Some bits and pieces

The images in this blog are taken from several sessions rather than being any sort of record of a particular trip.

Let's start off with some from the RSPB reserve at Arne, Dorset.  This remains one of my favourite locations because of it wide range of habitats.

Stonechat

Wren giving its all

Meadow Pipit (characteristic rear claw nicely visible)

Sika deer ♂

Sika deer ♀

Another, nearby reserve is that owned and run by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust at Steeple Langford, Wiltshire (Langford Lakes).

Treecreeper

That was taken using a very large lens mounted on a tripod gimbal.  However, the bird was darting here, there and everywhere in the small clump of trees.  Gymnastics was the word that came to mind when getting the shots.  I had to change to a smaller lens that could be hand-held easily and allow me the necessary contortions.  The next three images were taken with the smaller lens.

'Into the abyss'

The rest of the images were taken on the National Trust Stourhead estate - almost my own 'back yard'.

Several of the Robins at Stourhead are on my payroll so I spend a lot of time with them.  I lost one in the coldest part of the winter, but it had a tick and was probably not in the best of health.

The next six images were taken on a very foggy morning.  The only real possibilities were for close-ups.

The fog is very noticeable here.  I was poised to take a photograph of a Wren that alighted on this post, but one of 'my' Robins ousted it.  I shudder to think what it's saying!

Canada Goose

'Waiting for the fog to lift'

The same bird (trust me) in better conditions.

'A clean pair of heels'

... and some more woodland birds

Blackbird ♀

Chaffinch ♂

Chaffinch ♀

This little lady initiated some interaction in almost the same way that a Robin does.  She was very attentive and posed like a true professional.

I talked to her and made a few hand gestures as I moved about to get the angle.  She kept striking great super-model poses, but always with a twig in front of her face.  After a bit of 'discussion', we finally cooperated enough to get this:

"I'm pretty, yes?"

When she moved to the place where she knew she would be given a reward, I obliged and the session ended.

"A reward?"