Grey Heron

Alongside a ditch near North Hide at Radipole stood a Grey Heron on our visit two weeks ago today, fairly close to the footpath. I took quite a lot of pictures, these were a little in the sun. The Heron then moved to the other side of the ditch and that made for quite pleasing results.

One, two, three locals too!

Yesterday there was jobs to do before going out, we were thinking of going further afield but why is it jobs always take longer then planned! Is it just the walls of my house but holes to drill develope into great big holes, etc.

Anyway, we just stayed local and had a drive around. In Wykeham Forest we saw Robin, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Gold Finch, Long Tailed Tits, Kestrel, Jay, Dunnock.

In a clearing a pair of Crossbills were coming down onto the ground to feed. The birds were straight into the sun, the shot posted is purely for the record.

Around Wykeham Lanes there was a good number of Fieldfare and Redwings with numbers of Starlings.

The highlight was three Common Buzzards phewing overhead. Like Radipole the sky was clear, maybe not six birds as there but three was pretty special, a bit higher in the sky but the pictures convey a little of the bright sky and atmosphere. One bird went into a stoop.

Coot Image

I have just processed a few of my shots of Coot from Radipole last week. I sometimes get dissapointing results of these birds but the light helped this time to show that lovely red eye.

Canon 40D, Sigma 50-500mm lens, ISO 160, f 7.1, 1/500 sec, 500mm focal length

Canon 40D, Sigma 50-500mm lens, ISO 160, f 8, 1/320 sec, 417 focal length

Canon 40D, Sigma 50-500mm lens, ISO 160, f 8, 1/400, 363 focal length

Canon 40D, Sigma 50-500mm lens, ISO 160, f 8, 1/250 sec, 500 mm

Mallard

A couple of pictures from Radipole a week ago yesterday in glorious light, these of a common species, much over looked but when you study up close and that iridescent green head of the male. Very nice.

Canon 40D, Sigma 50 - 500mm lens, ISO 160, f7.1, 1/400 sec, 226mm

Canon 40D, Sigma 50-500mm lens, ISO 160, f 8, 1/500 sec, 500mm

Little Egret

Towards the end of our  visit to Arne last week we were in the hide looking out towards Poole Harbour, the pools in front of the hide were dried up and other than a few black headed gulls and a distant group of Sika deer there was very little about. I remarked that we had often had a Little Egret before in front of this hide.

We then made our way to Shipstal Point opposite Brownsea Island and as we stepped onto the shore line a Little Egret was busy feeding on small fish from the pools at the waters edge.

In fact it was so engrossed that it did not mind a couple of photographers (including me) and I was able to get some confiding shots. The light was gorgeous and bright and made for a good session. I took about 70 shots in 10 or 15 minutes and I am quite pleased with the results. I have photographed these birds a good few times now but I like these best. many shots had fish in the Egrets bill so the pickings seemed very good, only small fry mind, I would need a plateful!

On the water was a small group of Red Breasted Mergansers, top birds, I only managed a record shot of these.

Not one, two _ _ _ but six!

Over the Dorset Radipole RSPB reserve we were watching, counting five Buzzards overhead. I love the pewing sound they make, we stood counting. Now I have seen three, maybe four aloft at one time but five and then there was six!

Great sight, I managed a number of shots and this seems the best.

Canon 40D with Sigma 50-500mm lens. f6.3, ISO 250, 1/800th sec, 500mm focal length.

Sika Deer

I got this shot yesterday of a Sika Deer where they are easy to see and relatively comfortable with humans even if always keeping a watchful eye. I was pleased with this shot as
I thibk the lighting on the deer and nearby tree compliment one another, and the shot gives a good impression of the setting.

This stag Sika was in a small group, with a couple of youngsters.

Canon 40D, sSgma 50-500mm lens, f6.3, ISO 200, 1/500th second at 500mm focal lens.