postcardcv

Category: photography

  • short-toed lark – Snettisham

    A greater short-toed lark had been kicking about at Snettisham beach for a few days and seemed like it was showing quite well. Having only seen one previous, that was distant and not great views, I decided it was worth a go.

    I parked up in the beach car park and headed along the ridge path between the beach and the costal park. A number of small birds were feeding in the line of seaweed on the beach, a nice mixed flock of linnet and greenfinch. A little further along the path I found a couple of birders who clearly has the lark in view. It was feeding on the path and showing and close range. Having failed to get any photos of my previous one I was glad to get shots within minutes of arriving.

    After watching the bird feed for a few minutes it flew away down the path and was lost to view. Almost half an hour of searching with no luck left me worried that the first view was going to be the only one I had. I eventually found the bird on the beach. It was far harder to spot here as it blended in with the dead seaweed.

    Over the next few hours it moved between the beach and the path paying little attention to those watching it but taking flight when a walker or a dog went past. It seemed to favour one area of path and was covering much more ground when on the beach so I decided to set myself up at the favoured area and hope for the best. I didn’t have to wait long…

    It dropped onto the path a little way along from me allowing occasional views through the foliage on the paths edge. I watched and waited as it fed along the path heading my way. When almost level with where I was sitting it came off the path into the open in front of me. It proceed it feed for the next five minutes at very close range.

    I ended up getting much better images than I had hoped for and could go home very satisfied. However you always think there could be more so instead I stayed on site for the next three hours trying to get more photos. Although the bird did not show as close again, I was able to get better photos of it on the beach.

    The six hours spent with the bird seemed very worth while. This week has been very busy with life and work so I’m unlikely to get out with my camera. The number of autumn warblers on the coast is making me jittery!

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  • another week, another shrike

    another week, another shrike

    The arrival of a Turkestan (red-tailed) shrike at Dunwich in Suffolk definitely caught my attention but the weather and work meant that it would have to stick around for a few days before I would get a chance to try for it. It was looking as though Thursday would be my first opportunity but a change of plans on Monday gave me a few spare hours and I could not resist heading over the border.

    News that the bird had been showing well gave me hope that I would connect. On arriving at the car park, the large group of birders all focusing on a clump of scrub looked even more promising. Just a few paces from the car I got my first sighting of the shrike sitting out in plain view. A distant sighting but still thrilling.

    I walked down to join the main group of birders watching from near the cliff. The views were a good deal closer and the shrike kept returning to the same spot. Great views over the next hour as it fed on a range of insects. It also spent a fair amount of time preening and showing off its beautiful plumage.

    Over the next few hours the bird continued to feed and move around the small patch of scrub. On one occasion it popped up on the closest edge giving amazing views. Well worth the punishment my legs took from the gorse!

    This was my third shrike in a week and my first new species this year. It did not disappoint at all and was well worth a trip to Suffolk.

  • postcardcv – the blog

    postcardcv – the blog

    I’ve decided to blog in an aim to keep me on track with getting out birding and photographing a lot more frequently. Much of this will be wildlife photography but I do occasionally point a lens at other things. Along with posts about recent trips I also intend to look back at some past birds that have been particularly special.

    For those who may be interested I shoot with Canon gear. I’m still using DSLRs (who knows when I might take the plunge and go mirrorless). I use 7DmkII for wildlife with a few lenses (500mm, 100-400mm, 100mm macro) all lovingly wrapped up in LensCoat covers. I use Gitzo tripods and Jobu gimbal heads. For other photography I use a couple of iterations of the 5D and also a Sony RX100.

    If you fancy having a look at other photos of mine they can be found over on flickr – https://www.flickr.com/photos/37669825@N04/

  • lesser grey shrike

    lesser grey shrike

    getting out with my camera

    A lesser grey shrike had been at Winterton dunes in Norfolk for about a week, on Monday I had the time to go and have a look at it. It is amazing just how long it takes to drive there from Swaffham. After navigating the last few miles I found the car park and set out into the dunes. I wasn’t sure quite where the bird had been being seen but headed in the right general direction. The dunes were surprisingly quiet with just a few linnet and meadow pipits flitting around.

    After a mile or so I came over a ridge and saw a group of birders so assumed I was in the right spot. Sure enough there was the shrike a little way off at the top of a shrub. I was told that if no-one moved any closer it was likely to come in to the nearest bush. 15 minutes later it did exactly that. It showed well, feeding regularly and returning to the top of the same shrub for the next half an hour.

    When it moved away to a further shrub most of those present moved away but I decided to stay and hope for even better views. While the shrike was some way off I was distracted by a meadow pipit that refused to show properly. Then the shrike returned, this time showing even better as it continued to feed. Almost every hunting flight was successful with a range of insects being caught.

    Having been on site for a number of hours I decided to go and have a look for the adult male red-backed shrike. Despite much searching I couldn’t find him. With the car park due to close soon I headed back that way, being distracted by a number of wheatear which appeared to be fresh in. At least half a dozen were seen but they moved on quickly.

    Back at the car it was time to decide where to spend the last couple of hours of daylight. The call of the shrike was too tempting so I re-parked and walked back out for another go at it. Very pleased that I did as it ended up showing even better in the evening, at times I had it to myself. A massive female peregrine flying through and finally getting brief views of the red-back shrike rounded off a good day out. One of my first days out with the camera this year.