Buzzards

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 😀


Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

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This Post Has 12 Comments

  1. wellisteffi

    25 Feb 2011

    WOW! 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.

  2. serola

    25 Feb 2011

    Another beautiful predator 🙂

  3. cakkleberrylane

    25 Feb 2011

    Your buzzards are so beautiful. Wonderful shot from below shoing all the colours on the underside of the wings.

  4. gdare

    25 Feb 2011

    Nice 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 😀

  5. SittingFox

    25 Feb 2011

    Wonderful! 🙂

    I can tell that you're enjoying having your lunchbreaks in the South Downs 😉

  6. Words

    25 Feb 2011

    Adele, a bit of sunshine and it can't be beaten! I'm glad to be settled again. 🙂

  7. Words

    25 Feb 2011

    Lois, thanks! I love their markings and the way it looks like they are holding the wings out on arms.

  8. Words

    25 Feb 2011

    Darko, 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!)

  9. Words

    25 Feb 2011

    Sami, indeed! They are great to watch and I love the way they fly in groups. I often see two or three together.

  10. Words

    25 Feb 2011

    Steffi, 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.

  11. Words

    26 Feb 2011

    Thanks Erwin!

  12. Wulpen

    19 Oct 2012

    Beautiful Shots

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