Monthly Archives: September 2013

Off to a great start!

I’d planned to go further afield this morning but circumstances dictated that I couldn’t go too far from home. My local bird reserve, Conwy RSPB, is only 5 minutes away so at 8.15 I was there, camera gear at the ready.

My first thought was “it’s quiet” but I could not have been more wrong.

On reaching the boardwalk screen i could see 4 Godwits feeding in front of it. As I sneaked up to the window, trying my best not to disturb them, I heard a familiar “chack” call from behind me. A Greater Spotted Woodpecker was calling from a tree and stayed long enough for me to get this shot

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As the ‘pecker flew off it was back to the Godwits. They are such irritating birds to photograph when they are feeding as they spend 95% of the time with their heads in the water, just occasionally coming up for a breath. Alternatively, they will stop and look around if disturbed. Either way I managed to get these.

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Whilst at the screen I spotted a Kingfisher coming my way along the reed edge but it stopped before it reached me, just out of sight. A few seconds later there was a “plop” and it appeared on a rock eating a tiny fish. A  Kingfisher in clear view and staying still? – that’s unusual!IMG_1913

There was constant activity in the bushes with flocks of Tits and Finches moving around. There was a lovely Chiffchaff amongst them but it managed to evade the camera.IMG_1950

Whilst I was watching the smaller birds a Sparrowhawk passed me within 2 feet as it patrolled the paths. I had no chance of a photo but I did spot this bird being mobbed by a crow in the distance. It was fascinating to watch, the two even locking talons  and falling out of the sky for a few seconds.IMG_1893

The only birds close in front of the Tal-y-Fan hide were Snipe, looking so smart in the light.IMG_2076 IMG_2039

One bird looked slightly different. A Jack Snipe! A “lifer” for me and I even managed to get a half-decent photo. This made my day!IMG_2016

Wagtails were everywhere. 99% Pied but there was the odd Grey Wagtail amongst them.IMG_2096

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Not bad for a “quiet” morning!

 

 

New beginnings…..

Well here I go again. Yet another new website. Hopefully it will be different this time. It’s going to be about me and what I get up to. The real me, that is. No more hiding behind silly pseudonyms.

You can expect to see photographs. A lot of photographs.

As I emerge from my mid-life crisis I have decided that I must do what makes me happy and taking photographs does just that. Hopefully I can manage to post some pictures that other people may like. Who knows? I might even end up selling some! It’s about time that my hobby paid a little back into the coffers.

I take photos as often as I can. Today a couple of insects on the Japanese Anemone at the front of our house which caught my eye so it was out with the macro lens. Here we go!

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