White on White (little egret)

April 25, 2016 by Words | 4 Comments

I took this short sequence at Seven Sisters Country Park, just outside Eastbourne today. The little egret is a non-native species that has colonized very successfully, and is now a quite stunning addition to the avian population.

Little egret in flight over the South Downs, Sussex

Little egret in flight over the South Downs, Sussex

Little egret in flight over the South Downs, Sussex

Little egret in flight over the South Downs, Sussex

Little egret in flight over the South Downs, Sussex

Little egret in flight over the South Downs, Sussex

Back in the garden the foxes are showing up (but proving as tricky to photograph as ever). Badgers? Yes, they’re here as well, and more than happy to pose for a quick photo!

Badger in garden

Badger in garden

Camera note: egrets taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens. I used the EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM for the badger.

Posted in Birds, water birds Tagged |

I’m Just a Moody Owl

April 18, 2016 by Words | 2 Comments

I am photographing other subjects, but for the moment the owls have it! These two shots were taken this morning (early).

short-eared owl

Moody looking short-eared owl at Sheepcote Valley, Brighton

short-eared owl

Very moody looking short-eared owl

Still trying and failing with the garden foxes, but I’ve been doing a little better with the badgers. This is from a few days ago.

Badger

Badger

Camera note: owl photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens. Badger was taken with the EF70-300mm 4.5-5.6 DO IS lens.

Posted in Badger, Bird of Prey, owl Tagged , |

Springtime Owls

April 12, 2016 by Words | 2 Comments

I nearly didn’t stop at Sheepcote Valley this morning. It was overcast, but there was just sufficient hint of the sunshine to come to keep me there. I trekked down into the valley in search of the short-eared owls, and wasn’t disappointed. I saw three of them (I’m sure the fourth wasn’t far away).

Two short-eared owls flying over Sheepcote Valley, Brighton

Two short-eared owls flying over Sheepcote Valley, Brighton

short-eared owl

One of the owls with ploughed fields in the background

Short-eared owl with small building in the background

Short-eared owl with small building in the background

short-eared owl

Another flight shot

short-eared owl perching

And finally, another shot of one of the owls perching.

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens.

Posted in Bird of Prey, owl Tagged |