Cat Face

 This selection of pictures are of a Eurasian Eagle Owl. This is the UK's largest species of owl and it is really quite magnificent. They were almost extinct in the UK now so long ago apart from those birds in private collections but in recent years there has been an increase in their numbers. This increase has received a mixed reception because they will take other birds of prey as part of their diet, including other endangered species so the conservation programme has to be carefully managed.

I think they are really splendid birds and I have been lucky enough to see one in the wild, it was a visitor at Burton Mere Wetlands a few years ago and it attracted a large number of twitchers  who were all lined up in the hope pf catching a glimpse.

I think there is something feline about these birds, at least in the shape of the face especially in flight, what do you think???

Patience My A***

 This is a rather fine specimen of a Griffon Vulture, or Eurasian Griffon which is found in southern Europe and across Asia. They can grow up to 122cm tall with a wingspan up to 2.8m so quite a formidable bird. I remember watching a vulture in a zoo ripping apart a goats leg, stripping the tendons away from the bone, it was really impressive to see the power in its claws and beak.

I like the watchful pose of this bird, hunched as if ready to launch into the air and catch some thermals in search of the next meal.

It reminded me of a picture on a t-shirt I saw many many years ago that had two vultures sitting in a tree surveying the dry landscape, they were scrawny and obviously very hungry and one was saying to the other "Patience my ass, I'm going to kill something".

This one won't have to worry about its next meal as it is resident at the National Centre for Birds of Prey at Helmsley where it obviously receives excellent care.

A Real Head Turner

 I had to look twice at this bald eagle that was looking intently at me as I was preparing to take his portrait.

He is sat on a perch with his back towards me but with his head swivelled through 180 degrees to look at me. 

He has such an intense stare but part of me cant help thinking he looks a bit like Sam Eagle from The Muppet Show and he is about to lecture me on good manners...

Gyr Falcon

 This beautiful Gyr Falcon was braving the wet weather , although he didn't really have any choice as the heavy rain arrived out of nowhere so I figure it caught everyone out.

This is the largest species of falcon, and they are popular as hunting birds. They have a wide range across Arctic coastal regions, tundra and northern North America as well as what is referred to as the Eurosiberian region.  They have different coloured plumage depending on the area they live.

One final fact it is the official bird of Canada's Northwest Territories...

Eagle Eyed

 I think that in the natural world my favourite things are birds of prey and I always get a buzz of excitement when I see them in the wild. There are several birds on my bucket list of birds I want to see and hopefully photograph in their natural habitat. In reality I don't expect to get to see many of them so I am grateful for places like the National Centre for Birds of Prey at Duncombe Park where they do great work for the conservation of so many species that I would never get to see in the wild. 

I visited with my mum recently and although we got caught in the rain we got to see some beautiful birds and enjoy a wonderful flying display. Of course I took loads of photos some of which I will be sharing.

For today I have just one image of a Tawny Eagle a species which is more at home in sub Saharan Africa. While in some regions the population is fairly strong in other areas it is considered as a threatened species with population loss due to poisoning and shooting or from traffic.

I  think this is a stunning looking bird, I love the intense expression.

I have had to do a close up image because this bird was in an aviary and I was shooting through the mesh of the enclosure so it is quite a soft image but I think by doing so I have been able to emphasise the intensity of its stare and get across something of the power of this beautiful bird.

Nicely Framed

The approach to the house at Lyme Park takes you about 1 mile through the deer park where there is a herd of wild Red Deer (I didn't spot any) and the façade of the house is grand but not as grand or ostentatious as the rear of the house that overlooks the reflecting pond. This is the side of the house that is made to be seen.

Visitors to Lyme would be invited to walk around the lake so that they can enjoy the spectacular view. As well as this view there is a formal Italian garden, a simple terrace and the orangery and for those with more energy there are extensive grounds, a mill, and of course the deer...

I love the lighting in these shots, I hope you will agree they really show off this magnificent building.

The final shot below is of the fountain in the orangery, in the almost tropical atmosphere the moss has really taken hold on the stonework of the fountain. I like the fact that rather than clear the moss the gardeners have embraced this growth to enhance the feature. The sound of the trickling water is slightly muted creating a lovely relaxing atmosphere.

 

Light and Shade

 Here are a few more shots to show off the colours of a woodland autumn.

I have experimented with the second image showing it in black and white and while I do like to image I don't think it works nearly as well as the coloured version.

The last image is of a curious looking fungus, it is a variety called Helvella crispa and is known as a fluted white elfin saddle. Apparently some people say these are edible but there is some dispute about this and they are definitely not to be eaten raw. 

Colours of Autumn

 I had planned on sharing these images over a few days but I couldn't resist putting them all into one post.

The light yesterday was fantastic and it really helped to show off the autumn colours at their best whether it's the multitude of greens, the blue sky, the sunburst through the branches of the vibrant red of the leaves backlit by the sun.

I think my favourite image is the second one because when photographing red plants it is incredibly difficult to get an accurate representation of the colour and I think with this shot I have nailed it. I am not one for blowing my own trumpet however as a colour blind photographer I also miss a lot of the reds and greens so again with this shot I think I have done exceptionally well. 

Pemberley

So the eagle eyed among you will understand why I have called this post Pemberley, it is actually Lyme Park in Disley, near Manchester and it was used as the setting for Pemberley the fictional home of the Darcy family in the 1995 BBC Television adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. It is very possible that you won't have seen it but in my home it is very possibly the most watched TV show and this setting is where one of the most famous scenes of the entire series...

I hadn't really wanted to go out today and took some persuading but as it was the weather was perfect and i was able to get some great shots that made the trip worth the effort.

I took several shots of the colours of autumn which you can look forward to over the next few days before I get to some views of the magnificent house.

There was a fair breeze today so the surface of the reflecting pond was broken up by lots of ripples and I was worried that I wouldn't get the shots I wanted so I turned to one of the most useful gadgets in my camera bag, my K+F Concept variable ND filter. Using the filter I was able to use a long exposure and a very small aperture, this meant I could freeze the motion in the water and keep everything in focus to bring out all the detail and get a nice reflection.

From a low vantage point and with the gorgeous afternoon sun behind me I think this creates a striking image.

Staking His Claim

 This time of year the normally placid herd takes on a  different air as the stags vie for position as the rutting season gets under way.

I came across this magnificent beast in a small clearing with a group of about 10 females for company. He was strutting around and grunting at the top of his voice asserting his dominance. Most of the time he was pacing slowly and checking the hinds to see if they were in season, his advances were clearly unwelcome.

Moments before these pictures were shot the peace was disturbed by another young stag coming into the clearing and then being chased off noisily by this chap before he returned to keep a watch over the herd.

The Boar's Head

 I don't know whether you can see what I see, but when I saw this rotting log i thought of a wild boar rummaging in the dirt or perhaps just resting its chin on the ground.

I like looking for things like this where rotting wood has the appearance of something else it certainly adds a little interest to the decaying process.

Oh Baby

 I had spent the morning defrosting the freezer, not the most exciting way to use a valuable day off work that's for sure, so after lunch I decided to head off to Dunham Massey for a walk around the deer park.

I am lucky to have some really nice places to visit close by where I can enjoy the wildlife. While you might think that photographing deer in a managed herd is not as special as photographing them in the wild it still has its challenges. Although the deer are used to people they are still wild and quite timid so it is important to respect that and keep a sensible distance. At this time of year as the rut is under way that is even more important because they are on high alert.

It was a real treat to spot this youngster in the first image, it was so cute.

Later on it was wonderful to spot another youngster feeding from its mother, it was such a tender moment to witness. I stood really still so as not to disturb this mother and child.

It was so good to get out even just for an hour or two and I need more moments like this to help clear my head and get a break from the pressures and concerns that sometimes can wear me down.

Black Headed Gull

 This is a pretty common sight around out coastline, a black headed gull. "Black headed ?"you say, "surely not! " But yes, it is a non breeding adult, the black head you would expect to see is actually the breeding plumage.

This might seem a fairly boring subject for my blog pictures when there are more exciting species to go in search of, and to be honest I would much rather be photographing more exotic species. However wildlife photography involves a lot of patience and a lot of effort and sometimes you just have to shoot what is there. 

I had gone out onto the beach waiting for the tide to come in and to see the flocks of waders that come in ahead of the tide. It was a little further out than I had expected so as I waited I tried to get some practice with the gulls.

In the first image you can see that it was calling out, maybe a warning to keep my distance, look at that long floppy tongue. In the second image it had walked a little further away before launching into the air as flying away as you can see in the final image.

Autumn Colours

 While waiting for the red kites to arrive  amused myself by taking a few shots of the autumn colours, the red, yellows and greens of the woodland. 

I love the sights and smells and sounds of the forest there is so much to delight the senses and it is a wonderful place to unwind and to get away from the pressures and stresses of daily life.

On the Wing

 Here are a few more images of the majestic Red Kites. 

They are such graceful birds and they seem to fly effortlessly and always watchful for the next meal.

At first just a few birds were circling overhead but as the afternoon wore on large numbers appeared above the ridges all around until 150 or more were gathered waiting for the butchers' scraps that are provided each day. Watching them as they hovered over the feeding site and then swooping down at high speed was a real spectacle, it was amazing to see how they avoided colliding with each other and then snatching pieces of meat off the ground before flying up to eat while on the wing.

While they were waiting many birds practiced their aerobatics, dive bombing other birds and performing sudden direction changes  before looping up and soaring away again.

I cannot begin to describe the feeling I had watching this spectacle, it is a sight I will never forget and something that I hope to experience again. If you ever get the chance I would highly recommend it.

Fungus

 Here are a few fungi.

This is a great time of year for spotting fungi in the leaf litter and on the verges. I almost missed some of these because they were well hidden and blending in with the background.

A Cabin in the Valley

 I really hope that you have enjoyed the pictures I have shared over the last few days of the Red Kites, I have sorted few some more that I will post in the week ahead but for today here is something a little different.

After photographing the birds I was heading back to the car park and I took a slight detour off the track and I happened across this stunning view.

I have given each of these images different treatment in Lightroom, please let me know what you think and which of the two images you prefer.

Taking to the skies

 As the afternoon progressed upwards of 150 Red Kites arrived but this was one of the early arrivals that took a few moments to rest near the top of a tree. 

I really like this sequence of images, I could sense it was checking me out (look at the intense stare) before taking to the sky and showing off how agile it is.