You can't beat a good servicing

Nikon have just returned my camera after a sensor clean and service and I have to say, I am pleased to be reunited. Typicaly, the recent Subalpine Warbler, Gull-billed Tern and Woodchat(s) were begging to be photographed!  How things have changed; a few years ago I would have been delighted just to see those species in Cornwall, but now they have to be photographed as well.

Those three species have moved on but I did get a chance to photo some common birds, as shown below.  The male Stonechat was singing his heart out to a nearby female at Marazion today.  While he was thinking about services of a different kind, my camera's own service seems to have paid off and those dreaded dust spots have gone for now. 

Two from the hide

Below are two young birds seen from Stithians hide on Sunday. A family party of six Jays were feeding round the bird table at the Cut-off hide. A young Blackbird joined them and posed long enough for me to take a composed shot. I used the 300mm lens with 1.4x Teleconverter, handheld against the hide upright post. Aperture was set to almost wide open at F/5.6 so the depth of field was quite critical. It had the desired effect though of dropping everything behind the Blackbird out of focus.

Welcome back !

A few hours from first light this morning at St Gothian Sands and I was treated to my first Northern Wheatear sighting of the year. The males are always first to arrive as they are eager to get on their breeding grounds early and establish territory. Females will follow through at the end of the month and into April. Wheatears and chats are one of my favourite families and the images of the birds below show the reason why. I have slotted in the Blackbird image from today as well, just because it was singing its' heart out and deserves a mention. Its not from Africa but is more than welcome !

EXIF Detail: P Program Mode. Shutter 1/400th. Ap F/10. ISO 800. Focal length 850mm. EV -0.3, White Balance: Cloudy. DX Crop Mode used. Distance from bird c30 yards.
EXIF Detail: P Program Mode. Shutter 1/400th. Ap F/10. ISO 800. Focal length 850mm. EV -0.3, White Balance: Cloudy. DX Crop Mode used. Distance from bird c30 yards.

EXIF Detail: P Program Mode. Shutter 1/400th. Ap F/10. ISO 800. Focal length 850mm. EV -0.3, White Balance: Cloudy. DX Crop Mode used. Distance from bird c30 yards.

Stonechat. EXIF Detail: P Program Mode. Shutter 1/250th. Ap F/8. ISO 1000. Focal length 850mm. EV -0.3, White Balance: Cloudy. FX Full Frame Mode used. Distance from bird c10 yards.

Blackbird. EXIF Detail: Aperture Priority Mode. Shutter 1/125th. Aperture F/6.3. ISO 1000. Focal length 850mm. EV -0.7, White Balance: Cloudy. FX Full Frame Mode used. Distance from bird c 20 yards.

Winter thrushes

Below is the best image from yesterday taken in poor light at a very high 1600 ISO. Not an ideal situation but the best on offer. The Blackbird is a first year male bird with dark bill and hints of new black adult feathers appearing.