Feathered Friends

By Paul Cecil | Published March 19, 2008

I've been somewhat remiss in sorting out recent photographs of birds. The dull weather hasn't helped, but I've finally created an album for March Birds.

This first shot was taken yesterday and although not great quality shows the somewhat bizarre moment when a pied wagtail chased a kestrel! I doubt the wagtail would have been as bold with a sparrowhawk :eyes:

Next comes a shot from my trip to London. You can't visit London and not photograph the pigeons. This pair were getting on famously sharing breadcrumbs outside the British Library.

I'm going right back to the 1st of the month for this next image. A very elegant black-headed gull strolling through Hove Park.

Finally, one from today. Possibly my favourite of the month to date.

Camera note: Kestrel and wagtail taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens; the pigeons were captured with the EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens; the gull was taken with the EF70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM. Finally the blue tit was photographed with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS plus Kenko Teleplus 1.4x Pro 300 DG teleconverter (supported by the Manfrotto 685B Neotec monopod and 234RC title head). Phew!

This entry was posted in Bird of Prey, Birds and tagged .

20 Comments

  1. BitzyMe March 19, 2008 at 12:03 am #

    Never have seen a black headed gull. Interesting bird!
    Great shot as usual 🙂

  2. Vulpes vulpes March 19, 2008 at 10:03 am #

    Great shots – particularly like the blue tit!

  3. cakkleberrylane March 19, 2008 at 4:03 pm #

    My favorite too!

  4. ALLY_G March 19, 2008 at 5:03 pm #

    The very elegant black-headed gull really is elegant. 😀 :up:

  5. SittingFox March 19, 2008 at 5:03 pm #

    Very dainty gull! (Not an adjective one would abscribe to gulls very often!)

    Crazy wagtail; predator-mobbing is best done in mobs!

  6. anonymous March 19, 2008 at 9:03 pm #

    The Black Rabbit writes:

    Blue tit, Gull, Pigeon….

    The best BY FAR in my opinion is the wagtail chasing the kestrel. Tiny subjects in frame – not the best focus, but WOW…. what a composition!and what a moment to catch on "film".
    You've outdone yourself again Words, with an amazing shot…!

  7. Words March 19, 2008 at 10:03 pm #

    Bitzy, the black-headed gulls are a bit more seasonal than the herring gulls (which are here all the time). They're a bit smaller than the herring gull and more graceful, though very quirky!

  8. BitzyMe March 19, 2008 at 10:03 pm #

    I've been seeing turkey vultures and hawks the past couple of days… hoping to catch something there. The pigeons have returned and with them came the turkey vultures..right behind them.

  9. Words March 19, 2008 at 10:03 pm #

    Thanks Vulpes!

  10. Words March 19, 2008 at 10:03 pm #

    Thanks Ally. Not often you see them go for a stroll like that.

  11. Words March 19, 2008 at 10:03 pm #

    Black Rabbit, thanks! I was pleased with it. It was over in a moment, just long enough to grab two frames (one badly out of focus).

  12. Words March 19, 2008 at 10:03 pm #

    Adele, I was bit shocked when I saw the wagtail. I'd assumed the flash of black and white was a magpie.

  13. Words March 19, 2008 at 10:03 pm #

    And Lois!

  14. BitzyMe March 20, 2008 at 12:03 am #

    There are a lot of woods around the campus where I work that afford good sightings sometimes. If this sleet/snow/rain/freezing rain would just stop :irked: Don't like to take my cam out in that mess.

  15. Words March 20, 2008 at 12:03 am #

    Bitzy, you get some great sounding birds where you are!

  16. Flying Red Fox Blog March 21, 2008 at 12:03 pm #

    The Bluetit pic is brilliant:D

  17. Words March 21, 2008 at 10:03 pm #

    Thanks Mark!

  18. Words March 21, 2008 at 10:03 pm #

    I feel cold just looking at them :smurf:

  19. BitzyMe March 21, 2008 at 10:03 pm #

    😆 <long enough> . . you would THINK so Words.. Today was very bitter cold, windy, snowy… whole darned gamut!

    http://my.opera.com/Digital_Shooters/albums/show.dml?id=491715

    First 4 shots.

  20. Words March 21, 2008 at 10:03 pm #

    Bitzy, will look forward to seeing your photos when the weather improves! You've suffered long enough with winter. Time for spring!