Dave Williams's 2018 Big(Photo)Year!

[PeterHG]

I do love your Sedge Warblers. They are always the first singers in the reed beds in Spring and , as you say, very vocal. Not always easy to get a clear shot of, but you got a few beauties. And also with the swifts, of course. Beautiful! 

[Zim Girl]

Another vote for the Sedge Warbler - lovely photo.

[Dave Williams]

If someone correctly ID's this I'll claim it. I think you'll be a long time guessing but if you get it right it has to be one of my best EBC's ever. Nice bramble too, it was sat on that a fraction earlier.

[Galana]

Way to go Dai Bach!  Reed Buntng.

[Dave Williams]

11 hours ago, Galana said:

Way to go Dai Bach!  Reed Buntng.

 

Already got one of those Fred.

[Galana]

I don't think you have Common Whitethroat though.

[Dave Williams]

@Galana  That is very impressive Fred! I guess the brambles were the biggest clue but nevertheless, 2nd go....something else. Take a bow sir!

 

So I claim my 306th but as I can't edit that entry I'll post another shot that I took this morning when I went back for another go!

 

Common Whitethroat.

Common Whitethroat  Sylvia communis by Dave Williams, on Flickr

 

[Dave Williams]

307) Garden Warbler

Another summer visitor has arrived at our local reserve. A bit of a shy one, had me waiting for over an hour to get a glimpse.

Garden Warbler  Sylvia borin by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[lmSA84]

Great shot of the Whitethroat! I can’t seem to get even near them at the moment 

[PeterHG]

That Whitethroat shot is just incredible! ( well they both are, but I am referring to the second one....)

[xelas]

Keeping distance, @Dave Williams, with excellent photos!

[Dave Williams]

308)Ruff.

 

I have been ruffing it quite a bit these last few days, last night was the first spent in a bed since Sunday.Absolutely blissful sleep as the previous night I spent freezing lying in a box waiting for the Black Grouse lek that never happened.My worst night in memory from a comfort point of view so consequently when it was suggested that I spent the next two nights in another hide waiting for the Ruff lek I decided against it even though a sleeping bag was on offer. Instead of wading through a quagmire of thigh deep mud we ( my pal Mike who is travelling with me) decided to rig a different pop-up hide in a different place and in a pleasant 4 hours got some decent views of a couple of male Ruff in full breeding plumage, something I have long wanted to see.

Ruff  Calidris pugnax by Dave Williams, on Flickr

That one we named Blackie.

Ruff  Calidris pugnax by Dave Williams, on Flickr

You don't have to be a genius to work out his name either.

Ruff  Calidris pugnax by Dave Williams, on Flickr

after 5 days in Estonia I have to admit it's not been the best for photo birding but I do have some winning EBC's to share later.

The highlight though was 2 nights in a Brown Bear hide. What a beast, what a memory.

Brown Bear by Dave Williams, on Flickr

That's one big bear. The only downside was they don't come out until it's going dark!

[Zim Girl]

Wow, they look amazing!  And what a Bear

[Galana]

I knew you were quiet for a reason.

Great photos of the Ruffs and the Bear.

I am sure @xelas will point out that SLO is good for bears too.

 

Looking forward to some EBCs. On a technical note would an EBC of a Ruff be a Rough!

[xelas]

5 minutes ago, Galana said:

I knew you were quiet for a reason.

Great photos of the Ruffs and the Bear.

I am sure @xelas will point out that SLO is good for bears too.

 

Looking forward to some EBCs. On a technical note would an EBC of a Ruff be a Rough!

 

Excellent for bears; and good for birds also. And much closer then Estonia. Maybe even more affordable, specially if using the services of fellow Safari Pal .

 

The Ruff is fantastic; one can get those great photos in Europe only from a hide. Now back to computer, birds are waiting to be posted .

[Peter Connan]

Fantastic Ruff shots, and a great bear too.

[PeterHG]

Great photos of the Ruff and what an EBC (Every Bear Counts) shot!

[Dave Williams]

 309) Bearded Reedling.

This seems to be the accepted name now but I have always known them as Bearded Tits. Not the easiest species to get a clear view of that's for sure although my experience is limited to  the three occasions I have seen them.

Bearded Reedling   Panurus biarmicus by Dave Williams, on Flickr

[Geoff]

Finally caught up. So many birds I've never seen before. Far too many good images to mention separately but I did like the Sand & Kentish plovers.

I know what you mean about WBSE (post #419) ~ they're as big as a barn door. Nice flight pose on that harrier (#397 i think), lovely image.

 

Not sure what you're doing with sharpening, but a halo is very evident on a few images.

[Dave Williams]

@Geoff You are right about the halo, must be too much sharpening and when when I use Aperture and my laptop for PP.

[xelas]

7 hours ago, Geoff said:

Not sure what you're doing with sharpening, but a halo is very evident on a few images.

 

@Geoff please indicate those photos (by number); I know my sharpening technique lacks a lot also, and would like to improve in that department of PP.  Or better, do this on my Big Year thread.

[xelas]

@Dave Williams beautiful moustaches, I know how hard is to find the bird and more so to get a good photo of it! Well done!

[Dave Williams]

@xelas I'm struggling to keep up but the chase is on Alex. My Estonia trip ends tomorrow and it's been very poor on quality opportunities but I have added a few in numbers. I'll sort them when I get home.

[xelas]

@Dave Williams I must go to nearby pond to get a healthy supply of tortoise photos  in exchange of yours hares! Looking forward to see your Estonia birds, this country is becoming a hot spot among European birders. What about Belarus and Georgia??

[Galana]

Nice Reedling @Dave Williams

Very sharp.

I see the Hare is running.