RSPB Burton Marsh

A pleasant few hours this afternoon at RSPB Burton Marsh, not the best conditions for photography as the sun when it was out seemed to be directly in front of every shot I wanted. But there was plenty about and the highlight was watching a female Marsh Harrier hunting across the Reed beds. A few snaps from the visit

Birdfair 2013

Birdfair was celebrating its 25th year this year, this was to be our first visit, and what a great weekend it was. I have wanted to get down to Rutland for many years but never managed it, so this year we travelled down for the Saturday and Sunday. It really is a massive event and even after two days there was lots that we didnt get to see.
Sharon was in her element in the Art Marquee, and has come back all inspired after seeing Darren Woodhead, he is the artist who appeared on Springwatch, and who was selling watercolours unmounted and unframed for up to £1000, we bought a postcard!! I really enjoyed looking at the many Wildlife photographers selling their wares and have come back with lots of different ideas.
Highlights of the weekend, listening to and meeting the inspirational Simon King, Sharon insisted on going to listen to Nick Baker, mind I guess she wasn't listening too much just looking, cant think why, think Bill Oddie is far better looking!!
It was great to see the enigmatic Jonny Kingdom, and again meeting him, and listening to the man who has done more for the revival of the Osprey, Roy Dennis.
But by far the highlight of the weekend, bumping into the 'Wildes' and the amazing Findlay Wilde !!

Simon King





one for Sharon..... cant see what she sees in him !!

Nick Baker



Jonny Kingdom



A little Treecreeper, freshly ringing and ready for release, after a ringing demo by the BTO



Mr Osprey.... Roy Dennis...an inspiration

NEW WEBSITE

Its been a long time coming since having the original idea of doing a joint website, but the Wildlife artist and wildlife photographer have finally got it sorted and we now have our own joint website called
'Portraits of Nature'
The long term aim is to use the site to market and sell our work, but for the time being it is displaying Sharons amazing art work, and many of my favourite wildlife images.
When you have a moment take a look and see what you think, any feedabck is very much appreciated, and of course please share it far and wide with your friends. Just click on the link below.
Thanks
Gary

http://www.portraitsofnature.co.uk/

Raptors

To continue on catching up from the last few months of non-blogging, if there are birds that I really enjoy photographing then it has to be Birds of Prey, and I really must make a more concerted effort to get out and photograph them some more. I have an ongoing wish list, near the top are Barn Owls and Short Eared owls, just need to locate some!!
For now are a few shots from the last few months...

First up is a beautiful Kestrel, this taken at RSPB Burton Mere



Next up is of a male Sparrowhawk taken from the kitchen window, this bird actively hunts in the garden



One of my favourites, and a bird I really want to get out and photograph a lot more, Barn Owl, this is a captive bird.



and lastly, one of the conservation successes of previous years, the Common Buzzard

Back to Blogging!!!

At long last I think it's time to get back to blogging.... my apologies for the extended break, and as Sharon and I are in the process of setting up a joint website,  this has prompted me to get back to updating my blog and getting back in touch with all the great people who share their blogs.

My camera has been quite busy over the summer, and one of the highlights was a trip to Skomer Island, situated off the south west tip of Wales, it is a great place to visit to see Puffins especially. But we were surprised and pleased to also see Short eared Owls, although out of camera range.
We did return a few weeks later but unfortunately the weather conspired against us and the boats did not go out to the Island the two days we were down there.
Anyway amongst the many photo that I took, this selection were some of my favourites, I just love the Puffins against the dark cliffs of The Wick.

Snowy Garden Birds

North East Wales has been hit by deluges of snow over the last two days, it took me nearly 4 hours this morning to dig my way out of the Cottage and get my car up to the road, the snow on the track which is well over 100 yards long was 2 ft deep in places...

But yesterday morning I spent a couple of hours early on watching the birds visiting my feeding station in the garden, and it really made me realise just how they rely on our garden feeders for that little bit extra in the extreme weather.... nearly said winter weather, but it is supposed to be SPRING!!

Anyway on with some pics that I took, all were taken through the kitchen window!

Last of the Whoopers.... maybe!

I had the chance today to nip to Martin Mere for a couple of hours, I was pleased as this may be the last chance I get to see the Whooper Swans before they fly back to Iceland in the very near future. As I have eluded to in previous posts they really are magnificent birds, I have been to Martin Mere so many times over the years to see them, but they fascinate me every time I see them, and never tire of sitting watching them up close and from afar. A few more shots below from todays visit.









Grrr its Monday again in the morning and the start of the week, soon been Friday hopefully when we are back out walking again.... have a great week my friends!

Whooper Swans

One of my favourite places to visit is the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust reserve at Martin Mere, and especially during the Winter and early spring to see the Whooper Swans. As I have previously mentioned these magnificent birds travel down from Iceland to over winter in the UK, with many stopping at Martin Mere, in fact some birds are known to have been returning to Martin Mere for at least 15 years. They are real great birds and I never tire of seeing them, and the great thing about Martin Mere is that the trust feed the swans twice a day, so close up views are guaranteed.

















A few more images of the other Wildfowl seen

Shelduck





Pintail



Mallard




Greylag



Canada Goose



Wigeon



Eider