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Monday 16 March 2020

A VISIT TO EYEBROOK RESERVOIR AND TIME  MOSTLY WITH THE BLUE TITS.

Blue Tit on Feeder.

On Arrival it soon became evident that who ever filled the feeders had forgotten to replace the lid on this peanut feeder, as much as I  am against getting feeders in my images, I just could not resist this birdhaving its fill.




Into the feeder and grab a nut. 



And then away as quick as possible. 



Coal Tit near the Feeders.


Several of these delightful little birds were about during my visit. 





Great Tit, Near Feeders.

Again about in reasonable numbers.







Great Tit and Blue Tit.
These birds are waiting to get on the feeders.





Another bird waiting to dive into the Peanuts,



Blue Tit Waiting to get into the Peanuts

They are really such a delightful little bird  whether you see them out in the countryside  or in the garden.



Dunnock.

This bird cleverly waited under the feeders picking up the bits dropped by the other birds.





I THEN DECIDED TO HAVE ANOTHER VISIT WITH THE RED KITES.


As I had already eaten my packed lunch at Eyebrook i headed for the footpath and headed into the garden  where the birds are fed. Having walked down the footpath and entered the garden, the gent who owns the house and garden was on the far side  of the plot doing some repairs to a shed roof, I gave him a quick wave and he  did likewise.The birds did not come as close as previous, as to this being down to it being very windy I am not sure,but I still saw so many birds

again, it was astounding.



On several occasions collisions between birds were only averted at the last second.







 One day I will stay that much later for when Arthur feeds the birds, I think that will be really something.








Thank you for your visit, I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I did in the getting of the images.
I hope we will all still be able to get out and watch our birds because of the problems caused by this Corona virus, fingers crossed we all survive .

Wednesday 4 March 2020

A TRIP TO CALKE ABBEY TO TEST THE CAMERA AND THE SUN WAS SHINING AND AS A BONUS IT DIDN'T RAIN.

What a difference to wake up and it was not raining, and so after lunch I decided to have a quick visit  to Calke Abbey and make the best of the sun and any opportunities to test the camera. On arriving I could see some Deer in the paddock next to the car park so out of the car and get some images of these beautiful creatures. after this  I spent some time in the hide next to the car park and was the told of a new hide  adjacent to the children's adventure  area  so  had to go out of the park area and go back round to the main entrance  as the roadways inside the park are one way, at least I didn't have to pay again.
Red Deer Stag.


None of the deer came very close but at least everything appears very sharp with the camera. 


The largest Red Deer Stag.


This magnificent Stag would not turn head on and walk towards me,  but I still had to take this image, what a set of antlers.




Another Red Deer Stag.

This One carrying a broken antler from the rut



A mixture  of Red deer  and Fallow females.

A mixture of Deer.

These were about 1000 metres away with Fallow Deer Stags amongst the  females.



This pair of  red Deer Stags again would not turn towards me.



I I THEN WENT INTO THE HIDE ADJACENT TO THE CAR PARK.

Robin.

One of several of these delightful little birds that visited the area.




Blue Tit

These were visiting the feeders continuously.



 I THEN CHANGED HIDES AND VISITED THE NEW  HIDE BY THE ADVENTURE AREA. 

Blue Tit.

It seemed where ever I went Blue Tit were about.



Coal Tit again visiting the feeders.

I did not stay long in the hide as it started to cloud over.


Another Coal Tit heading for the feeders.



Long Tailed Tits.

This pair arrived and found a fatball on the floor.





Great Tit.

Again heading to the feeders,




I THEN DECIDED TO HAVE ANOTHER VISIT WITH  THE RED KITES , ON ARRIVING AT THE SITE THE WIND WAS VERY STRONG SO IT SHOULD SLOW THE BIRDS DOWN.

Having sat an devoured my packed lunch I started watching the birds circling in when an elderly gent arrived on his bike, he was apparently delivering the village news letter, he however asked me if I wanted to get closer to the Kites and said to follow him into the village but said not close as I tend to fall off my bike when I stop!!! needless to say I staid well away, On arriving in the village luckily he remained on his bike , , showed me the footpath and said go down the footpath and you will be in Arthur's  garden where he feeds the Kites, and got on his way delivering his news letters, a really lovely gent but he said please don't tell anyone else. So I walked down the footpath between two houses, climbed over a stile and entered Arthur's garden where he feeds the kites, this area extends to some five hectares with a reasonable amount of the birds flying around. The only mistake I made was to leave my tripod in the car so all the images I am hand holding this very heavy lens, next time I wont forget it.






Kestrel.

Just up the road from the footpath sitting on an electric cable.





Red Kite on the ground.

On getting into the garden I found several birds on the ground, which in itself

 is unusual.


A Corvid then decided to start and dive bomb them.




It then made the mistake of landing and was quickly moved on by the two extra Kites
 that landed below.




Numerous birds were flying about and calling all the time.



Initially the bird kept a good distance from me, I would say this bird was 150 metres away,.





This bird came that bit closer  to about 100 metres.




It was a very windy afternoon and I was getting buffeted by the wind but it certainly slowed the Kites down and made it easier to follow them.















This bird came the closest  but then flew behind a tree before I managed some close images.






Having had a wonderful time with these birds I intend to have another visit and hopefully meet up with Arthur in his garden and find out what he is feeding the birds.




I hope you have  enjoyed your visit as much as I did in the getting of these images, it  appears the adjustments to the  lens seating ring  ion the camera has sorted the focusing issues.






About Me;


Titus White:
Hi I am Richard Peglers friend Titus White, and those who follow Richards posts will understand the name and reason for it. I have been birding with Richard for 3 years and a volunteer at Rutland Water on the Osprey Project for 2 years. My early images were taken on a Nikon D80 with a 70 - 200mm lens. I updated the lens to a 70 - 300mm VR lens but still was not happy with the results. Eventually when Nikon announced the D7100 I decided to change so upgraded the camera and also invested in a Sigma 50 - 500mm lens.
I first met Richard through Arthur Costello as I was having the occasional visit from Little Owls on our land. We eventually found the Little Owls through another contact about 100 metres away. Photo's will follow on future posts.
I have recently upgraded my camera to full frame, this is a challenge I am at the moment enjoying trying to get the best out of the beast.
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