Welney Swans and Sparrows

The cloudy conditions at Welney on Monday were ideal for photographing the Whooper Swans close up from the basement hide. I had in mind a set of almost abstract images so went for low key processing to try and emphasize their softness. It was also possible to shoot the sparrows coming to the feeders directly into the light. Only one Tree Sparrow recorded in my photos but there were a few more among the dozens of House Sparrows.

Lady Fen Welney Sightings

A very enjoyable day at Welney yesterday in the company of RPS Nature group members and volunteers from Paxton Pits. The dull light all day did not lend itself to distant photography but I enjoyed the challenge of finding and capturing the variety of wildlife on Lady Fen in the fenland landscape. The first Short-eared Owl took us by surprise as it flew close and over the bank. Other views were more distant. In the afternoon Steve located a Hare in its 'form' - amazingly camouflaged - just the eye giving it away. Good to get some closer photography of the Tree and House sparrows and Stonechat. Three species of Egret (Cattle, Great and Little), two deer species (Roe and Chinese Water), Heron and Kestrel completed the roll call