tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13098321744973663362024-03-08T08:00:04.009+00:00The World As I See It.My Wildlife in photosBrian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.comBlogger342125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-69206497458058440602016-06-15T15:48:00.001+01:002016-06-15T15:48:53.726+01:00Closing Blog DownHello all, I'm closing the blog down. I have decided to just concentrate on the images rather than the chat that goes with it. <br />
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You will no doubt have noticed that I've not put anything on here for 4-5 months whereas I'm continually adding to the Smugmug site. <br />
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Doing the blog was great for the first few years but as time has progressed I find that I have less and less to say. <br />
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Thanks for your continued support over the years and I do hope you will check out the Smugmug site regularly. <br />
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www.briandavis.smugmug.com Brian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-87561843923055356262016-02-07T22:07:00.001+00:002016-02-07T22:07:52.918+00:00It's been a while.Hi folks, Sorry it's been a while but I have done very little photography due to other commitments and the very poor weather we've been having. <br />
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A trip to Slimbridge early this month was great and a few nice shots were had, then a brief stop in the FOD whilst Roxy got her hair cut got me a few more including a gadwall on Cannop Ponds.<br />
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The Marsh Tits were feeding as were the usual Blue Tits.<br />
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Slimbridge had been fun, been quite a while since I tried flight shots. I was quite happy with some of my efforts.<br />
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You can see more on my Smugmug site.<br />
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Brian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-48114980015660979462015-11-05T15:45:00.000+00:002015-11-05T15:45:47.561+00:00As luck would have it.Well we have had a bit of an Indian Summer haven't we? Day after day of sunny weather with a fair few still days thrown in. But as luck would have it I have been almost completely unable to make hay whilst the sun shone due to a clumsy accident with my camera kit whilst out doing some macro work on the park near my house.<br />
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Whilst out on the park I saw a lady with two dogs coming towards me, I know that some dogs seem fascinated by my camera on its tripod, some bark at it, some sniff it some even try to cock their leg on it. Mostly whilst I've got a firm grip on it. These two dogs were two smallish terriers, so I thought I'd stand the tripod up and kneel down and stroke them, thus keeping them off the kit. however something went wrong, I don't know if I knocked the tripod or the ground was uneven but suddenly the tripod was laying flat on the ground slightly behind me. Worse still the flash unit was not on the camera. <br />
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Once the lady had gone and I'd spouted off a few silent expletives I went home to check the kit. The flash unit was clearly a right off, the hot shoe had broken into two pieces. but on the face of it other than the hot shoe housing on the camera being a tad wobbly, it didn't appear damaged. <br />
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Unfortunately though when I next used the camera with not only the macro lens but others I realised that all was not well. So an insurance claim it had to be. I'm with a company called Home Protect, but they are underwritten by Axa Ins, and once again despite claiming for my lens last year, I was not let down by them they agreed to repair the lens and camera and replace the flash unit at a total cost of £880 all bar a few pence. I got the camera back on the 7th Oct. <br />
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I was without a camera and very frustrated as my Hoverfly list wasn't getting any bigger and the end of insect time is fast approaching. I have purchased a Fuji finepix bridge camera to play with but, its only any good for standard photos. <br />
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Since getting the camera back I've been mostly tied up with Fungi. I now have over 60 confirmed types of fungus on my website. I have about as many again that I've not been able to positively identify, even with the help of the fantastic Jo Weightman who I've told you all about before from the Hereford Fungus Survey Group. Fungi identification is very hard when you get beyond the obvious species and as Jo says even the best photo and description of where it was taken can't beat having the specimen in hand. Jo has a fabulous knowledge of the subject and thankfully doesn't mind too much that I send her photos of what I've found after I've done my best at identifying what it is myself. Sometimes it's just a case of asking her for confirmation and then I'm really chuffed if I've got one right. <br />
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I finished the season off with 34 confirmed hoverfly species on my list. I also purchased a fabulous book written by Stuart Ball and Roger Morris, Britain's Hoverflies, a Field Guide, 2nd edition. Possibly the best 20 odd pounds that I've ever spent on a nature book, available from Amazon. Roger is a moderator/administrator on a Facebook group for Hoverfly enthusiasts. Again his knowledge of the subject is just fabulous. Check the group out. <br />
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I'm now desperate to get back to the birds. I'm trying to identify a spot where I can set up a feeding station, I've got permission to use a local wood but I'm after a nearby orchard, I have yet to see the owner and ask permission but he/she has sheep in there at the moment which I know from last year are not there all winter, so I'm just waiting my time for another week or two. <br />
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I also intend to re-join the WWT this year and make many visits to Slimbridge etc. I have a job, I don't start until early December, no it's not Father Xmas. I have to do some training courses first. This will hopefully give me a bit of spare cash to finance the regular trips to Slimbridge.<br />
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Here's a small selection of the Fungi I've found recently, but for a more extensive list have a look at my website galleries, <a href="http://www.briandavis.smugmug.com/">www.briandavis.smugmug.com</a><br />
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Haresfoot Inkcap<br />
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Magpie Inkcap<br />
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Stump Puffballs<br />
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Common White Saddle<br />
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Enjoy. Brian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-55261958955505505462015-08-24T22:21:00.000+01:002015-08-24T22:21:24.213+01:00Looking forward to an Indian summer.What a changeable month August has been. Very few sunny windless days and quite a few completely unworkable.<br />
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I have concentrated mostly on the small stuff. I have been doing a bit of a project on hoverflies. There are over 280 UK species of Hoverfly so I'm told and 40 are considered common. I have been trying to work up to 40 and have been quite successful, I'm up to 26 at the moment and again I'm told that September is a good month for hoverflies so I'm reasonably hopeful that I can increase on that number. You can see my results on my Smugmug website.<br />
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Whilst doing hoverflies I've also seen a number of other critters, wasps, bee's, beetles and the like so it's been a great time. I've also had a few butterflies.<br />
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Common Blue and Painted Lady<br />
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Sawfly, Tenthredo notha<br />
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I have been amazed by some of the stuff I've seen, Stuff I've never seen before and didn't realise that was there if you just looked in the right places.<br />
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But unless we get the Indian summer I mentioned in the header for this post it will all to soon be over for another year and it will be back to fungi and then the birds. <br />
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Still I'm enjoying it whilst I can. </div>
Brian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-6158780460930238022015-07-06T22:30:00.000+01:002015-07-06T22:30:48.126+01:00Make Hay......The weather has not been bad at all has it? I can't believe it's been so long since my last post either, I've been a busy bee when the weather has allowed so that has been most of the time, but the one thing I've noticed is we seem to be getting a lot of gusty wind. Does make macro stuff difficult. However I've had some good stuff and have enjoyed the last few weeks on the whole.<br />
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Firstly, let me start with an answer to a question on my last post, the caterpillar with all the twigs on it was a Bagworm moth caterpillar. <br />
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The Dragonflies finally arrived.<br />
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Four Spotted Chaser, Broad Bodied Chaser and Club Tailed Dragonfly were amongst the first. The Club Tailed I was particularly pleased with as I had never had them before. My grandson Kenzie helped me find them, he has really good eyesight and was able to see where they landed when we saw one drop from flight. <br />
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I spent a great 2 days down with Chris G in Devon, we had some really good views of 4 Spot, Broad Bodied, Black Tailed Skimmers, a female Emperor ovipositing, and my first ever Hairy dragonfly.<br />
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Female Black Tailed Skimmer,<br />
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Emperor,<br />
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Hairy Dragonfly<br />
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Chris put out his moth trap and although it was pretty disappointing we did get a beaut of a Poplar Hawk Moth.<br />
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There have been lots of other small stuff to keep me happy, in fact I've been in my element this last few weeks, I really do like to get the small stuff.<br />
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The first is the larva of a 7 Spot Ladybird, the second is a Dagger Fly, it is genuinely hanging on with one leg whilst eating it's prey held in the others. This is allegedly common practice.<br />
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I'm hoping to get to Gloucestershire soon for some White Admirals so make sure you come back to see if I was successful.<br />
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<br />Brian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-22127990813548951382015-05-24T21:05:00.000+01:002015-05-24T21:05:37.930+01:00Still waiting for a dragon.It's may the 24th and I'm still waiting to photograph my first dragonfly of the year and truly envious of those that have already done so. I've seen two, probably 4 spotted Chasers, in flight but none at rest. <br />
Damselflies have not been so scarce, I've seen a lot of the common ones. Blue tail, Common Blue, Azure, Red Eyed, Beautiful Demoiselle and Banded Demoiselle. <br />
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This is a female Red eyed. <br />
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I've seen some nice butterflies too, Painted Lady, Pearl Bordered and Wood White being amongst the best.<br />
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I've been up to the Elan Valley to do birds and I have to say I was mildly disappointed with the numbers. I saw all the usual suspects, including the Red Kite nesting again in their usual spot. but numbers were very low. <br />
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The Jay and the Whinchat were nice bonus birds though. <br />
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Back nearer to Home I've had two firsts this month, The first was an Orange Ladybird, the second a fungi, Helvella lacunosa, or Elfin saddle as it's more commonly known. It's only the second recorded find where I found it, in Herefordshire. so I'm quite chuffed with that. The orange Ladybird came as a shock because initially I thought it was a cream spot, but after a bit of research I discovered that the cream spot always has 7 spots on each wing cover, this definitely has eight. <br />
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The little critters have kept coming with a few nice ones amongst them. The first are a mating pair of Woundwort Shield Bugs, although Collins Complete guide to British Insects has them down as Bronze Shield bugs, which they look more like. The second is a cardinal beetle, Pyrochroa Serraticornis, the third is the caterpillar of the Drinker moth, and finally a Mayfly, Ephemera Danica. <br />
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The swans on my local pond have brought 7 new cygnets into the world and my hasn't dad been a grumpy thing for the last few weeks prior to them hatching? He has been chasing everything around the pond, he has been witnessed killing at least one Duckling and unbelievably swallowing it whole. Mind you he's not been the only one at it, another friend of mine witnessed a Mallard drake kill a duckling too. Presumably wanting to breed with the female himself. The death rate of Duck and Moorhen chicks on the pond is currently 100% there have been 10 ducklings seen on the pond and 4 Moorhen chicks, not a one has survived. I have said before that the Pike are believed to have killed a few and having seen numerous pike in the margins and shallow water spawning over the last 3-4 weeks some of them were of a size that makes that believable. Here's a shot from another water that I got this week of a young pike. Perfectly formed and yet only 3 inches in length.<br />
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So beautiful at this size. <br />
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Now, I need help. Can any of you help me out with identifying this strange caterpillar. I've not sent it to Ispot yet as I wanted to add it to this post. It seems to have camouflaged itself with twigs. Works perfectly, if I hadn't seen it moving whilst photographing something else I'd have passed it by.<br />
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Weird thing, not sure if it's a butterfly or moth, could be a sawfly or something similar. Any how, that's me finished for today, I've put lots of stuff on Smugmug over the last couple of weeks so if you haven't had a look for a while, go treat yourselves. <br />
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Brian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-76023672923284502402015-04-22T13:06:00.001+01:002015-04-22T13:09:01.151+01:00Busy busy busy.Wow, what lovely weather we've had for April. It's been fabulous for getting out and about. It's been a busy period with lots of miles walked and lots of photos taken. <br />
All of the birds seem to be in, I heard my first cuckoo yesterday (21st Apr). The only thing I haven't heard or seen yet are Sedge Warblers. Whitethroat and Reed Warblers are in on the Gravel pits near Hereford but no Sedge. I don't doubt they are there though. <br />
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I spent two fabulous days in Devon with Chris G and Mike S. Thanks Chris and Lynne for your hospitality. We went after Dartford Warblers, not really knowing how we were going to do. <br />
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We were on to them pretty quickly, although distant and characteristically skittish. I had never seen a Dartford before so it was a thrill to see them. This is a considerable crop. <br />
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When the Dartford weren't around, the Dunnock kept us entertained with their singing.<br />
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There were also plenty of Stonechats milling around too.<br />
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we also saw a single Yellowhammer and a very pale Kestrel, so pale in colour that we weren't sure what we were looking at for a while. It was distant.<br />
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The following day saw us back at the reserve, and after a quick trip away for a McDonalds breakfast as the mist was too thick, we were soon back amongst the Warblers. we also noted that there were quite a few more Yellowhammers around.<br />
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All in all a brilliant 2 days of birding, finished off with a quick detour to see Dippers near Honiton. <br />
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Back at home I set myself a target of Orange-tip butterflies. I only had a couple of shots of this quick moving beauty, so it was going to be a challenge. <br />
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The female I caught on some Red Dead Nettle flowers,<br />
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The male on some Cuckoo (aka Lady's Smock) flowers.<br />
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My next targets were slightly larger and I wasn't even sure I was going to photograph either of them, I just wanted to confirm that they were in so that I could save myself a journey into Powys to Gilfach Farm NR. I was pleasantly surprised to find both, and to manage a shot or two of the one. Yes Redstart and Pied Flycatchers were my targets. The Pied Flycatcher was singing his little heart out, but the female that was near him seemed to be unimpressed and whereas he clearly favoured one nest box, she much preferred another, I can see heartache if one of them doesn't compromise.<br />
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I have spent almost a weeks worth of evenings watching badgers on a Herefordshire Nature Trust reserve. I was going to do a project on them and try to photograph them but I have been asked to hold off by the trust as they have a family viewing evening planned in June and have their own plan in place. Shame as I had already managed to attract the badgers very close and was just about to start implementing lighting. However the nights I sat there for 3 hrs a time were very rewarding, with some really nice viewing. <br />
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I have another target species in mind. Yellow Wagtail. I know a site a couple of miles away from me where there are usually a pair. I have already had clear viewings of one bird, although only managed one frame. I need to dedicate a few more hours to this project. <br />
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One of the critters I love at this time of year is the Bee Fly, at another HNT site there are two types, Bombylius Major and Bombylius discolor. I have provided HNT with images of both and they are going to use them in their Spring newsletter hopefully, so for the first time I may get a picture in print. You can see the images on my Smugmug site Just like buses you don't see anything for ages and then 2 come at once and hot on the heels of the request from HNT to use my images came a request from Hereford Fungi group to use an image of a Fishy Milkcap, Lactarius volemus, in their newsletter. How will I cope with the fame?? <br />
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With 29 images on Getty images now and as yet no sales (not that I'm expecting any), my feet are well and truly planted. I am told by some that my images are of a great quality now but I still don't think that they are anywhere as good as a great deal of others. I get my pleasure from getting the images and sticking a few on my Smugmug site. there is a link on this website. <br />
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Now to finish, the highlight of this last week or so was getting a call from my son who was observing Wild Boar in the forest. He said could I get down there and if I could he would stay with them and keep me appraised of their position. Too right I could get there, and at something slightly over the speed limit for a portion of the trip. I was soon with him and feeling blessed to witness one of the best groups of Boar I've seen, three sows and fourteen piglets. Clearly a group that was thrown together as the Piglets were of two different sizes and all three of the sows appeared to be lactating. we spent an amazing 45 minutes or so watching and in my case photographing them, and once again I was never in danger from the sows. They knew I was there and yet they allowed my to get so close that on occasion the piglets were too close to get fully in the frame. The piglets themselves were amazing, inquisitive and delightful to watch. I was so enamoured that I often found myself forgetting to press the camera shutter. In the wake of some bad press relating to a dog being seriously injured, I wish more people could have watched the group as I photographed them. They really are no threat if approached carefully, quietly, and slowly. Here are just three of the hundred or so images I took. <br />
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The Sow pictured was the biggest and oldest of the three, and she was big. It was a brilliant experience and one that neither I nor my son will ever forget, in deed my son was so impressed he rushed home to fetch his girlfriend and returned a short while later to find them not far from where we'd left them, so she could see them up close too. <br />
There are and will be more shots on my Smugmug site.<br />
<br />Brian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-39149582481176613902015-03-26T19:52:00.000+00:002015-03-26T19:52:42.625+00:00Hurry up and wait. Hurry up and wait was a term we used to use in the army all the time. It invariably meant a period of intense activity followed by a long wait. <br />
Well this last few weeks have been a bit like that, I've been wishing for Spring to hurry up and arrive, and it is, I have a Blackbirds nest in my garden and the Blue tits seem to be in and out of my nest box quite a bit. But I'm not able to do anything with it as I've had to wait for bits of kit to be repaired.<br />
I've had both my 600mm lens and my 5D mk 3 in for work. <br />
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I was having problems with the 600 lens, the tripod leg collar would not rotate around the lens 360 degrees. Apparently the bearings were shot and there was grit in the collar. That was fixed and the lens returned to me on Tues this week (24th). The camera, has been an issue since I bought it. I was never truly happy with it, I did not think that the auto focus was as good as it should be and I believed there was too much noise/graining at low ISO's. It has worked intermittently, clearly, or else I would not have any shots to put on here or on the Smugmug galleries. I visited Clifton Cameras in Dursley after a visit to Slimbridge with Mike and Chris, The chap there could not see any issues but I asked him if it could be sent off anyways for a check. He suggested it would be a good idea just to give me peace of mind. If there was nothing wrong it would prove it unquestionably. There are issues with it and hopefully I should have it back next week. However for both lots of work I'm now over £400 lighter in the pocket. <br />
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The day at Slimbridge that I referred to with Chris and Mike was a bit of a let down. The weather was not great and most of the migrants have left. However it was a day out so that's not all bad. I have also spent a day with Chris and Mike this week at the Photography show at the NEC in Birmingham. Wow, if only I was a lottery winner or had a rich sugar mummy. There was some fabulous kit on show. I think Chris and Mike enjoyed it more than me though, they both have an interest in Studio type photography and a lot of the show is geared for just that, but there was enough to keep me interested. That said, I'm not sure there was enough to make me want to go again next year. <br />
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The only photos I have to show you are ones that I got on my last visit to the Forest. <br />
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I'm looking forward to getting everything back and getting out there and doing some summer migrants. Don't you just love Spring?<br />
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Brian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-65995615387074735002015-02-19T20:15:00.000+00:002015-02-19T20:26:14.276+00:00Rallying around the CrossbillsOn no less than 4 occasions I've been down to the Forest to try and get shots of Crossbills. They have been much photo'd lately and I thought it only right that I give it a go.<br />
Much easier said than done. On my first visit to the church at Parkend there were approximately 6 photographers in situ. and a quick chat revealed that the birds had been down on one or two occasions, but not within the previous 20 minutes or so. I don't like being amongst too many other people and was very doubtful that with so many people standing less than 10 metres away from the puddles the Crossbills would be too inclined to come down very often. So I didn't hang around. That afternoon I went back to find even more people so again I didn't stay too long, just long enough to meet a few of the people who's images I've seen on Birdguides. We were blessed with a view of 3 males and 2 females who came briefly to the puddles and surrounding branches, but I didn't have my stuff out so I missed out. It was reminiscent of a war film with camera shutters being fired off.<br />
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My second visit was about the same. Too many people and far too few views of the birds, again I didn't hang around. The third visit was the same. Finally I went down on Wednesday 18th and upon my arrival was pleased to see that there was only one photographer and that he was in his car. I quickly checked that there were no birds down and then drove into position behind him. He informed me that he had, had one sighting whilst he had been there but he believed that the Crossbills he had seen were Two Barred Crossbills, this got me a little excited as photos of them would be brilliant. Shortly after I arrived and with no further sightings, he waved me goodbye and drove off. I was hopeful that as I was the only one waiting and that despite a number of cars being parked it wasn't going to be too long before something came down. Unfortunately the best laid plans don't always come off and within 5 minutes I was joined by at least 6 other birders, all looking to see the birds.<br />
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I sat and waited for almost 2hrs without any joy, and was quite frankly amazed by how dull and inconsiderate some people can be. Dog walkers, graveyard visitors, and even other birders were walking around in front of where I had my camera pointing, and I'm sure some did it deliberately. At one point an elderly couple turned up with their bino's and a scope and preceded to walk towards my car, seemingly oblivious to the fact that I had my lens sticking out of the window, they didn't seem interested in walking around the other side of my car where they wouldn't obscure my view. At the exact moment that the old chap was going to walk in front of me a male Crossbill dropped like a stone to a puddle. after almost 2hrs of waiting I was beside myself and as loudly as I dared I hissed "Stand still" at him. I managed 5 frames before the bird flew off. He calmly said "Was that one of the Crossbills"? suffice to say I had to bite my tongue really hard, and indeed I then drove off. Fuming. I've put the one shot on Smugmug, but it will hopefully be replaced with better. <br />
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The Wyedean Forest Rally took place on Valentines day, my brother came down from Chester and we joined my son and family for a days spectating. I was pleased that the weather held up for most of the day as it gave my brother a chance to use the 50D I'd given him, for the first time doing stuff other than small birds in his garden. I think he enjoyed the day, I know I did. Here are some shots.<br />
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The second shot was the winning car driven and co-piloted by Paul Bird and Aled Davies. The last shot was of Graham Elsmore the winner of the first three Rallies in 75,76 and 77. He was competing to celebrate 40 years of the rally and was in a Mk 2 Escort supplied to him by the sponsors of the rally. <br />
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Whilst waiting for the cars at the afternoon stage we decided to watch I was amazed to stumble across some fabulous Fungi.<br />
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Scarlet Elfcup, Sarcoscypha austriaca. stunning things aren't they? Never seen them before so a real bonus. So much so that I returned yesterday to get them with the macro lens. I had a good mooch around but couldn't find any others.<br />
I did see a fallow buck through some trees and find a badger sett which is currently being used by a sow with cubs. How do I know? Well it is a fact that when the sow gives birth she is extremely reluctant to leave the sett for anything more than a few seconds until the cubs at least have their eyes open. The one reason she does leave is for toileting. Usually badgers will not do their business near the sett, if the weather is particularly harsh they will sometimes build toilet chambers inside the sett which are sealed off afterwards. When a sow has cubs she will usually leave the sett but find a toilet area very close to the sett which she re-uses time and again.<br />
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Here is an example of such behaviour, clearly evidence of more than one use, and located, in this instance about 8 feet from the sett entrance. It was a satellite sett of only one hole, with only one track too and from it. It may be worth a look in late April to see if the cubs are emerging. Its usually 11 weeks from birth that they start to emerge, and the sett had a potential viewing area only a short distance away. I have deliberately not shown the sett entrance, just in case there is a remote chance someone might recognise it. May be being paranoid but that's my choice. <br />
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Oh I did get a fabulous shot of a visitor to the puddles at Parkend whilst I was waiting for the Crossbills. I'm more than happy with it. <br />
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Thanks for looking and don't forget to check out the Smugmug link. <br />
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<br />Brian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-59377832125431522752015-01-21T17:46:00.000+00:002015-01-21T17:46:40.759+00:00Waiting for the dog.Happy New Year to you all. This week I had to take Roxy for her haircut in the Forest of Dean. I have to wait for approximately 3 hours so I decided to spend it at Cannop ponds feeder station. <br />
It was very cold, -3 Celsius, and grey. The sun that my weather app promised did not materialise.<br />
I was sitting in my car with coat, snood and gloves on and shooting out of the window. The usual suspects were all there, but in addition I got visits from 2 Marsh Tits, a Grey Wagtail, a Reed Bunting, a GSW and a Long Tailed Tit. I did not get shots of the latter but it was nice to see him. <br />
I felt sorry for the ground feeding birds like the Dunnock as the ground was solid, so I brushed some of the feed onto the floor. The Dunnock were soon joined by a small group of Chaffinch, a couple of male Blackbirds, and a pair of male Mallards.<br />
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The feeder table was extremely busy with birds flitting in and out every few seconds. Great Tit, Blue Tit, Marsh Tit and Coal Tit.<br />
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The Robins were extremely well behaved, there was the odd scurry between a couple but for most of the time there were 4 or 5 feeding alongside each other quite happily.<br />
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In fact the birds that were doing the most squabbling were the Nuthatches, they spent almost as much time chasing each other off as feeding.<br />
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The Grey Wagtail spent quite a lot of time under the feeder table, I felt sorry for him.<br />
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The Great Spotted Woodpecker did not come to the table but I witnessed him take bread off the floor. something I didn't know they did, eat bread. I managed a shot of him a little way off. I say him because although you cant see it in this shot he had the red patch on his neck.<br />
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all in all an interesting couple of hours.</div>
Brian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-35050184465702269192014-12-23T00:08:00.000+00:002014-12-23T00:08:04.409+00:00Merry Xmas Hi everyone, no pictures today, but there are a few new ones on the smugmug site.<br />
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I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Xmas and a snap happy prosperous New Year.<br />
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See you all in January<br />
Brian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-15423309677460524422014-12-04T20:25:00.000+00:002014-12-04T20:25:04.021+00:00Down and DirtyHi all, as autumn moves into winter there's a bit of a lull for me usually. Herefordshire does not have so many birding opportunities as other counties, at least not photographically speaking, and at a time when the summer migrants have gone and the passing winter migrants just are not passing very often as yet I like to turn my attention to Fungi. <br />
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I have been mostly out and about for the last month or so trying to add shots to my catalogue of fungi. I've mentioned in the past that finding them and identifying them are two completely different things. Finding them has always been reasonably easy. Photographing them occasionally a bit harder. Identifying them can be darn impossible sometimes. This year I have been very lucky in having the help of Jo Weightman from Herefordshires fungi group. Jo has proved invaluable on a number of occasions, helping me with identifications and pointing me in the right direction for how those identifications can sometimes be made easier. <br />
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My efforts and Jo's help have pushed my list of identified fungi to over 40. You can see images of all of them on my Smugmug site (see new gallery in my links). However even with Jo's help sometimes I can only get it down to a family group. <br />
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This is one such example:<br />
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A tiny, tiny, little fungus. I looked and could not identify it, so I sent Jo a copy and bless her she came back to me and said that without a closer examination she too could not positively ID it. The best she could offer was that it was a Mycena. <br />
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Half the fun though is finding them in the first place, then getting as low as possible and obtaining a shot. Getting low often means belly to the ground something which is not easy when your over 20st and suffer with back problems. The getting down is often the easy bit it's the getting back up which causes concern. Lighting things that are at ground level isn't always easy either, shadows are sometimes impossible to avoid. but I am becoming better at it now, I think. Off camera flash work can help. <br />
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I have done other things. I spent a day in the Forest of Dean earlier this week during which I had a lengthy stint up Crabtree Hill looking for the Great Grey Shrike. It was there briefly, but distant. This is a huge crop shot. probably 10% or less of the original. <br />
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I also spent a little time at Cannop Pond feeder station. <br />
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But as I said this last month has mostly been about fungi. Please check out the Mycology section of the Smugmug site. Or at least the recent additions for better views of all the fungi I have at this time. <br />
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Brian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-43195386032653573042014-10-22T22:07:00.000+01:002014-10-22T22:07:30.829+01:00Canon Day.I am deliberately slow with this post as I've been waiting until Chris G and I had our day out at the invitation of Canon CPS+. Chris kindly invited me to partner him to a day's workshop with Canon at the British Wildlife Centre in Surrey.<br />
<br />Over 340 miles driven on the day and a very long day, but all in all I am still extremely pleased to have attended with Chris. The day could have been slightly better weather wise although we didn't get it half as bad as some of the country. We had wind, we had a tad of rain but we also had some nice periods of sun which made for some ace photography opportunities. The talks by Danny Green and Mark Sissons were both informative and thought provoking, interesting to see similarities between the two but also enough different ideas and approach to keep the interest levels up. It was also nice to see the new kit that Canon have brought out recently and although I didn't try any of it myself there were enough people who did to get a reasonably balanced opinion on things like the 200-400 lens. It appears to have been well received by most.<br />
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The photography was good, I think it could perhaps have been better, with a little more cooperation from the animals and birds themselves, but the most obliging were, by far, the two otters we got to photograph up close and personal. A pity that at the time we were with them the weather wasn't the best so very challenging, wet animals grey skies and a lot of movement. Those things do not like being still for the camera :-)<br />
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I have only just finished uploading the 550 plus images I took and have quickly grabbed a few examples to show you, I don't doubt they aren't the best from the day but they are ok.<br />
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They are, Barn Owl, Eagle Owl, Little Owl, Tawny Owl, Otter, Fox, and Scottish Wild Cat. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-55YspdArQLY/VEgbKslFBbI/AAAAAAAAI5Q/v0CF-09JhcQ/s1600/Scottish%2BWildcat%2BBWC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-55YspdArQLY/VEgbKslFBbI/AAAAAAAAI5Q/v0CF-09JhcQ/s1600/Scottish%2BWildcat%2BBWC.jpg" height="290" width="400" /></a></div>
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As I said, a very interesting and entertaining day. In a day or two I will be adding other, hopefully better, shots to my Smugmug gallery so please have a look.<br />
<br />Brian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-71368442633038724832014-09-09T20:12:00.000+01:002014-09-09T20:12:29.500+01:00Off and OnAs my private life has taken a bit of a dive recently I have struggled to find the enthusiasm for photography, couple that with some terrible weather and thats the reason for such a long spell between Bloggings.<br />
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I do have a first though for you to see, I'll come to it shortly. I have been doing a bit of dragonfly spotting.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-alcohbU2Rsk/VA9G98wPGUI/AAAAAAAAI3E/pPdYmAdUBUA/s1600/Southern%2BHawker%2BMale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-alcohbU2Rsk/VA9G98wPGUI/AAAAAAAAI3E/pPdYmAdUBUA/s1600/Southern%2BHawker%2BMale.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></div>
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Migrant Hawker Male<br />
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Migrant Female<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5YFWEu4r8V4/VA9MOx97tsI/AAAAAAAAI3Y/BGy5dvleLfA/s1600/Migrant%2BHawker%2BFem_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5YFWEu4r8V4/VA9MOx97tsI/AAAAAAAAI3Y/BGy5dvleLfA/s1600/Migrant%2BHawker%2BFem_.jpg" height="296" width="400" /></a></div>
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and a Common Darter,<br />
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<br />I also managed a bit of feeder photography in the forest whilst waiting for Roxy to have her hair cut.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u6SYzKZ7gM0/VA9Mwo_T__I/AAAAAAAAI3o/lygNiudYoCk/s1600/Great%2BTit%2Bon%2Bstick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u6SYzKZ7gM0/VA9Mwo_T__I/AAAAAAAAI3o/lygNiudYoCk/s1600/Great%2BTit%2Bon%2Bstick.jpg" height="290" width="400" /></a></div>
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and whilst in the forest I also got a lizard or two.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xgOOlkQ1Qb4/VA9NM_L27QI/AAAAAAAAI34/M1iIAj3pZtM/s1600/Lizard%2C%2BCommon_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xgOOlkQ1Qb4/VA9NM_L27QI/AAAAAAAAI34/M1iIAj3pZtM/s1600/Lizard%2C%2BCommon_.jpg" height="276" width="400" /></a></div>
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A trip down to Devon to help Chris G do a bit of work around his place after his operation gave us the chance to do a moth trap stint, and whilst we didn't get anything exceedingly sexy we got a couple of nice things, this Angle Shades was my favourite.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PdxeJe2pacM/VA9NuwPSrlI/AAAAAAAAI4A/S5ElIbbmdTU/s1600/Angle%2Bshades%2BMoth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PdxeJe2pacM/VA9NuwPSrlI/AAAAAAAAI4A/S5ElIbbmdTU/s1600/Angle%2Bshades%2BMoth.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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The star of this posting though has to be the following, I've never seen one knowlingly before so to see it and photograph it was amazing, this was back up in Hereford yesterday, (Mon 8th Sept)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fSVOsQTwcOg/VA9OUra8sKI/AAAAAAAAI4I/T6D5W1CZcLQ/s1600/Brown%2BArgus%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fSVOsQTwcOg/VA9OUra8sKI/AAAAAAAAI4I/T6D5W1CZcLQ/s1600/Brown%2BArgus%2B2.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's the beautiful Brown Argus. It's a bit of a crop but I'm very pleased with it.<br />
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Since my last posting I have become a Grandad again, Little Eric Alexander Hodges-Davis arrived.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ba3DNDxrPog/VA9P7B5X8FI/AAAAAAAAI4Q/NaImMLUutbc/s1600/Lee%2Band%2BEric_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ba3DNDxrPog/VA9P7B5X8FI/AAAAAAAAI4Q/NaImMLUutbc/s1600/Lee%2Band%2BEric_.jpg" height="303" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here he is with his dad. So Proud.<br />
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That's it for this time dont forget to check out the Smugmug gallery, in my links, or at www.briandavis.smugmug.comBrian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-13086868276582641352014-07-27T23:24:00.002+01:002014-07-27T23:24:57.477+01:00In the Summertime.Wicked weather we've been having, gloriously hot and sunny. Makes photography hard work though doesn't it? Realistically if you haven't got what you want by lunchtime you are going to struggle with very harsh light. It doesn't stop me going out and about all day though, because even if I'm not shooting something it is always a pleasure to be out and amongst it.<br />
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One example was this Muntjac deer I came across in Haugh Woods on the outskirts of Hereford. I say, I came across, what actually happened was it crossed my path some distance ahead of me. I managed 4 frames and it was gone.<br />
Not the best shot but as it's only the third Muntjac I've seen in Herefordshire I was more than pleased. The last one I saw was in the same woods a couple of months ago if I recall.<br />
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I was in Haugh Woods looking for Club Tailed Dragonfly, Someone had posted shots of one in the woods earlier on Birdguides. I have never seen one, I don't think, and certainly never photographed one so it was a challenge to be met head on. Unfortunately a couple of hours, some sore feet and a change of tee shirt later I still hadn't seen or photo'd one. However the time spent in the woods was not wasted entirely. I saw lots of Peacock, Silver washed Fritillary, Green Veined White, Gatekeeper, and Speckled Wood butterflies and this rather nice Broad Bodied Chaser dragonfly.<br />
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Earlier in the week I had been up to Shropshire again, mostly to visit Whixall Moss in the hope of getting some nice Black Darter and maybe a White Faced Darter if there were any still around. I managed the Black Darter and a really nice pair of Emerald Damselflies.<br />
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female Emerald, <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tqa9cS-mblY/U9UjUtrEtQI/AAAAAAAAI10/1tvyb2cqV7A/s1600/Emerald+Damselfly+Female.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tqa9cS-mblY/U9UjUtrEtQI/AAAAAAAAI10/1tvyb2cqV7A/s1600/Emerald+Damselfly+Female.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></div>
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I try to find something different to photograph each time I go out. It doesn't have to be something new that I haven't done before but perhaps something that is a first for this year. I get a lot of satisfaction from the hunt. I mentioned in an earlier posting that I hadn't been seeing many butterflies in Herefordshire this year, well there has certainly been an influx of them in the last week or so. I hadn't managed even a shot of a Comma yet this year as I had only seen a couple and both of them had manky wings, well I finally managed to get one this last week. Its not the best but I finally got one, I also got a cracking shot of a Small Copper and a rather unusual shot of a male Banded Demoiselle.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X7FvX9S9IP0/U9VxyJcXV0I/AAAAAAAAI2Q/E68ha-CiPRo/s1600/Comma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X7FvX9S9IP0/U9VxyJcXV0I/AAAAAAAAI2Q/E68ha-CiPRo/s1600/Comma.jpg" height="295" width="400" /></a></div>
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I love nature, It is amazing, I love finding things lying around, Owl pellets are one thing I enjoy finding, but this snake skin was great too. It was about 2 feet in length, maybe a tad longer. The photo was taken on my phone so its pretty bad.<br />
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Finding this Buff tip Moth was probably my highlight in the last couple of weeks. Such a fabulous looking thing.<br />
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Anyways That'll do for this posting. Don't forget to click on an image for a larger version and to check out the new Smugmug galleries. Brian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-72270521214367494702014-06-27T14:41:00.002+01:002014-06-29T16:22:36.601+01:00Two Lifers and a few other things to show. Hello again. Well we've had some beautiful weather haven't we, but this coming weekend looks a little grey and miserable. I'm not gonna let it get me down as I've had some fabulous photography opportunities and have obtained some fab shots.<br />
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Firstly "Tree Heron" finally got himself into a position where I could get clear shots of him.<br />
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A little distant and a bit of crop but not too much, he's about 4 feet over the water here, but he seemed quite content to stand there for a long while.<br />
The Mallards are losing a lot of ducklings and the locals are wondering if, along with the Pike and the male Swan, he might be responsible for some of them disappearing.<br />
We know the Pike are having some as the bailiff and residents have seen them disappear off the water. We also know that the Swan has killed a couple. He also has driven off one of his own youngsters, treating it very harshly. I know they are not sentimental but is this normal? One of the chicks was not right, it had a deformed neck and a limp, that one disappeared very soon after hatching, but the second one seemed physically ok. But the male really hounded the second youngster, pulling it by its neck and pecking at it.<br />
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Anyway, moving on. There seems to be very few butterflies around at the moment, at least in Herefordshire. With the exception of Small Tortoiseshell and Large Skipper, numbers seem right down. 5 Spot Burnet moths are also being seen in very large numbers. A trip up to Whitchurch in Shropshire to spend the day with my brother Alan was a bit of a disappointment, we did get the Silver Studded Blue that we went for. Only males though, no females to be seen.<br />
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We then went to Whixall Moss for the dragonflies, in particular Black Darter and White Faced Darter, unfortunately the weather took a turn with high wind and it was really a wash out. All we got was this Emerald<br />
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We did get buzzed by something though.<br />
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This Helo took great delight in buzzing over our heads, very low. This is full frame taken with the 70-200 lens. I think they are out of Shawbury where there is a training school. He was around for quite a few minutes buzzing back and too, and hovering some distance away from us, in all fairness it was the best thing that happened all day. We did see Large Heath butterfly too, but the conditions and their love for staying low in the grass meant I didn't get a decent shot.<br />
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A trip to Gloucestershire to spend the best part of a day with Mike Smith was arranged and very much enjoyed. Two life time firsts were seen and photographed. White Admiral are butterflies I have never seen before, but Mike took me to a spot where not only would we hope to see them but also possibly get a shot or two. They were around, I think we probably saw over a half dozen, but they came to rest on only one or two occasions and then only briefly. I did manage 5 frames of the underside of one.<br />
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Stunning just doesn't seem to do it justice.<br />
As if that wasn't enough, after treating me to lunch Mike took me to a spot near his home which we hoped would produce some Blues, again there were a few about, but only Small Blue. I didn't mind as I've never seen or photographed them either. Surprisingly the ones we got to photograph, were covered in Ticks or some kind of parasite.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BN8mEyDCG6U/U61uFBmdXCI/AAAAAAAAI0Y/mXWLLXjZgp4/s1600/Small+Blue_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BN8mEyDCG6U/U61uFBmdXCI/AAAAAAAAI0Y/mXWLLXjZgp4/s1600/Small+Blue_.jpg" height="272" width="400" /></a></div>
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Photographing them wasn't easy either, steep sided hill, habit of either hitting them or the surrounding grass with my tripod and their desire to fly off everytime I got near soon had me frustrated and Mike laughing at my pathetic efforts. I could not believe how tiny they are, Britains smallest Butterfly apparently. Andy Carey once correctly identified a Common Blue picture I sent to him thinking it was a Small blue, he said at the time that when I saw a Small Blue I would know it. You were dead right Andy. <br />
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The Marbled White, of which there were plenty were also suffering with Ticks.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ODhtzncK2sY/U61vGAgcUdI/AAAAAAAAI0k/Lx5Ueu8RRp0/s1600/Marbled+White+with+tics_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ODhtzncK2sY/U61vGAgcUdI/AAAAAAAAI0k/Lx5Ueu8RRp0/s1600/Marbled+White+with+tics_.jpg" height="293" width="400" /></a></div>
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After a brew and sandwich back at Mikes it was off to see the Little Owls which Mike has worked hard to get to accept his vehicle in close proximity. Mike promised me close up stuff and he didn't fail to deliver, with a little patience and a fair few mealworms we were soon treated to visits from what Mike believes was the male bird, and close didn't even cover it.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YDsJhW1ohGU/U61v5-2MQlI/AAAAAAAAI0s/VQfyc9qxVzA/s1600/Little+Owl+99_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YDsJhW1ohGU/U61v5-2MQlI/AAAAAAAAI0s/VQfyc9qxVzA/s1600/Little+Owl+99_edited-1.jpg" height="400" width="305" /></a></div>
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Using my 70-200 lens this is without doubt one of the best shots of a Little Owl I've got. I also eventually managed to get the timing right to get the owl in flight, something Mike has down to a tee. I've put a shot or two more on the Smugmug site. (see my links).<br />
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Thank you Mr Smith for your hospitality and company, it was a great, fun, day with laughs a plenty and some fab photo opportunities. We must do it again soon, although some improvement with the catapult is required.<br />
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Finally I've spent a little while doing Dragonflies nearer to home. Here are a couple, The Black Tailed Skimmer and the Golden Ringed.<br />
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Come back soon, don't forget to check out the Smugmug gallery.<br />
<br />Brian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-10642774855071457702014-06-04T18:17:00.000+01:002014-06-04T18:24:53.175+01:00So much for the good weather!What a change in the weather we've had these last few days. Very few opportunities to get out and about. Fortunately when the opportunity has presented itself I haven't had to go too far in search of stuff to photograph.<br />
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Mostly little stuff to be honest but a trip to Wellington gave me a nice view of a Whitethroat.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--X4hEx41aJE/U49IG16lB-I/AAAAAAAAIxs/BA9gh7e4lLw/s1600/Whitethroat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--X4hEx41aJE/U49IG16lB-I/AAAAAAAAIxs/BA9gh7e4lLw/s1600/Whitethroat.jpg" height="400" width="301" /></a></div>
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I've cropped it in a bit as it was surrounded by foliage, nice to see it busy feeding its young. In exactly the same area as the year before last. Everything is busy with young now, if we get a few nice days together I will definately spend more time trying to photo other stuff there.<br />
The 4 spotted Chasers are about in huge numbers now, I caught this one with the 600 lens.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kJxUdzYNx1o/U49I8Bhwe6I/AAAAAAAAIx0/V5TWE5wUHws/s1600/4+,Spot+chaser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kJxUdzYNx1o/U49I8Bhwe6I/AAAAAAAAIx0/V5TWE5wUHws/s1600/4+,Spot+chaser.jpg" height="276" width="400" /></a></div>
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I also caught a freshly emerged Black Tailed Skimmer, check out Smugmug for that.<br />
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Nearer to home I saw something I've never seen before, a swarm of Honey Bees, they were in a hedge on the country park<br />
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The quality isn't brilliant as it was taken with the macro lens at a distance. There must have been several thousands of bees in the swarm with lots also flying around.<br />
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Quite a few bits of small stuff have kept me glued to the computer and books trying to confirm identities, some of the easier ones are here.<br />
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Harlequinn Ladybirds,<br />
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This Flesh fly, why is it that these give me the creeps? Is it purely because the name conjures up all manner of images?<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rhDWhzese3U/U49KiayIu_I/AAAAAAAAIyY/-zW9FNBzakk/s1600/Flesh+Fly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rhDWhzese3U/U49KiayIu_I/AAAAAAAAIyY/-zW9FNBzakk/s1600/Flesh+Fly.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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This beautiful micro moth, Nemophora Degeerella.<br />
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and a final stage Oak Eggar moth caterpillar<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sj2viNMZMkY/U49LPE84lTI/AAAAAAAAIyk/GpCjpaIo5Dw/s1600/Oak+Eggar_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sj2viNMZMkY/U49LPE84lTI/AAAAAAAAIyk/GpCjpaIo5Dw/s1600/Oak+Eggar_.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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Absolutely stunning in my opinion.<br />
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Things in my garden have been hectic too, I've had the Blue tits fledge from the nest box, I was a little worried about this chap as it seemed very tiny and hung around my patio for over 24 hrs.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZV76y2uxZEc/U49L2kDn-lI/AAAAAAAAIys/ZBwsxnXL6Vo/s1600/BT+chick+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZV76y2uxZEc/U49L2kDn-lI/AAAAAAAAIys/ZBwsxnXL6Vo/s1600/BT+chick+2.jpg" height="293" width="400" /></a></div>
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But its parents made sure it didn't go without its fair share of food.Roxy, my Westie, was extremely gentle around it. I was concerned that
she would try and kill it but she didn't. she merely had a sniff once or twice. At one point I lifted it off
the patio onto a low branch of a big climber plant I have up one part of
the garden fence. I was concerned that if Roxy didn't get it the
magpies would. Its parent found it no problem and it sat on the branch
very contentedly until after tea when I stopped checking. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_2aVlwiUY-0/U49L6Y0Xn8I/AAAAAAAAIy0/a2Psg_sv87Q/s1600/Chick+feeding+2_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_2aVlwiUY-0/U49L6Y0Xn8I/AAAAAAAAIy0/a2Psg_sv87Q/s1600/Chick+feeding+2_edited-1.jpg" height="268" width="400" /></a></div>
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Poor old parents are looking extremely ragged as usual after raising the young.<br />
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I've had Goldfinch and Greenfinch in the garden regularly, the Greenies are extremely flighty so only a Goldie to show you I'm afraid.<br />
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I've also had Great spotted woodpecker and a plethora of Squirrels, with four in the garden at once on a few occasions.<br />
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I saw my first Large Skipper of the year, I think, yesterday. I don't think it was a Large Skipper, it definately was, but I think it was the first I've seen this year so far, I also am reasonably confident that I saw a Painted Lady on Sunday but it didn't stop and my eyesight isn't brilliant so I couldn't swear on it.<br />
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I went for a walk with the children around Cannop Ponds in the FOD on Sunday too and a lovely evening we had, I got pics of a Green Tiger Beetle and a Dor Beetle which can both be seen on the Smugmug gallery in my links.<br />
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Springwatch is back and I think its been better this year, so far, than the last few years, I was particularly interested to see the piece about Cuckoo's. There seems to have been a lot more photos on Birdguides this year of Cuckoos, I wonder if it's because there are more around this year or maybe it's just because there are shed loads more people out there with cameras. What do you think?<br />
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Anyways, sun is predicted for tomorrow (thurs) so I will be up early with the camera.<br />
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Oh yes just one more story to tell you. A nearby friend who lives on the side of the Belmont pool claims he'd seen what he believed to have been an otter, two nights on the trot, on the roadside by the lake, during the night between 1.30 and 3.30. He suffers with his feet too and is often unable to sleep so he sits looking out at the road infront of his house, He was convinced it was too big to be a mink.<br />
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Well, I thought about it and decided I would give up a few hours last night (Tues/weds) and go and sit and see what turned up. So at 12.30 I drove my car up there and parked far enough back from where he'd seen it, but still close enough to have a good view, and waited. I had my camera with me, with the 300mm lens thereon. At 01.15 a juvenile Fox trotted passed, and didn't stop, and during my 2hr 45 mins vigil two cats came by. No sign of an otter. However at 01.40 the ducks on the lake started to make a racket, something was clearly disturbing them, there was a lot of splashing and quacking, this went on for almost an hour and at one point it was so loud I thought something must be chasing the birds. I didn't see anything though and after an hour it calmed down to quietness again. I was intrigued.<br />
Whilst sitting and waiting, and this is the point of my tale, I decided to test the 5D and see if it would work in very low light. I played about with it and tried lots of different ISO settings etc, and I was amazed at how good the pictures of the cats and the fox were that I took. Don't get me wrong there was shed loads of noise evident even in camera, but with no flash I couldn't believe I was getting clear shots of my subject matter at all, just by the street lighting. Unfotunately, and this is the depressing bit, I can't show you because in my half addled sleepy state when I got back in I erased them.<br />
But should I be tempted to go and have another go one night soon I will keep a few shots. Suffice to say, I was mega impressed. Brian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-26250885137084943892014-05-19T23:50:00.000+01:002014-05-19T23:55:29.222+01:00Beautiful weather.Well it's been a fabulous few days and I feel as if I've made the most of it with lots of new stuff photographed.<br />
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I've seen the Cuckoo again<br />
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In almost the same spot, but unfortunately still from a distance. I would contemplate sticking my hide up but unfortunately its right next to a road and you know what that would mean.<br />
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I added 3 beautiful butterflies to the Smugmug album and some stunning caterpillars too.<br />
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This is the caterpillar of the Yellow Tail Moth. not in its full stage quite.<br />
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I had an up close and personal moment with a Scorpion fly.<br />
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Such a beautiful critter, landed on my hand whilst I was doing other stuff.<br />
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I spent a little time with the terrapins at the lake.<br />
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I spent some time at Wellington Gravel pits and added some birds to the yearly list, including Hobby, Little Owl and Little Ringed Plover. I also got my first dragonfly of the year, a 4 spot Chaser.<br />
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and the little bugs have continued to please,<br />
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Dock leaf shield Bug, coreus marginatus.<br />
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The tree Heron still won't play ball.<br />
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Star shot of the week is, Mayfly, Ephemera Danica. <br />
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I don't want to get too repetative but I'm adding stuff to the Smugmug site on a daily basis almost, if you haven't had a look for a while, please do. Brian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-19875364580950637132014-05-06T21:08:00.001+01:002014-05-09T18:39:54.935+01:00Drives me crazyAs you are all aware I have a liking for close up/ macro photography. I love nothing more than being on my hands and knees photographing some wonderful small critter or another. It hurts my knees and back something chronic though.<br />
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What I don't like so much is trying to correctly identify the critters I've caught. I have a number of books that I use and I search the web if I have an inkling of what it might be, what family/genus etc. Regularly though I am stumped. The following is one such critter.<br />
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I've never seen one before, it was only maybe 3-4 mm in body length. I'm guessing its not reached its maturity yet and may look completely different when it does.<br />
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In addition, what reference books do you use? If any of you can suggest a book that you have found invaluable I would be very grateful.<br />
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I've added a fair few shots to the gallery site over the last week or so, if you haven't had a look for a few days you may want to do so. Thanks<br />
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P.S<br />
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A Temminks stint has been at Wellington Gravel pits for a few days, Have I seen it? what do you think? Its the bird on the left.<br />
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Don't fret all you purists, I'm not claiming it as a tick for the year/lifer. That could just as easily be one of the many Common Sandpipers that frequent the pool, it was about 300 yards away. The books suggest that at that distance it might be difficult to tell them apart, and I sometimes wonder about these alleged sightings. The bird on the right is a Greenshank for size comparison.<br />
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Foot note:<br />
I have had the creepy crawly identified, It is a nymph of a mirid bug called Calocoris Alpestris. Thanks to Joseph Botting at britishbugs.org.uk for his help with identification Brian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-87989040955475807132014-05-01T01:02:00.000+01:002014-05-01T01:02:17.973+01:00First of the yearSince my last post I have a couple of chances to get out with the camera. I've done mostly small stuff, But for the first time ever and with the first of the year I have a photo of a Cuckoo. It's not a good photo but it's a photo.<br />
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I went out with the camera yesterday (weds 30th) with the intention of doing small stuff, hopefully Orange Tip butterflies, and at a spot I visit regularly whilst setting up the small macro kit I heard a Cuckoo calling and it sounded really close. I grabbed the binos for a look see, and there it was sitting on a telegraph wire some 100-150 metres away. Quickly change the camera onto the 600 and shot off 4 frames. Paused to check and found that the camera was as I'd left it yesterday, F14, -1, iso 200. Bugger!! but i've managed to just about get a working record shot.<br />
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Unfortunately by the time I had reset, it was up and flying towards me and over my head. Lesson learned for next time believe me. Absolutely thrilled to hear, see and photograph one this year though.<br />
Star of the small stuff is a toss up between this,<br />
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Large Red Damselfly.<br />
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and this,<br />
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Vine Weevil.<br />
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Come back soon, will have more to show.Brian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-92055319864800527422014-04-22T18:13:00.000+01:002014-04-22T18:13:23.172+01:00Keeping it ticking over.Chris Grady used to say that Herefordshire was not a good county for photography. I used to doubt him. Now I agree wholeheartedly. It's a great place for nature, but photography is a different matter.<br />
I have joined Herefordshire Nature Trust, and have visited a half dozen of their sites in the last few weeks.Not a one is ideal for photography. I have also been to Wellington Gravel pits and the old landfill site at Stretton Sugwas. Both great for seeing things but not for photography.<br />
Ok I can hear you saying, that can't be right, but unless you have a lot of time and opportunity to put stuff in to place then you are going to struggle.<br />
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I have spent more time driving from one place to another than with my camera out. It's not good. Ask yourselves a question. Why has Herefordshire, with all its rural beauty, not got a single RSPB reserve anywhere in it? Does it not seem odd to you that the Forest of Dean has one, Gloucestershire has at least two, but Herefordshire a huge county has none.<br />
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That said I have made the best of what I have, and thrown in a trip or two to the Elan Valley and here is what little I have to show for it.<br />
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Elan Valley,<br />
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Wheatear. Of which there were only half a dozen.<br />
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and Meadow Pipit, of which there were plenty.<br />
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Thats it, still a bit early I think. No Ring Ouzel, no Winchat, one solitary Stonechat too far away to photograph, but surprisingly 3 pairs of Curlew. One pair by the farm, another by the rickety bridge, and another on the road to Aberyswyth. <br />
Great news is that the Red Kite are nesting in their old spot. The one was sitting and the other was circling overhead.<br />
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A trip to Gilfach as mentioned in my last post revealed no Pied Flycatchers or Redstarts in at that time. But the Dippers were busy up and down the river with nest material, and taking a break in between.<br />
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Back in Herefordshire, a Heron at the local pond has been a source of annoyance. Whenever I'm out with the dog, I can get much closer than you would think before it lifts up and sits in the trees, But when I don't have the dog it seems to sense it immediately. It is going to be a work in progress as I am assured that he was around all last summer and that there are ample opportunities to get good shots of him if you are patient.<br />
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I have witnessed two amazing things this week, both in Herefordshire, surprisingly. Firstly whilst at Wellington one day and in the little hide I saw a Kingfisher land on one of the small bushes some 60 feet or so away. I watched it, with another chap who was also in the hide, dive into a small pool that the receeding water had left on the sand scrape, and catch a fish or newt I can't be sure. It flew back into the bush and then off into the distance.<br />
Secondly, whilst out walking the dog and approaching a tree where I know Tawny owls have nested before, an owl dropped from the tree to the ground some 50 metres in front of me. I immediately stood still, but then inched a little closer as I could see it was struggling with something in the grass and not aware of me. I was about 30 metres away when it rose up with a vole or similar clutched in it's talons and flew back up to the hole it usually nests in. Absolutely amazing, nature at its best on both occasions.<br />
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I've also done some small stuff this week, the best of which you can see in my galleries.<br />
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One bit of nature I could have lived without has been visiting my garden regularly this week, driving Roxy, my Westie, to her wits end as she cannot catch it, and me to mine as she sits at the patio doors whining if it is not open.<br />
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I think I've said before that I don't dislike rats in the right environment, but my garden is not such a place. Poison it will have to be then.<br />
<br />Brian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-77749146369271669532014-04-14T09:53:00.001+01:002014-04-14T09:53:41.592+01:00A Word to the Wise.I went to the Élan Valley yesterday (sun 13th) and as is always the way I made a trip over to Gilfach too. I was chatting to Pip in the centre yard and he advised me that the trust have introduced a few changes.<br />
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Photographers are NOT allowed to use tripods or monopods in the yard area anymore.<br />
No one is allowed to bring food for the birds, including mealworms.<br />
No one must get too near the birds as to cause disturbance.<br />
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Pip assures me that he tried to fight the photographers corner, he pointed out that the photographers that attend increase the funds raised dramatically and that the birds are ensured a good food supply for the chicks. Unfortunately even the suggestion of a permit for photographers did not help.<br />
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Of course photographers are still welcome at the reserve, and welcome to use Tripods etc in other areas.<br />
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I wonder if this is the first stand by Nature trusts against photographers. I hope not.Brian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-12174657554782794402014-04-02T21:14:00.000+01:002014-04-02T21:14:07.820+01:00Spring cometh.There have been a few days of good weather and Spring is definately underway. I have Blue tits taking nesting material into the box in my garden. There is a Moorhen sitting on a nest at the nearby pool and the Swans have started to do the same.<br />
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Trips to the FOD have given me some nice images.<br />
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and also the opportunity to search for, and find the Great Grey Shrike, albeit from a distance on possibly the worst day I have had in the Forest recently.]<br />
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Nice to see it all the same.<br />
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I've spent a bit of time trying to improve on my previous Pheasant shots.<br />
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and I have done a bit of small stuff, this Bee Fly (Bombylius Major) was a challenge.<br />
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I have added some stuff to the Gallery page, see links.<br />
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Hoping for better weather than is predicted this week. come back soon.<br />
<br />Brian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-80981358875711760282014-03-15T00:33:00.000+00:002014-03-15T00:33:01.027+00:00Sunshine at last!!So finally a bit of good weather and the opportunity to make the most of it. It wasn't wasted.<br />
Trips to the Forest were very productive.<br />
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A trip to the Elan Valley was also great. I was up there at 7am and some of the views were amazing.<br />
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Didn't see any Merlin, or many raptors for that matter, just a Buzzard and a few Kite, didn't see Wheatear yet, and if I'm honest didn't expect too. Did see Meadow Pipits though.<br />
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Then having done a quick trip to Gilfach to look for dipper,<br />
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successfully, it was off to Gigrin for more practice on the Kite and Co, the Rooks came pretty close.<br />
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Back nearer to home some Pheasants proved to be interesting.<br />
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I have decided to go with Smugmug for my gallery page. I have added some shots too it, and removed some others over the last 24 hrs so please have a look. It's to the right in my links.<br />
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I want to once again thank Chris G, for his help with some technical stuff relating to the gallery and Lightroom, I know it's not easy for you mate guiding me through it, but with your help I am able to save myself a lot of time and effort and we both know that left alone I'd have just continued to struggle with the long winded way. I very much appreciate your help. Also with the advice re the lenses etc.<br />
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Looking forward to a warm spring, come back soon. <br />
<br />Brian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309832174497366336.post-81999457401743172762014-03-07T22:51:00.000+00:002014-03-07T22:51:13.568+00:00Something NewI believe that my photography has come on in the last year or two, I'm not at the stage where I want to be just yet, there are still things that I need to learn.<br />
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With this in mind I have been looking at either changing the way I post my pictures, changing the blog or incorporating a gallery. I do have issues with the blog, which I've voiced before, but on the whole it serves a purpose, which is recording where, when and how I've got my pictures, usually in the format of a story with pics.<br />
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Therefore I have decided to trial gallery websites. One that I have often heard of is Smug Mug. I am currently trialing it and have attached a link to it in my links, (Brians Gallery). The pictures are not necessarily ones that will end up in there if I take it up, I merely wanted to upload a good number to see how it sits. I would also envisage having more galleries in it when I have insects or landscapes, for instance, to show.<br />
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I would be grateful if you would all take a look and see what you think, I have identified one problem myself so far and that is that there doesn't appear to be a way of returning back to the blog direct from the gallery once you've finished having a look, I am sure that there probably is, it's just that I haven't worked it out yet. The template I am using is one of many and I quite like it but that too is not set in stone.<br />
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If you have any strong views please let me know, if no-one comments then I will presume it's okay. Thank you for your anticipated assistance.Brian J Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16904482618315834332noreply@blogger.com0