/26628076 3 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Nice photo gallery on the BBC News website this morning showing readers' photos of Spring wildlife. http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/26628076 Russell. Thanks for posting link. Some amazing photographs. Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Amsterdam Russ Posted March 21, 2014 Author Share Posted March 21, 2014 Russell. Thanks for posting link. Some amazing photographs. Steve You're welcome, and yes, some great photos!! 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 3 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 (edited) Avcocets paired off for breeding Steve Edited March 21, 2014 by Winsford Soul 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 (edited) Black headed gull in breeding plumage Sorry about the slightly dark pictures Steve Edited March 21, 2014 by Winsford Soul 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Peter99 Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 mellytee, on 20 Mar 2014 - 10:28 PM, said: No picture but I can report a Sparrowhawk at Taylor Towers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Idly looking out of the window I thought to myself 'why is there a chicken on my fence', on careful closer inspection I realised it was in fact a Sparrowhawk; ( no glasses and no observation skills but it was reddy/brown with powerful legs hence the confusion with a chicken )I was so excited (and still am ). I remember when Pete99 reported one. We have literally dozens of sparrows in our garden - well maybe one or two less now - despite them apparently being in decline! As for the 'Common' birds, less is more as they say :) Melly CommonBird from Banbury https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTGH6b7n08LclLoflFwEvEQwaQuJZNl5zYCuAdQYxqY6A_JPckIug Hiya Melly Hope yer well. Sparrow Hawks are a top, top predator. Having one or a breeding pair around is a sign of a healthy bird population generally. They are nice to see like all birds but I sometimes have mixed feelings when they pick off my very tame collared doves which I have nurtured through the winter. Peter Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Cock pheasant in full breeding plumage Steve 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Peter99 Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Winsford Soul, on 21 Mar 2014 - 9:18 PM, said: IMG_6483.JPG Cock pheasant in full breeding plumage Steve Very beautiful birds are pheasants. Nice one Steve. Peter Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Very beautiful birds are pheasants. Nice one Steve. Peter Thanks Peter. just fancied a close up, will try and get a full bird next time out to fully show all the amazing colours. Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Martyn Pitt Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Black headed gull in breeding plumage Sorry about the slightly dark pictures Steve Steve There was an old adage when I started photography to help with exposure issues ... "add light to white" ... if you are photographing a white subject adjust the exposure compensation by +1 to +2 stops. (The opposite for a black subject) The camera meter always assumes that it is looking at 18% grey, this is why the majority of peoples shots taken in the snow look grey, the white has fooled the meter so the image is underexposed. Usually +1 will be enough, just take a test shot and check the image on the screen. 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 Steve There was an old adage when I started photography to help with exposure issues ... "add light to white" ... if you are photographing a white subject adjust the exposure compensation by +1 to +2 stops. (The opposite for a black subject) The camera meter always assumes that it is looking at 18% grey, this is why the majority of peoples shots taken in the snow look grey, the white has fooled the meter so the image is underexposed. Usually +1 will be enough, just take a test shot and check the image on the screen. Thanks Martyn. Always forget. I just get to excited and want to take the picture. Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Amsterdam Russ Posted March 22, 2014 Author Popular Post Share Posted March 22, 2014 Eagle and owls seen at a mediaevel fayre here in Amsterdam... 4 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Amsterdam Russ Posted March 22, 2014 Author Popular Post Share Posted March 22, 2014 (edited) Another owl, this time in extreme close-up. One of my favourites out of all the countless photos that I've taken. Edited March 22, 2014 by Russell Gilbert 4 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Well I'm out and about again tomorrow. Hopefully will be some new pictures to post. Chiffchaff and sandmartins are the target's . Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Peter99 Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 I'm definitely going to look at getting a half decent camera and getting out and about along the canal and river this year. This thread is very inspirational - thanks everyone. Peter 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Peter99 Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Russell Gilbert, on 22 Mar 2014 - 1:13 PM, said: Another owl, this time in extreme close-up. One of my favourites out of all the countless photos that I've taken. Owl-close-up.jpeg He - or she, is almost saying - ah reet pal. Wink wink. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 I'm definitely going to look at getting a half decent camera and getting out and about along the canal and river this year. This thread is very inspirational - thanks everyone. Peter Peter. It's a whole new world just waiting for you mate. It's a special world that we live in, it's just a shame that more people don't realize exactly what's around them. a camera certainly opened my eyes to the more intricate ways of nature. And that's from someone who has fished and loved the great outdoors since I was about 5 years of age. Steve 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Amsterdam Russ Posted March 23, 2014 Author Share Posted March 23, 2014 He - or she, is almost saying - ah reet pal. Wink wink. More like he/she is saying "shove that camera lens any closer and I'll rip your f*%#ng eyes out!" Cos that's exactly how it felt... Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 (edited) Well the chiffchaffs and sandmartins didn't want to appear on Steve's photo shoot today. Managed to capture a few pictures of some special birds though. Will post as soon as I get chance. Steve Edited March 24, 2014 by Winsford Soul Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Orotava Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 I saw a yellowhammer whilst out walking the dogs early this morning - first one I`ve seen for absolutely YEARS. Well chuffed! 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 I saw a yellowhammer whilst out walking the dogs early this morning - first one I`ve seen for absolutely YEARS. Well chuffed! I remember you commenting when I posted the pictures of them last year. Am chuffed for you..Can't wait for my holidays. 8 weeks to go. Always see loads of them down in Pembrokeshire. Steve 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Orotava Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 I remember you commenting when I posted the pictures of them last year. Am chuffed for you..Can't wait for my holidays. 8 weeks to go. Always see loads of them down in Pembrokeshire. Steve Blimey Steve, Well remembered! I struggle to remember what I had for breakfast... 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted March 31, 2014 Share Posted March 31, 2014 I've not forgotten to post new pictures. Not had chance. Will sort it soon. Made a bad mistake today. Went Leighton Moss as normal for a Monday. Got camera out switched it on and battery light flashing. I forgot to charge them, so no pictures. Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 Burton mere RSPB reserve on the Wirral today. Little egret fishing and seen 3 stoats. Managed to get a few pictures but having problems with my laptop so can't download from my camera. Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 (edited) Little Egret catching fish Going Going Gone Steve Edited April 4, 2014 by Winsford Soul 3 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 Buzzard Steve 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 Reed Bunting Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 Stoat Steve 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 Stoat with a water vole possibly, it was to quick for me to get a proper look Steve 3 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 Peregrine falcon Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Peter99 Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 Great stuff Steve. Only ever seen one stoat! Peter Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 Great stuff Steve. Only ever seen one stoat! Peter Peter. Many years ago when I was fishing a local lake I had three young stoats (kits I think ) playing about two feet away from me. It was and still is one of those moments that will live with me forever. Steve 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Amsterdam Russ Posted April 4, 2014 Author Share Posted April 4, 2014 Peter. Many years ago when I was fishing a local lake I had three young stoats (kits I think ) playing about two feet away from me. It was and still is one of those moments that will live with me forever. Steve The difference between a stoat and a weasel? .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... Weasels are weasily recognisable and stoats are stotally different! 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 The difference between a stoat and a weasel? .... ..... .... .... .... .... .... Weasels are weasily recognisable and stoats are stotally different! Russell. That's weasily the worst stoat joke ever. Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Amsterdam Russ Posted April 4, 2014 Author Share Posted April 4, 2014 Russell. That's weasily the worst stoat joke ever. Steve I am sorry - to a degree. It's one of my girlfriend's all-time favourite punning punchlines and so I'm conditioned to use it whenever the opportunity may arise. I'll tell Bev that I used it here and she'll be mightily impressed that I somehow snuck it in. Thanks then for feeding me the opportunity to do so 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Suzannek Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 We have a breeding pair of Sparrowhawks that visit our garden and snatch a little bird now and again Suz bird of paradise Here's a pic of some of our feathered folk xxx 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Martyn Pitt Posted April 5, 2014 Share Posted April 5, 2014 Here is an image showing why Tawny Owls are so tricky to find A crop of that shot 3 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Amsterdam Russ Posted April 5, 2014 Author Share Posted April 5, 2014 Well found! By the looks of things it had no trouble spotting you, Martyn. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted April 5, 2014 Share Posted April 5, 2014 Here is an image showing why Tawny Owls are so tricky to find 401_033.jpg A crop of that shot 401_033c.jpg Nice one Martyn. Last year when I was out for a walk in the local park just before dusk I heard a few small birds scolding ,what I didn't know. Then I seen a tawny owl appearing out of a hollow in a oak tree. Just the classic poster shot but no camera. I've been back many times with the camera just in case but I've never seen the tawny owl near that tree. Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted April 5, 2014 Share Posted April 5, 2014 I am sorry - to a degree. It's one of my girlfriend's all-time favourite punning punchlines and so I'm conditioned to use it whenever the opportunity may arise. I'll tell Bev that I used it here and she'll be mightily impressed that I somehow snuck it in. Thanks then for feeding me the opportunity to do so Russell. If it gets you brownie points with Bev that's cool mate. Steve 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Martyn Pitt Posted April 6, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted April 6, 2014 I also happened upon a couple of Red Legged Partridge, the one posed nicely for me 5 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 (edited) I also happened upon a couple of Red Legged Partridge, the one posed nicely for me 401_019.jpg 401_026.jpg 401_030.jpg Martyn. Another set of good pictures. Not that I expect anything less from you. can't remember the last time that I seen any common partridge. Me thinks they not so common anymore. Steve. You at keele Sat ? Edited April 6, 2014 by Winsford Soul Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Martyn Pitt Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 Martyn. Another set of good pictures. Not that I expect anything less from you. can't remember the last time that I seen any common partridge. Me thinks they not so common anymore. Steve. You at keele Sat ? We should be there 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Suzannek Posted April 6, 2014 Share Posted April 6, 2014 Love the photos of the partridges, we get loads in Teesdale where I live. We get loads of these beautiful birds too black grouse I saw quite a few last year Suz x 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Suzannek Posted April 6, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted April 6, 2014 (edited) This is a little waterfall where I live These are Harebells related to the Bluebell they only grow on poor nutrient/infertile grassland, taken last June at Wham, Teesdale where I live Edited April 6, 2014 by suzannek 4 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Barry Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 Jimmy Jimmy - so good I named him twice. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
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