Thursday 31 January 2013

BLACKCAP




Looking at my feeders this morning I saw a bird flit onto the Fatball feeder, I realized at once it was a scarce garden visitor a Male Blackcap.
As I did not have time for any photos because we were off to do the weekly shop I hoped it would stay around until after lunch.
So around 13.00 hrs I set the camera and tripod up with the wireless remote framed on the fatball feeder,but there were a small group of four Starlings who were very persistent on getting at the food.
After about an hour and quite a few attempts to scare the Starlings off the Blackcap suddenly put in an appearance for around four seconds  and I managed around eight frames at high speed.
I took these shots from the kitchen window inside the house as if I were anywhere outside the bird would not have come to the food as it was very nervous.
So another year tick, the list stands at 99 species for January and a couple of shots are below.



BLACKCAP.



BLACKCAP.



Sunday 27 January 2013

COMMON TERN.



Spent a couple of hours at Carnsew Pool Hayle yesterday as there has been a Common Tern there for a few days.
The weather was good for a change, and I located the tern quickly although it was distant.
Still given time it came much closer and allowed me to get a few record shots.




COMMON TERN.



COMMON TERN.




COMMON TERN.

Thursday 24 January 2013

A FEW FROM THE WEEK 20/01/2013.



Although the weather is still not brilliant did manage to get out a couple of times this week and managed a few more species for the year list, which now stands at 91.
First call was last Sunday to Marazion where we had 2 Bittern, then onto Newlyn for the Black-Necked Grebe which was still showing well in the harbour.
It was then across to Carbis Bay where we managed 2 Red-Throated Divers.
Yesterday I went to a relatives house in Redruth as they have been having 3 Siskin on their feeders.
So this weeks selection of images are below. 




BLACK-NECKED GREBE.



BLACK-NECKED GREBE.



GOLDFINCH.



SISKIN.





Monday 14 January 2013

BLACK SWAN AT PAR POOLS.



So finally managed to get out with the camera yesterday, with a trip up to Par Pools at St Austell.
Plenty of ordinary species around, but no sign of the Ring Necked Duck I was looking for, still there was this very nice Black Swan which gave some very nice close photo opportunities.
I know this is not a recognized species and is probably an escapee but its still a lovely looking bird.




BLACK SWAN.



BLACK SWAN.




BLACK SWAN.

Saturday 5 January 2013

SOMETHING'S BRING YOU TO STARK REALITY.




Popped down to Falmouth this morning for a quick look along the seafront, checked out Castle Beach and had a Black Redstart and 2 Rock Pipits and good numbers of Oystercatchers and Shags.
On the way back I looked down onto the water where I saw this Guillemot, so I set the camera up and took a shot.
Checking it out in camera I realized all was not well with the bird, it was out of reach beyond the shoreline I could not do anything and as it happened within three minutes it died.
Its never nice to witness this type of thing and I can only hope the birding will get better.
So below are four images I took of its last few moments .RIP. 






















Friday 4 January 2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR




Well here we are 4 days into 2013 and I do not have any new images to post, the reason for this being family commitments over the Christmas and New Year, and also the horrible weather we've been having.
Anyway have to look on the bright side, it cannot last forever can it?
So only thing to do at the moment is to wish each and everyone of you warmest greetings for 2013 and may it be good to you.
By the way if anyone anywhere can let me know if they have seen the sun as I am not sure its there any more.






                                                                        spotting flock of birds   animation