After yet another misty start to the day the skies cleared, and by lunchtime there was even a touch of blue. I headed over to one of the local fields where buzzards can sometimes be seen. I was in luck! At least half a dozen were circling in the vicinity. Some were distant, but three flew directly overhead, and later on four were strung out across the horizon. These are some shots of the ones that came in fairly close.
There's a nesting site on the far side of the field. It's too early for mating, but a pair were circling above the trees.
Another buzzard swooped low across the field…
At the roadside (where I took these from) the smaller birds were active in the hedgerow. A flock of yellowhammers proved near impossible to photograph as a group (but were great to watch), and a blue tit screamed for attention!
But nothing could compare to the splendour of the buzzards. Good weather permitting, I'll be heading back there very soon 😀
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
wellisteffi
25 Feb 2011WOW! These are great aerial views.
I totally envy you that you can therefore
make excellent pictures,Words. :up:
Until I can, I still have to practice very long.
serola
25 Feb 2011Another beautiful predator 🙂
cakkleberrylane
25 Feb 2011Your buzzards are so beautiful. Wonderful shot from below shoing all the colours on the underside of the wings.
gdare
25 Feb 2011Nice looking birds. When I look at them flying (on a rare occassions, though) they just appear as a dark gray against a sky. Closer, they look much more interesting 😀
SittingFox
25 Feb 2011Wonderful! 🙂
I can tell that you're enjoying having your lunchbreaks in the South Downs 😉
Words
25 Feb 2011Adele, a bit of sunshine and it can't be beaten! I'm glad to be settled again. 🙂
Words
25 Feb 2011Lois, thanks! I love their markings and the way it looks like they are holding the wings out on arms.
Words
25 Feb 2011Darko, they are really quite varied in colour. You need good light to see all the detail (and better if they come close… but not too close… they're big!)
Words
25 Feb 2011Sami, indeed! They are great to watch and I love the way they fly in groups. I often see two or three together.
Words
25 Feb 2011Steffi, thanks! It helps to have some good light, and a great location… and a really quite large number of buzzards to pick from. They are doing very well locally.
Words
26 Feb 2011Thanks Erwin!
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012Beautiful Shots