Kicking off this year's odds and sods with Starlings in a rainbow on that extreme rarity: sunshine.
It was early morning, with the sun barely cresting the tree line. We were able to get out for our morning walk as it wasn't raining. This photo is my trusty Canon 80D and Sigma 18-300mm lens zoomed in at 300mm.
Pulling back a bit.
And finally all the way back.
Oh, 2024 got off to a good start with this.
So far my cat, perhaps two neighbouring cats visiting our garden, a local fox and Tawny owl, and this trap have accounted for at least five of the beasties. Sightings of rats in our garden are getting rarer, so I think I'm winning. Two rather timid and wary rats, that I know of, are proving more elusive to catch. I've resorted to buying a lethal trap. The trap was triggered, yesterday, but no rat, sadly. Though a mouse might have triggered it, and was small enough to be within the kill bar.
90% luck, 5% field craft, 5% camera skills.
Good sequence PB
Another good selection Mr K.
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
Under 2 seconds from start to finish, didn't get many little tern pics last year Mr PB, I think you did well, and shared a good selection of photos.
SnappyMac said:Good sequence PB
Definitely a good sequence.
Very nice photo captures everyone and good selection all round, thanks to all; not getting many pics at Minsmere as mostly against grey sky, breezy conditions and distant sightings !
Did get you a Bittern's bum as it flew the typical away from viewing angle LOL
Mr Marsh Harrier
Bit of courtship bonding maybe as no food was passed ......
common Whitethroat
/
and not many chances of seeing a Bearded Reedling with the strong gusty wind .... just a glimpse to prove it was there ....
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Regards, Hazel
Very nice captures and great work. Nice to see the different birds on the nature reserves.
Nice photos Hazel, and to see a bittern has to be a bonus.
The one and only time I've ever seen a bearded reedling, was at Titchwell, about three years ago.
Still worth the wait Hazel...bum and all
Its hellish here today so I hope you have got the good weather
(Pardon the Scottish Accent)
Two Great Spotted Woodpeckers visit my bird feeder. One quickly flies in, shimmies down the peanut feeder, grabs a nut and flies straight out. All done in a flash. The second isn't as fast. It lands on the top of the feeder and takes its time trying to remember how it got to the base of the peanut feeder. Sometimes it shimmies down the peanut feeder. Other times it flies down.
I had seen it on my feeder several times during the day. Every time I managed to get my camera and was about to photograph the thing, it flew off. However, yesterday evening I managed to get the following burst sequence through our manky kitchen window.
Keep watching its eye and head. Completely locked onto to its target.
I sort of semi-tracked the beast, but not fast enough. It dropped off the bottom of the lens. I had my medium lens on my R7. It's field of view is much, much less than my long lens.
No rolling shutter here, but then again the GSW wasn't flapping its wings like crazy. Just a bit of mid course correction and flaring out to slow it down.
Well done Angus. Particularly through the kitchen window. I can see the Woodies thought process .. 'If I jump off the top, hurttle towards the ground, then quickly grab hold of the cage. Should work'