Liams Bird Photography!

a month on.

2010-05-01T11:45:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of postings, I still have no internet and work is very busy at the moment.
But good news, the Wild Wonders of Europe book has been released and you can get it for £25 through Peter Cairns

Spring is upon us so I have been down at my favorite gravel pits trying to get some displaying grebe images but it isn't going very well so have some coots instead.

turnstones.

2010-04-01T00:52:00.000-07:00

The first time in almost two weeks that there has been sun and a low tide. But of course the tide was very low making it very hard to find any birds. All I could get close to was turnstone but I shot a whole role of 120 film which I am very excited about getting developed as the light was perfect.

Black & White Kites

2010-03-19T12:15:00.000-07:00

I have been with out internet for a few days so I have had time to hunt the hard drive for something to edit. I found these red kite images which where all over exposed so converted to b&w and I really like the effect.
I have 2 weeks off, which will hopefully involve taking lots of images so stay tuned....

pagham sunset

2010-03-08T12:32:00.000-08:00

It was a perfect sunset at Pagham last night, not a cloud obstructing the sun. Was pretty amazing to watch and it was also rather cold. A few knot put on a show but the image I have in my head involves thousands, hopefully I will make a visit to Snettisham later this year.

knots

2010-03-06T12:40:00.000-08:00

I went down to Pagham Harbour this evening, it started off very bad as I had taken no images and was heading back when I saw some knot circling in the distance. A few more arrived before they were flying around me as the sun set. Amazing experience, hopefully I will have another go tomorrow.

turnstones

2010-03-06T01:19:00.000-08:00

1/400s f/5.6 ISO400 400mm

1/500s f/5.6 ISO800 400mm

1/640s f/5.6 ISO400 400mm

1/640s f/6.3 ISO400 400mm

1/500s f/5.6 ISO800 400mm

I have tried to capture a series that tells a story, as well as trying to be completely different. I have ignored the rule of thirds on a few as well as trying to capture the birds in flight. I have a lot of oof images, so much so that I am considering an upgrade as my 40D really struggles with anything that moves fast.

Lambourn Hills

2010-02-28T12:32:00.001-08:00

1/500s f/5.6 ISO200 400mm

Sorry for the lack of images, I have been very busy recently.

Here is an image taken this weekend on a farm in the Lambourn Hills that I am being allowed to photograph on. It has a healthy population of Barn Owls, so the plan is to capture some images of them hunting. Hopefully expect some more images.

starlings.

2010-02-19T12:09:00.000-08:00

1/50s f/5.6 ISO1600 400mm

1/15s f/3.5 ISO100 28mm

1/20s f/2.0 ISO1600 28mm

1/60s f/2.2 ISO800 28mm

Managed these this evening in Chichester, they were circling around for about an hour. Quite a few sprawks and peregrines having a go at catching them. I want to try and get a bird of prey in the shot as well but it may take some work...

climping.

2010-02-17T03:09:00.000-08:00

1/100s f/6.3 ISO400 28mm

So I take a week off and it just rains. But this morning it was forecasted to be sunny so I was up well before dawn and went to my local beach, Climping. The tide was very low, as you can see in the above image so there was a bit of a trek before I found some birds.
When I eventually found some I was greeted with an amazing sunrise, I decided to shoot into the sun to try and show it off. A sanderling posed nicely in front of the light reflecting off the sea.

1/500s f/10.0 ISO200 400mm

1/1000s f/6.3 ISO200 400mm

1/1000s f/7.1 ISO200 400mm

1/800s f/7.1 ISO200 400mm

buzzard behavior.

2010-01-31T09:05:00.000-08:00

1/640s f/5.6 ISO400 400mm

I was finally able to use my new hide today, it involved an early start and a drive over to High Wycombe to use Marick Szczepanek feeding site for kites and buzzards.
I had only been in the hide 5 minutes before a Red Kite made a swoop on the food I had put out. But I was set up shooting through the tripod leg hole to get a low angle which made getting birds in flight impossible. I had to wait until the kites left before I could move so I have a nice selection of blurred photos to add to the collection.

1/640s f/5.6 ISO400 400mm

Once all the good light had gone a Buzzard dropped in and started feeding, it was only on the floor for a few seconds before it started to get attacked by Kites, above is an image showing the behavior. A few seconds later it flew off and so did the kites...

1/640s f/5.6 ISO400 400mm

snipe

2010-01-17T12:45:00.000-08:00

1/400s f/5.6 ISO500 400mm

Everywhere is flooded at the moment so I had to go somewhere different this morning. I am glad I did as when I was walking across some flooded fields I walked into this guy. I managed a few images tryng to get as low as possible before leaving him in piece. Having live view helped a lot and meant my jeans where only a little bit wet!

I have just bought a hide, so I plan on experimenting using it over the next few weeks. It will be the first time I have used one so it may take a while to get use to it.

1/400s f/5.6 ISO500 400mm

more snow.

2010-01-06T09:41:00.000-08:00

1/500s f/6.3 ISO400 400mm

1/320s f/6.3 ISO400 400mm

Light was really poor so many blurred shots but I got a few I was happy with. The falling snow really helped in the crow images as with out it the impact would be lost, over the next few days I am going to try and get out as much as possible.

It looks like it is going to be sunny tomorrow morning so expect more...

1/500s f/6.3 ISO400 400mm

snow.

2010-01-05T09:02:00.000-08:00

1/1250s f/6.3 ISO200 400mm

With a lot of snow forcasted for tonight I had a look through the photos I took last time it snowed. This has to be my favorite mainly because it was probably the closest the Kites got to me.

I plan on sneaking a few images in, before trying to get to work tomorrow morning...

Brent

2010-01-04T13:11:00.000-08:00

1/400s f/6.3 ISO400 400mm

1/1000s f/6.3 ISO200 400mm

Every year it seems Chichester Harbour is invaded with Brent Geese, I am not complaining as they can give some great photo opportunities. I still haven't got the image I am after but it seems being at the right place at the right time can prove important.

Some of my images are being used on the Chichester Harbour Conservancy website which I am really pleased about, a big thanks to Ed Rowsell who made it possible.

1/640s f/6.3 ISO320 400mm

2010

2010-01-03T10:22:00.000-08:00

1/200s f/6.3 ISO200 400mm

I took a break from blogging mainly due to taking some time off work and not wanting to write anything. But I carried on taking pictures as I find that a lot easier. So I have a backlog of images to share, to start here are two from this morning.

I have lots planned for 2010 so stay tuned and happy new year!

1/200s f/6.3 ISO200 400mm

morning light.

2009-12-09T13:26:00.000-08:00

1/500s f/6.3 ISO400 400mm

I have been going through my old files and found a few which I missed. These two were taken in the summer on a very early morning at Climping, the first one was taken at 5:26am. I am glad the sun rises a little later in the winter!

1/500s f/6.3 ISO400 400mm

light.

2009-12-05T07:30:00.000-08:00

1/640s f/6.3 ISO200 400mm

1/800s f/6.3 ISO200 400mm

Finally got some good weather this morning with some nice light, no really close passes but they are getting closer. I found a new place which allows me to be hidden whilst they soar the thermals, it still takes a lot of patience before they make a pass.

I will be hopefully purchasing a hide soon, so I have plans to get some frame fillers of Kites in flight and on the ground but this may take some time. I am also looking to set up a hide in a woods to photograph song birds as I seem to ignore them.

1/800s f/6.3 ISO200 400mm

blur.

2009-11-28T13:13:00.000-08:00

Been to busy but I managed to get out to Climping this afternoon, was a bit of a waste of time as it was cold windy and lacking birds. There where a few Sanderling but as this photo demonstrates they were constantly flying away due to dog walkers...

I have most of December free so I am hopefully going to concentrate on Red Kites as they are beginning to be my favorite birds to photograph. Owls are proving to be hard to find in Berkshire and I only need to travel a few miles to be surrounded by Kites and Buzzards.

In The Dark

2009-11-19T08:57:00.000-08:00

My laptop decided to die 3 weeks ago, at a time when I needed is most so I am behind on images and work at the moment. I will hopefully be able to get out in the coming weeks.
This was taken at Coldwaltham whilst waiting for the local owl which seems to be hiding a lot recently, only appearing when I have gone.

GDTfoto

2009-10-28T10:15:00.000-07:00

The winners of the GDTfoto competition have been announced, a competition that I didn't even know existed. But there is a lot of creative stuff in there so well worth a look. With the winning image being very different and good as long as you don't mind a bit of blood!

Climping, West Sussex

2009-10-25T09:50:00.000-07:00

1/500s f/6.3 ISO400 400mm

Taking advantage of the clocks this morning I went down to the beach expecting to see lots of winter waders but there was just an Oystercatcher and some Turnstone. It may have been because I got there when the tide was going out instead of coming in but I was a bit disappointed.

After a lot of waiting I was able to get close to the only bird worthy of photographing and after numerous attempts due to dog walkers I finally got some images I was happy with.

1/400s f/6.3 ISO200 400mm

2009-10-22T12:36:00.000-07:00

As I am sure you are aware, the 2009 Wildlife Photographer of the Year was announced this morning and of course there are some amazing images that are well worth a view.

With the announcement of the new 1D mkIV and Nikon D3s there are arguments and reviews trying to decide which one is better. If I had the money I would be moving to Nikon as they seem to have the edge over Canon especially regarding price.

But I think Vincent Munier's latest images may have swayed me a little bit...

Red Kites

2009-10-17T14:11:00.002-07:00

1/400s f/5.6 ISO640 400mm

Today started very badly, the weather was rubbish and I got a bit lost so ended up walking around the wrong reserve. The first two images were taken when the light was very harsh and I couldn't get the bird and sky exposed correctly despite being very close.

So I have applied some black and white treatment along with boosting the contrast to try and get something different, I quite like the result.

1/800s f/6.3 ISO250 400mm

After finally finding Aston Rowant I positioned myself in a bush and waited, I was entertained by quite a few kites and the local Kestrel but few wanted to come close. I got lucky with one which was almost eye level and gave some great views, just need a decent background now and some light...

Autumn

2009-10-15T10:17:00.000-07:00

I have been very busy this week, and rather desperate to take some pictures but this weekend is looking promising. Especially with trees looking very autumny, if that is a word...

A new photographer for you to drool over, Mark Walle he is not English but has some great work so well worth a look.

Inspired by this I II, I am inspired to find some urban foxes in Newbury something that may take some time and effort but the pictures Laurent Geslin has taken really are amazing. Night photography is something I want to experiment with so mixing it with some wildlife could be interesting...

More Mist!

2009-10-10T03:23:00.000-07:00

1/320s f/6.3 ISO200 400mm

Managed an early start this morning, so I went to Woolhampton Gravel Pit, it seems that every time I go there the light is perfect and there is always a lot of mist. Not that I am complaining as it gives some great photo opportunities especially with the rather dismal weather we have been having...

Greenham Common

2009-10-01T12:27:00.000-07:00

1/800s f/5.6 ISO200 400mm

1/1000s f/5.6 ISO200 400mm

I cycle to work through it everyday but this evening I decided to see if I can photograph some Stonechats and maybe a Dartford Warbler the latter deciding to hide a bit to well. But there where a lot of Stonechats which I thought at first would be a good thing but it meant that if one flew away all of them flew away so I had to find some brave birds for these shots. Will be making a return trip to try and get a full frame image but I really like the light.

Woolhampton GP

2009-09-27T00:15:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-09-26T07:46:00.001-07:00

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

2009-09-24T12:26:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-22T10:17:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-17T12:24:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-13T02:48:00.001-07:00

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

2009-09-12T13:26:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-10T12:30:00.001-07:00

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....