B is for Buzzard

Three buzzards if truth be told. I first spotted them in the distance this morning. They were too far off for any photos, so I made do with something from the other end of the alphabet, this cute little young whitethroat.
Young whitethroat

The adult was nearby, keeping a watchful eye on it.
Adult male whitethroat

I went back to the same spot at lunchtime. The whitethroats were still around, and this time I was able to photograph the female with a young one. They were busy flitting back and forth, but every now and then settled the right side of all the branches and leaves.

I kept an eye out for the buzzards, and sure enough they appeared on the brow of the hill. I had a little more time, so headed in their direction and was treated to a brief aerial display. The distance doesn't help, but I think (judging from the relative size) that there are two adults and a younger bird. I only managed to get two in shot together
Buzzards

Tonight the garden has been quiet, apart from the hedgehogs who stomp around in the undergrowth. There are two adults and a juvenile. This is the youngster, who is certainly doing a fine job of putting on weight for winter.

Young hedgehog
Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all the birds were photographed with the EF 400mm f/5.6L USM. I used the EF 24-105 F4L IS USM for the hedgehog.

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This Post Has 12 Comments

  1. gdare

    12 Aug 2009

    Buzzards are teaching him to hunt?

  2. studio41

    12 Aug 2009

    I felt I was flying with those buzzard photos… I'm a bit dizzy now 😀 love those first couple of photos, very sweet.

  3. annoushkiss

    12 Aug 2009

    So nice captures of sweet whitethroats, the one with a juvenile is really great :up:
    It looks like the buzzards were hunting, good double captures :up:
    The young hedgehog is top cute!!!

  4. Ukwildlife

    12 Aug 2009

    great photos. The hedgehog does look nice and healthy!

    Whitethroats seem to like hawthorn, I got similar photos a few weeks back!

  5. SittingFox

    12 Aug 2009

    Wow, that hedgehog is plump! And great shots of the buzzards. And the whitethroat – it's ages since I've seen one up here :confused:

  6. Words

    13 Aug 2009

    Neil, thanks. It's an excellent spot for the whitethroats. Such busy little birds at this time of year. The hedgehogs are little stars in the garden at the moment. It's easily the best year we've had with them.

  7. Words

    13 Aug 2009

    Thanks Anna. It's a good place to see the small birds. There are so many of them there, and plenty of food.

  8. Words

    13 Aug 2009

    Darko, yes I expect they are giving lessons at the moment 🙂

  9. Words

    13 Aug 2009

    Jill, thanks. It was nice to get a pair together like that.

  10. Words

    13 Aug 2009

    Adele, no shortage of whitethroats in these parts. The hedgehogs seem very content in the garden and are doing a good job of keeping the snail population in check :chef:

  11. Words

    13 Aug 2009

    Erwin, thanks!

  12. Wulpen

    19 Oct 2012

    Beautiful :up:

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