Paxton Pits: Goldcrest and Great Crested Grebes

After taking part in the May Breeding Bird survey at Paxton Pit, we walked around the pits and watched a Goldcrest going in and out of the mossy nest, a Great Crested Grebe catching small fishes and another bird that found a very large fish and swallowed it in one gulp.

 

Garden Activity is Hotting Up

I took advantage of the numerous Green Shield bugs in the garden to try and perfect my macro technique. The Green Shield Bug was once restricted to southern England but with warmer conditions, they are now common and widespread across much of England and Wales, and spreading ever northwards. The adults overwinter and emerge in spring, laying their eggs on the undersides of leaves. Using a Metz ringflash, fuji XT1 and Zeiss 50mm macro. The optimum aperture seemed to be F16 to get all the insect in focus but still with a diffuse background. At F11 (last image) theDOF didn't quite extend to back of insect.

Herons, Geese and other Water Birds at St Albans

We were too late in the year and the day for much Heron activity but still fun to watch their antics when they woke up for short spells. Some appear to be sitting on eggs still.

The Canada Geese were the most vocal especially now with young. Otherwise recorded Dabchick,Coot, Yellow Wagtail, Tufted Duck and Pied Wagtail

CCC Wednesday Workshop Intentional Camera Movement

Lots of camera swinging, panning and rear-curtain flashing occurred on Foxton Sports field last night as members of the camera club experiment with camera movement.

Bluebell Time at Waresley Woods, Cambs

The bluebells are extra good in the birch wood at Waresley this year. I chose a too bright afternoon to visit but enjoyed the smells and colours of the wood and trying a few soft focus views and camera rotations etc. They have sensibly deterred people from wandering in but there are plenty of viewpoints to try and record that illusive colour and shape.

 

 

 

Black-Winged Stilts and Avocets from Majorca

These two species were the most abundant on the S'Albufera Marsh and offered photographic opportunities in all weathers and lighting conditions.