Bempton Cliff's.

Went off to Bempton Cliff's yesterday, had a fantastic five hours and could not believe how great the weather was, as we have been trying to match up days off and weather conditions for the last three months trying to get a trip together, must have missed as many shots as I took, as the wonder of seeing all the birds displaying was an eye opener and I was awe struck to say the least, had to keep reminding myself to pick up my camera and get shooting, you can imagine how many images I still have to go through and just a taster of what I took are below, but as I share a computer with Dearly Beloved, (he who must be obeyed)he is desperate to get his computer back on his lap, so have to sign off for now!!!!!

Puffin.

Puffin.

Guillemott.

Razerbill.

Gannet.

Gannet.

Gannet.

Gannet.

Day Out On Cannock Chase!

Unsure what the weather was about to do last week-end, but felt it was worth the risk to pop along to Cannock Chase, just to see what was about, glad we did although had to shelter a few times under the trees while heavy showers passed over, first time for me to see the Red Deer, what a treat that was and a bonus to get a few shots of them, stumbled across them while following the sound of the bag pipes,(wonder if that's what they were intrigued about, as they were only a stones throw away), what a great place to practice and could be heared from a good distance away!!

Large Skipper.

Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary.

Red Deer.

Red Deer.

No Neighbours To Disturb!

What A View!

undisclosed sight.

This was my first experience of seeing an Osprey in action, unfortunately every time it was heading my way, it was mobbed by Gulls and it's couple of attempts at fishing were unsucessful and it went away empty handed.

Osprey.

South Of France!!

Just back from a fantastic week in the South of France, had the Hummingbird Hawkmoth in the garden of the Gite were we stayed, while relaxing by the swimming pool and the Melodious Warbler at a country park near-by, main reason though for being there was to attend the Monaco Grand Prix (what an experience that was), cannot believe the contrast in the weather between France and here, did not get below 28 degrees the whole time, but it seems the sun has followed me home.

Hummingbird Hawkmoth.

Hummingbird Hawkmoth.

Hummingbird Hawkmoth.

Hummingbird Hawkmoth.

Melodious Warbler.

Monaco.

Earlswood Lake's.

While spending time waiting for the Night Heron, had a chance to capture some of the boats messing about on the water, the Mandarin was very obliging and came quiet close, unfortunately it was no Night Heron.

Mandarin.

Mandarin.

On the Water.

On the Water.

Messing on the Water.

Messing on the Water.

It's Not Really Cricket!!

Have previously lived and worked in close proximity to both Kingsbury Water Park and Middleton Hall and although attended and partisipated in many equestrian events in the area, this was my first visit to "The Birdwatchers Spring Fair", Dearly Beloved promised me a Monopod to take with me on my trip to France next week (while over there I'm attending the Monoco Grand Prix), have to say managed to get a beauty and got a chance to try it out by attending the Birds of Prey Workshop with Nick Martin, which promised approx one hour of being shown techniques required to obtain natural looking portraits of captive birds.
I know its not really cricket to have a captive audience but it was good practice and I enjoyed the Barn Owl and Kestrel, a few shots below.
Then went onto Earlswood Lake's (another first for me), in the hope of seeing the Night Heron but after a four hour wait and with a two hour journey home ahead of us, we called it a day, only to find it turned up around half an hour after we left. "Oh Well That's Birding".
Barn Owl.

Barn Owl.

Barn Owl.

Barn Owl.

Barn Owl.

Barn Owl.

Kestral (Female).

Kestral (Female).

White-Faced Scops Owl.

Marshes Hill.

Well Dearly Beloved really came up trumps today, not like me to miss a trip out but had to take one of the dogs to the vets, (only a medication check up nothing serious)but what does he go and find without me!!!This is my second Wryneck, had one in Norfolk last September, but great to have one on our local patch and how great to see how many people turned up to view it, a great turn out indeed, record shot below to commemorate the day!!! Well done you Steve!!

Wryneck.