From Easter to 12th April 2012

Here are the last few pictures taken during the Easter weekend at Stourhead.

Nuthatch:  You take a seed ...

... like this.

Then you toss it back.  Like this.

Looking on (and not very impressed) was this Coal Tit:

This Canada Goose is one of a pair that's starting to get acquainted with me.  We'll see more of this chap.

How's that for waterproofing?

This is one of 'my Robins' and it seems bent on familiarising itself with the equipment.

"Is this my weight or my height?"

It's up for anything.  I'm presently trying to teach it how to use a pair of binoculars.  Don't hold your breath!

Nuthatch: Over the top.

Blue Tit:  Wannabee Owl?

Snake-head Fritillary

After the Bank Holiday weekend, I was back at Stourhead.

This chap (the same one) appears to have a mate and a nest somewhere deep in the shrubbery behind the camera.  As we worked on the binocular routine (we haven't got there yet), it would take about every third or fourth mealworm I gave it behind me and into the bushes.  There would be a few 'noises off' and it would reappear to continue our session.

A few metres away where it's more open a Marsh Tit seemed curious:

I continued my walk.

When I reached the Lily Pond, that pair of Canada Geese flew in low over my head, landed on the water, and taxied back to where I was standing.  This one left the water and came to me.  It showed no aggression, but just curiosity.  This image has not been cropped.

I've 'over-cooked' the white a bit at the left.  I'm looking to get a better quality image soon.

Displaced by the Canada Geese, a pair of Mallard left the water.  This is the female.  Her equally plebeian mate had skulked off into the bushes - put to shame by the bigger birds.

Mallard x Heinz?

On the 12th April, the forecast suggested a good sunny break in the April showers, so I went off early to Greylake RSPB reserve on the Somerset Levels.  It was very quiet there and I seemed to be dogged by my constantly having the wrong lens fitted.  Sod's Law!  Anyway, here's what I managed.

Little Grebe

Clearly, the bigger lens was called for.

A compromise between freezing the bird and showing the splashing to best effect.

Still with the bigger lens assembly fitted (i.e. 840mm) ... ...

Coot

Mute Swan: Drifting by

It seemed safe to change back to 600mm and take this:

Moorhen

... and then!

Reed Bunting

I changed the lens and, of course, there was no further sighting of any Reed Bunting from the hide.

It was now warming up outside, but inside the hide it was distinctly parky.  I changed the lens back, packed my bag and set off into the sunshine and to the car park. 

Now, at many reserves, there is that special place where the tables are turned and the birds watch the people.  I refer, naturally, to that place often called the picnic area.  There waiting for a human to watch, was - yes! - a Reed Bunting.  I sat down and shuffled about a bit on the seats to try and get a decent angle on him.

Then to complete my morning of 'what lens should I have?' he moved almost overhead and I couldn't fit him in the frame with the 600mm.  Should I really have taken a zoom-lens?