Lanes Of Howbrook

Howbrook is a tiny village within bike riding distance so having got the day off work, I went for a trundle round the country lanes around there. It was lovely to get away from everything for a couple of hours and just have the birds to keep me company as they fluttered down the hedgerows, enjoying the Spring sunshine, just like me.

I've never managed to get a shot of a Yellowhammer before and today wasn't looking like being any different, I could hear them but they were rather camera shy. That is until I was about make my way back home when a yellow fellow obliged and perched on a tree close by.

Yellowhammer

Chaffinch

Chaffinch

Pheasant

Blue Tit

Paul.

Thorp Perrow (Part 2)

Here are my attempts with flight shots at Thorp Perrow yesterday,I got loads of the Barn Owl, a couple of the Jackal Buzzard but the Saker Falcon was just too quick for me!

Jackal Buzzard

Barn Owl

Barn Owl

Saker Falcon

It's the first time I've had the D90 set to continuous autofocus and it's something I'm going to have to practice with more often.

You can see all the photos from our visit here.

Paul.

Thorp Perrow (Part 1)

Today we've been to Thorp Perrow near Bedale, North Yorkshire, which we found on the net last week. Here are some of the residents...

American Kestral

Lanner Falcon

Prairie Falcon

Peregrine Falcon

Saker Falcon

Kestrel

Jackal Buzzard

Red Tailed Hawk

Harris Hawk

Snowy Owl

Southern White-Faced Owl

I remebered to take pictuers of all the plaques this time so you don't need to play 'guess the bird'.

I'll post my attempts at flight shots (they're a bit quick them falcons) in part 2.

Paul.

Sikins

A new first for the garden, Siskins, both male and female were on the nyger seed feeders earlier in the week but I couldn't get a shot in the rain. While I was sat in the garden today they arrived again but refused to come over the fence from next door. Managed a couple of record shots before they flew off leaving me with the comical tunes of the resident Goldfinch.

It's turned cloudy yet again, so that looks about it for my Easter offering, I'll think I'll just while away a lazy afternoon checking out everyone elses efforts.

Paul.

Lotherton Hall Bird Garden

Surprisingly this is the first time I've ever been to Lotherton Hall, despite it only being about half an hour away and really easy to get to (M1 Junction 47).

Below are a few of the highlights, needless to say I'll be back in the not too distant future!





























Paul.

Garden Birds - April 4th

On Monday, I managed to capture our resident mouse on camera for the first time, it's a good job this camera is fast because he wasn't there long at all. He's lightning fast and usually I just see something whizz past in the corner of my eye.



Today, because I had plenty of time and had the big lens set up, there wasn't much about in the garden, just the usual suspects, even the Goldfinch were few and far between. A Dunnock wandered quite close to the window offering a good photo opportunity even in the poor light. A Robin came back and forth to the bird table while a Blackbird kept popping up everywhere.












Paul.

Bayfair - April Front Cover

Since the last day out, I've been struck down some kind of disease where the symptoms were suspiciously
akin to being bitten by a Vampire, aversion to bright light, no energy, no appetite and a pale complexion. The doctor however, assured me that it was just plain old influenza, albeit a bad case that knocked me for six. I'm over the worst now and should be back to full strength by the weekend.

The reason for this mid week post, however, isn't to report on the state of my health, it's to share the news that a nice chap called Jim took a fancy to the silhouette picture featured in the last post and it's now sporting the cover of the April edition of the Bayfair publication for the Fylingdales and Robin Hoods Bay area.

I'm not a fan of taking pictures of strangers, it makes me feel very uneasy so I'm pleased as punch that the first and only candid shot I've ever taken has made it to the front cover.

So welcome to all, however you wandered here, thank you for taking time to view my pictures, it's much appreciated.

Paul.