It was This Big

 It is just over 11 years since I started posting photos on this blog and although I don't post nearly as often as I used to it still generates a fair bit of traffic from all around the world, which is quite reassuring. For example even though I didn't post at all since mid August I had over 41,500 views last month and over 1,000  per day this month too. In the grand scheme of things I don't really know how that compares to others but it is nice to know that what I am posting gets seen somewhere.

Sometimes I can go out with my camera and take hundreds of photos in a very short time and then on days like today when the light was  rather flat and grey I will take much fewer. Today over three hours at Martin Mere WWT reserve in Lancashire I took just 32 photos, the best of which I will share below. Even though I wasn't snapping away I still enjoyed the time there, sitting in the hides enjoying the company of like minded people or walking along the quite pathways and I was really pleased that I had made the effort to get out.

So to the pictures... Rather than split them up over several days I am going to put them all here with a few comments.

Firstly a couple of shots of a Black Tailed Godwit. These are incredibly rare birds in the UK, a Red Listed species with less than 50 breeding pairs being recorded across the UK so to see two here at Martin Mere was a genuine treat.

Next we have this very snooty looking Greylag Goose, these are fairly common and often seem fairly tame. This one, stood on the side of the lake was definitely posturing.

When it comes to superiority this beautiful Whooper Swan really seemed to be bragging about something. These are winter visitors to the UK coming down from Iceland. It is an Amber Listed species and it is illegal to disturb these birds. It is great to watch them swanning around on the lake. Sometimes they are very serene and at other times they get in quite a flap. It was amusing watching them vying for the best spots on the lake and this one, in this series of pictures appears to be trying to convince us that it really was that big, no, Really, That Big!

It is said that when Robins appear loved ones are near and today that definitely felt like it was true, and as I thought about that saying I thought among others about my mother in law who would have been 89 tomorrow.

And finally, perhaps my favourite shots of the day, not birds at all but a series of pictures of a leaf. Yes, that's right, a leaf. Don't switch off yet I promise these are pictures worth your time.  As I was walking along a path beneath the trees on my way out I saw a random leaf apparently hovering in the air. Of course it was not hovering at all, it was suspended by a gossamer thread that from most angels was completely invisible. In the low light and with the backdrop of autumn colours I thought it was fun to capture these final few images. It wasn't until I enlarged the pictures at home that I was able to see the thread by which the leaf was hanging, but not in all the pictures. I love the lighting and the bokeh in these pictures and the way the leaf appears to be floating or in free fall and I thought it was a fun way to end this post. Enjoy...

That's all for today, come back soon, and please feel free to leave a comment or share this post.

Sweet Treat

The Wood Duck has to be one of the most handsome ducks around, just look he looks so regal and well preened.

I have called today's post "Sweet Treat" because when I looked at his bill I thought about the traffic light lollies I used to buy with my pocket money as a child

007

So here I am combining three passions in one photo

Wildlife
Reflections
Ripples

And I think it looks great.

If you are wondering why I have titled today's post 007 it is because the bird shares a name with a James Bond movie... GoldenEye

Face In The Mirror

If you have followed any of my blog, particularly in recent weeks you will know that I have a thing for reflections. I have been concentrating a lot on abstract images from reflected light on water but looking through a few folders and I spotted this image.

Initially this was a colour image because of the striking colours of this beautiful crowned crane, it was also shot with the bird looking down. 

However for this particular image I was less interested in the colours as it was the idea of the bird glimpsing its reflection as it took a brink, lifting its head it paused briefly as if surprised to see another bird looking back. By rotating the image through ninety degrees it creates a new perspective as if looking into a mirror and the water droplets appear suspended in space. By converting it to black and white it also enhances the mirror effect.

Mystery Duck/Goose

I spotted this goose at Martin Mere and thought it was really beautiful but when I chose these pictures for today's post I couldn't recall what it was. So I typed in "Goose, white head, grey throat and mottled back" into Google and straightaway it identified this as a Snow Goose or Emperor Goose . So now I know... and so do you.

Isn't it a beauty? 

On The Waters Edge

Today here are two more shots from the waters edge at Martin Mere.

In the first shot we have a Black Tailed Godwit with its long black legs and winter plumage it looks quite striking 

The second shot is of a Ruff in winter plumage although he looks as though he is starting to develop his breeding plumage with the fluffy collar which will be used for displays in the spring to attract a mate. The warden described it as a satellite male which I believe is an immature or less well developed male that will try to encroach on a territorial male and impregnate the female, a sneaky little blighter.

Beautiful Plumage

Lapwings are one of my favourite wading birds. I think they have such beautiful plumage and the feathery plume on their heads is really elegant. I used to see huge flocks of them when I lived in the Lincolnshire Fens and it was wonderful to watch them swoop and dive in formation.

I think you will agree, this is a really handsome specimen and it was fun to watch it feeding along the shore, picking its way between the ducks and other waders. I like the first image with the bird looking out across the lake, you get a really clear view of its plume which reminds me a bit of the hoods that you would use for a falcon or hawk.

Creepy Little Fella

Maybe it is unkind to call this cute little bird "creepy" but he is a Tree Creeper so it is an accurate description. I have only photographed one once before and it was a lousy shot, low light, quick moving subject so grainy and blurry. On this particular occasion although the light wasn't great I did manage to get three quick shots. Using a high ISO the pictures are still quite grainy  but with a little bit of work I have been able to reduce some of the "noise" and produce soft but usable images.

He didn't stay still for long and quickly made its way around and up the tree trunk out of sight but it was a genuine thrill to see it and capture these pictures. You have to agree he is pretty cute. You may be able to make out his long claws/toes perfectly adapted to clinging to the bark enabling him to move nimbly and quickly up and down in his search for insects in every crevice. Hie curved beak is also perfectly adapted for the task of winkling out food from the tightest spots.

A Pleasant Pheasant

I spotted this beautiful pheasant scratting around beneath some feeders that were host to a flock of hungry goldfinches. He was taking advantage of the seeds scattered by the finches and tits feeding above.  As I watched, a Sparrowhawk flew past low and fast scattering the smaller birds in a flurry of feathers but the pheasant was unmoved.

Just look at those magnificent colours and I know that with such strong and vibrant colours most people will say that the only way to show it off is in full and glorious colour. However, I also think it looks amazing in black and white and it's worth sharing both versions.

Coming Home To Roost

Today's shots were taken at Martin Mere, I spent the day there and although it was cold and grey I wanted to wait until the end of the day to witness the arrival of the large flocks of swans and Pink Footed Geese as they returned from foraging to their roost at the reserve.

Sadly the failing light meant I had to leave before the largest flocks came in but I was lucky enough to capture a few shots of small groups pf early arrivals.

As you can see the Whooper Swans came in in small groups, possibly family groups, flying low with great swooping wing beats. In flight they are so graceful with their long necks stretched out before them. I would normally shoot wildlife in colour but because the day was so overcast and grey I decided to try some shots in black and white too. As you can see from the first image it works really well although in the second shot with the small group reflected in the water I think colour works best.

The third shot works well to show that although in flight the swans look really sleek and elegant when they come in to land they actually become awkward and ungainly. The water was quite crowded with a variety of ducks and waders so finding a safe landing spot was tricky, it was amazing to see that there were few collisions as the swans hit the water.

At The Bird Zoo

I recently spent a couple of days visiting Martin Mere Wildfowl and Wetland Reserve to watch some of the winter migrants. As well as the wetland areas there are some other pools with other species in "the bird zoo".  It is a nice opportunity to get up close to some beautiful species such as these the Chiloe Wigeon and the Northern Shoveler. 

On this particular day I had gone expecting clear skies and good conditions however although it was calm it was cold and very grey and overcast  so in order to use a fast enough shutter speed I had to use quite a high ISO.  

Wonderful Waders

I still have a few shots from Liverpool's waterfront to share but for today I wanted to post some pictures from my last shoot of 2018 at the WWT reserve at Martin Mere.

Winter is a great time to see a host of migrant species at the reserve and a chance for me to practice more wildlife photography. 

The two wading birds featured today are both in their winter plumage. Firstly there is the Bar-Tailed Godwit that has left its breeding grounds in the Arctic Tundra to spend the winter here on the food rich lakes at Martin Mere.

The second bird is a Ruff, I wasn't able to get many shots of this one as it seemed somewhat camera shy and when a flock of Lapwings was spooked nearby it also flew off and didn't return. The Ruff earns its name from its stunning summer/breeding plumage when the males grow a collar and crown of curly feathers. This one I think is a female.

Even in winter plumage I think both birds are quite beautiful.

UnRuffled

It was a really windy day but even this wind blown Ruff was unruffled. It remains poised and elegant as it patrols the waters edge looking for the next tasty snack.

So Good They Named it Thrice

When I was in my teens I lived in the Lincolnshire Fens and I would see vast flocks of these birds and I always loved to watch them whirling and swooping across the fields and salt marsh.

They are such attractive birds. When you see them flying they look like they're mainly black and white but up close you can see their beautiful green backs, their masked face and shiny black bibs and wings.

You can tell that it was a windy day by looking at the wispy feathers on the head blowing upwards.

So why do I say the bird was named thrice? well if you include the Latin (Vanellus vanellus) it actually has four names. Its commonly known as a Lapwing but it is also called the Green Plover (it is after all Europe's largest plover) it is also called a Pee-wit after its distinctive call.

Splash Landing

I love this time of year, not for the cold, wet and windy weather but for the many migratory birds that visit our shores.

Like for example these beautiful Whooper Swans. I am always amazed when I see these birds in flight, they are so big and ungainly yet on the water they are so graceful. These aren't the sharpest images as they were shot through the window of the hide and because it had been raining the glass wasn't properly clear. However it was really nice to be inside in the warm while watching the birds arrive.