Back to normal

Blog problems are solved. Brian Williams gave me a pointer and I have put it right. Big thank you to Brian. However I am still thinking of trying something different so there could be changes in the near future.

Blog Problems

I'm having problems with the blog.

All my old photos are not showing up, I've no idea why. I've tried to contact Blogger but nothing has happened as yet. I may cancel the blog and go with another provider. If any of you have an idea whats happening to my site drop me a line please, b_davis20@live.co.uk

Small is beautiful

I enjoy small photography, close up stuff. Its been a slow start to the year, I think it's still a bit too cold for most things. I am certainly not seeing the butterflies I would expect to see. I have seen one Hawthorn shield bug whilst out with the dog, and most little creepy crawlies seem to be avoiding me. I have had a butterfly or two though. This pair of Green veined mating for instance.

I have also had a few flies.

and,

It always seems a challenge to try and get smaller stuff. This was quite tiny.

Whereas this Alderfly was slightly bigger, it was on my car.

and this drone fly.

I caught this Robin collecting it's own small stuff in my brothers garden it was taken with my 55-200 macro.

Other than this stuff its been plants and horses.

Teasel.

The ponies are free roaming ponies on Bickerton Hill, Its the site of an Iron Age fort, one of several along Cheshires sandstone ridge. There are a number of groups who maintain the area trying to return it to its former condition of heathland. Its a lovely spot but on the day I visited it was cold and overcast.

Looks like the next few days are going to be wet, so not sure what I'll get or when.

Butterflies and others

It's going to be a scorcher, how will we cope? Bank Holiday and as usual it hasn't lived up to the hype, not up here anyway.
I had plans to go to Moore Nature Reserve this morning so set the alarm for early o'clock. Could tell as soon as I opened my eyes that it wasn't what I hoped so reset alarm for 8am and head back down. It did get nice by about 1pm but by then I was helping my bro take stuff to the tip.
However this evening I was out in the car driving around the country lanes seeing what was about. Amazingly I saw a Brown Hare, haven't seen one for well over 12 months and couldn't believe as I drove past a field gate there it was sitting bold as brass just the other side. Unfortunately by the time I had found a place to turn round it had moved a fair way away. I had to drive around the other end of the field but that was against the sun. So cropped record shots were the best I could manage.

Fabulous to watch it though.

I've walked miles this week, both alone with the camera and with the dog, she's starting to slow down bless her but she never baulks at the offer of a walk, normally I can find a few nests during the walks, this year though its been different. I've found lots more, Blackbirds, Song thrush, GSW, Dunnock, Chiffchaff, Blue tits, Wood pigeon. I have even got Great tits nesting in the garden. But there are some notable ones missing. Long tailed tits. I can usually be guaranteed to find two or three LTT nests but unless they are later than usual there is a definate lack in the number. I've seen fewer as well, perhaps they suffered in the winter months this time.

I watched two Chiffchaffs taking nest material to their nest, back and forth, back and forth. You really do have to admire their efforts. I managed to catch them as they left the nest area.

I have heard and seen lots of these this year. Likewise Blackcaps, still to get one in the frame long enough to get a shot though.

The butterflies have proved challenging, but I have succeeded in getting my best Orange-tip shots this year, I still want better though.

I have managed Small tortoiseshell and Small white too.

I have also chanced across a couple of other creepy crawlies.

Green Shield Bug.

Lesser House fly.

and a Western Honey Bee, I think.

I had a bit of fun just recently with the 600mm lens, I saw a Rainbow and got a shot of it.

I also got a horse, with the macro lens.

and the last two, both with the 600mm

I sent the moorhen shot to Birdguides with the caption; "Mam, are you sure I'm a Moorhen, this water's freezing" Last time I looked it hadn't got so much as a titter. It may just be me but I can imagine the moorhen chick pulling up his feathers as he said it.

Better weather to come? Let's hope so.

Was that summer?

We, in Cheshire, had one nice day this week. We have had the odd nice evening which I guess we should be happy with. I have been trying to do more rabbits this week. I made a bit of a project of it. However, speaking of projects you will recall that in my last post I was going to do a days project on Little Egret, unfortunately they disappeared never to return  the day after I did my last post. I'm not too disappointed.

Back to the Rabbits. I am sure that any of you who have tried to get shots of rabbits will know that it isnt that easy. They do not like to see you and will often leg it whilst you are still a way away. I obtained most of my shots this week from my car, they don't seem to be too fazed as long as you dont open the door and try and get out.

Those first two are obviously the same kitten. This third was taken on a less sunny day at a different spot.

and again this one taken at a different spot on a different day.

Last evening (sat) I decided to try a different tack. I decided to get to a local area where the rabbits come out in the evening. Its a narrow lane that leads down to the council depot adjacent to the A55/M53 converge.
I had been there earlier in the day to suss it out, and had been checked out by the local Police Officer who had seen my parked car and was worried I may be up to no good. Having assured him that my intentions were entirely above board he went away happy. I had looked for rabbit runs coming out of the hedge as an indication of the best spot to wait. I got there early and positioned my self in what I hoped was a good spot. I sat down with the tripod over my legs and waited. I was wearing a camo top and green cap but blue trousers. sure enough within thirty minutes rabbits were coming out further down the lane. I was still hopeful that I was in a good spot although a little concerned that the evening breeze had moved slightly and was blowing any scent of me towards the area I was hoping the rabbits would emerge. However a rabbit emerged slightly to my left and started to come towards me, stopping to feed every now and then.

Eventually the rabbit got to within 30 feet of me, I was convinced it must have seen me especially as I turned the lens to face it, but it did not seem fazed by me at all, infact it did something I'd never have believed, it not only sat down but it lay down stretched out it's back leg and sunbathed in the glorious evening sun. Initially I thought it must be a buck but having looked at the collection of photos I took, after the event, I think it was a heavily pregnant doe.

Either way we sat and looked at each other for 20 minutes or so, I took a couple of dozen shots and she never moved. I love the way the sun highlights the veins in its ear. Ok maybe not the best technical shots due to the backlight but a fantastic experience. I had a really sore bum by the time she eventually got up and hopped away. I have truly enjoyed messing around with rabbits this week.

Bad weather forecast for at least the next 48hrs in Cheshire, but I have hopes to get some photography done, There are Blackcaps in a hedgerow that runs alongside the primary school in the village, so on Monday I will go and see the head and let her know I'm going to be out with the camera trying to get shots of them. Don't want another visit from the law do I?

Enjoy your week, come back soon.