Thursday 30 April 2009

Egyptian Goose











We had a trip out tonight in the car with the intention of walking but the dark skies (lame excuse) meant we stayed in the car.

The first stopping point down a nearby lane produced an Egyptian Goose with 2 Greylags. More Greylags dropped in and they increased in numbers to 9. Also in the same field, two hares, pheasants, Red Legged Partridge, Stock Doves, Chaffinch and a Yellow Hammer.

Further down the lane a Blackcap, loads of Cowslips adorning the grass verges.

We saw lots of hares in different locations, well in excess of 20.

A Barn Owl quartering the fields came straight at me, in the light I had the camera at a ridiculous ISO3200 so the pictures have gone through Neat Imaging software. I also missed the nearest shots as the lens would not focus quick enough and the capture rate ground to a halt!

Live and learn, one day I will be there in good light.

11 comments:

Chris said...

Hi Mike,
A nice tour with a cool egyptian goose. The first time I saw it was in April in Paris!!! Congrats for the shot of the owl, there are awesome, with some sharp details.

Unknown said...

Great shots of the Barn Owl Mike, pin sharp, better than I got at the bird of prey centre!

Carol Wingert said...

When I read your post about the Egyptian Goose, and the 9 Greylags, I about fell over! We had and Egyptian Goose here in Southwestern Pennsylvania (USA) from last July - Dec)and he was with 9 greylags here! She has since gone, but the greylags are still here and they are hatching there eggs! Check out my story, if you will at http://www.squidoo.com/Fred-the-Egyptian-Goose

Carol Wingert

Linda Yarrow said...

Brilliant shots of the Barn Owl Mike :-)

Tim Rucci said...

The owl shots are fabulous, Mike, in spite of the iso situation. As they say, a sharp grainy photo is better than a clean blurry one.

Mike Randall Bird Photography said...

Thanks for all the comments, I am grateful.
This is the second Eygptian Goose I have seen around Scarborough this year, previously I have only seen them in Norfolk.
I will certainly follow your story line Carol, thanks for visiting.
Thanks for the comment Tim, I sometimes think I must be mad putting pictures out at such high ISO but the results are ok (if you do not look too close).
Mike

FAB said...

Not sure I would have even attempted photos of the Barn Owl with such little light (oh yes I would) but your results were great. Well done. I've booked in so I can keep an eye on you.
Cheers Frank.

Paul 2tins said...

Hi Mike, superb shots of the Barn owl, I've seen quite a few recently during the daylight hours in and around N/E Lincs. Paul & Jill

Anonymous said...

The car makes a good mobile hide Mike. You got some good images of the Barn Owl even if the light had gone. We get the Egyptian Goose close by over in Norfolk where it has gained in numbers over the years.

Mike Randall Bird Photography said...

Thanks for visiting Frank, I have to take my cahnces when I can. When I go down the lanes solely to take pictures of Barn Owl in good light they are no where to be seen.
We have reasonable numbers of Barnies around here Paul.
Staying put in the car certainly helps Roy but some Barn Owls seem familiar to people and fly right by you. I did get out of the car for the shots shown.
Mike

Luis Novo said...

very good photos!!
the owlis fantastic