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Posted

Fishing at Hampton springs near Whitchurch today and yet again no Cuckoos. That's 3 areas in the last month that normally support them and nothing. That's a very worrying situation. I knew they where in serious decline but this is so sad

 

Ste

Posted

Wow! They're amazing Ste. Hope the nest box is a fruitful - or chickfull, this year.

 

Peter

 

:thumbsup:

Cheers Peter, heard this years chicks earlier today, will wait a week or two before I have a look

Ste

Posted

Forgot the other day to post. Seen loads of Swifts on Thursday on my way home from work

Ste

Yep, we have lots in our garden at work now. Zipping past, chirping and chasing each other!

 

Peter

 

:thumbsup:

  • Helpful 1
Posted

Here's a couple of pics I've just captured from our Nottingham Peregrine Web Cam - see other thread. The first one is of the nest with the female on the ledge over looking the city.

 

post-5734-0-65318100-1368992968_thumb.pn

 

 

This one is a not too brilliant one of the chicks nearing three weeks old. I'll get a better one tomorrow.

 

post-5734-0-90880700-1368993170_thumb.pn

 

Peter

 

:thumbsup:

  • Helpful 2
Guest dundeedavie
Posted

WOW. That's a great photo Davie. Can I ask what kit you used for the shot ? and was it a wild Stag ?

Ste

 

 

I used a Canon 1Ds with a 250mm lens and yes it is a wild stag :)

Guest dundeedavie
Posted

Wow! That's beautiful Davie.

 

Peter

 

:thumbsup:

Thanks Peter, I don't usually do wildlife but this fella and his big brother just stood there looking at me

Posted

I used a Canon 1Ds with a 250mm lens and yes it is a wild stag :)

Bit behind you mate, I,m shooting with a Canon 50d. Thought it was a wild un but just had to ask. Makes it a even better shot

Ste

Guest dundeedavie
Posted

Bit behind you mate, I,m shooting with a Canon 50d. Thought it was a wild un but just had to ask. Makes it a even better shot

Ste

 

nice camera the 50d, I also have a 550d or as i call it the "baby Canon" as even with a battery grip it's smaller than the huge 1Ds 


Posted

nice camera the 50d, I also have a 550d or as i call it the "baby Canon" as even with a battery grip it's smaller than the huge 1Ds

Got a battery grip for the 50d. Only have a few lenses though a fab 70 - 200 f 2.8L is usm mk 2 with a 2x converter plus a 17 - 40L series wide angle I also have a proper baby Canon 1000d with a 18 - 55 kit lens

Ste

Guest dundeedavie
Posted

Got a battery grip for the 50d. Only have a few lenses though a fab 70 - 200 f 2.8L is usm mk 2 with a 2x converter plus a 17 - 40L series wide angle I also have a proper baby Canon 1000d with a 18 - 55 kit lens

Ste

 

I too have the 17-40L and a beautiful thing it is too :) being a landscape tog it's the one I use most and with the 1Ds being a Full Frame I get the whole lot 

Posted

I too have the 17-40L and a beautiful thing it is too :) being a landscape tog it's the one I use most and with the 1Ds being a Full Frame I get the whole lot

I lose out on the wide angle with the 50d but gain with the telephoto reach

Ste

Guest dundeedavie
Posted

I lose out on the wide angle with the 50d but gain with the telephoto reach

Ste

 

Thats probably the only reason I keep the 550D to be honest, though I don't use it a lot these days 

Posted

Thats probably the only reason I keep the 550D to be honest, though I don't use it a lot these days 

Hi Davie

 

I keep thinking that I would like to take up photography as a hobby. I'm not very good with technology though and have very little patience in terms of reading manuals and instructions - I just want to go! It all seems very complicated to me. Do you think I should look out for a night school class or something like that?

 

Peter

Guest dundeedavie
Posted

Hi Davie

 

I keep thinking that I would like to take up photography as a hobby. I'm not very good with technology though and have very little patience in terms of reading manuals and instructions - I just want to go! It all seems very complicated to me. Do you think I should look out for a night school class or something like that?

 

Peter

 

you certainly could do something like that yeah, a good one will give you a good grounding in using your camera, though despite what people will tell you the camera isn't relevant when it comes to taking a good photo. I've done 4 books that are available on iTunes and 2 of them are of iPhone shots. After all that, yes, learning how to take a shot is more important than buying an expensive camera 

Posted

I stumbled across these today  :)

Beautiful Pete.

 

We have quite a few breeding pairs of swans on the Grantham canal nearby. Always have to steel yourself walking past the parents if they are on the toe path with the cygnets! :yes: They can be quite intimidating - which is good. Lovely creatures. It's something special watching the young learn to fly and have seen many a take off and landing error! :D

 

Peter

 

:thumbsup:

  • Helpful 1
Posted

you certainly could do something like that yeah, a good one will give you a good grounding in using your camera, though despite what people will tell you the camera isn't relevant when it comes to taking a good photo. I've done 4 books that are available on iTunes and 2 of them are of iPhone shots. After all that, yes, learning how to take a shot is more important than buying an expensive camera 

 I think I have a good eye for a photograph it's getting to grips with all the kit that puts me off. Even down to knowing what to buy etc. Perhaps I need to invest a little time in taking a look at the whole caboodle. :D

 

Cheers matey.

 

Peter

Posted

Beautiful Pete.

 

We have quite a few breeding pairs of swans on the Grantham canal nearby. Always have to steel yourself walking past the parents if they are on the toe path with the cygnets! :yes: They can be quite intimidating - which is good. Lovely creatures. It's something special watching the young learn to fly and have seen many a take off and landing error! :D

 

Peter

 

:thumbsup:

 

Yes Peter, my boxer knows all about that, he nips in the lodge for a drink every time we pass and has been known to get a clout off a swan more than once lol he's off like a shot when it happens,

post-5777-0-11912300-1368999408_thumb.jp

Posted

Fishing at Hampton springs near Whitchurch today and yet again no Cuckoos. That's 3 areas in the last month that normally support them and nothing. That's a very worrying situation. I knew they where in serious decline but this is so sad

 

Ste

Heard my first cuckoo (and only so far) of the year on Thursday at Whixall Moss just South of Whitchurch.

  • Helpful 2
Posted

Yes Peter, my boxer knows all about that, he nips in the lodge for a drink every time we pass and has been known to get a clout off a swan more than once lol he's off like a shot when it happens,

He looks like a nice pal to go walking with Pete.

 

:wink:

 

Peter

Posted (edited)

He looks like a nice pal to go walking with Pete.

 

:wink:

 

Peter

 

 

He is Peter, everyone down there knows him now, I sometimes think the swans are getting used to him after 9 years of him popping in for a drink, ........the cuddly little Shi Tzu that makes us 3 is a different tale and is borstal bound, lol

Edited by Pete60
  • Helpful 1
Guest Gogs
Posted

Not wild-life but along with all my birds this 3 come to me to get fed (surprised i get any birds)

post-9242-0-77957500-1369010224_thumb.jp

post-9242-0-97814300-1369010245_thumb.jp

post-9242-0-81628900-1369010277_thumb.jp

This one's mine but he doesn't go out

post-9242-0-77189300-1369010439_thumb.jp

 

 

 

 

Guest Gogs
Posted (edited)

put up twice, sorry

Edited by Gogs
Posted

Not wild-life but along with all my birds this 3 come to me to get fed (surprised i get any birds)

attachicon.gif012.JPG

attachicon.gif013.JPG

attachicon.gif014.JPG

This one's mine but he doesn't go out

attachicon.gif010.JPG

post-9242-0-97814300-1369010245_thumb.jp

Nice one Gogs.

 

This one is the spitting image of Little Smith. I had him for 18 years and lost him three years ago. Bought a tear to my eye has that. :(

 

Peter

 

:thumbsup:

  • Helpful 1

Posted

Fishing at Hampton springs near Whitchurch today and yet again no Cuckoos. That's 3 areas in the last month that normally support them and nothing. That's a very worrying situation. I knew they where in serious decline but this is so sad

 

Ste

 

 

Same thing with me - been fishing and didn`t hear a cuckoo.  Haven`t heard one here at home either - will do some surfing to see if they are in decline and if there`s anything I can do to help.  As you say, a sad situation if that`s the case. :(

  • Helpful 1
Posted

Same thing with me - been fishing and didn`t hear a cuckoo.  Haven`t heard one here at home either - will do some surfing to see if they are in decline and if there`s anything I can do to help.  As you say, a sad situation if that`s the case. :(

They are very much in decline mate -  a 70% reduction in the last 30 years. 

 

Peter

Posted

They are very much in decline mate -  a 70% reduction in the last 30 years. 

 

Peter

 

Thanks Peter - wow those are startling statistics, hope something can be done to boost their numbers.

 

Pete

  • Helpful 1
Posted

Thanks Peter - wow those are startling statistics, hope something can be done to boost their numbers.

 

Pete

No probs mate.

 

I keep forgetting your name is Pete!

 

Peter

 

:thumbsup:

  • Helpful 1
Posted

I think I have a good eye for a photograph it's getting to grips with all the kit that puts me off. Even down to knowing what to buy etc. Perhaps I need to invest a little time in taking a look at the whole caboodle. :D

 

Cheers matey.

 

Peter

Hi Peter. Hope your good. I,ve only had a camera for 2 1/2 maybe 3 years it was a canon eos 1000d with a standard zoom lens that got me interested, after 6 months I was so hooked I spent £500 on a 2nd hand camera body which was much more suited to wildlife and the elements. But its not the camera that gets the shots its the lens and your knowledge of the subjects your interested in. I subscribe to 2 photography mags. Outdoor photography and photoplus which is a Canon specific magazine. I found them invaluable.

Ste

  • Helpful 2
Posted

As the topic of conversation turned to man's best friend a little earlier, I thought the dog lovers might like this shot, which was taken on the beach at St Andrews.

 

The dog in the photo was having an absolutely marvellous time of it, running in and out of the sea like a mad thing and leaping over oncoming waves. Don't think I've ever seen a hound so happy as this one. It most definitely was a salty sea dog! 

 

post-9478-0-53251700-1369080648_thumb.jp

  • Helpful 2
Posted

Hi Peter. Hope your good. I,ve only had a camera for 2 1/2 maybe 3 years it was a canon eos 1000d with a standard zoom lens that got me interested, after 6 months I was so hooked I spent £500 on a 2nd hand camera body which was much more suited to wildlife and the elements. But its not the camera that gets the shots its the lens and your knowledge of the subjects your interested in. I subscribe to 2 photography mags. Outdoor photography and photoplus which is a Canon specific magazine. I found them invaluable.

Ste

Hi Ste

 

Yep, all good here buddy. Just winding down with Gordon(s)!

 

Thanks for the advice mate I'll look into it. I do need a new hobby.

 

Take care mate.

 

Peter

 

:thumbsup:

Posted

Seen for the first time yesterday a Dipper fledgling. It flew in front of me and landed in the trailer parking area at work, about

12ft away, I watched it for about 5 seconds before it flew away back in the direction of Hebble brook a tributary of the river calder

Ste

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

Me mam said there was six of them on the feeder earlier on. The feeders have been a god send for the birds, even our swallows were eating suet balls off the feeder when they first arrived as there were no insects about.

Suz x

  • Helpful 1
Posted

Me mam said there was six of them on the feeder earlier on. The feeders have been a god send for the birds, even our swallows were eating suet balls off the feeder when they first arrived as there were no insects about.

Suz x

Yes, I agree. Even now food is in short supply because of the rubbish weather and late late spring.

 

Keep feeding everyone.

 

Peter

 

 

:thumbsup:

  • Helpful 2
Posted

Yes, I agree. Even now food is in short supply because of the rubbish weather and late late spring.

 

Keep feeding everyone.

 

Peter

Have to agree completely. The swallows, swifts and martins arrived here all right, but they're not here in the same numbers as last year. If they're not here then it's because food is in short supply.

Happily though, it looks like we're on track for a bit of summer now, and that might buck up the natural Eco-system and get it back on track.

At the same time, it's not stopped the slugs getting at the fresh green shoots of everything we're trying to grow in our mini greenhouse and patio space!

  • Helpful 2
Posted (edited)

A couple more airborne shots, a House Martin and an Oystercatcher

 

There are several pairs of Oystercatchers at the reserve that have bred, this one was busy visiting the adjacent fields in the hunt for worms for the chicks

 

 

post-1477-0-93920000-1370268949_thumb.jp

 

post-1477-0-12041800-1370269049_thumb.jp

 

post-1477-0-51174700-1370269050_thumb.jp

Edited by martyn pitt
  • Helpful 3
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