Woolhampton GP

1/160s f/5.6 ISO400 37mm

1/200s f/6.3 ISO400 43mm

On the way to the Chilterns I couldn't not stop off at my new favorite Gravel Pit especially as it was so misty. I found that at 400mm everything looked rubbish so I only shot with a budget 35-80mm lens. I am pleased with the results as the colours were really that vivid, might need to invest in a new lens...

Chiltern Kites!

1/640s f/6.3 ISO200 400mm

Made a trip up to the Chiltern Hills this morning, well worth it as I went form never seeing a kite before to seeing 30+ I was there when the light was really good, but of course they only came closer when it was starting to get a bit harsh. I will have to make the trip back when the sun is lower (winter) as there is some scope for eye level shots but just need to put in the time.

Wagtails

1/125s f/8.0 ISO200 400mm

1/800s f/6.3 ISO200 400mm

Slowly exploring the extensive footpaths and reserves around Newbury, found a field full of wagtails searching for food. There was also a buzzard doing the same thing but it of course flew off before I could get focus, the only bad thing about shooting into the sun!

Thanks for following.

Short Eared

1/800s f/6.3 ISO200 400mm

One from April at Pagham Harbour where two briefly stayed during their commute, looking forward to the return as I only had one attempt this year.

Newbury

1/640s f/6.3 ISO250 400mm

I have been getting out most evenings this week, looking for good spots to photograph birds. I have found a few good landscape pictures but they are looked in my head and are waiting for some mist and morning light.

There seems to be numerous gravel pits in the area but it is hard to find one where I can get low and contains birds, tonight it came together.

Just need some mist...

Chichester Gravel Pits

1/1600s f/6.3 ISO320 400mm

1/2500s f/8.0 ISO200 400mm

1/400s f/5.6 ISO200 400mm

1/800s f/6.3 ISO200 400mm

1/1000s f/6.3 ISO200 400mm

The sun doesn't rise until 6:45, so at 6:50 I was at Chichester Gravel Pits I stupidly didn't check the wind and as it turned out there was to much of it for there to be any mist. The light was perfect so I did some experimenting with shooting into the sun. I quite like the effect the wind had on the water but it would of course looked better with still water.

A Kingfisher landed on a tree about 5 metres away from me but lying on the floor I couldn't get my camera around so just had to admire it.

Coldwaltham

1/800s f/6.3 ISO400 400mm

1/500s f/6.3 ISO200 400mm

Back in Sussex for the weekend, I managed to get a few hours at Coldwaltham to see if the Barn Owl would make an appearance. He was there but started hunting late so had to make do with the swallows and the local Kestrel.

newnewnew

1/800s f/6.3 ISO200 400mm

I decided that now I am not really living in Sussex anymore that a new blog was in order, I was also a bit bored of the old one. Images will vary from Berkshire (Newbury), Surrey and Sussex but I will hopefully say where they were taken with the majority concerning birds.

Armed with an os map of Newbury I will be doing a lot of exploring over the next few weeks. This year I hope to try and photograph some different birds but I don't want to give to much away, should be updated every week but hopefully more often....