tdgraves 8th big year 2021

[Tdgraves]

I can't believe it has been 8 years already...

 

A New Year's Day walk was off, as the weather was not great, but the forecast for the 2nd was accurate, blue sky but a bit of a cold wind, so we were off for a walk. What we hadn't considered was that the Christmas Eve flooding would still be an issue. So the route was amended and we had to do a bit of wading through streams and even climbed through a fallen willow! The boots were up to the job though, (we have never tested their waterproofness in Africa) only a tiny amount of water though a lace hole! It was quite busy, I guess given the weather and the restricted pathways and the drive out was the most productive. However, given that I am optimistic about 2021 (but not my trip postponed from Jan to Feb) I will not be posting everything, as there is plenty of time to improve on the quality (I hope!)

 

RSPB Fen Drayton, Cambridgeshire, 2/1/21

 

Canon 5D Mark IV, 100-400 Mark II, ISO 1250, f6.3, 1/2000

 

7T4A7107 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

7T4A7110 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

1) Grey heron (on what should be a path)

[Soukous]

Lovely light, lovely photo

[Tdgraves]

Thanks @Soukous it really made the walk worthwhile. Right at the end of our time there (car park is opposite the gate)...

[Galana]

Great start.  Beautiful lighting and reflection.

[Tdgraves]

thanks @Galana the best heron shot I have got in the UK so far, I think...

[Tdgraves]

RSPB Fen Drayton, Cambridgeshire, 2/1/21

 

Canon 5D Mark IV, 100-400 Mark II, ISO 1000, f7.1, 1/2000, EV +2/3

 

7T4A7139 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

2) Black-headed gulls (in what should be a field)

[Galana]

Just now, Tdgraves said:

the best heron shot I have got in the UK so far, I think...

I don't doubt it is better than many others have got too.

[PeterHG]

What a beautiful photo to start the new year with! Exquisite lighting and a dreamy setting!

[Tdgraves]

RSPB Fen Drayton, Cambridgeshire, 2/1/21

 

Canon 5D Mark IV, 100-400 Mark II, ISO 1600, f7.1, 1/1600, EV +2/3

 

7T4A7012 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

3) Northern lapwing

[Tdgraves]

Thanks @PeterHG I crept closer and closer to it, but in the end felt bad, so didn't flush it, as it seemed very happy where it was sat

[Tdgraves]

RSPB Fen Drayton, Cambridgeshire, 2/1/21

 

Canon 5D Mark IV, 100-400 Mark II, ISO 1600, f7.1, 1/2000, EV +2/3

 

7T4A7009 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

4) Great spotted woodpecker

[Tdgraves]

RSPB Fen Drayton, Cambridgeshire, 2/1/21

 

Canon 5D Mark IV, 100-400 Mark II, ISO 800, f7.1, 1/2500

 

7T4A7154 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

5) Common pheasant

[Tdgraves]

RSPB Fen Drayton, Cambridgeshire, 2/1/21

 

Canon 5D Mark IV, 100-400 Mark II, ISO 800, f7.1, 1/2000

 

7T4A7149 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

6) White wagtail

[Tdgraves]

RSPB Fen Drayton, Cambridgeshire, 2/1/21

 

Canon 5D Mark IV, 100-400 Mark II, ISO 800, f7.1, 1/2500

 

7T4A7144 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

7) Green woodpecker

[Tdgraves]

RSPB Fen Drayton, Cambridgeshire, 2/1/21

 

Canon 5D Mark IV, 100-400 Mark II, ISO 1000, f7.1, 1/1600

 

7T4A7131 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

8) Redwing

[Tdgraves]

The last 5 all taken from the car on the drive out. We also saw a buzzard, but it is bordering on the EBC, so can wait...

 

RSPB Fen Drayton, Cambridgeshire, 2/1/21

 

Canon 5D Mark IV, 100-400 Mark II, ISO 800, f7.1, 1/1250, EV +2/3 (a mistake - didn't change settings from before)

 

Male

 

7T4A7166 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

Canon 5D Mark IV, 100-400 Mark II, ISO 800, f7.1, 1/1000

 

Female

 

7T4A7168 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

9) European stonechat (I hardly ever see these, so very pleased)

[Zim Girl]

Love the Grey Heron picture!

Again very jealous of anyone getting a green woodpecker, definitely my most wanted bird this year.

[Galana]

Now look here.

There is only so much we can take. One Woodpecker is nice, TWO is bloody greedy!

Great captures. Worth getting ones feet wet for.

[shazdwn]

Stunning heron shots to start the year with. 

[Tdgraves]

Thanks @shazdwn

[Kitsafari]

beautiful capture of the grey heron - such a common and overlooked bird but with the reflection,the heron looked stunning. 

 

eight years! wow you're a founding member and then I had to have a look - 5 started the first BY in 2014 and three remain standing tall  - @Tdgraves @Peter Connan @Soukous. hats off to you three for keeping it up!  

[Soukous]

2 minutes ago, Kitsafari said:

eight years! wow you're a founding member and then I had to have a look - 5 started the first BY in 2014 and three remain standing tall  - @Tdgraves @Peter Connan @Soukous. hats off to you three for keeping it up!  

 

It has been great fun and just taking part has done wonders for my birding skills, albeit making me a much more boring safari companion in the process. Who'd have thought I'd be happy on a game drive where we saw no mammals?

A lot more participants now and birds from all over the world, not just Africa. I just keep on learning and adding places to my wish list. 

[Galana]

3 hours ago, Soukous said:

Who'd have thought I'd be happy on a game drive where we saw no mammals?

Stopping the driver/guide for the 21st Bulbul is a great way to ensure you get the truck to yourselves tomorrow. 

[elefromoz]

Lovely Heron, yes water everywhere there, clearly not bothering the Birds though, a great mix

[Tdgraves]

Thanks @Kitsafari and @elefromoz

the upside @Galana and @Soukous is that bird watching on safari tends to conjure good mammal sightings....and if you have a private vehicle, so much the better