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tdgraves big year 2022 - here's hoping it's (all) better!


Tdgraves

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I am aware that I am slow off of the blocks, as a lot of other BY participants are already romping away. The weather and other factors have made the past three months quiet here for me, but as I start packing for our Kruger trip (PCR test results notwithstanding) I feel like I need to at least start the topic, even though it will be quiet for a while. Maybe I'll be the first big year-er to get away this year? It will be our first trip to Africa for two years, so we are determined to make the most of it.

 

I hope that 2022 will be my biggest year yet, as I also have my twice postponed inaugural Kenya trip in October, with few overlap birds, 10 days in the Seychelles (also postponed more times than I care to remember), as well a week in Northern California in the spring all booked in.... 

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The weather was beautiful on 3rd (a bank holiday here) but I could not persuade the OH to leave the building! So when the clouds cleared on 5th, I decided to get out for a quick walk. Unfortunately, it was already late in the afternoon by the time this happened, so the light was not optimal, but I got a couple that I am happy to post in January, rather than waiting until December!

 

Berry Fen, Cambridgeshire, 5/1/22 

 

Canon 5 mark IV, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 1600, f5.6, 1/1600

 

51804456175_57ee75997e_k.jpg7T4A3889 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

1) Goldfinch - the first time I have actually seen them eating their preferred food!

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Berry Fen, Cambridgeshire, 5/1/22 

 

Canon 5 mark IV, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 1600, f7.1, 1/8000

 

51813870362_81f343a0cb_k.jpg7T4A3839a by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

2) Eurasian coot

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Berry Fen, Cambridgeshire, 5/1/22 

 

Canon 5 mark IV, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 2500, f5.6, 1/1600

 

51815172459_732dde8d9b_k.jpg7T4A3858a by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

3) Pied wagtail

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Berry Fen, Cambridgeshire, 5/1/22 

 

Canon 5 mark IV, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 1600, f7.1, 1/1250

 

51803850078_4f3359018f_k.jpg7T4A3916 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

4) Mallard

 

 

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And one from the garden, as he was singing so sweetly

 

My garden, Cambridgeshire, 9/1/22 

 

Canon 5 mark IV, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 800, f7.1, 1/2000

 

51812716845_4ffbfa99e4_k.jpg7T4A3987 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

Canon 5 mark IV, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 500, f5.6, 1/2000

 

51815545920_e2efd425c4_k.jpg7T4A3996 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

5) Robin

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Lovely light on the Goldfinch!

A great start to what sounds like a busy year.

I hope it all works out for you

Edited by TonyQ
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Cant help but love those little Robins

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I wouldn't call that a slow start.  Hope everything goes well with your Africa trip, looking forward to the photos.  

 

Off topic a bit - you mention the need for a PCR test.  We are having huge issues with waiting times for results here in Australia (mine took 5.5 days to get back to me, my dad in Victoria waited for 7 days - which really doesn't work if you need to provide a negative test taken within 72 hours).  I'm curious to know if other countries are having the same issues?  

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Thanks @TonyQ @Galana @elefromoz and @shazdwn - I was just reading your post when my pcr came through (negative - phew!). Taken at 10.55 yesterday. What I have found is that a lot of providers do not state turn around times, so I have chosen ones that actually provide a guarantee. When we went to Grenada I even paid extra for a 24 hour rather than 48 hour result, so that we could sleep soundly the night before departure! That one came back in about 5 hours!

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3 hours ago, shazdwn said:

I'm curious to know if other countries are having the same issues?  

Manx Gov guarantee results by 18.00 the following day. I have also discovered that one UK firm that has a walk in facility on Manchester airport and elsewhere offer 3 tarifs. 24, 12 and 3 hours. As the 3 hour is only £15 more than the 12 hour job I am going for that. Sorry to chip in on the post.

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Have a great trip to South Africa! Very nice Goldfinch photo!

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Lovely light in Berry fen n beautiful landscapes too.

 

Have great fun n enjoy S. Africa!

 

(The pcr test results take up to 48 hours here but usually come earlier).

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Dave Williams

Presume you must have left by now then! looking forward to hearing all about KNP on your return. I'm envious you will be there in the birding season unlike us who will be there in winter.

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  • 1 month later...

Have been back three weeks now and still no nearer to processing the photos, so I have decided to do the beginning and end first, as they are smaller chunks! Unfortunately, @Peter Connan had a prior engagement and was not able to join us in Marievale on day 1, but was free to join us in Rietvlei on day 14. I had found a nice small B&B about 15 mins drive away from Marievale, which I had failed to manage on previous occasions. It not only had self catering rooms (so we could store our food) but offered dinner, so we didn't need to go out again to find a local restaurant when tired from travelling and with an early start the following day. Whilst we were shopping in Hyde Park Corner, I decided to check my email, as I had free wi-fi and there was a message to call the B&B urgently. Unfortunately, the guest due to vacate our room had taken a COVID test for travel and tested positive, so had to stay on in the B&B! Luckily they had another one in their portfolio very close by and gave us the best room in the house to make up for the inconvenience. We'll have to try the original one on our next trip...

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Marievale bird sanctuary, South Africa, 15/1/22 

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 800, f5.6, 1/1600

 

51889812217_7f785f0e70_k.jpg7T4A4013a by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 800, f5.6, 1/1000

 

51889807612_4bf24f7e6f_k.jpg7T4A4018a by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

6) Red-knobbed coot

Edited by Tdgraves
typo
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Marievale bird sanctuary, South Africa, 15/1/22 

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 1000, f5.6, 1/6400

 

51891425750_26a407ae3c_k.jpg7T4A4025a by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

7) Barn swallow

Edited by Tdgraves
typo
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Marievale bird sanctuary, South Africa, 15/1/22 

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 640, f5.6, 1/2500

 

51890771656_82a00e93f2_k.jpg7T4A4133a by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

8) White-throated swallow

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Marievale bird sanctuary, South Africa, 15/1/22 

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 1600, f7.1, 1/4000

 

51889811702_62ad2c207f_k.jpg7T4A4095a by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

9) Reed cormorant

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Marievale bird sanctuary, South Africa, 15/1/22 

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 1000, f5.6, 1/2500

 

51891425590_80b8863e4d_k.jpg7T4A4060a by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 800, f5.6, 1/2500, EV -1/3

 

51891425650_e07ce1ab4c_k.jpg7T4A4051a by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

10) Malachite kingfisher

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Marievale bird sanctuary, South Africa, 15/1/22 

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 800, f7.1, 1/4000

 

51890860268_e23f109d0e_k.jpg7T4A4142a by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

11) Western marsh harrier

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Marievale bird sanctuary, South Africa, 15/1/22 

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 800, f7.1, 1/3200, EV -1/3

 

51891108509_b3b8a16864_k.jpg7T4A4143a by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

12) African reed warbler

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Marievale bird sanctuary, South Africa, 15/1/22 

 

Canon 5D mark IV, 100-400 mark ii, ISO 500, f7.1, 1/1000

 

51890771231_0f8db5d53b_k.jpg7T4A4153a by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

13) Common moorhen

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