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.
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| Red Deer Stag. None of the deer came very close but at least everything appears very sharp with the camera. |
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| 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. |
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Another Red Deer Stag. This One carrying a broken antler from the rut |
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A mixture of Red deer and Fallow females. |
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| A mixture of Deer. These were about 1000 metres away with Fallow Deer Stags amongst the females. |
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This pair of red Deer Stags again would not turn towards me.
I I THEN WENT INTO THE HIDE ADJACENT TO THE CAR PARK.
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| Robin. One of several of these delightful little birds that visited the area. |
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Blue Tit These were visiting the feeders continuously.
I THEN CHANGED HIDES AND VISITED THE NEW HIDE BY THE ADVENTURE AREA.
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| Blue Tit. It seemed where ever I went Blue Tit were about. |
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Coal Tit again visiting the feeders. I did not stay long in the hide as it started to cloud over. |
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Another Coal Tit heading for the feeders. 
Long Tailed Tits.
This pair arrived and found a fatball on the floor.
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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.
  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. |
