Buzzards and a skylark

February 17, 2015 by Words | Comments Off

Well, the promise of sunshine held good. Good walking weather, so I headed out to the fields. Little in the way of wildlife, but some nice views, and great dappled light in the woodland that fringes the area.

Woodland

Out in the open, the skylarks are beginning to make themselves known, their trilling song breaking through the quiet.

Skylark

And buzzards. Several of them, but generally too far distant to trouble camera. This one was a long way off, but just about in range.

Buzzard

Buzzard

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, Birds, Landscape Tagged , , |

Jackdaw on a Feeder

February 16, 2015 by Words | 2 Comments

The main photo today was taken in the gloom last Friday. It’s on of the many jackdaws managing to negotiate a peanut feeder at work. I like the way the gloom of the day gives it a slightly gothic feel, fitting for what was Friday the 13th.

Jackdaw on peanut feeder

Gloom again today, and again just a single photo. This time it’s a great spotted woodpecker on the fringe of the local woods. Not a great shot, but it’s always nice to watch them.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Sunday was sunny (again, quite fitting). I didn’t take many photos as we were busy clearing the garden but I think this is my first photo of a butterfly this year. It’s a somewhat muted early season peacock butterfly.

Peacock butterfly

The forecast for the next couple of days looks a lot better. It will be cold, but clear with some sun. Here’s hoping!

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 Birds, Butterfly Tagged , , , |

The Heron and the Eel

February 12, 2015 by Words | 11 Comments

I’ve photographed cormorants attempting this trick, but have never witnessed a heron attempting to subdue and swallow an eel. This was a chance encounter, at Seven Sisters early this morning.

It was – as it seems to be every day at the moment – overcast. I’d noticed the heron out of the corner of my eye as it landed on the meadow on the far side of the inlet. At first I thought it was pecking at a stick, but then looked closer.

heron and eel

The heron had caught an eel and was attempting to subdue and swallow it. What follows took place over about 10 minutes. The eel put up a good fight. Several times it had been all but swallowed before wriggling free. The heron dropped it several times, and the struggle would start again. The outcome was inevitable as the heron had sensibly brought the eel on to dry land.

heron and eel

The heron gets a good grip on the still lively eel.

heron and eel

Things look good for a quick finish.

heron and eel

Just one last gulp should do it.

heron and eel

No! Back to square one.

heron and eel

The eel makes another break for freedom.

heron and eel

Eventually, after numerous near misses, the eel succumbs.

heron and eel

And the heron, looking a little stiff-necked and somewhat stuffed, keeps very, very still.

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 water birds Tagged , |