Springtime at Pensthorpe

 Spring is definitely in full swing at Pensthorpe with lots of chicks around (Avocet, Moorhen, Crane and Greylag and Barnacle Geese) displays from the Black-winged Stilts, Corncrake, Black-tailed Godwit and Ruff. As well as being a showcase attraction for birds, Pensthorpe does valuable conservation work, breeding and releasing Corncrakes and Common Cranes back into the wild. 

Norfolk Tour - Pensthorpe

A big change in the weather giving cloudy and cold conditions didn't spoil our day at Pensthorpe Natural Park. We are about a month too early for the gardens and meadows to be flourishing but the birds performed well with the usual suspects - Bearded Tits, Turtle Dove and Ruff putting on a good display in the captive area and lots of activity at the Woodland Hide and the Scrape

Experimenting with Fuji Pre-shots

Fuji have incorporated the ability to store images in the buffer prior to pressing the shutter which is a great asset for action photography. So here some shots I would have struggled with or been unable to capture without it from a diving  Goldeneye (spent lots of time previously trying to get this sequence) to a jumping Jackdaw going up to some feeders.

 

Pensthorpe Natural Park

Many of the species in the wader aviary at Pensthorpe are obviously breeding well. Here a few portraits before the action starts.There are large flocks of Bearded tits, Ruffs/Reeves, Black-winged Stilts and Avocets. Also photographed Redshank and Black-tailed Godwits. Light was not great most of the morning so 3200 iso and these are jpeg files.

Dragons, Robbers and Spiders etc at Pensthorpe, Norfolk

There was still a variety of 'bug' life in the meadows at Pensthorpe though dominated by spiders, many of them 'courting' over a tasty meal. Migrant Hawkers and Common Blue Damselflies were still on the wing and several Kite-Tailed Robber Flies seen. (Note to myself - turn down the flash setting!)

 

After the Rain at Pensthorpe

 Unfortunately it rained at Pensthorpe until the last hour but then all the birds were keen to have a wash and brush up to get the waterproofing back on their feathers. There were young Bearded tits in the aviary with their black eye markings. Last image to remind me not to use the electronic shutter!