Hellebore

 On my first proper day out this year it couldn't have been better weather and so I got in the car, put the roof down headed off down the motorway to Dunham Massey. I spent some time exploring the estate gardens enjoying the spring flowers and beautiful blossoms and then I went for a walk around the deer park and got some lovely photos. After something of a drought of pictures for my blog I now have enough to keep me going for a little while and I really look forward to sharing them with you.

For today I have three pictures of a lovely hellebore. They are not exactly the most exciting flowers but they bring some much needed colour to gardens after winter has passed and herald the start of spring. These are quite nice specimens and it seems fitting that I start my series of spring flowers with the understated hellebore.

Little Beauty

 So I only have one photo for today.

I recently went to a spot where I had previously seen a couple of pairs of Goldcrests and I was hoping that I would get a chance to photograph one as they are beautiful tiny birds and I have only seen them a handful of times. 

I had waited for a little while and although I could hear one rustling around I almost gave up because it was almost impossible to see. I was at the point of moving on when this bird flew past me and gave me a brief chance to snap a few shots. Sadly I couldn't get a clear shot of its wonderful gold crest from which it gets its name but even so I was quite pleased with this one image. 

It is Britain's smallest bird at about 9 cm (3.5 inches) so you can understand why they are hard to spot. They prefer coniferous woodland and they feed on insects and spiders. This species is increasing in population so the chance of spotting them is possibly increasing but you have to look hard because they are so small. I hope this wont be the last shot I get of one...

Sweet Songbirds

 At this time of year with the buds emerging on trees and bushes it is still fairly easy to spot birds as they find a perch and sing out to mark their territory or try to attract a mate. That being said you do still need to be patient because they don't always stay still for long and it can be difficult to actually locate where a particular song is coming from. It can be really frustrating when you finally spot the bird and then it flies off to a new vantage point and you have to start again.

The greenfinch in the first of these shots was a case in point. I could hear him singing for ages before I spotted him and just when I did he flew off, luckily I was able to follow him and got close enough to fire off a few frames. I know that I probably don't see the full beauty of his vibrant plumage but I do appreciate what I see and being able to enjoy his song.

The bird in the next two images is a Dunnock. It is an easily overlooked bird given that it has fairly drab colouring but it has a really beautiful song which more than makes up for its lack of colour. It is still quite a handsome bird although in the second shot with it looking straight at the camera it does look a little fierce.

Going Going Gone...

 So yesterday I shared some pictures of a Common Crossbill, the first time I have been able to photograph these interesting birds.

Today I have shared a short sequence to show how the bird uses its unique bill shape to get hold of its food and how it twists its neck round while keeping its body almost completely still. I am not sure what it was eating but it obviously went down well. It also went down very quickly, in a matter of seconds in fact.

Loxia curvirostra

 The Common Crossbill.  I had gone out hoping to capture something different but although I could hear lots of birdsong I was finding it very difficult to spot anything. After a short while however a small flock of noisy birds settled briefly and I realised they were crossbills. I don't think I have seen them before and I know I have definitely never photographed them so I was thrilled to get this chance. 

They are not the prettiest of birds and this little chap is all fluffed up against the wind. It is easy to see why they get their name and that curiously shaped bill is exceptionally useful even though it looks like it might be a little clumsy. Tomorrow I will share some pictures of it putting that bill to use...

Defences

 I managed to get out again today for a few hours and I got a couple of shots of some birds I have never photographed before which was quite exciting for me. However I have yet to sort through my pictures before I can share anything with you but be prepared they are going to be special.

So for today I am sharing two more images from my "trip" last week and here they are.

I think they are quite dramatic images of the sea defences at New Brighton, what do you think?

Turnstone

 I love wildlife photography, patiently waiting and getting up close to beautiful creatures is so rewarding and something I have really missed doing. Yesterday when I went out I was planning on photographing the lighthouse (see yesterdays' blog) and the sea defences along the beach at New Brighton but I always go out prepared for any eventuality and I was so glad I did because I spotted a small flock of Turnstones taking a break among the concrete structures.

I cautiously approached hoping not to spook them and trying not to get wet or snag my clothes on the barnacles etc. I guess the birds felt quite safe because although they were certainly alert and paid attention to my presence they didn't fly away so I managed to get a few really nice shots.

Lighthouse Exposed

 

I have had a much needed and even if I say it myself, a well earned day off work and I decided to get out for a couple of hours with my camera. I stayed fairly local just driving the few miles to New Brighton and even that seemed like quite an adventure in these peculiar times. The last time I actually left the house with my camera (in daylight at least) was 3rd January which was before the current lockdown restrictions were put in place and I have not been able to justify taking photographs as "essential" so my gear has been left idle for too long.

I actually wondered why I had bothered restricting myself because today there were a few other photographers out as well as a large number of people fishing from the shore and a model boat club having some kind of mini regatta. I guess if those activities can pass as essential or come under the umbrella of "exercise" then I felt pretty safe in my decision to go out today. 

Anyway I got a mixture of shots including landscape, seascape and wildlife and today I am sharing a few images of the lighthouse at Perch Rock.

Although it was dry and mild there was very little colour in the sky and so I decided to shoot mostly in black and white because I felt this would create more dramatic images, I have included one colour image for some balance.

I used a variable ND filter to use long exposures and flatten out the sea somewhat as the tide was coming in. I have used exposures of 2.5 seconds up to 6 seconds which as well as smoothing out the water has also added a little movement to the clouds. 

I am going to say that the first image and the third image are my favourites. I hope you like them too.

I will be sharing some more pictures over the next few days and now that I have been out once I am sure I will head out more often in the coming weeks and hopefully start to get some more nice images.