Bird Bath

 We have had some pretty cold and wet weather recently, and we are currently in the grip of storm Christoph with strong winds, heavy rain and high flood risk. 

Just a few days ago many parts of the country experienced snow and freezing temperatures and while it might be nice to see a bit of snow I was pleased that we didn't get any. It was still pretty cold though as these pictures show. The water on our bird feeder had frozen and around the edges of the water bowl these amazing patterns had formed. The crystals were growing downwards but turning them upwards they look rather like trees, an icy conifer forest perhaps.

The formation in the first image actually made me think of a slug or some other exotic mollusc but then again maybe I am just a bit weird...

Star Light Star Bright

 

I have wanted to get into astrophotography for a while but previous attempts to photograph the night sky had resulted in disappointing images, there are so many things to consider; the strength of the moon, light pollution, exposure time, time of the year etc. I know that multiple exposures and stacking images in post production is a thing but I still don't know how to do it.

 Last summer when I photographed comet neowise over Castlerigg I managed to get a decent image using the longest exposure possible with my equipment but I have seen so many really excellent images since then that I knew I would need a different set up if I am to get the sort of images I crave. The more I have looked the more I have wanted to explore the night sky and capture images of deep space objects; planets, stars, constellations, bright nebulae, planetary nebulae, dark nebulae, galaxies, galaxy clusters and more, things I didn't even realise existed.

I decided I would need to invest in a star tracker mount and so I did a little research and saved up and I recently took delivery of a Sky Watcher, Star Adventurer 2i. I have been itching to set it up and start to practice but so far there have been no clear night skies so it had remained in its box. I have looked at videos and blogs trying to pick up some tips and I have been checking the forecast in the hope that there would  be a break in the clouds long enough to put it to the test.

Last night there was a promise of a few hours and so I headed out to the beach with everything set up but sadly there were few breaks in the clouds and so I wasn't able to get a clear image. There was no point trying to do multiple images of the same spot in the sky because of the clouds but I did try out a few long exposures. I realise as I look at them now that I didn't take note of what I was focusing on so they're just random images of the stars with the wispy clouds passing by. What is clear however is that having used a 2 minute exposure the mount has worked amazingly well, even doing just a very simple polar alignment, the stars remain sharp and perfectly round. What is also amazing to me is the range of colours and the density of the objects out there.

So I know they're not great pictures but they are a start and if you look closely you will see patterns of star clusters and perhaps other objects light years away. I am so glad to have invested in the tracker that has meant these long exposures have been possible and I am now going to do a little more research and keep my fingers crossed for some clear skies.

Waders On The Shore

 

One of the things I like about living where I do is the fact that I am so close to the sea and the abundance of wildlife that comes with that.

A walk along the shore line reveals a myriad of shells; cockles, mussels, razor clams, whelks, winkles and more. There are egg casings known as "mermaids purse" from skates, rays and dog fish, other egg cases and sometimes starfish or jelly fish left behind by the receding tide. Further out in the rock pools around Hilbre Island there is all manner of life including small fish, crabs, anemones, shrimp etc and beyond that on the sand bank out in the estuary there is a large colony of Grey Seals. All this diversity of wildlife is amazing but much of it goes unnoticed unless you are looking for it.

What cannot be so easily overlooked however is the vast array of waders and shore birds that live here or visit as migratory species. The rich food stocks draw in thousands of birds and as the tides come and go the shoreline is visited by Sandpipers, Oystercatchers, Dunlin, Knot, Plovers, Wagtails and Buntings and many more. Along the creeks you will often see Egrets and Herons too.

Even though I live so close I don't get to spend as much time enjoying and exploring as I would like and if nothing else in the year ahead I think I will try to make more time to explore what is almost literally on my doorstep. 

I look at posts on social media from friends in different parts of the world and often think that I would be spoilt for opportunities to see wonderful things if I lived in any of those places but I have so much close to home I need to make more time to see that. It doesn't stop me wanting to travel and explore further afield of course but I will try to look more closely at what is nearby.

So for today's offering I have chosen a few shots taken on a resent walk on the beach. I followed the tide out about half a mile to a spot where I could see a large flock of birds gathering. They appeared to be arriving in waves and then settling where they found a raised bank of sand. As I got closer the sound was incredible as thousands of birds were chattering to each other. Some were feeding, like the Sanderling in the first shot which was moving so fast through the shallow water, but others were settled with their heads tucked under their wings perhaps sleeping or just sheltering from the icy wind coming off the Irish Sea. In the second image you can see Sanderlings in the foreground while the out of focus background is comprised of a large flock of Common Sandpipers.

It is hard to describe how vast the flock was but every now and then a large group would lift off and then find a different spot to settle, as they took to the air there was a fantastic sound of thousands of wings beating in unison. It was quite an experience to be faced with a wall of wings and feathers. 

A Little Ball of Fluff

 The Robin is an iconic bird with its bright red breast and cheerful song it is easily recognisable and much loved.

This little beauty had been singing loudly in some low branches, presumably marking his territory and then he flew down and landed on a branch barely a metre away from me. He was so close but he was constantly watchful so I had to make sure I didn't make any sudden moves.

Despite the bright sunlight it was bitterly cold and so it is no wonder that he is all fluffed up to stay warm. I think it was the need to warm up that gave me the opportunity to be so close and get these stunning images.

Snow Bunting

It has been a dull old day and so I didn't think I would get chance to get out with my camera, but then shortly before sunset there was a brief sunny spell so I grabbed my camera and headed down to the beach in the hope of getting a few shots to start the year as I mean to go on.

I had seen a small flock of Snow Buntings at Red Rocks a few days ago so I was hopeful there would be some on the shore. 

The tide was on its way out and so the newly exposed sand offered fresh feeding opportunities and there was a small group of about 8 birds searching for sandhoppers. They are very skittish and were easily spooked by the many dogs and dog walkers out making the most of the late afternoon sun so I had to be patient as they flew up and down the beach.

These are truly beautiful little birds, used to living in harsh conditions so well suited to the exposed beach and salt marsh around the local coastline.