Some recent images in Cornwall

Below are some images taken over the last month around the county.  There's been some gaps in the blog posts recently, mainly because of being busy at work and some family things which take up time.  Plus it's dark in the mornings and evenings so sadly my hobby has taken a back seat!  Anyway, these shots below are a round-up of what activity there has been:

Whooper Swan at Helston boating lake - Jan 2013 - calling continuously

 

 

 

Golden Plover at Colliford, part of a flock of 50 feeding in the fields by Dozmary Pool.

 

 

Firecrest at Helston Sewerage Works. A Siberian Chiffchaff was also present but I couldn't get the right shot. Try again some sometime!

 

Black-necked Grebe at Newlyn Jan 2013. One of my favourite images of this long-stayer in the harbour.

 

Chiffchaff at Swanvale - quite a pale bird but the buff flanks rule out Siberian.



Male Black Redstart at Portscatho harbour - this individual has been wintering here.

Close and personal with the Drift Whooper Swan

A very confiding bird in stunning low afternoon sunshine.  Taken with 300mm lens.

Whooper Swans at Stithians Reservoir

Two adult Whooper Swans appeared at the res today and were content to feed at the far side of the main hide, about 100 yards away. A handful of Whoopers are more-or-less annual here, but always a welcome sight. The light was poor tonight and I had to raise the ISO to 1250. Shutter speed was still only about 60th second resulting in just one or two shots in reasonable focus. Exposure raised to +0.3 . WB set to cloudy.

I also managed to photo a Wren in front of the hide. The light was really poor and ISO was up to 1600. Shutter speed was now just 30th second! Of some thirty shots just three or four were in focus. The adult male Chaffinch also put in an appearance on his favourite branch, some five yards from the hide.