EarthShutter

Fulmars at Bempton Cliffs, East Yorkshire.

2011-06-04T17:39:00.010+01:00

Yesterday, I spent a few hours at the seabird colony at Bempton. The sky was cloudless, with a harsh direct sun and without any hint of a wind. Far from ideal conditions for photographing predominantly black and white sea birds which love to ride the up draughts.

I find the best conditions require a hazy sky with diffuse lighting and an onshore breeze that allow the birds to skim the cliff tops.

I decided to concentrate on the Northern Fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis, because they're one of my favourite birds and also they are greyish, without the high dynamic range of a black and white bird in bright direct sunlight.

After a couple of hours, I hadn't managed any photographs of note. The birds were staying down low, only dorsal shots were in the frame.

Finally, I made my way to a view point called Staple Newk always a good place to be. There was a slight movement of air, blowing onshore. Eventually, the Fulmars started to take advantage of the air flow. I was using a Canon 1D Mk2 fitted with a Canon 300 mm f2.8 lens and a 1.4 x extender, giving me 420 mm, hand held. When I'm hand holding and photographing flying birds, I don't have the Image Stabilisation switched on, as I find that this slows down the auto focussing. This kit allowed me to get a few images of which these are three.

I think it's imperative to get a catch light in the bird's eye, especially more so with Fulmars. It adds life to any bird, in the case of the Fulmar there is a tendency for the eye to be lost in the dark shading that surrounds the eye. Indeed, I find it gives the appearance of the eye being out of focus.

As you may see from the photograph of the Fulmar in flight, it is a tube nose the adult and young use this for spitting foul smelling oil. Also from this same photo you can see how far back along the body the bird's legs are situated. The following two photographs I took some years ago illustrate the fact that Fulmars cannot stand upright like a gull.

Fieldfare [ thrush ]. Winter 2010. England.

2011-02-21T18:49:00.002Z

Canon 50D + 300mm IS + 1.4 extender. Fine Jpeg. Hand held.
250/F5.6 @ 40ft. Clouded sun.

Every winter these Viking raiders from Scandinavia battle resident birds for the berry booty.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Crowned crane. Winter England 2010

2011-02-21T18:28:00.004Z

Canon 50D + 70-200mm Canon L IS F4 + 1.4 extender. Fine Jpeg.
Hand held. 125/F8. 640ASA

The detail captured in this disproves the mistaken old maxim that converters ALWAYS detract from an image.

Canons 1.4 matched extender added to L lenses "takes no prisoners" [even wide open].

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Christmas Cracker

2010-12-20T17:18:00.003Z

Canon 50D + 24-105mm. Fine jpeg. 800ASA.
1/640 @ F4. Hand held.

Fire breathing Iron Horse races northbound 181210
between Birmingham and York [UK].

5043 " Earl of Mount Edgecombe" built 1936 for the UK
GWR [Great Western Railway]

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Euro Snipe. England Nov 2010

2010-11-17T13:03:00.002Z

Canon 50D + 300 2.8 + x2 extender.
Spot meter [camera]. Bean bag support.

Are they sure the dove was first out of Noahs ark ?

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Porcelain Fungus

2010-10-16T00:06:00.002+01:00

Canon 40D + 70-200 L IS lens. Fine Jpeg.
1/30 @ full aperture [F4]. Hand held.
Subject at 30ft [directly above]

A subject which tested the sharpness of the full aperture lens,
camera spot metering and lens image stabilisation, as I endevoured not to fall over backwards
trying to get a decent image.

121010 Clumber Park, Notts, England.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Copyright

Sparrowhawk kill

2010-07-22T15:03:00.007+01:00

Mrs. A in her excitement called me out into the garden and pointed to this female Sparrowhawk, (Accipter nisus) which had just flown past her head chasing a Collared Dove which it brought down on the driveway.

I ran back inside and collected my camera and telephoto lens and spent some time grabbing as many photos as possible. After about 20 minutes of plucking and eating the Sparrowhawk flew off with the remains of the carcass.

Tortoiseshell on Daisy

2010-07-14T14:26:00.003+01:00

Canon 50D + 70-200mm f4 IS [@189mm]
Monopod. 400ASA. 3200/F7.1 -1/3 exp comp
Partial meter.

Walking along when this butterfly dropped in front of me.

Swung up camera without any recourse to settings [3200/F7.1 for a still shot ???]
and obtained this lucky image [bearing in mind high contrast areas in the image]

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Gannet Tussle. Summer. England 2010

2010-07-03T22:12:00.002+01:00

Canon 50D + 70-200 F4 IS + 1.4.
200ASA. 500/F8 Manual. Hand held. 50ft.

At dusk, the sun dropping towards the horizon, 2 juvenile Gannets
squabble over a patch of headland when 3 miles of empty
clifftop beckon.

Bempton, Yorkshire, England.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Potting Shed Arrival

2010-06-10T19:21:00.002+01:00

Canon 50D + 300 2.8. 400ASA. Monopod. 15ft distant.
Fine jpeg.

Euro Wren pauses before delivering a juicy morsel
to its nestbound brood inside the shed.

To a photograph, just how important can 1 red grub be ??

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Gannets at Staple Newk, Bempton.

2010-05-28T21:25:00.039+01:00

Its been some months since I was last out with the camera, but today I spent a few enjoyable hours at Bempton cliffs having ago at snapping one of my favourite birds the Gannet. I wanted some flying shots, I was a bit rusty to say the least and it took an hour or so to get a few satisfactory images.

It was a still day, but an onshore wind is usually best for flying shots, the birds ride the up draughts which bring them up to the top of the cliffs and I can photograph them at eye level. I feel that this is a better type of image than shooting down or up at them. Luckily for me these birds were quiet comfortable at the cliff tops, so wind or no wind I got the type of photos I like.

I understand that the darker the bird the younger it is, so, these two birds would be immature non breeders.

More of my Gannet photos can be seen here
.

Cool Blue. England. Spring 2010

2010-05-21T21:14:00.002+01:00

Grape Hyancinth.

Canon 40D + 70-200 lens [@100mm] 400ASA. Fine jpeg.
80/F8. Manual. -2/3 stop. Weak evening sun. Tripod.

The manual option retains the mood of the evening
flower.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

1st May 2010. My favourite month in England.

2010-05-05T15:36:00.003+01:00

My rear garden and beyond.

May is my favourite English month, even in the overcast.

Canon 40D + Canon 10-22mm. 400ASA.
Fine jpeg. 125/F8. Hand held

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Euro Robin on Silver Birch

2010-02-05T13:11:00.004Z

Euro Robin on Silver Birch stump.

Canon 40D + 300 2.8. 640ASA. Overcast. Monopod.

In the winter grey, old fiery breast just shouts to be taken.....and he was!!

Copyright: Kevin Smith

European Nuthatch

2010-02-05T13:06:00.004Z

European Nuthatch, England Jan 2010.

Canon 40D + 300 2.8. 640ASA. Overcast. Monopod.

For years my bogey bird, on 17th Jan all this changed as this bird made repeated
forays along a particular branch towards a winter food store.

We are all creatures of habit it would seem.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Crumplehound.

2009-12-30T11:27:00.002Z

According to his owners, this 13 week old "Crumplehound" named google, is a medical first.

Allegedly, during a bout of youthful exuberance, a collision with a lamp post instantly reduced his 3ft length to a mere 18 inches, thus accounting for the excess folds of skin.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Lammergeier, N E India.

2009-12-29T19:14:00.003Z

Lammergeier, Nainital highway, NE India. Winter.

At 5500ft along the Nainital highway [N E India], the jungle falls away to be replaced by wide open valleys where pairs of Lammergeier can be seen circling at eye level.

Canon 20D + 100-400mm lens. Hand held.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Chance Encounter

2009-12-24T10:30:00.003Z

European Blackbird, Yorkshire, England.

With snow all around and Christmas approaching, this male Blackbird stocks up for survival in the sub zero night to come.

Canon 40D + 70- 200mm Canon IS lens. Fill flash. 400ASA. Fine Jpeg

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Cheetahs battle Impala

2009-12-02T08:47:00.003Z

Cheetahs battle Impala, Samburu, Kenya

The last shot in my camera [film days] captured this life and death struggle which the Impala finally lost.

The Cheetahs were totally spent after a titanic 15 minute defence by the gazelle and lay panting in the afternoon heat.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

The North America and Pelican nebulae

2009-12-01T16:48:00.027Z

This may appear to be slightly off topic, apologise if you think so but it is the natural world or out of this world. I do have another interest and that's in astrophotography. This is the North America and Pelican nebulae in the constellation of Cygnus the Swan, have another look and you'll see the Ferret looking over the shoulder of the Pelican.

The North America nebula on the left was discovered in 1786, by Sir William Herschel, but it took 100 years before anyone saw the similarity. Well, I can see the Gulf of Mexico, Central America and Florida, I think that's as far as I can go.

This is a large mass of gas and dust some 1,800 light years away.

This image represents 2 hours 25 minutes of exposure.

I was out last night with the telescope, the moon was out though and it was almost full, that really puts a stop to astro imaging. So, Kev came round and young Kate from next door popped over and the three of us had a good look at Jupiter and the four Galilean moons, Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. We then moved onto have a look at Uranus and saw a small greenish coloured disc, then Neptune was visited next, this was an even smaller greenish spot/disc of light.

The scope was pointed at the almost full moon, that was bright, it was like being poked in the eye with a sharp stick, so we just trained the telescope at the moons edge and kept most of it out of view, the craters at the southern end were razor sharp.

The night was one of those see your breath nights, very cold, and Mr. Smith needed a warm drink. So Kate had another look at Jupiter told me it was a gas giant and nipped home.

Smith then proceeded to eat and drink me out of house and home. Cos he's like that. : ))

Banded Demoiselle, England.

2009-11-03T18:02:00.002Z

Banded Demoiselle, England.

Most of the time these male insects sit with their 2 pairs of wings neatly folded, one upon the other.

This changes in a quick flurry if a bright green female happens along, as in this case.

Canon 20D + 70-300mm Sigma Apo.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Today at Old Moor

2009-10-29T17:52:00.013Z

Mrs. A, KS and I, have just spent a pleasant day at Old Moor, we spent a couple of hours in the hides leading up to the Wath Ings hide, where I managed to grab this photo of the Reed Bunting.

The Lapwings have been pretty skittish all the time we were there and often took to the air in large dreads, scanning the sky didn't reveal any predators.

After a quick drink and bite, we then spent a good 15 minutes watching a Kingfisher from the Reed Bed hide, this put on a beautiful fishing display, hitting the water and occasionally catching a fish. But, much too distant to capture with the camera.

It's fungi time

2009-10-18T11:56:00.005+01:00

About 1/2 mile from where I live there's a small lake and a wooded area, where this time of year different varieties of fungi can be found.

This first fungi is Fly Agaric, Amanita muscaria, the white spots which cover the cap are the remains of a covering which offers protection as the toadstool is pushing its way up through the ground, as the toadstool matures this covering splits and clumps together forming the spots, which eventually fall off.

If eaten, this fungi is poisonous it can cause loss of consciousness, hallucinations and may prove fatal.

The second, Candle snuff or Stag's horn fungus, Xylaria hypoxylon.

Fungi lack leaves, stems or roots and has no chlorophyll, it reproduces by spores. The visible structures which contain the spores are sometimes referred to as fruiting bodies.

Stinkhorn, Phallus impudicus when mature, the olive green coloured spore mass covering a honeycomb like conical head is supported by a white cylindrical shaped column.
Smell very unpleasant and perceptible from a distance.

Blackbird with Rowan berry

2009-10-18T11:35:00.006+01:00

We have a Rowan tree ( Mountain Ash) in the back garden which was planted by my wife's grandfather 30+ years ago. Each year it gives a good crop of berries, at this time of year it is almost totally denuded of said berries because of the Blackbirds which take a few weeks to strip the tree. This is a female Blackbird, the male is black with a yellow bill.

Canon 10D, 500 mm f4 lens, 1/500 at f5.6

The Autumn. 190909. England.

2009-09-20T08:40:00.002+01:00

Comma butterfly on blackberries.

Canon 40D + 24-105mm Canon IS lens. Fine jpeg. 1/80 @ f11. Hand held.

How often do we go out looking for this and end up finding that.

This the result of a woodland walk looking for fungi.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Broad Bodied Chaser Dragonfly. England.

2009-09-18T19:04:00.003+01:00

Broad Bodied Chaser, Old Moor Wetlands, Barnsley, England.

Canon 20D + Sigma 70-300mm APO macro. [70mm @ 3ft]

Although not possessing a dedicated macro lens, small objects sometimes fall within the remit of my Sigma macro zoom.

Such was the case of this dragonfly which landed [and stayed] on a stem only approx 3ft from the footpath.

I believe the overcast conditions [which I prefer for digital photography] helped the situation as the insects were were less mobile than in full sun.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Arctic Tern and Sand Eel. England.

2009-08-29T14:52:00.003+01:00

Canon 20D + 300 2.8. Hand held. Overcast.

The Longnanny ternery in Northumberland, England is unusual for mainland UK because of its beach breeding colony of Arctic and Little Terns.

This bird is returning with a Sand Eel for its partner situated in the nearby dunes.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Atlantic Puffin Gaping, Skomer Island, Wales.

2009-08-29T14:37:00.003+01:00

Canon 20D + 100-400mm lens. Overcast.

Unpaired Puffins on Skomer Island have a habit of parading around carrying stones and vegetation to attract a mate.

Gaping also appears somehwat irresistable [If you happen to be a Puffin]

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Green Shieldbug

2009-08-12T10:03:00.006+01:00

Another garden visitor I get is the Green Shieldbug, Palomena prasina also know as green stink bug as it produces a pungent odour from special glands if handled or disturbed.

The image below is the nymph, and when I first saw this I didn't know what it was, but after posting on a forum it was identified. I then had to find an adult.

It was couple of months before I succeeded, the image below is the nymph on the left with the adult for comparison, a nice looking bug.

Canon 1D Mk2 with Canon 180 mm f3.5L macro lens.

Garden spiders

2009-08-11T19:17:00.008+01:00

I've always admired spiders, even as a child they had a fascination for me. Don't tell anyone but I used to catch Daddy long legs and fling them into a spiders web, just to see the spider catch and wrap them in silk, for later.

This type of spider are common in my garden and I don't know what species it is. Don't they look gorgeous?

Canon 1D Mk with Canon EF 180mm Macro f/3.5L. Shutter duration 1/20 sec at f11 ISO200

Male Sparrowhawk on Collared Dove [2] England.

2009-07-18T14:40:00.002+01:00

Male Sparrowhawk on Collared Dove [2]

Canon 50D + 300 2.8 + x2 extender @ 40 yards.
600mm.

The hawk appears to have ambushed the Dove on the ground as it is standing on its back and has just commenced plucking its quarry.

Within 10 minutes my back lawn was covered in feathers.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Male Sparrowhawk on Collared Dove. England.

2009-07-18T12:43:00.003+01:00

18/07/09 Sparrowhawk hits garden Collared Dove.

Canon 50D + 300 2.8 + 1.4 extender @ 40 Yards.
420mm @ 400ASA.

Passing by my upper house window, saw this scene on my rear lawn.

Balancing precariously on a chair and firing down through an open light, I managed
a decent image which amplifies Daves previous shot.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Garden predator

2009-07-14T15:31:00.008+01:00

For a few years now, we've been providing food and water for a variety of garden birds and of course by attracting one certain type of bird, other types will follow. Take this Sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus, for instance, this predator visits the garden occasionally, it's a small raptor which pursues small birds, on this visit I was very lucky to capture this image.

Sometimes, I shoot from the house or from a small hide that I move around the garden. However, this time I was just sat on a garden bench in the middle of the garden, with the camera and lens on a tripod. I was only there a few minutes when this raptor swooped across the garden at knee level and perched on the fence. I managed this one shot before it was off.

Blue Tits

2009-07-09T08:37:00.006+01:00

In the earlier posting of 'Bird box activity' I mentioned the fact that we had successfully reared a family of Blue Tits, Parus caeruleus. Occasionally we have them returning to take advantage of the facilities we provide, in this instance a couple visit the bubbling water feature a much appreciated oasis in the recent heat wave we've had.

These birds are now a few weeks older than the fluffy fledgelings we first encounted, and fewer in number. Originally, five used to perch and bathe, now we're down to three. Natural selection?

Canon 1D Mk2, 300 mm f2.8 lens with 1.4 x extender.

Fit for Purpose.

2009-07-03T10:43:00.003+01:00

Atlantic Puffin, Summer 2009

Canon 40D + 300mm +1.4 extender

An Atlantic Puffin on Englands Farne Islands settles to rest after returning from sea with a perfect catch.

These birds have a stiff orange tongue which helps to secure the catch in and out of the water.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Atlantic Puffin with Sand Eels

2009-07-03T10:23:00.002+01:00

Puffin with Sand eels 2008

Canon 20D + 300mm lens. Hand held. 1/1500sec @ F 3.5

To anyone who has visited the Farne Islands off the Northumbrian coast of England, the breeding season for the resident seabirds is a spectacular affair.

Easy Puffin photography is available as they stroll about and rest on nearby rocks but flying birds can be a completely different story.

*The Sand Eels of 2008 were good but those of June 2009 are large and plentyful, some fish
measuring almost a foot in length.

As a result, many young are very well advanced.

At least one good result nature story*

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Bird box activity

2009-06-25T11:24:00.014+01:00

About 6 years ago I fixed a bird box to the side of the garage, and for the past three years we've had success raising three families of Great Tits, Parus major, well admittedly, we were ably assisted by the parent birds.

This morning I sat on the garden bench with a cuppa, this nest box is only about 6 metres away, I could clearly hear the ever hungry chicks chirping, and the parent birds were constantly nipping backwards and forwards with food offerings.

This was too good an opportunity to miss, I had to make a photographic record of this activity, and these are the resultant photos.

Arrival of a tasty morsel

Is it safe?

Entry made

And then the faecal sac is removed, a white jelly-like 'envelope' in which the faeces of the nestling birds is enclosed.

Actually this is the second brood this year, before this family of Great Tits moved in, we successfully reared a family of 5 Blue Tits.

Canon 1D Mk2 300 mm f2.8 lens with 1.4 x extender mounted on a tripod.

Common Whitethroat

2009-06-21T11:27:00.006+01:00

This Common Whitethroat, Sylvia communis was singing its heart out on the barbed wire perimeter fence at Finningley airport, (Doncaster Airport).

Canon 1D Mk2, 500 mm lens with 1.4 x extender.

Black Tailed Godwits

2009-06-17T13:24:00.003+01:00

Black Tailed Godwits, Blacktoft Sands reserve, England.

Canon 40D + 300 2.8 + x2 extender

A group of Godwits circled the lagoons before finally choosing a landing place.

Often members of such a group are hatched in Iceland during the northern summer and migrate SE to the UK by the same autumn.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Barn Owl, England.

2009-06-17T13:16:00.002+01:00

Barn Owl, Blacktoft Sands Reserve, England.

Canon 20D + 100-400 + 1.4 extender.

At the perimiter of the reserve, several owl nest boxes are taken each summer by breeding
Barn Owls.

6.15 pm in June, one of the adult birds hunts over the marsh.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Howden Dam, Peak District, England.

2009-06-10T23:16:00.003+01:00

Howden Dam, Peak District, near Sheffield, England.

Tranquil now.

During the dark days of World War 2, Lancaster bombers of 617 Squadron trained here nightly in secret in preparation for their famous Dambuster raid against the Nazi held dams on the Ruhr.

Canon 40D + 24-105 lens. Rainy day.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Sunset

2009-05-25T20:44:00.005+01:00

I've just returned from a camper van tour of Scotland, one evening this was the view from the van window, sunset over Loch Ewe.

Canon 1D Mk2 with 16 to 35 mm lens, f8 at 1/5 second, ISO 200

Gannets Fighting

2009-05-21T16:38:00.002+01:00

Gannet rivalry, Bempton, England.

Canon 20D + 300 2.8 + x2 extender

The broad cliff ledges and stacks at Bempton coastal reserve, England, in the breeding Gannet world is real-estate worth fighting for.

Skirmishing, stealing nest materials and attacking incoming birds are all par for the course.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Riding the gale

2009-05-21T16:21:00.002+01:00

Gannet riding the gale, Bempton, England.

Canon 50D + 300 2.8. Hand held. 400ASA

From the clifftop footpath, these birds were marvellous to watch, mastering the strong cliff updraughts.

However, being reletively close, fast and very sun reflective, photography of them was a different matter.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

North Sea Gannet [Juveniles]

2009-05-21T15:33:00.001+01:00

Gannet [juvs], Bempton, Yorkshire, England.

Canon 10D + 300 2.8 + x2 extender.

In summer, when it is quieter along the clifftop footpath, Gannets tend to land near the clifftop, allowing for easier photography.

While adults collect grasses for their nests, juveniles rest and observe the goings on.

These juveniles will be 5 years old before attaining the pure white of adulthood.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Skomer Flier, Wales.

2009-05-14T16:17:00.002+01:00

Canon 20D + 100-400mm. Hand held.

An unpaired Puffin cruises along the clifftop on Skomer Island, eyeing up the talent on view.

Nearby, courting birds are engaged in burrow inspections and carrying around objects, hoping to attract a mate.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Puffin courtship. Skomer Island. Wales.

2009-05-14T16:05:00.002+01:00

Puffin carrying courtship present.

Canon 20D + 100-400mm lens. Hand held.

Unpaired Puffins on Skomer can be seen parading around, carrying objects and vegetation in order to attract potential mates to inspect nearby nesting burrows.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Small Copper. England.

2009-05-08T14:07:00.002+01:00

Small Copper butterfly, Sheffield, England

Canon 10D + 75-150mm Canon FD lens. [adapter ring]

A small jewel of a butterfly rests on a grassland stem long enough to capture an
image using the hybrid combination of new EOS digital body and older FD manual lens.

The result is encouraging.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Cheetah Profile

2009-05-08T13:49:00.002+01:00

Cheetah, Masai Mara, Kenya.

This cat was encountered walking along a sand road within the Mara reserve.

We assumed it was hunting and looked for a possible vantage point it might use.

Luckily we guessed correctly, positioned ourselves in advance and the cat did the rest.

Film days: Olympus OM1 + Sun 38-90mm zoom. Slide scan to CD.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Burnett Moths

2009-05-08T13:39:00.005+01:00

Spotted Burnett Moths, July, England.

Canon 10D + 75-150mm FD lens + adapter ring.

Day flying Burnett moths are a colourful addition to the grassland scene
in mid-summer England.

Being somewhat lethargic, they proved an excellent subject for an experimental camera combination of digital camera body and older generation Canon FD manual lens. [with adapter]

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Brown Fishing Owl. March 2009. India

2009-05-06T12:57:00.002+01:00

Brown Fishing Owl, Ramnagar, N. India, 2009

Canon 40D + 300 2.8 + x2 extender. 640ASA. Tripod

During the daytime, a Brown Fishing Owl waits within the centre of darkened tree.

The magic of digital imagery enables us to see details largely hidden.

At dusk, on large wings, it will fly low of the river surface, picking up the surface fish.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Brown Headed Barbet, New Delhi, India. 2009

2009-04-28T09:53:00.003+01:00

Nectar feeding Barbet on tree blooms.

Canon 40D + 300 2.8 + 1.4 extender. 400ASA

During late February 2009, a blooming tree outside my Delhi veranda attracted a host of Squirrels, Mynahs, Parrakeets and Barbets to feed on its nectar.

This Brown Headed Barbet was initially obscured through the branches on the far side of the tree but a 20 minute wait brought it into range and clear view.

This ideal pose in even light was worth the wait.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Avocets Mating. April 2009. England.

2009-04-28T09:45:00.005+01:00

Blacktoft Sands reserve, England. April 2009

Canon 50D + 300 2.8 + x2 extender. 400ASA

During April, Avocets become territorial and aggressive, constantly involved both in verbal exchanges and battles for possession of their precious metre of ground on the islets found in the freshwater lagoons.

Potential rivals in the main are other Avocets, Black Headed Gulls, Herons and Shelducks which also use the islets for nesting and resting.

When the gulls and Avocets both engage in "verbals", the overall noise level becomes nearly unbearable.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Avocets returning to nest site

2009-04-28T09:40:00.003+01:00

Blacktoft Sands reserve, England, April 2009

Canon 50D+ 300 2.8. Hand held 400ASA.

During April, the Avocets at the Blacktoft reserve are engaged in securing a precious metre of ground on the islets prior to the mass egg laying.

Pairs come and go but if a raptor should come too close then the whole colony takes to the air creating a tremendous racket and a fine sight.

These birds are returning to their islet after a close shave with a Sparrowhawk.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Cod Hole

2009-04-11T11:30:00.027+01:00

These photos take me back to a time when I used to sleep, eat and drink diving. Cod Hole, on one of the Ribbon Reefs, Queensland, Australia. These huge Potato Cod, Epinephelus tukula are the denizens of this particular ribbon reef.

These photographs were obtained during an organised feeding session, certain rules and regulations are adhered to, and each diver has a briefing telling them what to expect and what is expected of them.
The food is contained within the blue box.

The diver with the blue box suddenly becomes the centre of attention, as fishes zoom in from all angles. The large greenish fish at centre is a Napoleon Wrasse, Cheilinus undulatus, aka Humphead or Maori Wrasse.

Things soon settle down as the food supply is depleted and then we can take the posed shots.

This is the Skipper of the dive boat I was diving from, his second job was to video the guests...

... but fortunately for me when this Potato Cod wanted some of the action...

... he instantly knew which pose to adopt.

Nikonos V with 15 mm lens and SB102 flashgun. Ektachrome 100

Sky views

2009-03-31T17:16:00.006+01:00

Yesterday evening, I stepped outside to be faced with this Cheshire Cat grin, the waxing crescent moon.

Photo taken with Canon EOS-1D Mark II, f/3.2 @ 70 mm, 1/400, ISO 400.

The last full moon was dodging behind dark clouds and it was interesting to see how the moon back lit them, giving the golds and blues of this cloudscape.
I find the patterns and shapes intriguing and it has a painterly look about it, the moon on a turbulent storm tossed sea.

In this instance the moon is vastly overexposed, this revealed the colours in the clouds.

Canon 1D Mk2 with 300 mm lens. 1/6 @ f5.6 ISO 200

Green Bee Eaters

2009-03-28T17:39:00.003Z

Green Bee Eaters, Nainital District, N India

Canon 40D + 300 2.8 + x2 converter
400ASA. F9

To say I was lucky getting this pair is an understatement, as they came and perched upon the stone right outside my open car window.

I nearly fell out of the car trying to retrieve the camera from the back seat and bringing it SLOWLY to bear out of the window.

I feel sure that if practised habitually, being fast and slow at the same same is guarenteed to bring on an attack of something undesirable so I plan to avoid it in future.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Stone Curlew, NE India

2009-03-28T17:22:00.002Z

Stone Curlew [Thicknee], Nainital District, N India.

Canon 40D + 300 2.8 + x2 converter
400ASA. F9

In the winter dry season of N India, many sandy and stone river beds are dry, perfect
environments for the Stone Curlew which loves arid places with good all round visibility.

Although active in th day, these birds love to feed in the twilight zones when the large
light gathering eyes come into their own.

Wary and easily put to flight, my approach to these birds across open ground was slow and indirect, being under observation at all times.

The clicking of the camera finally un-nerved them and they retired into thin cover adjacent the river bed.

I am well pleased with this converter and prime lens combination providing F9 or smaller is obtainable in the prevailing light conditions.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Dippers

2009-03-21T15:56:00.013Z

I've been a couple of times to Lathkill Dale, Derbyshire, to photograph the White Throated Dipper, Cinclus cinclus. So called because of their habit of dipping under to catch bugs and other tasty morsels. It's a strenuous walk from the car park in Over Haddon to the river, all downhill, and then you have to find them.
Don't forget the return journey, that hill is pretty steep. I usually carry all my kit in a Lowe Pro backpack, complete with tripod. Be prepared.

They're a smallish bird and usually keep their distance, a longish lens is best, these were taken with a 500 mm + a 1.4 x extender. Their habitat is shallow fast flowing water in upland areas, often in woodland. Lathkill Dale is ideal. Because of the tree cover and low light levels a flashgun is a handy item to carry, I sometimes use mine with a fresnel flash extender, to throw the light that extra distance.

Note the white coloured eyelids

Taking a peep.

I would say that no later than the latter end of April is the best time to go, before the leaf cover on the trees blocks out all the available light.

Bitterns at Potteric Carr

2009-03-10T11:46:00.009Z

I live only a few miles from Potteric Carr Nature Reserve, it's a place I've visited regularly in the past, mainly to photograph the Bitterns that stay over Winter there. As many as 6 have stayed for the Winter months, but eventually the birds move onto the continent to breed. It is hoped that in future the birds will stay on to breed.

I've spent many hours in the hides at the Carr, my favourite being the one at Piper Marsh, the birds are very secretive and difficult to spot and move like a cat, very slowly and with precision.

Some bird watchers have been going for years and have never seen one, fortunately for me nearly every time I went to the Carr, I saw one or even two. Bliss. Mind you, these photographs do represent hours and hours of sitting in a hide.

Grey seals on the Isle of Mull

2009-03-05T16:28:00.002Z

Some time ago whilst on the Isle of Mull, Scotland, I video this seal grabbing some snacks.
It certainly entertained the audience.

Grey seals at Donna Nook

2009-02-27T08:25:00.014Z

Donna Nook in Lincolnshire, is a great place to visit to obtain photographs of Grey Seals. Between December and January each year the seals haul themselves out to give birth to their young.

Obviously it's best to be prepared, with good stout footwear i.e. Wellington boots, and a set of Tide tables. When the tide is out it's then possible to do the long walk across the claggy sand and mud to the waters edge, an eye has to be kept on the tides, on this coast they move fast and are treacherous, the previously exposed sand is soon submerged.

During the week Donna Nook is a RAF bombing range, so access is only available at the weekends.

The rewards are worth the trek though, the seals are approachable, but I wouldn't get too close, they are, after all wild animals.
The pups at this young age don't appear to have any fear of man, many a time after I plonked my tripod down, the pups would shuffle up and get so close I couldn't focus, I was constantly moving back.

When I was engrossed in photographing the seals, occasionally, I would hear a loud continuous thudding sound, on looking up I saw it was the large bull seals moving across the beach, these usually move in a straight line across any other seal, in fact within view I could see a dead flat pup. Life and death.

Photographic opportunities like this are now over until December this year, when I must go back.

Mrs. A faces a pup.

Garden activity

2009-02-22T10:10:00.008Z

For these past few days the weather has been mild and I've been able to do some work in the garden, such as digging and re-installing a water feature I previously had to move.

The garden was full of bird activity, I'm certain they've decided Spring's here, a pair of Robins are following in my steps as I dig, and occasionally I see them carry leaf litter into a nearby conifer tree.

A good variety of species visit, Long-tailed Tits, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Siskins, Blackbirds, Collared Doves and Wood Pigeons, the list does go on and I've actively encouraged them by putting out feeders etc.

One of the best things I did, was to purchase a bird bath and place it where I had a clear view from a window, on frosty mornings I broke the ice and refilled with water, yes the birds like to bathe during cold frosty weather, and throughout the year I've made sure the water was always topped up.

It also acts as an excellent prop, and provided the perfect opportunity to grab the bathing bird shot, these are some of the photographs I managed to get.

Wood Pigeon

Collared Dove

Blackbird

Tigress

2009-02-17T08:19:00.013Z

One warm evening I was in Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India, on an organised Tiger tour, when fortunately for me this Tigress crossed the road in front of our open Gypsy vehicle.

It was exciting to see this big cat, not once did it turn its head, but completely ignored our vehicle and its occupants.

And of course this is the answer to the question I posed earlier in "Which animal made these?"

Canon 1D Mk2 with 70 to 200 mm f2.8 zoom lens.

Chewing Gum Rocks.

2009-02-16T11:52:00.003Z

Caerfai Beach, St Davids, Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Samsung compact camera.

Dropping down from the clifftop path into the secluded Caerfai beach, the sight
of these pink/red rocks spilling onto the sand had me reaching for the camera.

A passing American tourist, also impressed by the sight, joined me and coined the phrase.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Which Way India

2009-02-16T11:39:00.002Z

Jungle Babblers, NE India.

Canon 20D + 100-400mm lens. Hand Held.

A group of these "7 sisters" were rooting about in the undergrowth, giving off their scolding
calls, before the whole group flew onto a nearby branch.

Being slow to retrieve the camera, 5 flew down leaving these two, obviously undecided, for the shot.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Robin and Crab apple blossom

2009-02-12T15:06:00.006Z

Because of all the cold miserable snowy weather we're having in the UK, I thought I'd post this bright Spring type image, I took this a couple of years ago in the back garden.

This particular tree will burst into blossom in April which isn't far away and it always looks good.

To get this photograph I erected a small hide and waited for the Robin, I was certain it was aware of my presence. I don't think you can really fool a Robin as easy as that.

Which animal made these?

2009-02-07T20:29:00.006Z

These animal tracks I photographed in sand adjacent to where our vehicle stopped. Any guess to what made them?
I'm not even going to say which continent I'm on, that'll give the game away.

I'll publish photographs of the culprit in a few days.

Boys and their toys

2009-01-27T11:28:00.012Z

An image showing the intrepid photographers, I'm the sleeking looking one in the centre and Smith to the left, and a couple of friends of ours to the right. Doing our best to capture some Eider ducks on film, well the light sensitive sensor actually.

The castle is Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland, England.

Canon 10D with 16 mm to 35 mm f2.8 lens taken by Sheila Adshead

Barrier reef anemone fish

2009-01-27T09:56:00.008Z

Staying on the theme of symbiotic relationships that I mentioned in an earlier post. Here are a couple of more images demonstrating this relationship. This time on the Great Barrier reef off Queensland, Australia.

Nikonos RS with 50 mm macro lens, SB 102 flashgun. Kodak Ektachrome scanned with Nikon Super Coolscan

Nightingale

2009-01-20T08:27:00.002Z

Nightingale, Whisby, England. Summer 2008

Canon 20D + 300 f2.8 + 1.4 extender.

After a 5 hour familiarisation with this Nightingale [standing out in the open while it sang from all manner of trees and bushes], in late afternoon it suddenly it popped out on an open branch, not 20ft away, and commenced sunbathing.

You win some, you lose some.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Gannet Profile

2009-01-20T08:20:00.002Z

Gannet. Bempton RSPB. England.

Canon 20D + 300 f2.8. Hand held.

In the breeding season, often in late afternoons when the clifftop footpath is less busy, Gannets land on the grassy cliff tops and tear up greenery to add to their nests.

At 15ft distance, this Gannet could not be missed.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Little Ringed Plover

2009-01-20T08:13:00.002Z

Little Ringed Plover.

Pentax Spotmatic [film] + 400mm Soligor lens.

On a landfill site, where heavy machinery was missing this nest by 20ft or so, a pair of Little Ringed Plovers carried on as if it was all in a days work.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Eagle Owl

2009-01-12T09:38:00.002Z

Hypnotic

Canon 40D + 100-400mm.

A sentiment that the average mouse would find insane.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Arctic Terns. England 2008

2009-01-12T09:32:00.002Z

Arctic Terns, Northumberland, England.

Canon 20D + 300 f2.8. Hand held.

At the Longnanny beach reserve, most of the terns
take off in a "dread" and circle around for several minutes
before settling once again.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Gannet juvenile

2009-01-08T09:58:00.002Z

Gannet juvenile, Bempton RSPB, England 2008.

Canon 40D + 300 f2.8 + 1.4 extender.

As adult birds collect nest-grasses along the cliff top, a juvenile bird
hovers and observes the goings on.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Puffins

2009-01-08T09:54:00.003Z

Puffins, Bempton, England. 2008

Canon 20D + 100-400mm.

A breeding pair change over on the cliffs at Bempton RSPB, England.

A rival pair below them have their attention.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Bullfinch [male], England. Winter 2009

2009-01-05T19:36:00.002Z

Bullfinch [male], England. Winter 2009

Canon 50D + 300 f2.8. [1/125@ f5@ 400ASA]

The freezing conditions have lured several pairs of Bullfinch from the woodland
into the feeding station at the Old Moor RSPB reserve, England.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

European Robin

2009-01-05T19:32:00.002Z

European Robin. England. Winter 2009

Canon 50D + 300 f2.8. [1/125@ f3.5@400ASA]

Ground feeding upon the leftovers from feeders.

Robins add a dash of colour to a winter sodden landscape.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Great Crested Grebes courting England.

2009-01-01T13:35:00.003Z

Great Crested Grebes courting. England 2008.

Canon 40D + 300 f2.8 + x2 extender.

Judging by the reaction of the female Grebe, there is nothing more alluring than weed.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Grey Lag Geese. England 2008

2009-01-01T13:17:00.003Z

Grey Lag Geese, England 2008

Canon 40D + 300 f2.8 + x2 extender. Hand held [1/1000 @ F8]. IS engaged.

Sunlight from the front and darkened rear outlined these flying geese easily for the
autofocus.

High shutter speed helped the IS system cope with any movement issues.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Evolution

2008-12-31T17:02:00.003Z

Puffin with Sand Eels, Farne Islands, England.

Canon 20D + 300 f2.8.

A hard crop frontal does nothing to answer how Puffins hold onto existing fish while
catching new ones.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Emperor Dragonfly. England.

2008-12-31T13:07:00.003Z

Emperor Dragonfly. England. 2008

Canon 20D + 100-400mm @ 16ft.

The RSPB Old Moor reserve in Barnsley has grassland and deep pools adjacent to the main bird reserve upon which are to be found several species of Dragonfly including the imposing Emperor.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

White Throated Kingfisher [India]

2008-12-31T12:50:00.003Z

White Throated Kingfisher. NE India 2008

Canon 20D + 100-400mm lens. Hand held. 25ft.

At the Bharatpur reserve in Rajasthan, some Kingfishers, being familar with people,
allow quite close approach which enables detailed photographs.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Tangled

2008-12-28T15:04:00.006Z

These are Clown Anemone fish tangled within the protective tentacles of the Sea Anemone, these images I captured a few years ago in the Ras Mohammed area of the Red Sea. Apparently the fish are immune to the stinging cells of the anemone's tentacles, I'm sure they must be some symbiotic relationship here, the fish brings food so the anemone affords protection, or something on that line.

Nikonos V with 35 mm lens and Nikon close up lens.

Eider [Male]

2008-12-22T21:43:00.008Z

Eider [Male], Bamburgh, Northumberland, England.

A small group of Eiders rest on low rocks adjacent the North Sea.

This gaudy breeding male will soon moult out into a very browny bird and spend a period together with hundreds of other " off-duty" males, floating in large rafts upon the sea.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Goldfinch

2008-12-19T08:54:00.006Z

Goldfinch. England 161208.

Canon 50D + 300 f2.8. [1/250 @ f3.5 400ISO]

While waiting for Long Tailed Tits perhaps, this Goldfinch landed on the selected perch and was too good to miss.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Lioness on Kill

2008-12-15T17:46:00.005Z

Savage Sister, Masai Mara, Kenya

Olympus OM1 [film] + 80-240 lens.

Early morning encounter after a luckless antelope had blundered into extinction.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Beach Trophies

2008-12-14T12:59:00.002Z

Beach Trophies, East Coast England.

Canon 40D + 10-22mm, [1/6th @ f11]. Hand held

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Beautiful bjects decorating a coffee pot, some a long time dead.

Plum Coloured Parrakeets, Goa, India.

2008-12-14T08:59:00.004Z

Plum Coloured Parrakeets, Goa, India. 2007

Canon 20D + 100-400mm. Hand held.

In the heat of the day, I was toiling across an open plain containing a single tree.

As I passed under it, two Parrakeets landed above and I was able to obtain this shot.

" Mad dogs and Englishmen" comes to mind.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Common Cranes, Bharatpur, India.

2008-12-14T08:53:00.003Z

Common Cranes, Bharatpur, India. Feb 2007

Canon 20D + 100-400mm. Hand held.

Winter mist had just lifted [furtunately], when I heard the calling of Cranes overhead.

Initially I couldnt see them but gradually they circled down until they were within range.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Razorbill, Bempton, England.

2008-12-14T08:47:00.005Z

Razorbills, Bempton, England. 2008

Canon 40D + 300 f2.8.

On the sea cliffs when compared with Guillemots, Razorbills often look black.

In fact they are brown, as the flat light in this photograph illustrates.

Raindrops sprinkle on the feathers.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Broad Bodied Chaser

2008-12-12T14:04:00.005Z

Broad Bodied Chaser, England. 2008

Canon 40D + 100-300mm Sigma APO lens.

What would it be like if these beasties still had 18" wingspan as in prehistoric
times.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Eider Duck

2008-12-12T10:37:00.004Z

Eider [female]. Northumberland, England

Canon 20D + 300 f2.8.

These sturdy, crab-eating, marine ducks are found mainly around the northern coasts of the UK.

The beautifully patterned feathers are used by the ducks to keep their eggs warm and by man in Eider down quilts.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Wren

2008-12-11T18:31:00.002Z

Wren

Canon 50D + 300 f2.8 + x2 extender

One winters afternoon, while waiting for a Barn Owl to fly, a russle in nearby grasses
revealed a Wren which flew momentrally to a post and then was gone.

Thank heavens for autofocus.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Swallow

2008-12-11T18:28:00.006Z

Swallow, Martins Haven, Wales 2008

Canon 20D + 100-400mm.

My campervan was next to a fence where a pair of Swallows had taken to resting occasionally.

I guessed right for once as this bird landed on the end post.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Angry Shoveler

2008-12-11T10:56:00.005Z

I was at RSPB Titchwell in Norfolk when this Shoveler decided to show its displeasure to another male Shoveler.

After the other bird had done a dignified retreat, the angry bird did a wing stretching exercise, click on the video below.

Canon 1D Mk2 with 500 mm f4 lens.

Lapwing

2008-12-09T09:43:00.005Z

Lapwing

Canon 40D + 300m f2.8 + x2 extender

Like many a common bird often overlooked, the sunlit sheens of the Lapwing command
greater attention.

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Kilimanjaro and Elephant

2008-12-09T09:32:00.005Z

Elephant and Mountain. Kenya

Olympus Om1 [film] + 80-240 Sun telephoto.

From the dark days of film, an afternoon shot of Mnt Kilimanjaro from the plains of Amboseli.

Sometimes when you press the shutter you know.................. [and pray]

Copyright: Kevin Smith

Puffins galore

2008-12-08T17:06:00.011Z

The favourite bird of many people, these Puffins, Fratercula arctica, I captured on the Farne Islands and also on Lunga one of the Tressnish Islands.

And if you didn't know, Puffins nest in burrows

This Puffin was hanging onto its Sandeels in a brisk breeze and reminds me of Medusa's writhing snakelocks.

Canon 1D Mk2 with 500 mm f4 and 70 - 200 mm f2.8 zoom lens