Lady Kingfisher

One of my favourite subjects to photograph is the Kingfisher. 

I was in a covert position at a location where I have observed this species before.

On this occasion it was a female that kindly turned up.

There is a form of etiquette amongst Nature and Wildlife Observers and Photographers.

Approaching someone that is obviously either studying a subject through binoculars or using a camera to photograph the subject, other such people will approach with caution in order not to disturb the subject. 

It is also advantageous to the approaching person to do so, as it may provide a good view of the subject.

On this occasion I was partly concealed behind a low hedge and taking shots of this female Kingfisher.

I was hoping it was going to turn around or dive into the water. No such luck, as subsequently a couple of people with one small pair of binoculars walked by me and said in a fairly loud voice "Oh! look there is a Kingfisher". That was the end of my photo shoot. My response was unprintable and I walked off in discuss.

 

Another Visit to Lodmoor Reserve

In the bird World it is that funny time of year where most of the Summer species have left for their Winter holidays. The Winter visitors have not really arrived in strength yet.

I am fortunate to be able to see the Great White on a regular basis where I live. 

So I take as many photos as I can for the record.

Great White Egret

Great White Egret. Yellow beak, black legs and black feet.

Dunlin below taking a short flight. 

Another bird I can see on a regular basis.

 

A mixture of Dunlin and Starlings in the two images below relocating further along the strip of land.

Joe (Crow) lurking in the grass. 

Obviously up to no good as usual

More Starling aerial action.

A Little Egret showing off his feathers.

Little Egret

Little Egret. Black beak, black legs and yellow feet.

Shovelers in Eclipse

In prime plumage the Shoveler Duck is really colourful with its precise markings in green, reddish brown, black, white and blue.
After the breeding season the all the worn flight feathers need replacing. It like other duck species spend about a month (unable to fly) shedding the feathers which after moulting are then replaced by new plumage.

Untidy, scruffy looking they may be, but I think a photo of the process is worthy, it being nature in action.

Male Shovevler

Female Shoveler

Female

Male

 

The Common Snipe

 

The Common Snipe. (Gallinago gallinago)

As the name suggests yes it is common, but not seen by many. The Snipe exists throughout the UK, but you have to know where to start looking and even then you need to be fortunate. Marshland Reserves are probably the best option. Finding it on farmland would be difficult.

As a boy growing up in the farming community of South Somerset I often heard about this bird. It was a topic of conversation especially amongst the shooting fraternity. If disturbed it would fly off at speed in a zig zag trajectory and rarely fell victim to the gun. As a matter of interest only, I would look out for one in the fields, but never with any success. They were undoubtably there however, in low fields and marshland. Why on earth would you want to shoot this beautiful bird.

The Snipe can be a migrant, resident, passage or winter visitor.  It is estimated that there are 80 thousand pairs during the Summer in UK. This increases to 1 million in Winter. The UK population has declined moderately over recent years and is currently on the 'Amber' conservation list.

Lodmoor Reserve Visit (Part 3)

The last of a three part series of images from my recent visits to Lodmoor Reserve, Weymouth.

The Geese are gathering in some numbers now at this time of year. Most days they fly from one part of the reserve to another and back again. On windy days they relocate several times. It is mostly Canada Geese at the moment.

 

In the 'Stack.'

Occasionally one can find a single Redshank feeding on the Reserve.

Usually quite some way from the camera lens though.

The Red Admiral Butterfly.

I have not seen many this Autumn, which is a time that they are normally quite frequent.

To round off the series. 

I was able to get some shots of a couple of 'Odd Balls.' Greylags mixed with something else.??