Hi all, I caught up with a lovely confiding Cuckoo today, I watched him from very close range catching various types of caterpillars.
Here are a few of the better shots that I thought you may enjoy.
In flight with Caterpillar
.
Eating said Caterpillar
With Northern Eggar moth Caterpillar.
And looking stuffed!
One of my very favourite birds, and a real pleasure to photograph.
Jimmy.
Jimbob
Brilliant shots Jimmy! I will be looking at these a lot. Thanks for posting.
John :-)
For viewing or photography right place right time is everything. I'd rather be in the right place with poor kit than have the best kit and be in the wrong place.
Hello Jimmy, great shots especially of a bird so rare, you've caught it brilliantly. What other impersonations do you do?
Regards
Kerry
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kezmo6310/
Fantastic photos. We've not heard one yet this year never mind seen. This weekend hopefully
All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy. Spike Milligan
Thanks again for all the comments, I was very lucky indeed.
Kezmo, I know it seems silly but it honestly works!
I remember reading a Mike Tomkies book years ago, and he remarked that when a golden eagle flew nearby he would impersonate a Juvenile and it would usually investigate him closer, giving Mike the chance of a closer image.
I have tried it with Goldies....Buzzards, and of course Cuckoos, even Hen harriers hunting sometimes investigate closer if you give a whistle similar to one the female gives to the male when collecting food.
A mate and I were bored at work one day, and he was showing me how to do the Tawny owl impression when I accidentally came out with the Cuckoo noise....cue fits of giggles!!! but it's proved a very useful tool.
Hi Jimmy, I'm not questioning your abilities, you have already shown it works I was just wondering what else you did. I'm especially interested in the Goldfinch impersonation............................if you could just let me know how you did that one, I'd be eternally grateful. Food, feeders, prayers and muttering ancient chants over hot coals in a monotonous mantra hasn't worked yet, so open to suggestions! (please) :-)
Hi Jimmy,
I am simply stunned by your photos, especially the one in flight. I have run out of superlatives, they are just brilliant. Like many of the others, I've also never seen a cuckoo. Thank you for posting them.
Kezmo - just come and live with me!!!!
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Kezmo, yeah I know!!! people always laugh when I tell them that though, and I sometimes wonder if they believe me or not:)
I do a mean Alex Ferguson, but Cuckoos Tawny's Collared doves and the odd raptor are my limit birdwise!
Goldfinches? ahhhhh ''Goldies'' I meant Golden Eagles!
Have you tried Niger seed?
Hi Sparrow, you really don't know how seriously I'm considering your offer!!!
Jimbob!, Golden Eagles !!!!! what are you? Ornithological Alistair McGowan?, who does impersonations of Golden Eagles for god sake! Where are you that you see GE's so much that you can do an impersonation??
Your abilities astound me, bet you can't do a Golden Eagle with a hair lip?
I can't even whistle :-)
Unknown said:Hi Sparrow, you really don't know how seriously I'm considering your offer!!!
You're most welcome!
I've never seen a golden eagle either.
Sparrow/Kezmo
Naaaahhh....young Golden Eagles are easy....theeeee-ooooooh! whistle it under your breath and your there!
Can't do a Goldfich though;)
If you want to see a Golden eagle and are willing to travel to south west Scotland - contact me through my website, and I can show you them....but only after the breeding season...August onwards:):):)