Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley: Blog

Clouded Yellow, Holly Blue and Small Skipper

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 06 May 2019 20:01:22 GMT

Clouded Yellow, Holly Blue and Small Skipper

In addition to Fritlllaries and Large whites, I had opportunity to photo 3 other species of butterfly whilst camping in Italy, two them new species for me. The first of these was the Clouded Yellow.

Clouded Yellows are fast flying butterflies, and you can easily find yourself chasing them as they flit from one place to another. However with patience, I was lucky enough to capture a few images.

The second was a much smaller butterfly, a Holly Blue - it was sitting low down in the vegetation by the Mincio River so I only got a couple of quick grab shots.

The final species, is a butterfly I have seen and photographed many times before. Small Skippers are tiny little butterflies, which presents a challenge in terms of photography. But they also hold their wings at an angle that creates an almost 3D effect, meaning you need additional depth of field. They also fly around very quickly and I had to wait patiently for one or two to come to rest before carefully approaching them for a photograph. The image stabiliser on the Canon 100mm F2.8 IS lens is invaluable in these circumstances.

I really enjoyed my early morning walks along the riverside. It's great to photograph new wildlife species and others that you don't see too often (and of course one or two common ones too!)

For more images please go to the Butterfly gallery here.

Spotted Fritillary

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 25 Mar 2019 19:42:55 GMT

Spotted Fritillary

The most abundant species of butterfly on my trip to Italy was the Spotted Fritillary. Quite a distinctive butterfly, it is, again, common across southern Europe, but not found in this country. On both my photographic mornings, there were a few butterflies roosting on plants by the side of the path. As I arrived early in the morning, I found one or two whilst they were still covered in early morning dew. This makes them a lot easier to photograph as they can't fly until their wings are warmed up. You still need to take care though not to disturb the butterfly.

In other cases there was no dew, but the butterflies were nonetheless confiding in the cool morning air. I tried a range of shots, these first two shot against the light. The sun was low in the sky for both shots, but is slightly higher and gives a warmer light in the second.

These shots are in the other direction, with more direct light on the butterfly.

I managed to get a range of shots over my two visits, including the more traditional shots of the butterfly, with wings open.

As well as some slight less convectional shots from side on.

I was particularly pleased with this image.

Finally, here is an image I posted previously - one of my favourite compositions is to go in close with a wide aperture setting on the camera, focussing on the eye of the butterfly.

I think these butterflies are beautiful. I hope you enjoy these images as much as I enjoyed taking them.

For more shots of these butterflies, and other Spotted Fritillary images, please go to the gallery here.

Purple Gallinule

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 20:19:50 GMT

Purple Gallinule

I always enjoy having the opportunity on photograph something new. And holidays often bring those opportunities, as long as I can negotiate some photography time alongside the family fun. One such opportunity presented itself in the form of an October holiday to the Algarve in Portugal.

I had never been to Portugal before but I didn't know what to expect, although I have seen photos from a couple of friends that suggested there might be opportunities for bird photography. We stayed in the coastal resort of Villamoura. A bit of preparation in advance, scouring the internet, revealed this to be a relatively new resort, set amongst one or two areas that showed some promise. Although we were going to hire a car, and some of the main reserves were not that far away, I recognised that I needed something quite close - so I was pleasantly surprised to find, and keen to explore, the Villamoura Reedbeds.

I managed to fit in two early morning visits to the reserve. The first I used to get my bearings, including discovering that I had to park a little way out of the reserve and walk into it, to get anywhere near the hides. I decided to head to what is actually called Bird Hide 2 at the far end of the reserve.

I had the hide to myself. These images show the views from the hide, taken with my Galaxy Note 8 phone.

And in this image you can see my Canon EOS 7d mark ii with Sigma 150-600 mm lens. I include this image to demonstrate the pull of the lens. I continue to be amazed by the difference between a 400mm lens (the upper range of my 100-400 mm) and 600mm. Whilst a couple of the images below have minor cropping, they are cropped to make minor improvements to composition (often to trim off a reed highlighted by the sun), rather than to make the bird bigger the frame. I am really pleased with the combination of camera and lens.

I managed to photograph just 3 species from this hide - Little Grebe and Kingfisher were two that I had photographed before (see a future post which will include these images). But the bird that made my visit really worth worthwhile, was one that suddenly appeared in the gap in the shaded reeds to the right of my view.

It was a Purple Gallinule.

Also known as Purple Swamp hens, these birds are effectively large purple Moorhens. I love their purple colouring and their bright red beak and legs.

The bird skulked in the reeds....

before moving closer through the reeds from right to left.

stopping occasionally to check its surroundings.

It then flew to the reedbed to the left of the hide. I have quite a few blurred images as I tried to get it back in frame. Eventually, it stepped out into the open and allowed another photo.

It then disappeared out of sight, and didn't return.

Although I was frustrated at the pictures I had missed, I was really pleased to have grabbed some images - and it spurred me on to make a second visit to the reserve later in the week.

On my second visit I started in Bird Hide 1. Imagine my delight as I found another Purple Gallinule right in front of the hide. Unfortunately, despite my best efforts, it heard me entering the hide, and flew to a point further away.

The early morning view out of this hide was almost entirely into the sun. But it wasn't long before another Purple Gallinule came out into the open, and started to wander around on the flattened reeds some distance in front of the hide.

After making sure I had a couple of images of the bird in silhouette, I made a serious adjustment to the exposure values on my camera to see if could get any more detail. Naturally this has turned the background very white, but I did get a couple of images as the bird played with, and ate, a crab.

The light was really quite tricky, so I decided to visit Bird Hide 2 again - and amazingly I was in luck. A third opportunity to photograph Purple Gallinule, albeit that the bird insisted in skulking in the reeds, and standing behind one brightly lit reed in particular.

These are great birds, with lovely colours, and nice and large, making photography that bit easier. Well worth getting out of bed early for!!

I will post further images from Villamoura Reedbeds in future posts. In the meantime, if you would like to see the full set of Purple Gallinule images please go to the gallery here.

Reflection pool - part 1

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 21:08:59 GMT

Reflection Pool - a taster

One of the things I have wanted to try for a while was a reflection pool. I have seen some excellent photos taken at these pools and fancied trying something similar. Those of you familiar with my photography will know that I take a lot of photos in my own garden - so it seemed a natural progression to set up a pool at home.

The idea is to attract birds down to water, where I can photograph them with their reflections. As the birds need to come quite close, all photos are taken from a pop up hide. I will go into the practicalities (and difficulties) of the set up in a later post - but first, here are a few images as a taster of more to come.

Firstly a Starling

a Male Blackbird

a Female Blackbird

a Collared Dove

a Robin

Woodpigeons (and yes this is exactly how it was taken)

And finally, for now, another Starling. I love the irridescent colours of these birds!

More reflection pool shots to come soon!

Knapweed Fritillary

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 19:12:46 GMT

Knapweed and Heath Fritillary

One of the other species of butterfly I found alongside the Mincio River, was the Knapweed Fritillary. Whilst they are widespread and common in southern Europe, they are not found in the UK. I have photographed them before, in the Dordogne, but I always like to see and photograph species that I can't find at home. They can be found in flowery fields and hillsides, with its larval plants including, as the name suggests, the Knapweed flower.

They have a particular attractive patterns on the underside of their wings.

I also manged to photograph a third species of Fritillary. It is sometimes more difficult to identify butterflies than you might imagine, particularly several months after seeing them. But I think the following images are of a Heath Fritillary - distinguished by the lack of distinct spots on submarginal band (the band towards the edge) of the underside of the hind wing.

Again the undersides of these butterflies are quite beautiful. This particular one fed on this flower for over a minute. In the first image it doesn't seem to mind that it has been joined by a friend!

It turned on the flower head as it fed, allowing a variety of images.

Eventually it opened its wings to show its upper side - again very attractive.

For more images of Knapweed Fritillaries please go to the gallery here.

For more images of Heath Fritillary please go to the gallery here.

Italian insects - part 1

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 18:01:48 GMT

Italian Insects - introduction

For our summer holiday in 2018 we stayed near the southern tip of Lake Garda in Italy. This was, of course, a family holiday with friends, so I had limited photography opportunities, which I also had to balance with my new found obsession of running! Fortunately, we stayed in a caravan park next to a riverside path that allowed opportunities for both.

Our caravan was located in a perfect position - sufficiently far way from the pool, bars and shop to be nice and quiet, and with easy exit off site to the River Mincio.

It was a great place to go for a run but also provided lots of riverside vegetation to look for butterflies and other insects. But the size of the river meant that the insects were often too far away, and I was a bit wary about getting too close to the water's edge as the water was very deep. I also had to be careful of cyclists and runners (!!) coming along the path.

Just downstream there was a large sluice, with a number of control structures to manage water levels. Behind this sluice was a lovely wilderness area and a number of back channels, much quieter and better for taking photos.

I managed two early morning trips to this area and took a range of photos. One of the first insects I found was a Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. At about 1.5 cm long I had to get really close with my Canon 100mm F2.8 mm macro lens to get a decent image. These two images show the different effects that can be achieved using different apertures. The first uses a narrow aperture of F11, the second a wide aperture of F3.2.

There were a number of dragonflies around as well. These Banded Darters were a first for me. This first image is a rather striking male.

The second, as is often the case, the slightly less colourful, but no less beautiful, female.

In both cases the bands on the wings, that give the dragonfly its name, are clearly visible.

But it was really butterflies that I was looking for. The first was this Large White butterfly. It sat quite still allowing a close approach, and I was able to take two very different looking images, one with the butterfly sitting in shade, and another as it was lit by the early morning sun.

And this Spotted Fritillary sat very still whilst the sun heated its wings after roosting over night.

Again, I enjoyed taking different compositions, using different apertures. I love getting in close, to focus just on the eye, using a wide aperture to render everything else out of focus.

This is just a taster of the images I took on these two visits. There are plenty more to come in future posts, including more Spotted Fritillary, Heath and Knapweed Fritillary and Clouded Yellow butterflies.

Holme Fell

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 17:51:20 GMT

Holme Fell

For my next post I go back to last November, and my latest trip to the Lake District. In total I spent 4 days there with my good walking friends, ticking off a few Wainwrights in my quest to complete all 214 (more of that in later posts where I plan to show routes and /or summit photos for them all). The weather was mixed to say the least, ranging from dull to down right cold and wet for the most part. The best weather and photographic light came on the third day, with one of the shortest walks of the weekend.

A fairly simple path from Glen Mary Bridge National Trust car park, took us in the direction of our latest Wainwright, and the second of the day, Holme Fell. The fell itself has extensive views of the Langdale Pikes in one direction, and Coniston Water in the other. Some of the most spectacular views can be found from Ivy Crag on route to the Wainwright summit itself.

Again I have included images taken from both my Canon EOS 7D (this with 15-85mm lens) and my Samsung Galaxy Note 8 phone. The phone takes a wider field of view, and also allows me to try my hand at some panoramic shots.

Holme Fell summit cairn is not far away - this summit provides better views over Coniston Water in the opposite direction.

At times, the light was quite dramatic, resulting in one or two images I was really quite pleased with. I love the way the light plays over the hills, picking out the autumn colours.

This was a lovely walk, taking just over two and a half hours. After this we didn't feel the need to chase anymore Wainwrights, instead heading for a coffee and cake at the nearby Chesters tearoom.

A map of the route we took is shown below.

Further photos from this walk can be found in the gallery here.

Happy New Year

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 19:29:00 GMT

Happy New Year

Happy New year everyone. It's while since I have posted to this blog but a new year brings new opportunities, as well as a huge backlog of photos to process and share with you.

In the spirit of keeping things up to date, I will start with a few photos from New Year's Day itself - a trip to the coast and a pleasant walk along the cliff tops at Hunstanton with an attempt to return back along the beach. The hide tide meant that we had to retrace our steps, but it did give me opportunity to grab a few shots of the Fulmar soaring overhead.

Fulmar in flightHunstanton,Norfolk, UK

Fulmar in flightHunstanton, Norfolk, UK

Fulmar in flightHunstanton,Norfolk, UK

This was by no means a photographic walk, so these were really just grab shots (and there were a lot more that I missed than I grabbed). The light was lovely, and I would have loved to have had more time. The birds seemed easiest to photograph as they turned back at the edge of the cliffs, hanging there for a moment, before moving off quickly again.

Fulmar in flightHunstanton,Norfolk, UK

Fulmar in flightHunstanton, Norfolk, UK

The Fulmar photos were taken with my trusty Canon EOS 7d Mark II and 100-400mm lens, a combination I can easily carry around with me on a waist belt. But the scenery along the foot of the cliffs was bathed in glorious light as well. There was no time to change lenses - but these days I can always grab a quick image or two on my phone - the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 takes a half decent image in its own right!!

It was a lovely walk and great to take a few pictures. Hopefully this will be the start of a great photographic year ahead.

For more images of Fulmars please go to the gallery here.

For more images from Hunstatnton beach please go to the gallery here.

Northern Cardinals

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 21:39:11 GMT

After a bit of a break I am now posting again. First the final couple of posts from last year' strip to Florida - soon more from the Lake District, and birds from the UK.

Northern Cardinals

One of the birds we didn't see on our previous trip to Florida was the Northern Cardinal. On this visit though we saw quite a few. The male Cardinal is a very distinctive, brightly coloured bird - I was excited about the potential for some stunning images. Unfortunately, they were quite hard to photograph, as they stayed high in the trees or flitted from one branch to another. I got quite close to a group of birds in Disney's Animal Kingdom - but the dappled lighting and network of branches made it hard to get any decent images.

Northern Cardinal Northern Cardinal Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinal Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinal Northern Cardinal

For more images of these birds please go to the gallery here.

Osprey

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 20:57:50 GMT

Osprey

Whilst it was great to see hawks and vultures, the bird of prey I particularly wanted to photograph was the Osprey. Obviously in the UK these birds are quite rare, and opportunities to photograph them quite specialised. Not so in Florida. Even 20 years ago in Florida I remember seeing them all over the place and remember commenting that they seemed as common as sparrows. Ironically, sparrows seemed to have declined since then - but there were still plenty of opportunities to see Ospreys in Florida.

My first opportunity to photograph Ospreys was as they few overhead whilst we were on the beach at Clearwater. I think they were flying to and from a nearby island where they famously nest (one for a specialist photographic trip rather than a family holiday).

OspreyClearwater Beach, Florida, USA

The next opportunity was on one of my early morning visits to Gatorland. As I pulled the car into the car park just outside, I happened to look up to the top of a tree just the other side of the wall. At the top of the tree, bathed in early morning light, was an Osprey!! I couldn't believe my luck - although noticed that as I took photos, other photographers didn't - maybe an indication of the fact these birds are not seen as a rarity in those parts.

OspreyGatorland, Florida, USA

Later in the morning I managed to grab a single shot (cropped here) as the same bird started fishing in one of the large pools.

OspreyGatorland, Florida, USA

But the closest I got to an Osprey was when I was least expecting it - and it proved again the worth of carrying my camera and 100-400mm lens around with me, as they were taken whilst we were shopping!! Just as we were coming out of the Lego store at Disney Springs, an Osprey flew right overhead. I quickly lifted my camera and fired off a few shots - in many respects they are the photos I am most pleased with from the whole trip!!

OspreyDisney Springs, Florida, USA

For more images of these amazing birds please go to the Osprey gallery here.

Red Shouldered Hawk & Black Vulture

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 19 Mar 2017 20:33:34 GMT

Red Shouldered Hawk & Black Vulture

Where I live in south Lincolnshire we are fortunate to see range of birds of prey - from Kestrels and Buzzards, Tawny Owls and Barn Owls, to the glorious Red Kite. But although we see these birds quite frequently, they rarely come within photographable range, and if they do, I don't have my camera with me.

This is not the case in Florida. There are a range of birds to be seen and they seem more accustomed to humans than the birds in the UK. This post includes images of two species, the Red Shouldered Hawk and the Black Vulture.

The Red Shouldered Hawk is a medium-sized hawk, with broad, rounded wings and medium-length tails that they fan out when soaring. In flight, they often glide or soar with their wingtips pushed slightly forward, with a distinctive, “reaching” posture. Adults are colorful hawks with dark-and-white checkered wings and warm reddish barring on the breast. The tail is black with narrow white bands. Immatures are brown above and white below streaked with brown. All ages show narrow, pale crescents near the wingtips in flight.

Red-shouldered Hawks soar over forests or perch on tree branches or utility wires. This particular bird, flew directly over our rental house in Kissimmee as we were getting in the car - against the light but thankfully I managed to grab a couple of images.

We saw two species of Vulture in Florida, the Turkey Vulture and the Black Vulture. Turkey Vultures could be soaring high on the thermals above many of the themes parks - but they were always far to far way for photography. The smaller, Black Vulture, on the other hand, was a lot more confiding, allowing quite a close approach in places like Gatorland and Disney's Animal Kingdom. The following images are all from Gatorland.

Black VultureGatorland, Florida, USA

For more Red Shouldered Hawk images please go to the gallery here.

For more Black Vulture images please go to the gallery here.

Garden Birds 2017 - part 1

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 21:49:35 GMT

Garden Birds 2017 - part 1

Those of you who have followed my blog for a while will know that one of my favourite photographic challenges at this time of year is photographing garden birds. I set up a hide in my garden, with a series of attractive perches, with the hope of photographing the birds on the way to bird feeders close by. Using this approach I have successfully photographed a range of bird species only feet from my back door and the warmth and comfort of home.

One of the things I have never tried before is introducing water into the photos. I have seen other photos, professional and amateur, at setups similar to mine, but with the birds bathing, drinking or simply reflected in a pool of water. This year I have decided to give this a go.

The opportunities for photography have been limited this year, with work commitments, my new found love of running, and some very gloomy weather, particularly at weekends. In setting up a reflection pool I have blatantly copied the approach taken by a fellow photographer, who published details of his setup on facebook. I would strongly recommend reading this post if you are interested in doing this kind of thing ( I will provide a link in a subsequent post).

Even with this guide it is quite difficult to get things right - and I don't think I am there yet. I will provide more details soon. In the meantime here are a few images of common garden birds, taken on the perches I have set up alongside the pool. The 150-600mm lens means you can really fill the frame, even with the smallest of birds, and the fact that it is a zoom lens allows a range of compositions.

Firstly Blue tits.

Also a Great Tit.

And one of a pair of Robins that live in our garden.

More to come soon.........

Wood Stork

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 17:07:05 GMT

Wood Stork

The largest bird we saw at Gatorland rookery, and indeed on our entire trip to Florida, was the Wood Stork. A very large white bird, characterised by a dark naked head, the birds nest in the tree tops around the swamp, and can also be seen feeding in the pools alongside the boardwalk. When feeding they keep their head down and walk, unlike some birds who remain motionless waiting for prey.

For more Wood Stork images please go to the gallery here.

Little Blue Heron

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 12 Feb 2017 22:40:11 GMT

Little Blue Heron

On our first visit to Florida I had managed a few photos of one of the smaller species of heron, the Little Blue Heron. There were just one or two birds, but they showed quite well, sitting out on the bushes. On this trip, there were reports of one or two birds again, but they were very hard to find. When I did find them they were actually quite close, but well hidden on or near a nest in the reeds and vegetation by the side of the trail.

One bird in particular, was close enough for a full head shot using my 100-400mm lens.

For more Little Blue Heron images please go to the gallery here.

Great Blue Heron

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 22:43:09 GMT

Great Blue Heron

I still have quite a few images to process from Florida - so here are a few more from my two visits to Gatorland Bird Rookery.

One of the largest birds I photographed was the Great Blue Heron. Superficially very similar to the Grey Heron we see in the UK, they stand motionless when finishing, making for some interesting images.

I was also fortunate to be able to get some action shots - first a series of images of a bird shaking its feathers dry.

And secondly a series of one bird fishing. The light was quite harsh by this stage but I was pleased to catch the moment the bird stuck into the water.

For more images of these magnificent birds please go to the gallery here.

Bonscale Pike, Arthur's Pike, Loadpot Hill & Wether Hill

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 21:41:33 GMT

Bonscale Pike, Arthur's Pike, Loadpot Hill & Wether Hill

My final Lake District walk of 2016, and the finale of my weekend in the Lakes with Duncan, saw a walk in the eastern Martindale Fells, gaining 4 more Wainwrights and taking in some very impressive views along Ullswater.

I have visited the Martindale area on a number of occasions, walking nearby fells and visiting the summit of Hallin Fell on more than one occasion. The area is a part of the Lakes you most definitely have to decide to go to, as it requires a drive all the way along the southern shore of Ullswater, to park at St Peter's Church at the foot of Hallin Fell. But instead of romping up the side of Hallin Fell, we set off in the opposite direction, past the church, down over the Fusedale Beck, to Mellguards and, with increasingly impressive views, up to Bonscale Pike (524m). From Bonscale Pike we continued along the fell top, taking in the views over Ullswater, before heading inland to the summit of Arthur's Pike (533m). From there we headed inland to complete a circular route via Loadpot Hill (672m)and Wether Hill (670m), descending via the side of Steel Knotts and back to our cars.

When we were sat in the Brother's Water Inn having breakfast, I don't think either of us had appreciated quite how steep the initial climb was going to be Looking at the map now, the contours are very close together!! I don't think it is much of an exaggeration to say that at one stage I only had to lean forward slightly to put my hands on the grass slope in front of me. But the views were spectacular and well worth the climb - with an overall walk of about 7.5 miles just right before the journey home.

When you travel down to Martindale you gain a little bit of height above lake level, with some interesting roads on route. St Peter's church is located in a bit of a dip and the views of the Lake only start to open up as you walk in either direction. The start of our walk was relatively flat, allowing a bit of time to get our legs warmed up. Soon, the views down Ullswater started to open up.

As we started to climb, the views opened up down Martindale behind us, with Hallin Fell prominent in the view.

But it was the views down Ullswater that really took the eye.

As we got higher, we could see over the top of Hallin Fell to the lake beyond.

For a few minutes, the Ullswater steamer added some human interest to scene, creating lovely patterns in the water behind it.

From Bonscale Fell the views were also specular looking north.

With the Bonscale Towers just beneath us.

Our next summit was Arthur's Pike, the summit of which is inland - and largely without views. The views are far more spectacular from the bigger cairn nearby.

There is a second cairn further inland - still with views - but still not yet at the summit of Arthur's Pike.

From the summit of Arthur's Pike you would struggle to know there is a lake there.

The route then took us inland and on to the two highest summits of the walk, Loadpot Hill and Wether Hill. Neither have particularly spectacular summits - Loadpot Hill has a large stone pillar, with Wether Hill summit marked by just a small pile of stones.

Our return route took us down along Martindale, with the light and shadow playing constantly across the valley floor

It had been a great walk on a beautiful day - a good one to have as my last Lakeland walk of the year. I am already looking forward to more in 2017!

For more images from this walk please go to the gallery here.

And for those of you who enjoy my Lake District posts - I still have some more photos to process from walks in 2015. From memory some of the best walks I have done, with some great light and great views. And my next trip is only 3 months away!!

Frampton - Lapwing & Corn Bunting

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 16:08:46 GMT

Frampton - Lapwing & Corn Bunting

On my return back from the East Hide I was able to get more practice at a few flight shots. The manfrotto tripod makes a huge difference in being able to manoeuvre into position with the added bonus of being free standing (unlike the monopod which you always have to hold up somehow).

The slower, bobbing flight of the Lapwing should make it easier to photograph in flight - again I think I just need a bit more practice! I managed to get a few groups shots.

I also managed to capture a Black Tailed Godwit in amongst the Lapwing.

I managed to get one final set of images as I returned along the path reserve. I have previously photographed Corn Buntings at Frampton during the summer - with their strident calls being heard across the reserve. On this occasion, one isolated bird sat singing high amongst some bare branches to the side of the path. Thankfully it was quite a confiding bird and I was able to move the tripod closer and closer, taking images as I went.

My best images though were when the bird briefly flew back the way I had just come. I quickly picked up the tripod and was able to approach quite close and get a couple of really pleasing shots, as the bird perched on a branch with a completely uncluttered background.

Overall I was pleased with my tripod on its first outing - it is considerably lighter than my uniloc, and more practical than my monopod in most circumstances. And as always, I was just pleased to get out and take some photos - and I can't wait to get out again!

For more Lapwing images please go to the gallery here.

For more Corn Bunting images please go to the gallery here.

Frampton - Black Tailed Godwit

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 13:14:14 GMT

Frampton - Black Tailed Godwit

As I entered the East Hide, it was clear that there was a photographer already in the hide...with a flock of Black Tailed Godwit right in front of him!! I very very carefully set up my tripod and settled down next to him - thankfully I hadn't disturbed the birds! The light was glorious and I took a few initial images, with the only real difficulty being isolating one bird from another as they fed along the shoreline in front of us. All of a sudden though, something spooked the birds and they flew off to the centre of the reserve. But they returned a short time later, and whilst I would have liked them to stay longer, I was happy with the selection of images I was able to get.

For more images of these gorgeous godwits please go the gallery here.

Frampton - Brent Geese

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 27 Jan 2017 17:28:10 GMT

Frampton - Brent Geese & Wigeon

Those of you that read my blog frequently will know that I am really pleased with my new Sigma 150-600 Sport lens. It takes sharp images, and the extra reach is fantastic. But it is a heavy lens. Up until recently I have carried it on my Manfrotto monopod, using a Lensmaster Gimbal head. And that works well, but has one major drawback - you can't just let go like you can when using a tripod!! And the lens is far too heavy to carry round on my 4kg uniloc 1600 major. So before Christmas I decided to take advantage of Black Friday deals, and I became the proud owner of a Manfrotto CX055 carbon fibre tripod.

My first opportunity to try out the new tripod came with a morning visit to Frampton Marsh. I was keen to see how much the carbon fibre made a difference, and Frampton provided the ideal opportunity as you have to walk some distance from one hide to the next. I arrived not long after first light on a beautifully clear morning. I had never really been to Frampton at this time of year before and was keen to see how many birds were around.

In terms of photography, the East Hide, at the far end of the reserve is best first thing in the morning. As I headed round there, it became clear that I would cross the general flight path that flocks of Brent Geese were taking over the reserve, landing in a field nearby. I positioned myself at various points, with the camera set to AI servo, and tried a few flight shots.

Using the Sigma lens on a Gimbal head and tripod really did help - but I think I still need a lot of practice!! I managed just one half decent shot of an individual brent goose as it flew overhead.

And it wasn't just Brent Geese flying over and around the reserve. I also managed to grab some shot of Wigeon as they flew over the reserve path.

Once I got to the East hide I was also able to take this portrait on an individual bird in the early morning light.

But it was the other birds, right in front on the hide, that I was really pleased to see....

Brown Pelican and Double Crested Cormorant

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 16 Jan 2017 20:48:55 GMT

Brown Pelican and Double Crested Cormorant

After a day on Clearwater Beach we took a quick trip along the coast to Clearwater seafront to look around. I took an opportunity to go to the end of Clearwater Pier. I was interested to see if there were birds at the end of the pier, in the same way that there had been on Cocoa Pier on our trip to Florida a few years ago. In doing so I managed to get close to 3 different species of birds. I have already posted images of the first of these - the Great Egret - please go to the blog post here for these photos.

One of the birds we had seen on Cocoa Pier was the Brown Pelican - and I had seen them from Clearwater Beach during the day, from where I had managed a couple of flight shots.

I was delighted to find they were on the end of Clearwater Pier too. . Obviously accustomed to humans the birds sat on the rails of the pier, allowing for some great close up images of both adult and juvenile birds.

The third bird I was able to photograph on the pier was the Double Crested Cormorant. These birds sat slightly further away, on top of posts that presumably exist to protect the pier from waves and any stray boats that may come too close.

At the end of the day I was able to take one these birds in silhouette, alongside the pier.

But the best shots were taken from the pier itself, where one bird in particular sat sunning its wings.

For more images of Brown Pelicans please go to the gallery here.

For more images of the Cormorants please go to the gallery here.

Willet

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 24 Dec 2016 16:25:21 GMT

Willet

One of the birds I was hoping to see on the beach in Florida was the Willet. I remember seeing, and photographing, these birds on honeymoon on the same beach over 20 years ago.

Willets are large, stocky shorebirds with long legs and thick, straight bills considerably longer than the head. Their wings are broader and rounder than those of many shorebirds and the tail is short and squared off at the base. Willets are often seen alone. They walk deliberately, pausing to probe for crabs, worms and other prey in sand and mudflats, or to pick at insects and mollusks. When startled, they react with a piercing call, often opening their wings and running rather than taking flight. This characteristic can be quite handy when taking photos - if the bird is disturbed, it remains in the vicinity rather than disappearing.

I was delighted to spend some time with a single bird as it fed along the shoreline.

WilletClearwater Beach, Florida, USA

I took quite a few images of this bird - for more details of these images, and lots of others, please go to the gallery here.

Pike O'Blisco, Cold Pike & Crinkle Crags

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 21:50:32 GMT

Pike O'Blisco, Cold Pike & Crinkle Crags

For the main walk of our weekend, Duncan and I chose to walk around the head of Langdale. I have previously climbed Bow Fell and Crinkle Crags, but had yet to climb four of the other peaks, two on one side and two on the other. To capture all 4 would mean a total of 6 peaks in one quite significant walk. So we decided to split the six peaks into two groups and concentrate this walk on climbing Pike O'Blisco (705m), Cold Pike (701m) and Crinkle Crags, coming back down The Band into the Langdale valley - a walk of nearly 9 miles. This route had the added bonus that I climbed the Crinkle Crags in the reverse order to my first climb.

We parked in the National Trust car park at Dungeon Ghyll, from where we have started a number of walks in the past. And indeed the first part of the walk was quite familiar, taking us along the road and up past Wall End Farm, starting the steep, winding ascent which eventually takes you to Blea Tarn. But part way up our route took us to the right across the fell and up to Pike O'Blisco. The route was easy to find, and generally a steady incline, although there was one stretch that involved a short scramble.

As we gained height, the views back down Langdale Valley started to open up behind us.

Across the valley, the Langdale Pike stood proud against the skyline.

The summit of Pike O'Blisco has two tops, both of which are marked by large cairns. The northern cairn marks the highest point, from which the views are quite spectacular. In one direction you look over the summit shelter towards Crinkle Crags, Bow Fell and the Scafell range beyond. The long ridge stretching from left from right is The Band - our route down later in the day.

Moving round to the right, you see the Langdale Pikes.

Further round still you can see the full beauty of the Langdale valley.

And yet further round still you can see the cairn on the southern summit, with Lake Windermere in the distance.

We spent a little while around the summit cairn, admiring the views in the changing light.

As we moved across to the southern summit we kept a close eye on an approaching rainstorm.

The changing light made for quite a dramatic scene.

As we descended Pike O'Blisco, we couldn't tell if or when we were going to get very wet!!

Fortunately it stayed dry - and the light remained dramatic all around us.

Our next stop was Cold Pike - a small diversion from the direct route between Pike O'Blisco and Crinkle Crags - but well worth it. Whilst the view from the summit of Cold Pike is slightly obscured in one direction, you can see all the away across the fells to the coast in the other.

As we moved on towards Crinkle Crags, the view of the Langdale Pikes returned.

And we were able to look back down towards Pike O'Blisco where we had been earlier in the day.

The head of the valley is marked by the Crinkle Crags - a series of rocky summits, each separated by distinct rocky descents and climbs and each having its own cairn. We were still a bit uncertain about the weather so we kept going, stopping only occasionally to take photos.

This image looks back over the route we came up.

Towards the far end of the Crinkle Crags, the views open out in the other direction, towards Scafell and Scafell Pike (albeit shrouded on cloud).

Looking back in the other direction, the light was quite spectacular, with a distant rainbow adding to the overall drama of the scene.

As we descended The Band, the valley continued to be bathed in glorious evening light.

I love the play of sunlight and shadow across the hills and the valley floor.

It had been a fantastic day- a great walk with great company. Yet again, my ankle had made it up and down the hills with no problems at all, but caused a long slow hobble back to the car as soon as I hit the horizontal. But it had all been worth it and we had a few pints and good food to look forward to as well!!

For a lot more photos from this walk, please go to the gallery here.

Ruddy Turnstone

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 20:10:26 GMT

Ruddy Turnstone

Another, smaller, wading bird on the beach that day was the Ruddy Turnstone. Again, similar to its UK counterpart, there were a number of these birds scurrying around the rocks and seaweed. Although they move quite quickly, they were very confiding, and I managed to capture a few images I was pleased with.

For more images of these handsome little birds, please go to the gallery here.

American Oystercatcher

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 13:35:09 GMT

American Oystercatcher

Another set of photos from Florida!

It was not just gulls and terns that I photographed on Clearwater Beach - there were wading birds too. One such bird was the American Oystercatcher. Very similar to the Oystercatchers found in the UK, there were a few pairs of these birds at one end of the beach. Like the other birds there, they were obviously accustomed to humans, allowing a close approach with my 100-400mm lens. Being black and white birds, it was hard to photograph them against the white sand in bright sunlight!

For more photos of these birds please go to the gallery here.

Helm Crag, Gibson's Knott, Calf Crag, Sergeant Man, Blea Rigg & Silver How

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 16:30:57 GMT

Helm Crag, Gibson's Knott, Calf Crag, Sergeant Man, Blea Rigg & Silver How

The final day of my first September weekend in the Lakes was gloomy and drizzly. The others decided to do a bit of shopping, so I did a solo climb to Dodd summit overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake - another Wainwright ticked off and a great, but damp way (no photos) to finish an excellent weekend! And I only had a few days before my return visit, this time with my best mate Duncan.

The usual pattern of my trips with Duncan is that I travel up early on the Friday, do a spot of walking and photography on my own, and then Duncan joins me for the weekend. And so again this time I planned a solo walk on the Friday, to take in as many new Wainwright's as possible.

However, as late as Thursday afternoon, I was seriously doubting if this was going to be possible. I have recently taken up jogging, and in the process tweaked something in the back of my left angle. This hadn't caused me any problems at all in the first weekend in the Lakes so I thought I would go for a quick 5km jog on the Wednesday. By Thursday I was hobbling around like an old man - would I be able to walk in the Lakes at all???!!!

My plan was to combine parts of two routes in my book, ascending Helm Crag to its famous summit (405m) before continuing over Gibson's Knott (421m) to Calf Crag (537m) and then on to Sergeant Man (736m). At this point I had a possible diversion round to the Langdale Pikes, to capture Thurnacar Knott. From then I would return back to the more obvious main route by ascending Blea Rigg (541m) before extending the circular route back to capture Silver How (395m) with its viewpoint over Grasmere and Rydal Water.

As Thursday progressed my ankle seemed to get a bit better, and so I decided to give my original plan a go. I could at least attempt Helm Crag, a popular route, so there should be other people walking if I got into trouble.

In the end I was fine. My ankle was a bit sore as I started, but as soon as I started to climb I forgot all about it. I missed out the diversion to Thurnacar Knott, descending straight down from Sergeant Man to Blea Rigg. It turned out to be the perfect length, as I was able to capture the views in late evening light from Silver How, before descending to the car still benefitting from the last remnants of daylight. It was a great walk, with spectacular views, and my ankle lasted the full 12 miles. Bizarrely though, I whilst I was fine walking in the hills, as soon as I got back to horizontal ground, I was hobbling again, a pattern that lasted the whole weekend!!

My walk started in Grasmere village where I parked in the Easdale Car Park. The route to Helm Crag first takes you along the Easedale Road. I then followed a sign to Helm Crag that took me through the grounds of the Lancrigg Hotel. I had to check with someone that I was on the right track, but as I left the hotel grounds the route up to Helm Crag became clearer.

As I started to climb, the view opened up behind me of Grasmere lake with Loughrigg Fell behind.

A number of cairns mark the way. From this one, you can clearly see the route I have come up.

It is a steep climb, but soon the you reach a plateau with views towards and across the summit.

Helm CragLake District, Cumbria, UK

There are some great views from the summit ridge path, leading to the main summit outcrop, known as the Howitzer. The light was great, with a faint rainbow adding to the overall grandeur of the scene.

The light and views across the Scandale Valley were quite spectacular.

And towards Dunmail Raise.

Looking back as I carried on towards Gibson's Knott, you could see the Howitzer standing proud on the hill, with Grasmere lake down in the valley.

The summit of Gibson's Knott is quite indistinct. There are a number of summits with cairns, none of which seemed to correspond with the summit shown by my GPS. I kept taking images of the view behind.

And looking left across the valley towards Blea Rigg and the Langdale range.

Lake District, Cumbria, UK

The summit of Calf Crag is easier to find and offers great views down the valley and of the route I was to return down later in the day.

As you walk from Calf Crag towards Sergeant Man the view disappears and you climb steeply towards the next summit. Looking back you can clearly see Calf Crag summit.

By the time I reached Sergeant Man it was clear that I would have to leave Thurnacar Knott to another day. The view from the summit of Sergeant Man is great. I was particularly taken with the view of the Langdale Pikes and Stickle Tarn to my right - a perspective of this range that I hadn't seen before. The light was quite dramatic too!

And Lake Windermere can be seen quite clearly in the distance.

At the top, I started chatting to a young couple who I discovered live in Lincolnshire like I do. They noticed I was using my phone GPS and Viewranger app to navigate, so we walked together so that I could help ensure they found their route down back to Grasmere via Easdale Tarn.

Easdale TarnLake District, Cumbria, UK

Rather than go down to the tarn, my route kept high, along the ridge to Blea Rigg.

The views were spectacular along the entire ridge, here towards Lake Windermere.

But also right across the neighbouring valley towards the Coniston Fells.

My final Wainwright of the day was Silver How. To include it as part of this walk meant missing several of the quicker routes back to the car - but it was worth it, with great views of Grasmere and Rydal Water.

From here I made my way downhill and back to the car, just in time before it got dark. It had been a great day - a fantastic walk, in good light, and my ankle had behaved itself - and still two days of walking to go!!!

For more images from this walk please go to the gallery here.

Clearwater Beach - Royal Tern

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 19:11:26 GMT

Clearwater Beach - Royal Tern

It was fantastic to get close to the Sandwich Terns, but there was an even more impressive Tern on the beach as well. The Royal Tern is larger than the Sandwich Tern, with a large orange bill. Again the black feathers at the back of the bird's head form a crest.

I was also fortunate to find pairs of birds on the beach as well.

A low angle allows the birds to stand out from the beach in the background.

I really enjoyed photographing these handsome birds. For more images of Royal Terns please go to the gallery here.

Clearwater Beach - Sandwich Tern

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 15:32:22 GMT

Clearwater Beach - Sandwich Tern

It was nice to photograph gulls on Clearwater Beach, particularly two species I wouldn't normally see in the UK. But it wasn't the gulls that attracted me to walk further down the beach. There appeared to be a range of other species just a short distance away.

The first of these was a bird you can see in the UK. The Sandwich Tern is slightly bigger than the more frequently seen Common Tern. It is characterised by a long black bill with a yellow tip and black feet. The feathers on the back of its crown are elongated and form a crest, and it gains a white forehead during the nesting season.

Whilst I have seen plenty of Sandwich Terns in the UK, it has always been from a distance. Along with seemingly most birds in Florida, these Sandwich Terns were quite easy to approach to take frame filling images with my 100-400mm lens.

Further details and more images of these birds can be found here.

Tri-Colored Heron - part 3

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 20 Nov 2016 21:47:53 GMT

Tri-Colored Heron - part 3

There were numerous opportunities to photograph the Tri-Colored Heron.

I was particularly pleased that I managed to take a few images of one bird as it spread its wings - showing the full variation in its colourful plumage.

And was really pleased to grab a couple of shots as one bird came into land.

For the full set of images of these beautiful birds please go to the gallery here.

Clearwater Beach - Ring Billed Gull

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 19 Nov 2016 12:55:34 GMT

Ringed Bill Gull

Another species of gull found on Clearwater Beach was the Ring Billed Gull. Similar to our Herring Gull, but smaller and more buoyant in flight, it is characterised by a black ring around its bill. It also has yellowish / greenish legs in contrast to the pink legs of the Herring Gull.

The adult birds have yellow bills, whereas the juveniles' beaks are pink.

But again it was the flight images that I was most pleased with, with the birds standing out against the clear blue sky.

The Ring Billed Gull has a lot more black on the underside of its primary feathers than the Herring Gull, as can be seen clearly on this final image

For more images of Ring Billed Gulls please go to the gallery here.

Lingmell, Scafell Pike & Great End

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 19 Nov 2016 11:19:09 GMT

Lingmell, Scafell Pike & Great End

Scafell Pike remains the pinnacle of hillwalking in England for many people. At 978m, it is the highest point in England, with a number of well trodden routes to its summit. One of the most common routes , starts in the village of Seathwaite in Borrowdale, climbing steadily up to Styhead Tarn, before taking the Corridor route up to Lingmell Coll and then left and on up to the summit.

I had only reached the summit once myself, going up this way a few years ago. This was a memorable trip, which completely re-invigorated my love of walking in the Lake District. But on that occasion, it was a route without any views whatsoever. A group of 4 of us walked up Scafell Pike as part of the Water Aid challenge, which seeks to get people on top of all the Wainwright summits at the same time, to raise money for the charity Water Aid. Despite being in June, the weather was absolutely awful. Fully togged in waterproof gear, we were soaked to the skin as soon as we got out the car - with a full on power shower all the way up. Having bagged the summit we returned back the way we had come, for fear of getting stuck (streams seemed to be turning into waterfalls) or going the wrong way in the awful weather. In fact we met a couple on the way down who had become lost, and were able to guide them down to the path they wanted.

So it was with great anticipation and excitement that I approached a second visit to Scafell Pike. Maybe we would see something this time? The route we chose is shown below (a circular route of nearly 11 miles), and included two additional summits, Lingmell on the route up, and Great End on the route down, both new Wainwrights for me. I had thought that we could return down over Seathwaite Fell, but time and the weather meant this was best left to another day, and from Styhead Tarn we retraced our route back down to Borrowdale .

Even this trip was a bit hit and miss. The forecast for the weekend as a whole had been terrible, with nearly 5 inches of rain forecast at one point. Fortunately, the weather was much better than forecast, but it still looked a bit gloomy as we left the cars at Seathwaite and walked along the valley towards Stockley Bridge. And by the time we got to the bridge it had started raining! Oh no not again!!??

It continue to rain as we climbed up towards Styhead Tarn, so my camera stayed firmly in its bag (however see below for the views on the way down). But as we approach Styhead Tarn the weather broke slightly and I was able to start taking photos. And at this time, four of our group decided to head back, leaving Nigel, Paul, Richard and I to carry on.

The slopes of Great End came into view. Our route down brought us down the left of this picture. But for now we were heading across to the right, first down into the dip and then onto and up the Corridor Route.

As we progressed up the Corridor Route, our first summit came into view. At this time the summit of Lingmell was heavily cloaked in cloud.

The views at this stage though are all to your right. The imposing summit of Great Cable was equally cloaked in low cloud.

With views down Wasdale

and across to Kirk Fell and the Mosedale range.

After a while, the clouds started to break, with shafts of light creating patterns down the Wasdale valley.

Soon the breaks in the cloud got bigger and bigger - we certainly saw views that I simply didn't know existed on my previous visit.

The cloud still hung dramatically over the summit of Great Gable.

Looking back, the views over Styhead Tarn to Derwent Water were very impressive.

For a short period the light over the fells was really quite dramatic. Here Great Grable.

Great Gable , Green Gable and surrounding fells.

The views back down through the jaws of Borrowdale, to Derwent Water and beyond, were quite spectacular.

On reaching Lingmell Coll you can head right to Lingmell or continue up left to Scafell Pike. We decide to take in Lingmell as well. From the summit of Lingmell there are good views down Wastwater., with Scafell (different to Scafell Pike) on the left.

The sun was streaming down the nearby Mosedale valley to the right.

And you could clearly see the route back up to Scafell Pike.

And again there were great views down towards Styhead Tarn.

We traced our steps back and continued to climb to Scafell Pike. The rocky nature of the ground underfoot does not make it an easy route, but hey you are heading to the highest point in England!!! Unfortunately as we traced our steps back towards Scafell Pike, the weather closed in. Heavy cloud hung over the top of Scafell Pike and remained there for our entire visit. So I have no photos, other than a few quick snaps on my phone just to prove I got there (two scary pics of me below!!)- two visits and pretty much the same view each time - although at least this time it was dry!!

And we got similar views as we skirted Ill Crag and Broad Crag and visited Great End. These summits were clearly above the cloud base and we could see very little as a result.

As we came down from Great End we dropped below the cloud base and the views started to open up again. Richard and Paul had to travel home that day so they decided to take the quick route back down to the car, whilst Nigel and I ponded going back over Seathwaite Fell. Just as we were deciding we would give it a go, Nigel pointed at the top of Great Gable. Horizontal rain was bouncing off the side of the summit!! All of a sudden it was lashing it down with rain, with the tops of the fells looking considerably less attractive. So we decided to go down back the way we came up. As we passed back by Styhead Tarn, the light back behind us took a turn for the better.

The summits in view are Great End, Scafell Pike (in the clouds) and Lingmell (far right).

In the other direction a rainbow seemed to stretch from the summit of Green Gable.

As Nigel and I headed down hill, the views opened up down Borrowdale and to Blencathra in the distance.

Here, you can see that bot the start and the of the walk are on the flat valley floor, allowing your legs to both warm up and warm down again before and after steep ascent/decsents.

It had been a great walk and a great day. One of those days where you really know you've done a good walk - a day that makes you really glad to be alive!!

For more images from this walk please go to the gallery here.

Titchwell in September - Greylag Geese & Wigeon

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 21:17:26 GMT

Titchwell in September - Wigeon & Greylag Geese

One of the other ducks at Titchwell was the Wigeon - they generally kept their distance, out of photographic range. However, one came just within range in the glorious evening light, allowing me just one single image.

WigeonTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

There was also a flock of Greylag Geese bathing in the evening sunlight. Not normally a bird I would leap to photograph, the lighting made all the difference and I was please with the images I got.

Greylag GooseTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

Greylag GeeseTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

These were the final images from my visit to Titchwell - lovely light to end a great fantastic day of photography in Norfolk!

Tri-Colored Heron - part 2

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 21:15:48 GMT

Tri-Colored Heron - part 2

The Tri-Colored Heron breeds in colonies, often, as at Gatorland Rookery, with other species of wading birds. Nests can be in trees, mangroves etc, sometimes on ground but usually two to ten feet above the ground. The nest is built mostly by the female, with materials gathered by male, and consists of a platform of sticks, with a shallow depression in the middle, lined with finer twigs and grasses.

This bird sat on its nest right next to the boardwalk. These next few images are all taken, first by zooming from 130mm to 300mm, and then moving forwards and photographing at 300mm and 400mm on the 100-400mm lens.

Still more of these beautiful birds to come.

Barrow, Outerside, Scar Crags and Causey Pike

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 13:25:00 GMT

September in the Lake District - Barrow, Outerside, Scar Crags and Causey Pike

Having decided not to add Causey Pike to our route up Robinson, Knott Rigg and Ard Crags in April, I was keen to go up and see what it was like. There were also a couple of other Wainwright's to capture, Scar Crags, which you get can get to on route to Causey Pike, and Outerside, which we had missed on a previous walk.

So we decided on a walk starting from Braithwaite, that saw us walk up Barrow (456m), which we had previously visited, before walking up Outerside (568m), across and up to Scar Crags (672m), back along the ridge to Causey Pike (637m) and back down to Braithwaite - a walk of 7.5 miles.

The weather on this particular Saturday was not the best. The forecast for the weekend had been terrible, with up to 4.5 inches of rain forecast for the highest peaks over Saturday and Sunday. It didn't turn out to be that bad, but on the Saturday it was particularly windy, and quite gloomy. So much so that I really didn't take many photos at all.

I grabbed this picture of dramatic light over Derwent Water as we climbed up Barrow.

The top of Barrow was quite windy, but nothing by comparison to the top of Outerside. It was hard to stand up let alone take photos. Looking across to the higher ridge Scar Crags, we wondered what it would be like. Four of our party decided to go back at this time (using Ben the dog as an excuse!!) but four of us decided to continue.

Ironically, it seemed less windy (although still more than a bit breezy) on the higher ridge and we were really pleased we decided to carry on. Although it remained gloomy, the views were magnificent, and we could clearly see many of the ridges we have walked on previous trips. It hadn't occurred to me until then, but this is the highest of a series of parallel ridges. On previous trips the view in one direction was always halted by one of the other ridges. But now we could see in all directions. And the summit of Causey Pike has a complete 360 degree view. I would love to go back when the light is better.

These images show the approach to Causey Pike from Scar Crags.

There were good views over to Bassenthwaite Lake and Skiddaw.

The views towards and beyond Causey Pike are magnificent.

But the views back over Arg Crags and surrounding fells are equally good.

This shot shows the view back to Scar Crags from Causey Pike.

But the most dramatic light was over Ard Crags and to the fells beyond.

For more images of this walk please go to the Causey Pike gallery here.

For the view of Causey Pike from Ard Crags, please go to the blog page for our walk back in April here.

Titchwell in September -Teal

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 18:52:39 GMT

Titchwell in September - Teal

As well as a wide range of wading birds, Titchwell provided opportunity to photograph a few ducks as well. One of the most prevalent duck species was the Teal. The Island Hide in particular provide opportunities for close up images of birds feeding in the shallow water.

TealTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

Later in the day, the Parrinder Hide provided opportunity to photograph Teal in lovely warm evening light, with the still water providing great reflections. TealTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

TealTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

A couple of the birds also started to bathe, splashing around in the water, sending spray all over the place - this kind of shot is always a bit hit and miss, but the 10 frames per second of the 7D Mark II gives you a good chance of catching the action.

TealTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

For more images of these birds please go to the Ducks gallery here.

Clearwater Beach - Laughing Gull

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Wed, 09 Nov 2016 17:28:42 GMT

Clearwater Beach - Laughing Gull

After a few days of wall to wall Disney and Universal we took a well earned break by visiting the beach. On our previous trip to Florida we had visited Cocoa Beach on the east coast of Florida. So this time we decided to go west, revisiting the beach where my wife and I spent the first half of our honeymoon, over 20 years ago - Clearwater Beach.

Although it was a hot sunny day, the beach wasn't massively busy. When we first arrived I noticed there were a number of gulls circling around. And I could also see a group of birds further down the beach. So, on the pretence on finding the hotel we stayed in on honeymoon (I looked for I don't think it is there anymore) I went to see what I could find.

One of the species of gull flying around was the laughing gull, name after its strident laugh like call. It is quite similar to the Black Headed Gull found in the UK, but has black legs, pronounced dark wing tips and the red beak is less pronounced. They were quite easy to approach as they sat on the beach, but the bright sunlight and very pale sand, meant that contrast was a real problem.

I managed to capture some interaction between this pair of gulls.

But I particularly enjoyed taking photos of these birds against the clear blue sky.

For more Laughing Gull images please go to the gallery here.

The Dodds

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 18:08:48 GMT

Another weekend in the Lakes - September 2016 - The Dodds

One of the walks I had wanted to do for a long time is the Dodds - a series of more rounded hills, towards the northern edge of the Lakes, that are often combined in a classic walk called "Doing the Dodds". Our walk started at High Row, above the village of Dockray, taking the Old Coach Road for a couple of miles before climbing the first of 5 peaks on the route, Clough Head (726m). From here we walked on to Great Dodd (857m), Watson's Dodd (789m) and Stybarrow Dodd (843m) where we stopped for lunch. From then we walked on to Hart Side (758m) and down over Birkett Fell and back to the car - whilst I recorded the walk on my Suunto watch, I accidentally stopped it for ashort part of the route. Fortunately I was also recording it on my Viewranger app, shown below. The full walk was approximately 11.5 miles.

The first part of the walk along the Old Coach Road was fairly flat and allowed us to make good time. Our legs were nicely warmed up before we embarked on the steep climb up to Clough Head. As we climbed the light started to improve producing some interesting cloud patterns over the surrounding hills.

The summit of Clough Head provides impressive views of the surrounding fells. Here Paul takes an image towards Skiddaw, with Blencathra in the background.

There are panoramic views from the summit Trig point and shelter, towards Skiddaw and over to the Grasmoor range.

as well as over Derwent water and to a multitude if summits in the west.

As we moved from Clough Head to the Dodds themselves, there was a great view of Thirlmere and the surrounding fells.

The tree covered hill of Raven Crag could clearly be seen in the foreground.

Unfortunately the light became quite dull again as we visited first Great Dodd, then Watson's Dodd and Stybarrow Dodd. Fortunately, the sun came out when we stopped for some lunch a short way from the summit of Stybarrow Dodd.

With really brooding light over the distant fells.

As we walked on, there were spectacular views from Hart Side summit, firstly over Ullswater.

and also over Great Mell Fell (left) and Little Mell Fell (right). You really get the feeling of being on the edge of the Lakes from here. And you can see the Pennines in the far distance.

And as we walked down over Birkett Fell the view got better and better!

As we came down from the fells I was taken by the composition of this stream winding its way down the valley, with Little Mell Fell in the distance.

It had been another great walk rounded off, as always ,with a pint at the local pub. The feeling in these hills was very different to some of the more rugged parts of the Lakes and the views over Ullswater, the Mell Fells and beyond the edge of the Lakes, quite spectacular.

For the full range of images from this walk please go to The Dodds gallery here.

Titchwell in September - Ruff

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 06 Nov 2016 15:35:42 GMT

Titchwell in September - Ruff

September is a good time to visit Titchwell as there are a variety of birds around. As well as the Island Hide, and the opportunities provided on the beach, the big Parrinder Hide can also be good for photography. And so it proved again, with a couple of different visits resulting in a range of pleasing images.

During the first visit there were a range of wading birds in front of the hide. One of these birds was a Curlew (see a previous post) but the majority of them were Ruff.

The following range of images show the great variety in the size and plumage of Ruffs at this time of year.

RuffTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

For more images of these birds please go to the Ruff gallery here.

Tri-Colored Heron - part 1

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 19:10:39 GMT

Tri-Colored Heron - part 1

The three species of Egret I have recently posted are all magnificent birds - but my favourite bird at Gatorland Rookery was the Tri-Colored Heron. It is a superb looking bird, with long bill, neck, and legs. On our first trip to Florida, I saw just one solitary bird, skulking in the reeds at the water's edge. However, when nesting, it is very sociable, often in very large colonies with various other herons and egrets. So on this trip, I was delighted to see a large number of birds, sitting on nests and providing a variety of other photographic opportunities.

This first set of photos is of general portraits and close up images.

Some of the birds were really quite close, allowing some striking head shots. I particularly like the contrast of the purple / blue feathers and the white head crests.

More photos of these beautiful birds soon.

Barf, Lord's Seat and Broom Fell

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 18:45:45 GMT

Barf, Lord's Seat and Broom Fell

The weather forecast for the final day of our April trip to the Lakes was mixed, so we decided a shorter walk was in order, with a stop off at a tearoom for some lunch before the drive home. I had previously visited the tearoom at Whinlatter visitor centre, so we decided on a short walk through Whinlatter forest and out of the forest to Barf (468m), Lord's Seat (552m) and Broom Fell (511m) - 3 new Wainwrights for relatively little effort, in a walk just short of 5 miles (with judicious use of cars to cut out the uninteresting return stretch up the road).

The walk through Whinlatter Forest was very pleasant but was devoid of many views as we were always surrounded by trees. But as we came out of the tress, the views opened up over Bassenthwaite Lake towards Skiddaw. A number of peaks can be seen in this image, from Skiddaw and Little Man Skiddaw at the back, to the conical shape of Dodd that can be seen if you look closely in the front.

As we climbed Barf the light across towards Skiddaw and, further round, towards Derwent Water and the Eastern Fells, was quite dramatic.

Barf ViewLake District, Cumbria, UK

From Barf summit we headed towards Lord's Seat - continuously looking back to the changing light behind us.

In the following two images, the summit of Barf is clearly visible in the shaded foreground.

By now the weather was closing in, and it was clearly raining in the distance.

The opportunities for photographs became more limited. Whilst the name Lord's Seat conjours up a summit of grandeur, it rather flatters to deceive. The summit cairn at Broom Fell is more impressive.

From this point we took a direct decent down the hillside, winding our way back to one of the cars for a shuttle run back to the tearoom.

For the full range of images from this walk please go to the gallery here.

Titchwell in September - Turnstone

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Thu, 03 Nov 2016 21:08:14 GMT

Titchwell in September - Turnstone

By far the most confiding bird on Titchwell beach was the Turnstone. It is also one of the most camouflaged birds amongst the rocks - so much so that I didn't realise quite how close some of the birds were until I was almost right on top of them. I also managed to get photos of other birds with Turnstones also in the frame, without realising they were there until I got home.

They are perfectly coloured to match their surroundings.

TurnstoneTitchwell Beach, Norfolk, UK

Some birds were so close it was hard to keep them within the frame.

TurnstoneTitchwell Beach, Norfolk, UK

It was quite tricky to get a "clean" image of these birds - one where the bird stands clearly against the background. I was quite pleased with this one.

TurnstoneTitchwell Beach, Norfolk, UK

For more Turnstone images please go to the Turnstone gallery here.

Snowy Egret

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 17:24:27 GMT

Snowy Egret

I have still lots of photos to process from our trip to Florida at Easter. I have already posted a range of images of the Great Egret. So here are a few of its smaller cousin the Snowy Egret. Superficially similar to the Little Egret , which is found in the UK, the Snowy Egret is a smaller, more delicate bird than the Great Egret. It has characteristic black bill and black legs with bright yellow feet, plumes down the back of the head and a yellow loral spot before its eye, which turns red when breeding.

There were a number of Snowy Egrets at the Gatorland Rookery, although they were a lot fewer in number than the Great Egrets. A few birds were still on their nests incubating eggs.

I had to wait patiently to get a shot of the eggs as well, but eventually one bird stood up to stretch and turn the them.

Many of the birds had pink red lores.

For more Snowy Egret images please go to the gallery here.

Robinson, Knott Rigg and Ard Crags

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 20:02:59 GMT

Robinson, Knott Rigg and Ard Crags

Returning to our April trip to the Lake District - on the Sunday we chose a walk that allowed two of the group to escape part way round as they needed to travel home - a steep climb from Little Town up to Robinson summit (737m), via High Snab Bank and Blea Crags, and down the other side to Newlands Hause (where we had one car parked for the quick escape) before a second climb to Knott Rigg (554m) and Ard Crags (581m). At this point, Richard and Paul returned to the car whilst the rest of us debated a third steep decent and climb up to Causey Pike. In the end we agreed to do that another day (which turned out to be in September) and walked along the ridge from Ard Crags and back down to Little Town - a total of 8 miles.

Whilst the weather was largely dry, with some drizzle on the way up Robinson, it was really quite dull weather wise. And parts of the climb up Robinson were quite steep, including one "moment" where we took a route that involved a very steep climb up a slippy grass slope, clinging to rocks for dear life. Looking back I therefore only have a limited number of photos from this walk. Most of these are of an increasing expansive view that opened up behind us as we climbed towards the summit of Robinson, with views over the Newlands Valley towards Skiddaw and Blencathra.

The view from the summit of Robinson itself is somewhat more limited. But as you go down the other side you get great views of Crummock Water and Loweswater.

By then though, the light was quite dull. And I have much better photos from a previous walk that included this part of the route (yet to be posted - coming soon).

After the climb down to Newland Hause, the climb up to Knott Rigg seemed quite steep - with the most unremarkable summit cairn I have ever seen - a pile of stones only a couple of inches tall. The walk along the ridge however, was quite spectacular. I would love to do this again in better light.

The peak middle left in the photos is Causey Pike. As you can see it would have been quite an effort to go down from here and back up to that summit!!

For more images from this walk please go to the Robinson gallery here.

Titchwell in September - Redshank

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 28 Oct 2016 18:57:25 GMT

Titchwell in September - Redshank

Once the tide went out the birds on the beach dispersed. So I decided to return to the reserve itself to see what was going on. The reserve looked completely different now, with the huge ponded areas at high tide being replaced a range of mudflats and channels. I photographed this Redshank as it fed along the exposed mud and shallows.

RedshankTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

More Redshank images can be found here.

Fairfield Horsehoe

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 18:57:08 GMT

Fairfield Horseshoe

We normally reserve the Saturday for the biggest walk of the weekend, as everyone is staying over Saturday night and we can make the most of a long day. So back in April, we decided to use the Saturday to walk the Fairfield Horseshoe. One of the classic walks in the Lakes, as the name suggests, it is a horseshoe walk with the peak of Fairfield at its summit. Whilst I had reached Fairfield summit before, walking up from the Brotherswater Inn via Hart Crag and Dove Crag, I had never done the horseshoe. And whilst the walk took in the 3 Wainwrights I had been to before, it also allowed me to bag 5 more.

The full walk from Ambleside, in a clockwise direction, takes in Nab Scar (455m), Heron Pike (767m), Great Rigg (767m), Fairfield (873m), Hart Crag (822m), Dove Crag (792m), High Pike (612m) and Low Pike (507m) - we parked cars in two different locations, at the start and end of the walk, cutting out a stretch on the road - leaving a walk of 9.25 miles.

A pdf of this route can be found here.

The initial walk up to Nab Scar soon provides glorious views back towards Ambleside and Lake Windermere.

And Rydal water also soon comes into view.

And further along, the end of Grasmere also comes into view.

As you get higher, the view opens out behind you.

Before you reach the summit cairn of Nab Scar.

At this stage in the walk we were very lucky with the weather, with the sun and cloud producing lovely patterns on the surrounding fells.

As we walked higher, the view behind left now included Grasmere as well.

And as we went over Heron Pike towards Great Rigg, the Rydal Valley opened up to our right.

The summit of Great Rigg provides a wide vista including Windermere, Esthwaite Water and Coniston Water, and the sea beyond.

You can see from the above photo that the weather was starting to close in. The temperature dropped, and for a while we were treated to strong winds and an April hailstorm. As someone said, it was like drawing sandpaper down our faces!!

By the time we reached Fairfield summit I decided to keep my camera in my bag - I had after all got some images from this point before, in much better conditions. So if you are interested in the view from Fairfield summit, towards the Helvellyn range, and over St Sunday Crag and Dovedale, please use the link to the Fairfield gallery at the foot of this post.

Fairfield summit is a small diversion from the quickest route around the horseshoe. By the time we returned to this route, the light was better, with some stunning views down the Rydal Valley.

At this point, the shape of the horseshoe starts to become clear, and our route up Heron Pike and Great Rigg can be very clearly seen on the right.

Hart Crag lies further along the end of the horseshoe.

Light was streaming down the neighbouring Scandale valley.

We then reached Dove Crag, and the start of the route back (marked by the wall).

The route back takes you down the other side of the horseshoe, over High Pike and Low Pike, with the view of Lake Windermere getting closer and closer These final images are looking from High Pike down towards Low Pike (the latter requires a short scramble to get to the summit cairn).

This is a great walk and we had a thoroughly enjoyable day.

For more images from this walk please go to the Fairfield Horseshoe gallery here.

For images from my previous visit to Fairfield summit, please go to the Fairfield gallery here.

Titchwell in September - Knot

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 18:20:21 GMT

Titchwell in September - Knot

One the most numerous birds on the beach at Titchwell was the Knot. Whilst I have seen Knot on numerous occasions, I didn't have any decent images of them. I was therefore delighted to get really quite close to these birds.

One of the first set of images I took on the beach was of 3 birds feeding along the shoreline, just as the sun came out.

KnotTitchwell Beach, Norfolk, UK

But again, I was interested in taking pictures of individual birds. They were quite camouflaged against the rocks and it was quite tricky to get them to stand out from their background. But some of the birds were particularly confiding, allowing me to get quite close. I spent so long kneeling on barnacles that I think my knee caps will never be the same again. But it was worth it!

KnotTitchwell Beach, Norfolk, UK

For lots more Knot images please go to the Knot gallery here.

Great Egrets - best of the rest

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 12:36:20 GMT

Great Egrets - best of the rest

This final post of Great Egrets from Florida presents a range of images of these magnificent birds. Most are taken at Gatorland Rookery but the final few are taken from Clearwater Pier following a day on the beach.

These first images show preening activity.

One of a very few flight shots (shame I just clipped the feet!)

A couple of images of a young Great Egret as it left the nest for the first time.

And a pair of Great Egrets tending a nest whilst their chicks sleep.

It was a lovely sunny day when we went to Clearwater Beach. The sky provided a bright blue background as this bird sat on the edge of Clearwater Pier.

There were a couple of egrets flying around the pier.

And finally, a more subtly lit image, helped by the fact the Egret sat in the shade of the buildings on Clearwater Pier.

The Great Egret really is an elegant bird - I hope you have enjoyed these images as much as I enjoyed taking them.

For these, and lots more Great Egret images please go to the relevant gallery here.

Titchwell in September - Bar Tailed Godwit

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 20:00:17 GMT

Titchwell in September - Bar Tailed Godwit

One of the species I was able to get quite close to on Titchwell Beach was the Bar Tailed Godwit. There were a number of birds in and amongst a bigger flock of waders. I had to move very carefully across the barnacle covered rocks to get close. Having the lens mounted on a monopod is really useful in these circumstances.

I was able to capture group shots, like the three birds below.

But I was particular keen to isolate individual birds as they fed in the pools along the shore.

For more images of these birds please go to the Wading Birds Gallery.

Eagle Crag, Sergeant Crag, High Raise & Ullscarth

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 20:06:48 GMT

Eagle Crag, Sergeant Crag, High Raise & Ullscarth

We're now going back to the spring of this year for the first of what have become my 3 annual long weekends in the Lake district. Two of these trips are with current and former work friends, with eight of us sharing a house for between 3 and 5 days walking, eating and drinking single malt whisky! On the first day, 4 of us travel up early and do a relatively challenging walk before meeting the others in the evening.

I had bought a new toy for this trip, a Suunto Ambit Peak 3 watch, that can both record, and help me navigate, a walk like this. Coupled with my Viewranger App on my Galaxy Note 4, I planned to add the actual route I had walked, shown on an OS Map, to this blog - well that was the plan anyway.

On this first walk, I spent a lot of time trying to work out exactly what my watch was doing, and in switching between recording and navigating, managed to turn the recording off completely!! Never mind - at least I was recoding it on my phone?

That was true, until half way round I had an experience that I had never had before in the Lakes. Walking along a seemingly normal grassy path, I suddenly disappeared down to my waist in muddy water!! It wasn't even an obvious boggy patch (there are plenty of those in the Lakes), nor an obvious quaking bog like the one that nearly claimed me completely onced in Connemara National Park in Ireland. No this was just a path.

But unfortunately, my phone was in my thigh pocket - and didn't survive the experience. So I have no record of the route - not even my planned route is accurate because we diverted off this towards the end - but watch this space - next time I hope to be able to show the route as well!!

Anyway, this walk was a the head of Borrowdale, starting at Stonethwaite village - a walk along the valley, then a steep climb up to Eagle Crag (525m), Sergeant Man (571m) and High Raise (762m) and then round to Ullscarth (726m) and back down to Stonethwaite village - a total of 9.5 miles of very enjoyable walking. Here are a few photos from the walk.

These first images show the developing view back down Borrowdale as we climbed steeply up Eagle Crag.

As we climbed up Eagle Crag the light came streaming sown the Langstrath Valley to our right (the valley in the bottom left corner above).

We reached the summit of Eagle Crag

and shortly afterwards Sergeant Crag a little further on.

From there we headed to the high point on our route, High Raise. Looking back the light played nicely across the fells behind us. Bassenthwaite Lake can be seen in the background with the slopes of the Skiddaw range standing proudly to the right.

A stone pillar marks the summit of High Raise.

The sun and cloud played lovely patterns on the surrounding fells.

And as we descended from the rather unremarkable summit of Ullscarth, the view really opened up, with Watendlath Tarn, Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite Lake lining up in front of us.

For more images from this walk please go to the gallery here.

Titchwell in September - Curlew & Oystercatcher

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 17:38:52 GMT

Titchwell in September - Oystercatcher & Curlew

My first visit to the beach proved fruitless as it was still completely covered with water. But later in the morning I revisited and the tide was part way out - the beach at Titchwell is quite flat and it was quite a long way down to the water's edge. I decided to see how close I could get to the birds I could see in the distance.

My trip down to the water's edge proved very successful. As the tide went out, various rocks and pools became uncovered, providing feeding ares for a variety of wading birds. With a slow careful approach I got closer and closer.

Two of the larger species on the shoreline were Oystercatcher & Curlew. Unfortunately, they were also two of the more nervous species, with the call of the Oystercatchers in particular, causing a steady procession of birds away from me as I approached.

I had to approach very carefully to get anywhere near these birds, keeping as low as possible, pausing from time to time. But eventually I got a few images I was pleased with.

The Curlew on the beach were equally nervous, and I had to be satisfied with fairly distant shots.

CurlewTitchwell Beach, Norfolk, UK

Curlew pairTitchwell Beach, Norfolk, UK

Later in the day though , I was able to get closer images from one of the hides on the reserve itself.

CurlewTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

I was particularly pleased with this one.

Back on the beach my attention turned to other species........

Titchwell in September

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 17 Oct 2016 19:07:16 GMT

Titchwell in September - part 1

I still have loads of images to process from Florida, and I will continue to post them regularly. But I have taken lots of other photos this year too (plus have some from last year as well). So I have decided to mix things up a bit and post some more recent photos in between the older ones.

Having had a very successful trip to Norfolk back in May, I was looking forward to an opportunity to visit again. Whilst there a number of sites I like to visit, my favourite is Titchwell, because of the variety of birds within photographable range, particularly now I have the 150-600mm lens. I used to visit every September, to celebrate my birthday, but work committments have recently got in the way. But an opportunity came up this year, for a full Sunday of photography, coinciding with some very high tides. So I decided to visit Titchwell to see what I could find.

The weather had been very mixed indeed. On the preceding Friday I spent a few hours sat in a hide at Rutland Water in torrential rain, admiring the tenacity of a Grey Heron, but getting very little in the way of decent photos. The forecast for the Sunday was much better, so I travelled early, timing my arrival to coincide with the early morning high tide.

High spring tides along the Norfolk coast are quite spectacular. At Titchwell the beach completely disappears, and half the reserve (the saltwater half, on the seaward side of the flood defence wall) floods with seawater. In some respects this makes photography quite tricky, as it pushes a lot of birds to the middle of the lagoons, well out of reach of a camera. But it has its benefits as the tide goes out.

In the meantime I took a few images from one of the hides, and from along the raised path that takes you straight through the reserve to the beach. Unfortunately, the light at this time was quite dull, but it was very still indeed.

This male Gadwall was one of a small group sat outside the Island Hide.

Male GadwallTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

As I walked along the main path I spotted this Snipe skulking amongst the undergrowth.

SnipeTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

Further along the main path, one of the lagoons had almost completely filled with saltwater, leaving just one small patch of vegetation, not far from the path. At first, I didn't see anything, but fortunately I then saw movement - a beautiful Black Tailed Godwit.

It was still early in the day, and it was still quite dull, but I was quite pleased with the images so far. So I headed for the beach to see what I could find.

Great Egrets - part 4

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 20:31:47 GMT

More Great Egrets

There were lots of opportunities to photograph interaction between the Great Egrets and their chicks. And a range of birds - some really very close and some more distant, that allowed a range of compositions.

I hope you are enjoying these Great Egret images - there are still more to come!!

Great Egrets - part 3

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 10 Sep 2016 22:02:05 GMT

Great Egret chicks

There were also quite a few Great Egret chicks around. Two in particular were on a nest really close to the main boardwalk. Whilst the parents were away getting food, I was able to get a few close up shots of these youngsters.

The parents were always close at hand, allowing some nice family shots as well.

Great Egret with chicks

Great Egret with chicks Great Egret with chicks

Great Egret with chicks

I particularly like this shot and the eye contact between the adult and its chick as it feeds.

Great Egret with chicks

More to come soon....

Norfolk - the best of the rest

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 18:32:15 GMT

Norfolk- the best of the rest

Early in the day, at Cley Marshes, the light was very poor. I did manage to capture a picture of this Lapwing as it walked some way in front of one of the new hides.

LapwingCley Marshes, Norfolk, UK

I also managed a quick shot of this Coot with its chick.

Coot with chickTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

This shot of a Moorhen was taken at Titchwell, later in the day.

MoorhenTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

On arriving at Titchwell, the weather was really quite dull. So after a quick look in each of the hides I made my way to the beach to see what I could find there.

By comparison to other visits, the beach was very quiet. I was however, able to approach a solitary Little Egret - again significantly aided by the Sigma 150-600mm lens. Slowly making my way to position myself between the bird and the sea, allowed me to get quite close.

It seems a shame to finish on images taken in such dull light. So here are a couple more Avocet images to complete the set.

AvocetTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

Great Egrets - part 2

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 18:48:28 GMT

Great Egrets - nesting

One of the things about a visit to Gatorland Rookery at the end of March / beginning of April, rather than in February, is that it is further through the breeding season. This means that more nests are built, more eggs layed, more chicks are born and those chicks that have been born are bigger. This produces a huge range of potential photo opportunities.

This set of images is of birds building, sitting on or tending their nests.

This bird was still collecting nesting material. I love the way it has spread its plume of feathers.

Other birds were sitting on eggs.

I waited quite a while for this bird to stand up and tend its eggs.

But other birds gave me much better images of the nest tending, clearly showing their turquoise blue eggs.

More Great Egret shots to come soon.......

Cattle Egrets

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 20:57:52 GMT

Cattle Egrets

Looking back tour trip to Florida in 2012 I was surprised that I only came away with 3 images of Cattle Egrets. Whilst I had two trips to Gatorland Rookery on this trip rather than one, I took considerably more photos of these birds. Much smaller than a Great Egret, and squatter and stockier than a Snow Egret, the Cattle Egret is quite a handsome bird, with characteristic orange plume and chest and bright pink legs.

The light on both visits to the rookery was quite variable, making flight shots quite tricky. I was however, lucky enough to capture these two images of a Cattle Egret in flight.

One bird in a particular caught my attention, as it collected sticks and other vegetation to build its nest.

They look very proud birds as they stand on top of the bushes, surveying all around.

For more Cattle Egret images from this visit please go to the relevant gallery here.

Great Egrets - part 1

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 17:48:47 GMT

Great Egrets - part 1

The Anhinga was not the only bird at the bottom of the garden.

On the very first morning I looked out from the house and was delighted to see a Great Egret walking along the edge of the pond. I quickly but calmly walked around the side of the house to see if I could get a couple of photos - I was delighted to find that the bird allowed me to get quite close. The light was quite dull that morning and, unlike the Anhinga, this particular bird didn't come back. But I was pleased with the images I got on that first morning - hoping for better at other locations later in the holiday.

Great EgretKissimmee, Florida, USA

These were not the only Great Egret shots of the holiday by a long way! On our previous family trip to Florida I had made one early morning visit to Gatorland Bird Rookery. This year I had a pass out for two!!

Gatorland itself is a theme park with, as the name suggests, alligators being the main attraction. Whilst this does make for a good family day out, the real attraction is the bird rookery. Since the early 1990s a variety of birds have come to this area to nest. Unlike the alligators, the birds are all completely wild, and free to come and go as they please. But they have learned that this is a safe place to nest and so come back year after year. Gatorland understand the needs of photographers and you can buy a variety of passes to the rookery outside of normal park opening hours - not only is this much quieter, but, being at either end of the day, the light is much better. You can get remarkably close to the birds!

I was lucky enough to pay two early morning visits - I took literally hundreds (probably thousands) of photos. It was interesting to see that the range of species was different to last time - whether this was a reflection of the different years or of the time of year - I don't know. This visit was in March/ April, and our last one was in February - this certainly meant I was visiting slightly further into the breeding season. There were a couple of species that were present in much larger numbers than before.

But one bird that was common on both trips was the magnificent Great Egret. The male and female birds are very similar. In breeding season they sport feathery plumes and their lores (the area near the base of the beak) go green.

I have a lot of Great Egret images from Gatorland Rookery. I will spread them across a number of different posts, starting with a few simple portraits below.

I will post further images of Great Egrets, including chicks, adults interacton with chicks, nest shots and flight shots, in subsequent posts.

Anhinga

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 08:09:07 GMT

Bird at the bottom of the Garden

One of the reasons I was attracted to our rental house in Florida was that it is next to a Lake. I was hoping there might be opportunities for photographs without actually wandering much further than the end of the garden.

To describe it as the bottom of the garden is slightly misleading. As can be seen below, the property itself had a lovely pool and outside area, all surrounded, as most similar properties are, by protective mesh to keep the insects (and alligators) out! It was however, possible to walk down the side of the house and down to the water's edge!

On the very first morning, when I walked down to the water's edge I found a bird to photograph. Just to the right of the edge of the second photo, sat an Anhinga drying its wings. Although the light was dull I took quite a few images as I didn't know whether or not it would return. As it happened it was there most mornings so I was able to photograph it in much better light.

AnhingaKissimmee, Florida, USA

AnhingaKissimmee, Florida, USA AnhingaKissimmee, Florida, USA

I was also able to photograph Anhinga during one of my visits to Gatorland Bird Rookery (more of that later). This male in full breeding plumage looked quite majestic against the blue sky.

AnhingaGatorland, Orlando, Florida, USA AnhingaGatorland, Orlando, Florida, USA

But it was the bird at the end of the garden that I particularly enjoyed photographing!

AnhingaKissimmee, Florida, USA

As a footnote to this blog I must mention what we heard on the final morning of our holiday. I was always very wary walking down to the lake because of the potential for Alligators. On several mornings I did hear a grunting noise in the bushes, but it sounded more like a big frog. In any case I kept my distance!!

Anyway on the last day, the pool cleaner came to clean the pool. He said that there is quite often an 11 foot alligator that sits out on that bank - right where I had been taking my photos!!

Food for thought!!!

On reviewing my photos I was interested to note that I only took 3 images of Anhingas on our first visit to Florida. So I was pleased to get these shots, and others. All these photos can be found in the Anhinga gallery here.

Avocets - June 2016 - part 2

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 16:28:24 GMT

Avocets - part 2

Back to my trip to Norfolk......

As well as photographing Avocets feeding, I was able to capture some other behaviour too. I photographed this individual bird preening in front of the Parrinder Hide. As the sun came down, the water took on a lovely pink / blue colour.

AvocetTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

I was fortunate to capture the bird when it shook its feathers too.

AvocetTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

But some of my favourite images were taken from the Island Hide.

AvocetTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

Where I was able to capture this pair of Avocets mating in the early evening light.

Avocets matingTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

A great end to a great day!

For more images of these Avocets, please go to the Wading Birds gallery.

Florida Birds

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 19:04:39 GMT

A taster of Florida's Fabulous Birds

We had been looking forwards to Easter 2016 for a very long time - not only was this Easter a break from work and school, but it was our second family trip of a lifetime to Walt Disney World in Florida!! Our first trip, in 2012, had been fantastic - and this time we were going with Rachel's sister and family, and including Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure as well. I have to admit I was as excited as the kids, if not more so (I am after all just a big kid at heart). But I had a second reason to be excited - Florida is a great place for bird photography! And of course, being along way from the UK, it provides great opportunities to photograph birds you cannot see at home at all, as well as the ability to get close to some species that would be very difficult to approach here.

I was not to be disappointed! Even though this was a family holiday, I ended up taking 1000s of photos, covering over 25 different species of birds, many of which will appear in posts over the coming days and weeks. This first post provides just a taster of the range of images to come.

From the birds of Gatorland Bird Rookery, like the magnificent Great Egret

Great Egret with chicks

its smaller relative the Cattle Egret

and the elegant Tri Colored Heron

to the birds of Clearwater Beach, like this Laughing Gull

the Royal Terns

and the Willet

WilletClearwater Beach, Florida, USA

Some birds were found in more general, often surprising locations. Like the Anhinga at the bottom of the garden.

AnhingaKissimmee, Florida, USA

the Northern Cardinals found around the Walt Disney Parks

Northern Cardinal

and the Grey Catbird in a car park.

The great thing was that the trip provided opportunity to get close to, and to photograph, some quite spectacular birds.

Like this Brown Pelican on Clearwater Pier

this Black Vulture - just where do you get this close to Birds of Prey in the UK?

Black VultureGatorland, Florida, USA

and best of all, the Ospreys that were found nearly anywhere near water.

OspreyGatorland, Florida, USA

Our trip to Florida was before I bought my new camera and lens, so all these Florida bird images are taken with my trusty Canon EOS7D Mark I and 100-400 IS lens. They went practically everywhere with me, for what will become obvious reasons.

We had an amazing family holiday. Walt Disney World was every bit as good as we remembered, whilst Universal Studios and Island of Adventures took things to new heights.

But the bird photography wasn't bad either. Goodness knows what images I could have taken if I wasn't just fitting them in around rollercoasters and rapids!!

I will intersperse my posts from Florida, with images taken in the UK at the end of last year and the beginning of this. I hope you enjoy them!

Gadwall

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 20:37:38 GMT

Gadwall

As well as waders and LBJs a visit to Titchwell provides the opportunity to photograph ducks. A number of sea ducks can be seen off shore , particularly in winter. But within the reserve, and often quite close to the hides, you can see other ducks too. One of my favourite ducks is the Gadwall. Nominally quite a dull bird, the males in particular are quite handsome. Despite the variable light, on this particular trip I was able to get one or two images I was quite pleased with.

GadwallTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

GadwallTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

GadwallTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

For more images, of both Gadwall and other ducks, please go to the Ducks gallery.

Redshank

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 20:09:54 GMT

Redshank

One of my favourite of the British wading birds is the Redshank. Its bright red legs and bright red bill make it a very handsome bird, and also make identification quite easy. On this particular trip to Titchwell, there was just one solitary bird outside the new Parrinder Hide. I have seen, and photographed, birds much closer than this one, but I was against delighted that my new lens brought it into photographic range. I was also fortunate that the light was quite good, and the air quite still - with distant birds, a reflection will double the size of the image in the frame!

RedshankTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

As I'm still exploring the new lens, these images, all taken at 600mm, are not cropped. Arguably they would benefit from a little cropping, and there are some edited versions in the Wading Birds gallery for comparison. It is safe to say though, that I continue to be impressed with the Sigma 150-600mm Sport lens.

Avocets - June 2016 - part 1

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 10:28:10 GMT

Avocets - part 1

By far the majority of the photos I took at Titchwell were of Avocets. I love these magnificent birds, once really quite rare, but now a common sight on the reserve and many other locations too. There were a few pairs of birds in front of both of the main hides, but they were particularly close to the Island Hide. Whilst I again benefitted from the 600mm end of my lens bringing some birds into range, I also had to zoom out on quite a few occasions and take images at 400mm and even 300mm at times ( you can't do that with a prime lens!).

I love the way Avocets feed by swishing their curved beaks from side to side, although it can make photographing them quite tricky - step up the 65 focussing points and ultra fast focussing of the Canon EOS 7D Mark II. The other tricky thing is the fact they are predominantly white birds, but with a black eye in a black head - a test for any exposure system.

The light was quite dull when I first arrived but soon brightened up, and became really quite beautiful as the sun went down. The variety of lighting conditions allowed a variety of images.

At first the light was quite dull. This helped with contrast and gave a softer feel to the images.

AvocetTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

Later in the day the sun came out, giving brighter images, including some nice reflections.

AvocetTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

AvocetTitchwell, Norfolk, UK It was great being so close to these spectacular birds. But it wasn't just feeding behaviour I was able to photograph.

Continued in part 2......

Little Brown Jobs

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 18:37:10 GMT

Little Brown Jobs

When I was growing up there was a group of birds which my family called LBJs - Little Brown Jobs - small birds, often brown or green brown in colour, covering many of the species of pipits, larks and warblers found in this country. We used the term LBJ when we were struggling to identify them specifically. My trip to Norfolk provided me with the opportunity to try out my new lens photographing two of these LBJs - although both are actually quite distinctive birds in their own right.

The first of these birds was the Meadow Pipit. There were several of these birds at Salthouse early in the day. They all managed to stay the other side of water filled ditches, but with a steady approach they allowed me quite close, and certainly close enough for some decent shots at 600mm on the crop sensor of the EOS 7D Mark II. The light wasn't particularly good - but somehow this actually complimented the colours of the birds.

Meadow PipitSalthouse, Norfolk, UK

The second of the birds is actually quite easy to identify - much easier than most of the LBJs. I found this male Reed Bunting singing on top of the bushes alongside the main path at Titchwell RSPB reserve. When I first saw him the light was still quite dull. As ever, it was difficult to get a black eye to stand out from the black face of this handsome bird.

Male Reed BuntingTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

Later in the day, the sun came out, adding a different feel to the photos, especially as I was photographing against the light.

Male Reed BuntingTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

I can't emphasise enough the difference the new lens makes in getting close to these small birds. Coupled with the focusing of the EOS 7D Mark II, it makes these images a lot easier to achieve. It seems like a great combination and I am very excited!

For more shots of these birds, please see the Pipits & Larks and Buntings galleries respectively.

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 19:53:45 GMT

First shots with my Canon EOS 7D Mark II

As I mentioned in an earlier post, as well as trying out my new lens, I was eagerly awaiting my new Canon EOS 7D Mark II. I have used the Mark I for quite a while now - it's a great camera. But I was drawn by the potential to upgrade, particularly reports of more focussing points and improved autofocusing, 10 frames a second and reduced image noise. So I was very excited about the opportunity to take a trip to some of my favourite haunts in Norfolk with my new set up - EOS 7D Mark II and Sigma 150-600mm Sport lens.

The weather in Norfolk didn't really understand how excited I was, and it took most of the day to produce any kind of decent light at all. Overall though, I was really pleased with the results which I will include over a number of posts. This first post is a taster, showing the variety of species I photographed in the day.

I am not an expert in any way and I will not attempt to give any kind of proper review of the camera or lens. Suffice to say, I am very impressed with both - I would go so far as saying they could revolutionise my wildlife photography. And I still have my original Mark I and 100-400mm setup as well.

I started along the coastal strip at Salthouse. I have previously found some confiding wading birds in the pools behind the shingle bank - but on this occasion I was out of luck. I decided to focus my attention on much smaller birds, and really test out the reach of my new lens.

I spent quite a while photographing Meadow Pipits. In this first image, the bird is quite small in the frame. But I include it as it was the very first image I took with the new set up. It therefore has some sentimental value, and is certainly an image I couldn't have taken at 400mm, being across a deep, water filled ditch.

Meadow PipitSalthouse, Norfolk, UK

With patience, and after watching the behaviour of the birds for a while, I was able to get a lot closer, still photographing across a ditch.

Meadow PipitSalthouse, Norfolk, UK

This male Linnet was also quite confiding, flitting around a bush with it's mate. I decided to leave them alone though as this was obviously their nest site.

LinnetSalthouse, Norfolk, UK

My next stop was Cley Marshes - but the light was so dull I didn't get any images I was really pleased with. I photographed this Lapwing from one of the new hides - again a shot made possible because of the new lens.

LapwingCley Marshes, Norfolk, UK

With the light not getting any better at Cley, I decided to head back up the coast to my favourite location - Titchwell RSPB reserve.

For the first hour or so the light remained dull. I managed a few images of a Little Egret by carefully stalking it along the beach.

And I was particularly pleased to get some close up images of a Reed Bunting.

Male Reed BuntingTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

But after a while, the light really picked up and I was blessed with a glorious evening!!

I was able to photograph the Gadwall from both the main hides on the reserve, but also from along the main path.

GadwallTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

I love the lighting on this Redshank, taken from the Parrinder Hide.

RedshankTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

I was fortunate to get a second chance to photograph the Reed Bunting, this time against the evening light.

Male Reed BuntingTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

But I spent a lot of the time photographing the Avocets, testing out the AI Servo tracking and autofocus of the 7D Mark II - it is brilliant.

AvocetTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

Avocets matingTitchwell, Norfolk, UK

I had a really enjoyable day in Norfolk, especially when the light improved. I will post a lot more images from the trip in upcoming posts.

The new setup is great. The extra reach of the lens at 600m really makes a difference. The 7D Mark II's additional focussing points really help with composition, and the speed of autofocus is amazing. One additional bonus is that the Mark II has dual card slots, allowing you to save images to both Compact Flash and SD cards. On this occasion I used them separately, significantly increasing the number of photos I could take. This is especially useful when you are shooting at 10 frames a second!! And, importantly, the images are bright and clean, a definite improvement on the 7D Mark I!

Overall I am really excited about the opportunities my new camera and lens will bring.

My first photos with the Sigma 150-600mm sport

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 21 May 2016 15:14:18 GMT

My first photos with the Sigma 150-600mm sport

I am very excited about my photography this year. After a great trip to Florida at Easter (more of that later) I have finally settled on the way to spend some money that has been burning a hole in my pocket for some time. Overall I have decided to upgrade to an EOS 7D Mark II with Sigma 150-600mm sport, whilst at the same time keeping my EOS 7D Mark I and Canon 100-400mm lens. The Sigma reviews very well but is also very heavy - keeping my current set up allows me to continue to use it as my "carry round" kit (for example it travelled round 8 theme parks in Florida). I recently realised I could finance all of this by trading in some equipment I have had sitting around unused for a while.

The lens arrived first, and immediately I realised I had made the right choice. It is a heavy lens and I will need to revert to my old Lowepro Pro Trekker rucksack to carry it around attached to a camera. I think I may also need to buy a new tripod and go the gym!!

I was very keen to try it out. So I gambled on the forecast being wrong and travelled to Frampton Marsh RSPB reserve - a reserve where I could test out exactly how much extra reach 600mm will give me. The first decision I had to make was how to support the new lens. I had already decided to add the strap that comes with the lens (and consequently removed the one from my camera to stop it getting in the way). The overall combination of my Uniloc 1600 major system tripod, Lensmaster Gimbal, lens and camera (Mark I) seemed quite heavy. So I opted for the gimbal and my manfrotto 681b monopod, with a bean bag over my shoulder for use in the hides.

Fortunately the forecast was very wrong and I had almost completely blue skies. I spent the first hour or so getting used to the setup, snapping distant birds just to see how big they were in the frame. And I spent quite a while unsuccessfully following a sedge warbler up and down a path outside the main hide.

My luck improved with a visit round to the East Hide, where the early morning light is often very good.

The first bird that came within reasonable distance was a Little Egret - fishing along a drainage ditch out the back of the hide.

The three images above have been cropped very slightly for reframing. The rest show the genuine reach of the 600mm lens.

I was really delighted when a Ringed Plover decided to feed in front of the hide.

Back at the main hide I was able to test out the lens on a Mute Swan and Male Shoveler.

I was still keen to capture one of the smaller birds singing in the reeds. Using the monopod gave me a lot more flexibility to move around than if I had been using a tripod. With care and a slow approach, I was able to get quite close to this Reed Warbler skulking in the reeds. I had to use manual focus to start with to make sure I focused on the bird and not the reeds.

It was only short visit to Frampton, but I was very pleased with my initial results. I think the lens , gimbal and monopod option works very well. And I can't wait to add the Canon EOS 7D Mark II to the setup.

Dordogne Butterflies part 1

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 21:33:47 GMT

Dordogne Butterflies - part 1

For the past two years we've spent our summer holidays camping in the Dordogne. This is very much a family holiday, with friends, and not a photographic trip by any imagination. The fortnight generally involves lots of eating, drinking and relaxing, and playing with the kids in the pool and on the water slides. But, as always, I take my camera equipment just in case (and of course to photograph the kids!)

Last year's trip produced very little in the way of wildlife photography, apart from a few unsuccessful attempts to photograph Nuthatches and Treecreepers around our tent. On the very last morning though, I got up early and decided to wander down to the fishing lake to see what I could find.

It was a beautiful still morning as I strolled around the wildflower meadow at the end of the lake. As the sun came up I suddenly discovered I was surrounded by butterflies - but not just butterflies, three species of fritillary that I hadn't even seen before, let alone photographed.

I ended up being slightly later back than I had promised............

One of the first butterflies I photographed was the Knapweed Fritillary - a striking butterfly both with its wings closed and with them open.

The Meadow Fritillary is slightly smaller butterfly, with less variability in colour on its upper wings.

But the butterfly that made me late back was the Spotted Fritillary. I took a couple of images of Spotted Fritillaries with their wings open (see gallery using the link below) but unfortunately one had an antennae missing and another a damaged wing.

But my favourite images of the session were of a Spotted Fritillary sitting on top of a flower head. It sat perfectly still, allowing a close approach and different compositions - and made me a very happy photographer!

I had a great time that morning, and vowed that if we returned to the campsite, I wouldn't leave it until the last morning before I visited this area again!

For more images from this session please go to the Fritillary gallery here.

Skomer Sunset

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 20:06:51 GMT

Skomer Sunset

After chasing the Choughs for a couple of hours (see previous post) I decided to stay on the headland for sunset. The main view looking out to sea was dominated by Skomer Island itself, set against big brooding skies and silhouetted against the early evening light.

Looking along the mainland, the evening light also resulted in some pleasing views.

And in the other direction, there were lovely moody views over St Brides Bay.

I love it as the light keeps changing as the sun goes down. Using different focal lengths I was able to capture one or two different compositions.

A tanker anchored in St Brides Bay provided some additional foreground interest.

But it was ultimately the views of Skomer Island itself that will linger long in the memory.

For more images from this evening's shoot please go to the Skomer Island gallery here.

Skomer Puffins - part 2

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 18:25:14 GMT

Skomer Puffins - part 2

Every day the Puffins on Skomer run the gauntlet as they come into land and take food to their burrows. And as the chicks get older they venture out, and they too run the risk of being caught by their main predators - Herring Gulls and Lesser Black Backed Gulls.

On the morning of the second day I witnessed this daily battle first hand. I was able to capture a few images of a Herring Gull catching and taking a Puffin chick out of the mouth of burrow. Apparently it is quite unusual to see this close up.

Not everyone's cup of tea I know, and the harsh light made photography quite difficult. But for me, this is nature in action, and I actually feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to take these photos. The gull will, after all, have a family to feed as well!

Skomer provides ample opportunity for a range of other Puffin images too.

For more Puffin images from this trip and others to both Skomer and elsewhere, please go the to Puffins gallery here.

Grayling & Chough

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 21:00:26 GMT

Grayling & Chough

Having spent the evening of Day 1 at Marloes Sands I thought I would try somewhere different for my second evening. So after driving a reasonable distance to find the nearest fish and chip shop, I returned to the peninsula opposite Skomer island itself to see what I could find.

The headland, which includes Wooltack Point, offers great views of Skomer Island itself (more of those later). But it also allowed me the opportunity to photograph two species of wildlife I hadn't photographed before.

The first of these was a butterfly - the Grayling. One of the less colourful species, it's mottled wings blended in very well with the surrounding vegetation, making it well camouflaged. There were a few Grayling around, all of which insisted on staying very close to the ground. But they did stay still enough for me to take a couple of shots, all hand held using the brilliant Canon 100 mm F2.8 macro lens.

But I spent the bulk of the remaining daylight hours chasing a speciality of the region - the unmistakable Chough!!

You are supposed to be able to see Chough on Skomer island itself, but I didn't see a single one during my two day visits. However, there were four or five birds just across the water on the mainland. They are quite shy birds and it took quite a lot of patience getting close to them. And they were very wary when I approached with the light behind me. As with many black birds, the key is to get a catch light in the eye, otherwise it disappears completely!

One juvenile bird was particularly noisy, calling constantly for food. I managed to get a couple of images of this bird and the attendant adult birds that were dutifully always nearby.

Skomer Puffins - part 1

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 20:07:04 GMT

Skomer Puffins - part 1

Back to my 3 day trip to Pembrokeshire last year. Just to recap, I had planned to spend my first day on the island of Skomer, but I arrived to find that the boats weren't sailing. So I travelled inland to Gigrin Farm and had a fantastic afternoon photographing Red Kites, before travelling back to the coast to photograph the sunset on Marloes Sands (see previous posts).

I was delighted to find that the Skomer boats were running on Days 2 and 3.

There is one main target species when you visit Skomer - the Puffin. They can be seen at various points around the island but the best place to see them is the Wick. Here you can get really close, photographing the birds both on the cliff edge and as they move to and from their burrows. As I was visiting in early July I was also lucky enough to see one of two chicks.

I was able to get a range of images, from simple portraits to birds preening, and of course a few shots with Sand Eels, and even Herring. The burrows were covered in daisies, which I find a lot more photogenic than the rocks you find in places like the Farne Islands.

I am reliably informed that this bird has caught a Herring.

A Taste of Images to Come

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 21:17:35 GMT

A Taste of Images to Come

Whilst it's a while since I have posted to my blog, my passion for photography is still as great as ever and I continue to take photos on a regular basis. My backlog of images is getting bigger and bigger, stretching back to the summer of 2014. So I thought I would post a few sample images to give a taste of what's to come.

More images from my trip to Pembrokeshire last year.....

Butterflies from two trips to the Dordogne....

Spotted FritillaryDordogne, France

Ducks and wading birds from Norfolk.........

Landscape images from several trips to the Lake District.......

Damselflies and flowers from my local patch.......

UK Butterflies............

And my favourite images of all.

Male and female Kestrel......

Female KestrelWorcestershire, UK

Kingfisher......

And a very close encounter with a Little Owl......

So lots to come - watch this space!!!

Marloes Sands - part 3

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 20:26:34 GMT

Marloes Sands - part 3

It is often worth hanging around after sunset, as the light, and therefore the colours, can change quite quickly and can make some interesting photos. Rather than the red of a stunning sunset, the dominant colour was blue. I am quite pleased with the resulting images.

Just before it got dark, the wind picked up a little, moving the clouds across the sky quite quickly. I love the way the mottled sky reflected in the pools of water on the beach.

It was a great end to a great day - Red Kites & Sunsets - and this was just Day 1 of my trip to Pembrokeshire!!

For lots more images from Marloes Sands (69 in total) please go to the Marloes Sands gallery here.

Marloes Sands - part 2

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 21:24:01 GMT

Marloes Sands - part 2

As the sun set I wandered around the beach looking for different compositions. Although the sunset was muted, I was still able to get some shots I am quite pleased with. The sea was a long way out, leaving some puddles stranded a long way up the beach.

But my favourite views included the layers of rocks that protruded into the sea. I was able to get a number of different compositions from essentially the same view.

I love the mood of these images. The cliff faces and rocks in the middle look like pencil drawings.

Marloes Sands - part 1

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 18:19:39 GMT

Marloes Sands - part 1

I still have a huge backlog of photos to post on my website. So having posted lots of garden bird photos taken this year, it's time to return to my 3 day trip to Pembrokeshire last year. Those who read my blog regularly, will recall that I travelled all the way to Pembrokeshire last year to find that the boat to Skomer Island had been cancelled because of high winds. So I pitched my tent and then travelled in land to photograph Red Kites at Gigrin Farm - please see previous posts and the Owls & Raptors gallery for these images.

It was early evening when I finished at Gigrin Farm, having had a great afternoon. I had always planned to try and get some sunset photos in the evening, so I travelled back to the coast - after all my tent was there and I still planned to go to Skomer the next day. I love taking sunset photos and a visit to Pembrokeshire seemed likely to provide some great opportunities - after all it faces west. So I decided to visit Marloes Sands, not far from my campsite.

When taking any kind of landscape photo, you are obviously reliant on the weather. And when you visit a new location you never really know what you are going to get until you great there (although prior investigation using maps, the internet etc can help). And when photographing coastal sunsets you are also reliant on the tides doing the right thing.

My overall memory of my evening on Marloes Sands is mixed. The sun started to disappear behind a big bank of cloud as soon as I arrived, and from my position on the beach, seemed like it would set behind the islands just off the coast anyway. But there is something very relaxing about being on a secluded beach as the sun goes down. And whilst there was no stunning sunset, there was quite a lot of interesting cloud in the sky, and a lot of interesting rock formations on the beach. And the light as the sun set had a lovely blue hue to it - so overall I am very pleased with the photos I took - with nearly 70 images that will appear on this website.

These first set of images shows the beach in early evening light, whilst the sun's rays were still hitting the beach.

As the sun set , the light gained a lovely colour to it.

Lots more images coming soon.

Jackdaw

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 20:40:09 GMT

Jackdaw

One of the more nervous birds to visit the setup this year was the Jackdaw. In common with other species of Crow, they seem very wary indeed. They are quite frequent visitors to our garden but often stay sitting on our roof - in previous years we have had a pair of Jackdaws nesting in our chimney.

My only successful images are of the birds strolling around the lawn looking for food. They are quite stern looking birds, but I like the way the light sheens off them, pulling out the detail in what is otherwise an all black bird.

For more Jackdaw images please go to the Crows gallery here.

Woodpigeons - part 2

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 20:57:25 GMT

Woodpigeons - part 2

It's been a while since I have been able to post to my blog. I still have lots to catch up on, starting with more from my trip to Pembrokeshire last year. But first, a few more birds from the garden earlier in the year - staring with a few more Woodpigeon.

Blue Tits - part 2

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 01 May 2015 20:29:09 GMT

More Blue Tits

One of the most common visitors to the garden this year has been the Blue Tit. So here are a few more images of these lovely little birds.

For lots more Blue Tit images please go to the Garden Birds gallery here.

Coal Tit & Long Tailed Tit

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 17:44:24 GMT

Coal Tit & Long Tailed Tit

It's interesting to see each year how the number of each species coming down to the setup varies so significantly. In previous years Goldfinches have topped the numbers, but this year Blue Tits (more later) and Chaffinches have been the most common visitors.

One bird that has visited a lot less frequently this year is the Coal Tit. In fact they have only made one or two very brief appearances, and then they have often flown in directly into the feeders. They are very quick little birds. So I have only one or two images of Coal Tits this year.

This year, however, I was delighted to have a completely new species visit my setup, albeit just once (whilst I was in the hide at least) and for just a couple of seconds.

I love Long Tailed Tits, and I had previously seen one in the garden, looking interested in the food I had put out - unfortunately I was on the way to work, so I had to just hope that it would revisit during one of my photography sessions. But it didn't turn up - that was until my very last session in the hide for this year!

A single bird hopped down onto a perch, shuffled around a bit and then flew off - just enough time for four shots - and one of those doesn't show its tail!!

More images of both Coal Tits and Long Tailed Tits can be found in the Garden Birds gallery here.

Great Tit

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 09:44:08 GMT

Great Tit

One of my favourite birds to visit the setup is the Great Tit. This year there has been one single bird that has been a very occasional visitor to the garden. When it does visit, it often flies straight into the feeder, making photography very difficult. But occasionally it has landed, allowing me to capture one or two images I am pleased with.

I was actually on the phone to my wife whilst I took the first two (one hand still on the camera, finger on the shutter!). At least she called rather than banging on the window and scaring the birds!! The images really show the characteristic black stripe down the middle of a bright yellow breast.

In the last couple of days before I took my hide down, a pair of Great tits came down to visit more regularly - and in great lighting conditions. The first image below is very similar to the one above, but in much better light.

These are some of my favourite images of my whole time in the hide this year.

For more Great Tit images please go to the Garden Birds gallery here.

Female Blackbird

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 11:41:22 GMT

Female Blackbird

I actually find the female Blackbird more attractive than the male. I think I prefer the all brown colour to an all black bird, and I guess the light colouring allows you to see greater detail and mottling in the feathers. Again they come very close to the hide.

For more Blackbird images please go to the Thrushes gallery here.

Male Blackbird

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 20:16:05 GMT

Male Blackbirds

Whilst I set my perches and feeders up primarily to attract finches, tits and other small birds, there are plenty of other common species to photograph too. Blackbirds are amongst the first birds to come in front of the hide, feeding off the food that has fallen into the grass. I also put out a few apples to attract these birds, as once they are in front of the hide, other birds seem more comfortable to come down and feed.

Of course, it is only the male bird that is actually black, with the yellow eye ring and bill making the bird really quite handsome. Looking back through my images I actually only have a few of the male birds.

Only occasionally do the blackbirds come up onto the perches.

But they come really close to the hide when they are on the floor.

Male Greenfinch

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 19:18:21 GMT

Male Greenfinch

Eventually the male birds started to come down. They are quite stern, impressive looking birds and I enjoy photographing them!

For more images of male and female Greenfinches, and Goldfinches, please go to the Finches gallery here.

Female Greenfinch

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 17:02:01 GMT

Female Greenfinch

Soon after the Goldfinches arrived, a pair of Greenfinches turned up too. And after a few days, more birds joined them so that there are 5 or 6 birds now altogether. Male and female Greenfinches are distinctly different. Arguably the male is the more handsome bird, but females are attractive in their own right. The females were the first to come down, offering a variety of opportunities for photographs.

Goldfinch

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 19:10:03 GMT

Goldfinch

Up until the past couple of weeks, the only finches to have visited the setup this year have been Chaffinches. But just recently we have seen the return of both Goldfinches and Greenfinches. The Goldfinches were the first to return, first just two birds, and now four birds coming down regularly to feed on the niger seed and black sunflower seeds. They quite often fly straight into the niger seed feeder, missing out my perches altogether. But the other day I was fortunate to get the perfect combination - birds that sat on one of my perches, in beautiful light.

They really are very attractive little birds.

Dunnock

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 21:37:22 GMT

Dunnock

Dunnocks are shy little birds, and rarely come near my setup. There are a pair of Dunnocks in our garden and, at best, they usually hop around the base of my setup, making photographing them very difficult.

Again, Dunnocks are quite attractive little birds when you get close to them. Formerly know as Hedge Sparrows, they are not in fact sparrows at all, as you can tell from their pointed beaks, designed for eating insects, rather than the chunky bill of a sparrow which is designed for eating seeds.

Pheasant

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 21:54:43 GMT

Pheasant

There are lots of Pheasants in the fields around our village, and for a long time one single bird has wandered into our garden from time to time. The other day, it came wandering into our garden whilst I was in the hide. For a long time it sat right in front of me, feeding on the seed in the grass. Although it was only two or three feet away I couldn't photograph it because my setup was directly behind it. After a while though it wandered briefly into a more suitable position, allowing for full portrait and close up shots.

Today, it visited the garden again, this time accompanied by a female. The male made a really quite loud snorting noise as it ate seed from our lawn, which seemed to put off other birds whilst it was around.

The female is a lot less colourful than the male, although still an attractive bird in its own right. But there is something special about the magnificent male Pheasant!!

Starling

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 19:34:53 GMT

Starling

Starlings are really quite attractive birds. A bird that we probably all see most days without giving them much attention, they are actually quite colourful and their feathers are iridescent in certain light. This year I have had two or three birds come down onto the perches, particular attracted by fat balls. They have also learned to lift the lids on my bird feeders so they can take food from the top!!

For lots more Starling images please go to the Garden Birds gallery here.

Female Chaffinch

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 21:37:22 GMT

Female Chaffinch

The female Chaffinch is an altogether less colourful bird than the male and is not dissimilar to a female House Sparrow. They come up onto the perches a lot more frequently than the male birds, although they too spend most of their time on the ground.

For more images of both male and female Chaffinches please go to the Finches gallery here

Male Chaffinch

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 21:16:12 GMT

Male Chaffinch

Each year I have taken photos in the garden, there have been certain species that have been more abundant than others. In previous years, a lot of Goldfinches or Greenfinches have come down to the setup. This year I have had just two Goldfinches and I have seen no Greenfinches at all. Conversely, in previous years, Chaffinches have been infrequent visitors, whereas this year they are by far the most common bird with up to 7 or 8 coming down at any one time.

The challenge with Chaffinches is that they are predominantly ground feeding birds. So when they do come down it is usually straight to the floor, bypassing any of the branches I have set up. There is usually quite a lot of food on the ground for them to feed on.

As with a lot of bird species, the Male Chaffinch is a far more brightly coloured bird than the female.

I have recently positioned a bird feeder in such away that the Chaffinches occasionally come to it, along or up one of two branches. They don't stay long, obviously feeling more comfortable being on the floor.

I particularly like this last shot, where the sun came out, showing off the beautiful colours of the male Chaffinch to good effect.

Robin

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 22:11:25 GMT

Robin

One of the frequent visitors to the garden set up is the Robin. Earlier in the year it would come down to the horizontal log to feed on meal worms. More lately, after taking away the horizontal log to discourage the Woodpigeons, it sits on different perches as well as clinging to the sides of bird feeders, pretending to be a Blue Tit. I will never tire of images of these gorgeous little birds.

For more Robin images please go to the Garden Birds gallery here

Collared Doves

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 21:11:20 GMT

Collared Doves

Not only do we have two pairs of Woodpigeons in our garden, we also have a pair of Collared Doves. Another bird that isn't that high on my target list, they too compete for the seed and other bird food. Collared Doves are less colourful than Woodpigeons, but are still worthy of photography. Again the zoom lens comes in handy!

This final image shows how just a little extra light can make all the difference!

For more images of Collared Doves please go to the Doves & Pigeons gallery here.

Woodpigeons

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 21:20:48 GMT

Woodpigeons

One of the more common visitors to my set up this year has actually become a bit of a pest. Whilst I am happy to photograph any wild birds, Woodpigeons are not that high on my list of target species. This year, two pairs have taken up residence in our garden. And they take great delight in eating the food I have put out, primarily for the other birds.

They are, of course, a lot larger than other garden birds. This is where the 100-400mm zoom lens really comes into its own, allowing both close up images and full portraits.

I was even able to get some action shots!!

For more images of these birds please see the Doves and Pigeons gallery here.

Blue Tits

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 21:03:46 GMT

2015 images - Blue Tits

More from last year's trip to Wales soon.

I have had a slow start to 2015 photographically speaking, with work and family commitments meaning I have limited opportunities for taking photos. After last year's very successful sessions in my garden bird hide, I thought I would set it up again - at least I don't have to go very far if I do get a spare moment.

The key principle with my garden set up is to arrange a series of photogenic perches around bird feeders, attracting the birds down to feed, taking their pictures on route to the food. As I am choosing the perches and deciding where to put them, I have full control over how the light falls on them and the background to the resulting images.

Each year I visit a nearby wooded area and select a few photogenic branches, setting up them up in the garden with my hide a short distance away. It is often a bit hit and miss, with several sessions in the hide before I am happy with the set up. Last year, I used a combination of a small vertical perches and a horizontal moss covered log, with the added bonus of being able to put food in the nooks and crevices in the back of the log.

I have to be honest I have yet to be fully happy with the 2015 set up. And, so far, the number and variety of birds has been quite limited. Having said this, one of the birds that I have had some success with is the Blue Tit. I have actually taken more Blue Tit images in the past three weeks than the whole of the session last year.

It might sound quite obvious, but Blue Tits are quite small and they move very quickly. They also have a very annoying habit of flying straight into the feeders, missing out the perches altogether. But with patience you can start to work out when they might land, and get the camera ready for a few quick shots.

For more images of these great little birds, please go to the Garden Birds gallery here

Red Kites - part 3

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 16:48:34 GMT

Red Kites - part 3

After watching the Red Kites for a while, I could tell the flight paths that some would take, and tried to capture them banking or hanging in the air as they came into the best light.

Red KiteGigrin Farm, Powys, Wales

One of the Red Kite behaviours I tried to capture was the bird feeding in mid air. Having swooped down to get some food the kites sometimes hold the food in their talons, biting chunks out of the food as they glide along. I would love to have another go at this but I was pleased with my first attempts.

Red KiteGigrin Farm, Powys, Wales

The Red Kite feeding at Gigrin Farm lasts about two hours. It was a brilliant experience. I had taken lots of photos, but also learned a lot and would have loved to repeat it again immediately.

However, my tent was pitched over 50 miles away and I still planned to get some sunset photos in. So I headed back towards Skomer - I clocked up over 500 miles driving that first day - but the trip to Gigrin Farm was well worth it. I very much hope to go back soon!

Further information about Gigrin Farm can be found using the Links Page here. More Red Kite and Buzzard photos from this trip can be found in the Owls & Raptors gallery here.

Gigrin Farm - Buzzards

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 21:23:43 GMT

Gigrin Farm - Buzzards

Whilst the Red Kites are the main reason for visiting Gigrin Farm, they are not the only raptors that you can photograph. Although they generally don't come that close, Buzzards also come down to feed and provide the occasional fly past for a quick photo.

BuzzardGigrin Farm, Powys, Wales

Red Kites - part 2

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 12:03:46 GMT

Red Kites - part 2

After a while the sky cleared, allowing for better flight shots. Exposure was quite tricky, to avoid the underside of the birds disappearing into shade. One things is for certain though, there was plenty of opportunity to keep trying!

Red KiteGigrin Farm, Powys, Wales

More photos of these magnificent birds soon!

Red Kites - part 1

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 21:10:54 GMT

Three Days away - in Wales

Those of you who follow my blog regularly, will know that I get let out for good behaviour for three days photography each year - something that started as a present from my wife, but now (amazingly) seems to have become part of our annual calendar. You will also know that I tend to use these three days to go the north east - to visit the Farne Islands, Lindisfarne and, if I am lucky, Bass Rock.

In July 2014 I fancied something a bit different. After a lot of consideration - trying to find an equivalent trip where the chance of getting a significant number of photos is really quite high - I plumped for a trip to Pembrokeshire in Wales. I was to spend my days on Skomer Island off the Pembrokeshire Coast, take some sunset photos in the evening (after all, looking out to sea I would be facing west) and add a bit of variety on the way home by calling at Gigrin Farm to photograph Red Kites.

So I made all the arrangements I could, booking a campsite very close to Martin's Haven, where you catch the boat to Skomer. I booked a place in one of the photographic hides at Gigrin Farm for my final day and planned my journey down to arrive between 8.00 and 8.30 am in time to queue for the boat to Skomer - you can't book tickets in advance. I would spend the first day on Skomer, then go and pitch my tent, finishing day one with a few sunset photos on the local beach.

With fingers crossed I set off very early in the morning on the long drive to Wales! I had high hopes as the sky was largely clear, and I made good time, arriving just before 8.30 at Martin's Haven car park. Unfortunately, that is where my plans had to change!

Whilst the sky was blue, I hadn't accounted for the strength of the wind. It turned out that the boat hadn't run for a couple of days, and certainly wasn't running that day. It might not run the following day either!!

I quickly reviewed my plans. I decided to put my tent up straight away, and after making a few calls I switched my itinerary around completely. The weather looked pretty good back inland. A visit to Gigrin Farm is really an afternoon thing anyway so I had plenty of time to get there. Trying hard to forget the trip I had just made, I retraced part of my journey before deviating towards mid Wales and Gigrin Farm. Day 1 would now be Red Kites!

Red Kites - part 1

Gigrin Farm is a Red Kite feeding and rehabilitation centre in mid Wales - whilst there now a few other feeding stations this is the original and is a well established site for a great wildlife spectacular - from tens to hundreds of wild birds are fed at 3pm (2pm in winter) every day of the year except for Christmas Day!!

The centre has a number of hides from which the feeding can be viewed, but also has a number specifically designed for photography. The tallest of these is called the Big Tower Hide - accommodating 6 people with tripods, or 8 without - I had a place booked in this hide.

This first image is taken from the Big Tower Hide and shows a number of the other hides that are available.

The main view from the hide is over an open field, with a circular track for the tractor and trailor that brings the meat to attract the birds. At this stage, you don't get any idea of the spectacular that is about to unfold in front of you.

As you can see there is plenty of room in the Big Tower Hide!

A number of Kites start to circle even before the food arrives. But that's nothing to the number that come later - hundreds of birds circle around before swooping down to get food, or to attack the crows that also gather, taking their food instead.

The light wasn't particularly helpful at first, with a lot of white cloud in the sky.

Red KiteGigrin Farm, Powys, Wales

When the sun went behind the clouds for any length of time, it was best to focus on the birds that swooped down for food, when the grass provided a more pleasing background that a washed out sky. The birds are remarkably quick and it takes some practice to get reasonable shots.

Red KiteGigrin Farm, Powys, Wales

I particularly like this close up image of a bird rising again after swopping down for food. I love the mottled colouring of these magnificent birds!

Red KiteGigrin Farm, Powys, Wales

But the light soon picked up, allowing for some better flight shots - with the birds coming quite close overhead! More of these in subsequent posts.

Bedruthan Sunsets

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 14:15:42 GMT

Bedruthan Sunsets

During the end of May half term last year, we paid another visit to Padstow in Cornwall. The trip provided another opportunity for me to visit Bedruthan Steps to try and get some more sunset photos. I had taken some images I was really pleased with during a similar visit in 2013, with one of these images now even passing the very high bar, set by my wife, for conversion to a canvas and hanging on the wall at home!!! So I was really looking forward to another visit.

As with all landscape photography, the weather is quite important when taking sunsets. When taking sunsets on the beach you also need to take account of what the tide is doing, especially at somewhere like Bedruthan Steps, where the beach is completely covered (and quite dangerous) at high tide. Having visited before, I knew that I wanted to visit at a time when the tide was going out. And of course, as I was on a family holiday, I also had to fit in with meal times, trips out, and generally get myself a pass out for good behaviour!!

So it was with trepidation that I made my visit to Bedruthan, because, although the tide was due to be going out, it was quite a high tide and I wasn't sure how much of the beach would be uncovered. And, the sky was very, very clear indeed. This is obviously not a showstopper for sunset photos (not like pouring rain) but I much prefer a mixture of cloud and sky, as it adds a lot to the dynamism of a scene and increases the interest of a picture considerably. And importantly, it means you can shoot into the sun well before the sun has gone down below the horizon.

It turned out to be a very frustrating visit. I had to wait a long time for the tide to go out sufficiently far to walk round / over a small headland and onto the main part of the beach. The sky remained cloudless throughout the entire evening. And, annoyingly, because the tide had only just gone out, the sand was very wet, making it difficult to get a firm base for my tripod. When taking sunset photos you are almost certainly using slow shutter speeds and it only takes a minor movement to introduce blur into the image. I think I ended up with the largest number of blurred images I have ever taken!!

That said, I did manage a few images that I was pleased with, focussed in and around one particular rock formation that juts out into the sea.

The combination of light, water and ripples in the sand made for some interesting images.

I walked around the beach looking for different compositions. Although there was some colour in the sky, it wasn't really helping add much to the pictures.

As the sun set, the colour of the sky deepened - there was simply a thick band of colour across the horizon.

This final image was taken just before I left the beach. I definitely needed my head torch to climb back up the slippery steps to the car!

Whilst it had been a very frustrating evening, I did get one or two images I was pleased with. And they are very different in feel to the ones from the previous year.

For more images from this trip to Bedruthan Steps, and from my visit in 2013, please go to the Bedruthan Steps gallery here.

Marbled White Butterflies

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 21:51:05 GMT

Marbled White Butterflies

I had previously photographed Marble White Butterflies at Barnack Hills & Holes, but only late in the season and in full sunlight. In fact they were some of the first shots I took with my Canon 100mm EX F2.8 lens (hand held). As they were taken in full sun the butterflies had their wings open as they flitted around thistles and knapweed. But I still wanted to get some more standard portrait (wings closed), perhaps on something slightly more attractive like an orchid. So I visited Barnack again, one evening late last June.

It wasn't long before I found a Marbled White. It sat very still and allowed a couple of very close images, again hand held using the 100mm macro.

I was pleased with these initial images but they still weren't quite what I was looking for, so I spent some time looking round the reserve. Then I chanced upon exactly what I was looking for - a single butterfly, sitting on a pyramidal orchid - and it was close to the ground, at the foot of a mound, so it was less likely to be blown around in what breeze there was.

It turned out to be a (nearly) perfect butterfly. It certainly behaved perfectly, sitting dead still as I lay on the floor photographing it from all angles. The only difference in the images below is my composition, which I changed by moving my position and the camera rather than anything else. All compositions are as taken, with no cropping in the computer. Changing position also gave me subtle changes in the background. On a couple of occasions the butterfly shifted position slightly as well, to give even more variety.

I cannot speak highly enough of the 100mm macro - being able to photograph this butterfly hand held allowed me to get into positions I would have struggled to get to using a tripod.

I photographed the butterfly from both sides - the first set of images were the easiest ones to take as I could lay facing up the slight slope - a lot more comfortable. It was only part way through the shoot that I realised it has a slight nick in its wing from this side (not quite perfect after all)!!

Fortunately I was also able to photograph the butterfly from the other side as well, albeit in less comfort.

For more images from this visit, and the previous one, please go the to Marble White gallery here.

Haystacks, High Stile & Red Pike - part 2

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 20:01:27 GMT

Haystacks, High Stile & Red Pike - part 2

Having enjoyed the views from Haystacks, we decided to extend the route to make a circular walk. This involves a couple of steep climbs, one in particular up High Crag which is seen clearly from the top of Haystacks. Having done this once before, I knew that it is as steep as it looks!

And, as always seems to be the case, you have to go down before you go up - the route takes you down the flanks of Haystacks and then up and over the smaller hill called Seat (front left) before a very steep climb up High Crag.

Looking back the way we had just come, on the way up High Crag, you can see Seat in the foreground, with a small tarn at its base. Haystacks is just beyond this to the left. You can clearly see that, at just 597m, Haystacks is dwarfed by Great Gable and surrounding hills. It just goes to show you don't have to go the top of the very highest peaks to get amazing views.

At 744m, High Crag is not as high as High Stile (806m) or Red Pike (755m), but a considerable climb from the flanks of Haystacks. Once at the top though you have completed the bulk of the climbing on this walk, with the remaining 50 metres or so being a steady climb along the tops. View open up on both sides, with further views of Buttermere to your right.

To our left, we could see Ennerdale and Ennerdale Water, the sun lighting up the River Liza in the valley floor. On closer inspection of the map, the river actually enters the lake in the bottom right hand corner rather than the left.

As you progress along the tops, the light seemed to dance across the fells on the other side of Buttermere.

Looking back, you can see our route along the tops.

As we approached, Red Pike the view of Crummock Water stretched out ahead of us.

This wider view includes Bleaberry Tarn below the summit of Red Pike, and a glimpse of Loweswater behind Melbreak on the left.

The evening light over Ennerdale Water, and the Solway Firth beyond, was beautiful.

The light over Crummock Water was lovely. Again, you can also see Loweswater in the top left corner.

As you come off the top of Red Pike, you get a different view of Buttermere.

Here, both Crummock Water (left) and Buttermere are in view again.

These final images show Crummock Water in the early evening light.

The light at the end of the day was beautiful. It had been a great day, with some great views, which we topped off with a couple of pints and a nice pub meal back down at lake level.

For the full set of images from this walk (89 in total) please go to the Haystacks, High Stile & Red Pike gallery here.

Haystacks, High Stile & Red Pike

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 15:27:42 GMT

Haystacks, High Stile & Red Pike - part 1

I was lucky enough to have three trips to the Lake District in 2014. The first trip was with my work friends towards the end of April. The weekend weather was mixed to say the least, with three out of the four days being gloomy, with some rain. Nonetheless, we had very enjoyable walks up Hopegill Head and Grasmoor, and around Langdale, with a slightly scary (and ultimately aborted) attempt to walk up Halls Fell ridge to Blencathra - not a good route if, like me, you don't like exposed edges.

The weather on the second day was considerably better, with pretty much wall to wall sunshine. We decided to walk up Haystacks, with the possibility of turning this into a circular walk by including High Stile and Red Pike. I had done most of this walk before, on my own, but the weather had turned so bad at the top of Red Pike that I couldn't find my way off the top. I had to trudge back over three miles the way I had come, in pouring rain and strong winds! So I was looking forward to doing this walk in better weather.

We parked the car at the end of Buttermere and walked along the shoreline, with Fleetwith Pike standing proud at the end of the Lake in front of us.

As we left the lakeside and walked up Scarth Gap Pass, the view opened up in all directions. Firstly, another shot including Fleetwith Pike.

Looking back we could see across Buttermere.

Our first destination, Haystacks, soon came into view.

As we climbed higher, the views behind us grew more spectacular.

The final assent up Haystacks involves some minor scrambling...

But the views from the top are well worth it. You can see both Buttermere (front) and Crummock Water (back), snaking their way between Melbreak (middle left) and Grasmoor (opposite on the right).

Haystacks was reportedly Wainwright's favourite peak and I can understand why. His ashes were scatted at Innominate Tarn nearby.

This next image shows Haystacks summit with the summit tarn in the foreground, with Ennerdale Water and Ennerdale valley (left) separated from Buttermere and Crummock Water (the latter seen on the right) by a series of peaks that would become the second part of our walk, later in the day. The large hill in the foreground is High Crag.

At the end of Ennerdale you can just make out the sea!

The view in the other direction is towards Green Gable and Great Gable.

But it's the views in the other direction that really held our attention. Whilst it was a lovely sunny day, there was sufficient cloud to make different patterns of shadows across the fells. I love the play of light on the land. It was great to see the views of Grasmoor, the highest peak on the right, which we had climbed in the rain the day before.

The weather was great, and the views magnificent, so we decided to extend the walk into a full circuit - up High Crag, High Stile and Red Pike. More of that in the next post.

Fuerteventura - best of the rest

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 19:27:27 GMT

Fuerteventura - the best of the rest

The beach also provided opportunity to photograph one or two other birds as well.

These Spanish Sparrows were photographed on the same bush as the Southern Grey Shrike. The male bird is quite striking. It is similar to our House Sparrow but with a chesnut crown and dark mottled chest.

The female is very similar to the female House Sparrow. I managed to get this shot of the pair through the surrounding foliage.

This male bird was looking for crumbs on the beach.

Gulls are not as common in Fuerteventura as along the British coast. The most common gull on the island is the Yellow Legged Gull. It is very similar to our Herring Gull, with slightly darker plumage and yellow legs.

I was also pleased to get a couple of flight shots.

The final bird from Fuerteventura was also photographed near the beach. This Sandwich Tern spent most of its time just offshore, occasionally diving into the sea for fish. Only on one occasion did it come close enough for any photos.

I hope you have enjoyed my photos from Fuerteventura. It was a great family holiday that also provided great photographic opportunities with minimal effort. I hope to go back soon!

Fuerteventura - Southern Grey Shrike and Kestrel

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 21:45:21 GMT

Fuerteventura - Southern Grey Shrike and Kestrel

We spent a couple of days on the vast expanse of beach that lies alongside the sand dunes and the National Park. A taxi ride to one of the two huge hotels that stand isolated on the beach, allows easy access with all the amenities you need within easy reach. The beach was perfect for the kids and we set up camp on some relaxing loungers ourselves between the sea and the local beach café - a lovely spot! And I was even able to do some bird watching as well. A few of the Whimbrel and Little Egret images, previously posted, were taken nearby. But whilst I only got a fleeting glimpse of a small flock of Hoopoe as they flew by, I was able to get some photos of one of two other species as well.

The beach is vast and open, with sand as far as the eye can see. But there are one of two bushes near the hotel area. On arriving one morning, a bird caught my eye as we arrived on the beach. It didn't allow me to get as close as I would have liked, but I was able to grab a couple of shots of this Southern Grey Shrike.

The bird remained in and around the beach but I didn't see it again on this bush. It did come to rest on a telegraph wire at the back of the beach. With care I was able to get quite close, although I prefer the natural setting of the first set of images.

I kept a watchful eye on this telegraph wire just to see of the bird returned. But it never it, although it was around and sufficiently close to keep my attention!

On one occasion, when I looked up from my lounger, I saw a different bird sitting on the same wire. I had previously seen a bird of prey flying over and around the hotel. I didn't rate my chances of getting very close to this Kestrel, but I thought I would give it a go.

Typically, the bid chose the cloudiest few hours of the holiday to sit and have its picture taken, making the exposure very tricky. Unfortunately the sky is very washed out but I was still pleased to get my first photos of this great bird.

Fuerteventura - Ring Necked Parakeet

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 21:45:07 GMT

Fuerteventura - Ring Necked Parakeet

We saw another unusual bird in Fuerteventura, but this one didn't involve any bus trips to see it, or in fact any effort at all, other than going out onto our balcony. A family of Ring Necked Parakeets lived in around our hotel complex, flying around calling very loudly in the early mornings and late evenings, often sitting on the balcony railings around the apartments. Unfortunately they sat high in a palm tree for most of the day, deep in the shade, making photographs quite difficult. And of course I didn't always have my camera with me when I was lying around the pool.

I did manage to get one or two photos during our stay.

For more images of these noisy birds please go to the gallery here.

Fuerteventura - Red Vented Bulbul

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 11:55:15 GMT

Fuerteventura - Red Vented Bulbul

Whilst we spent most of the holiday in Fuerteventura by the pool, with the occasional trip to the beach, we did go on one day trip to the south of the island. We were actually visited a wildlife park / zoo, which made for a really good family day out (with the animals very well cared for and with plenty of room, unlike some other places we have seen). But there was a bird outside the park that caught my eye as we got off the coach which I couldn't identify. I didn't think much of it at first and was only able to get a grab shot of the bird on a telegraph wire.

But when we returned to get back on the coach, there was a large flock of these birds feeding in the bushes around the car park. I took quite a few photos without really knowing what I was photographing. It was only when I investigated later, that I found the birds to be Red Vented Bulbul.

The Red Vented Bulbul is a common bird in Asia, but according to my bird book, didn't appear to be a likely sighting in Fuerteventura. The very similar Common Bulbul seemed more likely but the colouring of the birds made identification very easy. But there are lots of internet records of these birds being found in Fuerteventura, with them originally being escapees or introduced birds. All I can say is that this flock of birds was definitely flying wild and free, and although very close to a wildlife park, there were no similar birds found in the park itself, captive or otherwise.

They are quite attractive birds and I was quite pleased to get a few images before I was ushered back onto the bus!!

This first image was taken in the morning just as we arrived.

But the more pleasing images were taken of the birds in the bushes later in the day. The first two images show the lovely mottling on the bird's chest, contrasted by its black face. You can just about make out the red patch at the base of the tail which gives the bird its name.

After a few minutes of waiting a couple of birds came quite close - you can see the red vent a lot better in these pictures.

A striking bird I'm sure you'll agree.

For more images please go to the gallery here.

Blencathra

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 11:48:16 GMT

Blencathra

When Duncan and I visit the Lakes, I usually have the Friday to myself (see Bowfell and Crinkle Crags post), we do a reasonable walk on the Saturday (see previous post on Coniston Horseshoe), and then we do a quick up and down walk on the Sunday, so we can both travel home to our families on Sunday afternoon.

Neither of us had previously climbed Blencathra, a dramatic mountain north of the A66 near Keswick. There are a number of routes up Blencathra, one or two, like Sharp Edge and Halls Fell, quite famous (or should I say infamous). Neither of us have particular head for exposed edges, and given our time constraints we decided upon an easier route. So we parked in the small village of Scales and walked up the grassy slopes of Scales Fell - a steady route, involving some exertion, but providing easy access to the summit, with some spectacular views.

This first images shows the summit of Blencathra, shrouded in low cloud, as we approach up Scales Fell. It also shows two of the ridges that come up from the A66, allowing slightly more exhilarating approaches to the summit.

As you get higher, the views to the north open up revealing Scales Tarn in a bowl surrounded by high ground, including the summit and the notorious Sharp Edge. The path up to Sharp Edge and the start of the edge is seen directly opposite us in the images below.

The summit of Blencathra itself is fairly non-descript, with better views from the surrounding edges of the summit plateau. So after reaching the summit of Blencathra, we walked around to see what we could see of Sharp Edge from the top. Although it was sunny it was very windy at the top, making it slightly precarious to get too close, particularly given my fear of heights.

It adds a certain amount of atmosphere to a place like this when you see the Rescue Helicopter practising rescue winches overhead!!

The view of Scales Tarn, and surrounding fells, from the top of Blencathra.

This shot, taken on the way down, shows the path winding along the hillside.

On the way down, the view back to Blencathra was clear, with the summit no longer shrouded in cloud.

The views in the other direction, across to the nearby hills, were equally fine, albeit a bit hazy.

This proved to be an excellent choice for our Sunday morning walk and was a great finale to a terrific weekend!

More images from this walk can be found in the Blencathra gallery here.

Fuerteventura - Spoonbill

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 19:15:42 GMT

Fuerteventura - Spoonbill

One evening when I was photographing a Whimbrel - one that allowed me to get particularly close - I caught a glimpse of a white bird flying overhead. My initial reaction was to ignore it as it was likely to be another Little Egret, but it caught just enough of my attention to wonder if it was something different. Surely I wouldn't be lucky enough to see Spoonbill? In any case, the bird was flying high in the sky and could have been off to anywhere in the island. I thought nothing more of it at the time.

On the morning of our final full day Rachel let me go out and take a few photos before breakfast. So I walked down to Correlajo seafront to see what I could find. As I rounded a bend I noticed two white birds standing on some low rocks, some way out into the bay - there were Spoonbill!!

The tricky thing in the morning, was that the sun rose pretty much over the sea and so the birds were against the light. However, I judged the shallow tide to be going out and thought I would see how far round the birds I could get so that the sun was behind me. I ended up knee deep in water in places - which was not what I had intended, but this did make the birds seem reasonably comfortable with my approach.

At first, the two birds stood motionless. They were actually each a different distance from me, so whilst they appeared to be next to one another, the depth of field needed was really quite large.

But eventually one bird started moving around, meaning that I could isolated individual birds in the frame. There was a lovely quality to the early morning light.

One bird stayed standing at the water's edge.

Whilst the other stood preening on the top of the rocks before going for a walk around.

Both birds produced a number of different poses, some showing the bird in profile, others showing the huge bill, from which the bird gets its name.

I also photographed Turnstone and Whimbrel in the same morning light, but these birds topped them all, and were a great way to end this great family holiday!!

For more images of these magnificent birds, please go to the Spoonbill gallery here

Fuerteventura - Little Egret

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 29 Nov 2014 14:50:51 GMT

Fuerteventura - Little Egret

Another bird that I saw quite frequently along the coast was the Little Egret. Similar in appearance to the Snowy Egret I had photographed in Florida earlier in the year, I often found individual birds slowly walking through rock pools and along the shoreline searching for food. They make good photographic subjects as they stand motionless waiting to strike at passing fish.

The harsh light in the middle of the day makes it quite tricky to photograph these majestic white birds.

On the final morning I managed to approach a Little Egret fishing in the waves. The early morning light makes all the difference!

For more Little Egret images please go to the Egrets and Heron gallery here.

Coniston Horseshoe

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 21:09:08 GMT

Coniston Horseshoe

The day after my walk up Bowfell & Crinkle Crags, for the main walk of the weekend, we decided to climb the Old Man of Coniston. A quick look at the map revealed we could easily extend the well trodden route up the Old Man to make a circular walk by walking across Brim Fell to Swirl How, and then across to Wetherlam and down back into Coniston village - the Coniston Horseshoe.

It was a lovely day again and, after finding parking and buying lunch in Coniston village, we joined quite large numbers of people who had also decided to walk to the Old Man summit. The route takes you through lots of old slate mine workings with views of the Coniston fells. In this respect it is not as wild and untouched as some parts of the Lakes. This first image shows the view across to Wetherlam, including our eventual route down from the tops.

Low Water makes an ideal stopping point on route to the top. The weather was very calm, allowing for near perfect reflections.

The path continues upwards alongside Low Water, with increasingly good views of the water below and surrounding fells.

As you get higher still, Levers Water, which is a reservoir rather than a natural lake, also comes into view.

As you get near the summit, the view also opens out towards Coniston Water.

The summit is quite broad and easy to walk around. It was also teaming with people, making it actually quite difficult to snatch this picture of the summit cairn without anyone in it.

We sat and ate our lunch overlooking Dow Crags..

before continuing along the top towards Brim Fell. This view, including the Scafell range in the distance, is taken from near the Ordnance Survey column close to the Old Man summit cairn. It seemed that most people had decided to just climb the Old Man and then go back down the same route. As we moved on we soon lost the crowds that had shared our lunchtime picnic spot.

Brim Fell also provides some great views over Coniston Water.

And in the other direction, over Seathwaite Tarn (like Levers Water this is a reservoir).

Wetherlam comes more clearly into view as you approach the summit of Swirl How.

The summit cairn of Swirl How stands proud, with glorious views of the surrounding hills.

From here we took a steep descent down some rocky crags in the direction of Wetherlam.

The climb back up to Wetherlam summit was worth the effort as the views were again spectacular.

I was particularly pleased to zoom in on this view of Bowfell and Crinkle Crags. You can clearly make out my route from the previous day - right to left up The Band to the highest peak of Bowfell, then back across the Crinkle Crags (left), before descending down the hillside and down the valley beyond the tarn, just right of centre in the picture.

I love it when different walks bring you to points you have been before and you can see how everything is linked together. This is when the Lakes really come to life for me.

As we descended down from Wetherlam, the views ahead of us of Coniston Water made a great end to the day.

Another great walk in glorious weather!

For more images from this walk please go to the Coniston Horseshoe gallery here (48 images in total).

Fuerteventura - Ringed Plover & Common Sandpiper

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 19:23:20 GMT

Fuerteventura - Ringed Plover & Common Sandpiper

Amongst the other birds that frequented the shoreline were the Ringed Plover and the Common Sandpiper. Both are small birds, that are more wary of a bloke with sandals and a camera(!), making them quite difficult to photograph.

At least the Ringed Plover stops and stands still from time to time.

Whilst the Common Sandpiper moves around very quickly whilst constantly bobbing up and down!

Fuerteventura - Grey Plover

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 25 Nov 2014 19:22:37 GMT

Fuerteventura - Grey Plover

One afternoon I wandered down to the rocky foreshore just to see what I could find. At first there didn't appear to be anything there, but on closer inspection there was one isolated bird at the water's edge. Taking care not to slip on the wet rocks I was able to slowly approach this bird - a Grey Plover - and take a few images I was quite pleased with.

Again, there are more shots of this bird in the Wading Birds gallery here

Bowfell & Crinkle Crags - part 2

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 21:05:33 GMT

Bowfell & Crinkle Crags - part 2

I hadn't planned to go up Crinkle Crags so I hadn't really investigated the route very well. I had read that it could be difficult to find your way through the Crags, especially when it's foggy. Fortunately it was a lovely sunny day but having picked my way up and down very rocky slopes I can understand how you could get lost in poor weather. The views from the various peaks, however, are well worth the effort.

This first image shows the view back to Bowfell and Bowfell links from Three Tarns, with Scafell and Scafell Pike in the background.

The main views from the Crinkle Crags are down Langdale, with Pike O'Blisco on the right.

I tried to frame the view using the different rock formations found along the different Crinkles (the summits).

Is the distance (top right) you can just made out Lake Windemere.

Looking back this is the view of Bowfell, which I had climbed earlier in the day. You can just make out the main route to the summit in the right of the picture.

The main summit of Crinkle Crags is called Long Top. This is the summit cairn, with Pike O'Blisco on the left and the Coniston Fells to the right.

Time for another stop and some refreshments, taking in the views.

There are a couple of routes off (and onto) Long Top. One notorious route is called the Bad Step, which is a huge step in the rock, that is more of a climb, and for a long time was considered impossible for walkers. Another route bypasses this by skirting right along a very exposed slope. There is, however, a simple route off the top which goes a longer, but much easier way round.

My route eventually took me along the path to the right, to the right of the smaller peak in the middle of the image below (effectively between the two tarns as you look from this viewpoint). I then walked down the valley with Pike O'Blisco on my right - down the gap in the peaks you can clearly make out in the photo - down into Oxendale and back along the valley floor.

As I came down from the tops the early evening sun made nice patterns in the floor of the valley.

And gave a lovely warm glow to the Langdale Pikes.

This was a great day and a terrific walk - one I would highly recommend. It is often described as the reverse of the route I have described here. But I wonder if the early part of the walk - up to the Crinkles - would be a bit of a dull slog, whereas the walk up The Band produces almost instant views. Whichever route you take, the views from both Bowfell and Crinkle Crags are spectacular!

For more photos please go to the Bowfell & Crinkle Crags gallery here, where you find nearly 80 images from this walk.

Bowfell & Crinkle Crags - part 1

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 21:02:58 GMT

Bowfell and Crinkle Crags - part 1

Almost straight after my weekend in the lakes with work friends, I was fortunate enough to have another few days in the lakes the very next weekend. And even better, I pretty much had wall to wall sunshine for the whole weekend.

When I visit the Lakes with my best mate Duncan, I often take a day off work and travel up early on the Friday to go walking and take photos, and Duncan joins me in the evening. As I am on my own I try and keep to simpler routes, just in case the weather turns bad. On this occasion I decided to walk up Bowfell, starting in Langdale, one of the easiest routes to navigate. You can see the main path winding up the hill - The Band - from some distance away.

So after stopping for cooked breakfast at Chesters, at Skelwith Bridge (a favourite haunt of ours as it serves probably the best cakes ever!!), I set off, at first under quite heavy cloud cover. However, as I reached The Band and started climbing, the weather cleared, and the sun stayed out for the rest of the day.

As you climb the Band, you get great views of the Crinkle Crags to your left (first image) and Pike O'Stickle and the Mickledon valley to your right (second two images).

After a steady climb up the band you reach a small plateau with options to go left or right. This is called Three Tarns - for obvious reasons as there are three small tarns. From here the views extend forwards to Eskdale as well as Langdale behind.

The route to Bowfell is a steep but steady climb to the right. Crinkle Crags (more later) are off to the left. As you approach the summit you walk alongside a large expanse of sloping rock - the Great Slab of Flat Crags. The views back over Langdale are spectacular.

Pike O'Stickle and the Langdale Pikes still dominate the middle distance, but look increasingly small as you go higher.

The short distance further on, the summit of Bowfell provides spectacular views in all directions.

Firstly back towards Langdale and the Langdale Pikes.

The view the other way is dominated by the Scafell range - the two highest peaks in England - Scafell (left) and Scafell Pike (right).

Moving round towards Langdale brings views towards Glaramara.

And then distant views of the Helvellyn range in the east.

With great views of the River Esk snaking through Eskdale in the other direction.

The weather was glorious. With my initial target for the day achieved, I took my time to savour the views (and take one or two pictures!!)

This next image shows the view back from where I had come. Three Tarns is at the foot of the picture with the route off to the right to Crinkle Crags. Pike O'Blisco is seen in the middle left of the picture, and Great Knott can be seen middle right, with the Coniston fells in the background. At that point I wasn't to know, but the next day I would stand on those fells and look back on the route of this walk from the other direction!

It was such a great day and I had plenty of time, so I decided to extend my walk to Crinkle Crags.

More of from there in the next post.

Fuerteventura - Turnstone

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 21:20:10 GMT

Fuerteventura - Turnstone

Whilst you could get close to the Whimbrel, you could get even closer to Turnstone. Whilst there were lots of Whimbrel, they were all individual birds, whereas Turnstone were numerous, running around in the beach in large numbers. If you walked out onto the rocks and waited then they would come up and walk around your feet. They are quite striking birds and I enjoy photographing them.

For more images of this terrific little bird please go to the Wading Birds gallery here.

Fuerterventura - Whimbrel

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 15:31:08 GMT

A mix of landscape and wildlife

More from the Lakes in the next couple of days. I have quite a backlog of photos so my next few posts will come closer together and be a mixture of landscape images from the Lakes and birds from Fuerteventura.

Fuerteventura

After a long hard year at work, we treated ourselves to 10 days in the sun last October when we went to Correlajo in Fuerteventura. This was primarily a holiday to relax and lie by the pool or on the extensive white sands that border the sand dunes of the Parque Natural de Correlajo. And this we did. But having said this, the opportunities for bird photography were really quite good, without really having to do much more than go out for a walk.

Whimbrel

One thing that stands out from this holiday was the ability to get really close to wading birds that you would struggle to get near in the UK, and some which you might not even see very often. One of the birds we saw on the first evening, as we strolled along the beach to find a restaurant, proved to be relatively common and, with care, quite easy to approach.

The Whimbrel is very similar in appearance to the more familiar Curlew, but is smaller, has a shorter bill and two broad lateral stripes on an otherwise pale crown. There were large numbers of individual birds along the rocky shoreline around Correlajo.

One bird in particular allowed me to get very close indeed.

I particularly liked getting down low and using the dark rock in the background to really make the bird stand out.

It was amazing how close you could get to these birds!

For many more Whimbrel images from around the Correlajo coastline please go to the Wading Birds gallery here.

Lake District - Newlands Horseshoe

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 12:51:19 GMT

Newlands Horseshoe

The day after we walked the Martindale Horseshoe we tried another horseshoe walk - the Newlands Horseshoe. The route we took was to start in the Newlands Valley, walk up to Hindscarth and across Hindscarth ridge to Dale Head, across to High Spy, and then down Maiden Moor to the summit of Cat Bells, retracing our steps briefly to go down to the valley floor and back to the car. Unfortunately, whilst the weather remained largely dry, it was generally duller, although the sun did come out briefly later in the day.

The first two images show the route up to Hindscarth. In the second picture, looking back the way we have just come, you can see the other end of the horseshoe, with Cat Bells in the top part of the image.

The next two images show the view down Newlands from the head of the valley. The weather was very mixed up here and unfortunately really closed in when we reached the summit of Dale Head.

We had better weather on route to the summit Cairn of High Spy on the other side of the valley. You can see Derwent Water in the distance.

From there our route took us down over Maiden Moor with good views of the bottom end of Derwent Water and surrounding fells. I think the low cloud really adds to the atmosphere.

The weather closed in again as we approached Cat Bells with both Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwent Water in view, and Skiddaw hiding amongst the clouds.

This final image is taken from the summit of Cat Bells and shows Skiddaw shrouded in cloud.

For more images from this walk please go to the Newlands Horseshoe Gallery here.

Lake District - Martindale Horseshoe

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 21:15:16 GMT

Landscape images - the Lake District

I thought it was about time I posted some landscape images. This post will be the first of a number from my favourite part of the country, probably my favourite place anywhere - the Lake District.

I live in the East Midlands and have a very busy job and family life, so I relish every opportunity I get to go to the Lakes. Recently this has involved two or three trips a year. I go walking with my best mate Duncan and also with a group of friends from work. None of these friends are photographers, and we primarily go to walk and get high into the hills, so I dispense with a tripod and limit my kit to my EOS 7D and 15-85 IS lens with a few graduated grey filters. All of the images you will see are hand held, and I often use my relative lack of fitness to my advantage, stopping to grab a few shots and catch my breath at the same time!

As well as taking photos, my interest is increasingly on getting up as many peaks as possible, plotting suitable roots and learning more about the area at the same time. Eventually I plan to turn my posts into proper walking routes, with maps and GPS info etc, like the ones I find other sites when I am looking for my next walk. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the images from these walks.

Martindale Horseshoe

There I something very special about a horseshoe walk - one that gets you high into the hills quite quickly, allowing the bulk of the walk to be at high level, arcs round in a big horseshoe shape, before going down hill again. You can often see much of the walk ahead of you, and look back and see where you have been, with the added advantage that with a short walk at the end you can finish back where you started (and usually where you have left the car).

The Martindale Horseshoe provides the perfect opportunity for isolated walking, in beautiful surroundings. At the southern edge of Ullswater, Martindale is not on any through transport route, and requires a drive down the eastern shore of the lake and down to near the end of a no through road. Beyond the end of the lake the road rises quite steeply, so the walk starts some way above lake level. There is a small parking area near St Martin's church (which incidentally is a good starting point for a quick romp up Hallin Fell) but we parked a short way further on by the side of the road.

Our route took us up the flanks of Steel Knotts (an alternative path takes you over the summit of this Wainwright peak) up to High Raise and Rampsgill Head. The day started cloudy, with the sun occasionally creating patterns on the hills across the valley and beyond.

The sun was only showing brief appearances as we reached Rampsgill Head and looked back down the valley. In both the following images you can also see Ullswater in the distance.

The route proceeds across The Knott and past Rest Dodd before you reach Angletarn Pikes, with fine views in all directions. The views across Ullswater and back towards Brothers Water are spectacular and we were fortunate that the sun decided to break through the clouds just as we arrived.

These first two images show the view towards Brothers Water, with the second showing the wider vista including Deepdale as well.

The view in the other direction, and as we walked towards Beda Fell, was equally spectacular.

I love the Lakes when the sun break through the clouds, lighting up the spectacular scenery in front of you.

As we approached Beda Fell the sun lit up Boredale as well.

So what had started out as a dull day was turning much better. In fact it was the perfect kind of day for photography, with a combination of sun and dark clouds playing patterns of light and shadow across the hills.

And as we walked up and over Beda Fell, the light was simply beautiful, with great views of Ullswater ahead of us almost all the way down. And we had plenty of time to enjoy the late afternoon sun, as we pointed out to Nigel (our time keeper) that his watch was still an hour ahead of British time, following a trip to France the week before!!

This was a thoroughly enjoyable walk and one I would highly recommend. For more details about these images, and many more (a total of 48 images from this walk) please go to the Martindale Horseshoe gallery here.

3 Days in Northumberland - the Best of the Rest

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 22:12:44 GMT

3 Days in Northumberland - the Best of the Rest

Here is a selection of other mages taken on my trip to Northumberland.

Firstly a couple of Arctic Tern portraits from Inner Farne, along with an Arctic Tern chick.

Next a couple of Fulmar Portraits from Staple Island.

These Eider Duck were often found swimming in and around the boats in Seahouses Harbour (where you get the boat to the Farnes). The first is a female, the second a juvenile male.

And finally some Five Spotted Burnet moths from my evening on Lindisfarne.

More images can be found in the respective galleries.

I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Northumberland and Scotland. I hope you have enjoyed the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them!

Shags -part 2

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 15:21:42 GMT

Shags - part 2

The number and proximity of Shags on the Farnes mean you can get more interactive shots as well. Whilst I was there I saw Shags with their families, ranging from the very young, naked, new borns, not dissimilar to the gannet chicks on Bass Rock, to the much larger and fluffier juveniles.

Adult Shags often sit of resting with their eyes closed and beaks open, often shaking in order to keep cool. Preening between adults and juveniles also makes for good photos.

More images of Shags, from both this and previous visits to the Farne Islands, can be found in the Seabirds(other) gallery here.

Gannets in the air

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 20:33:29 GMT

Gannets in the air

Bass Rock also provides great opportunities to get flight shots of Gannets. The first opportunity is from the island itself as there are always hundreds of Gannets flying overhead. And if the wind is in the right direction (particularly when the sun is downwind of the prevailing wind) then you can get some great shots as birds hang in the wind or slow down as they come into land. Unfortunately on all my visits, the wind direction has meant that the Gannets have been landing into the sun, making photography quite tricky.

The following shots were taken of the many Gannets flying over and around the island.

The markings of this juvenile Gannet show clearly in flight.

The other place you can get good flight photos is from the boat. This is true as you approach and leave the island but the best opportunity is the "chumming". The experience of being in and around 150,000 Gannets on the island is quite something. Chumming adds another dimension to the trips altogether. Essentially chumming is when the crew of the boat throw fish into the sea to attract the birds. The first birds that come down are the Herring Gulls. But soon the Gannets take interest, congregating and circling over head. They then dive from great heights to catch the fish, into the sea right besides the boat - amazing!

Again photography can be quite tricky - the birds are very fast and very close - whilst the flight shots over the land are taken with a 100-400 mm lens , the following shots are taken with a 15-85mm lens, sometimes at the 15 mm end. It is all over in a flash (make sure you are ready and don't have to change lenses or cards etc) and there are a lot of birds getting in the way of each other. Most of the time I get one "keeper" out of a series of shots taken whilst the bird prepares and then dives into the water. I still haven't nailed the classical dive shot in three visits - but here are some of my attempts from this trip.

This final shot shows two gannets squabbling over a piece of fish.

Bass Rock is quite simply the best photography (and wildlife) experience I have ever had. I would gladly go again - although to get 4 out of 4 successful landings might be expecting too much!!

There are many more images from this and my previous trips in the Gannets gallery here.

Futher details of the trips themselves itself can be found on the links page.

Lindisfarne

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 21:21:27 GMT

An evening on Lindisfarne

The added bonus of a morning trip to Bass Rock is that you start early and finish by lunch time. So you have the entire afternoon and evening to find other photographic opportunities. I tend to plan my trips in a lot of detail in advance, so I had planned this trip so I could drive south again and get to Lindisfarne before the tide came in.

Lindisfarne, or Holy Island, is an island off the Northumberland coast. It is connected to the mainland by a causeway, which you can drive along, but you need to know what the tides are doing. The causeway gets completely covered at high tide, but not only that, the tides come in very quickly - reportedly quicker than a galloping horse. There are certainly a number of stories of people getting cut off, and there are a couple of rescue platforms specifically for people to take refuge in if they do.

Lindisfarne contains a large castle and a small village community, with pubs, restaurants etc., surrounded by sand dunes, and at low tide, mudflats. The whole area is a nature reserve.

It was the sand dunes that I was heading for, primarily with two photographic opportunities in mind.

The first of these was a butterfly - the Dark Green Fritillary.

I hadn't photographed a Dark Green Fritillary before - on a previous visit I hadn't been able to find any. On this occasion though, I soon found a few butterflies resting on a mound. Crawling on my stomach, and using the 100mm macro lens hand held, I managed to get a couple of images of the underside of the butterfly's wings.

There turned out to be quite a few Dark Green Fritillaries around, flitting out in the early evening sun, occasionally resting with the their wings open. The main challenge was that they were close to the ground, meaning that the backgrounds were generally more cluttered than I would have liked. However, in the end I was fairly pleased with the results.

More Dark Green Friltillary images can be found in the gallery here.

The second photographic opportunity I had in mind was orchids. The sand dunes on Lindisfarne are covered in orchids - mainly Common Spotted Orchids and Marsh Orchids. Unfortunately I was a bit late in the season to photograph these, and most of them had gone over. I did however find one other orchid that I hadn't seen before - the Marsh Helleborine.

After taking a standard record shots, I tried a couple of different compositions, varying the aperture to give a different feeling to the images.

Gannets Sparring

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 18:23:55 GMT

Gannets sparring

One set of shots I was keen to get on Bass Rock was action shots of gannets interacting with one another. In particular, I wanted to get a shot of the Gannet courtship behaviour, when two birds seemingly battle one another including intertwining their necks and bashing their beaks together, stopping occasionally to preen one another. I had some shots that I was quite pleased with from my previous visits, but I wanted to get more.

The sheer speed with which the birds interact makes the behaviour quite difficult to capture. And the sheer number of birds makes catching this behaviour, and getting a clean back ground, even more difficult. So I tried a mix of shots, sometimes trying to include the full birds, and sometimes zooming in to get head shots of the birds as they interacted.

Overall I was pleased with the results.

Shag - part 1

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 19:45:14 GMT

Shag - part 1

Another common bird on the Farne Islands is the Shag. Similar to the perhaps more familiar Cormorant, the Shag is smaller and all dark apart from a yellow patch at the base of the bill. It also lacks the white patch on the face that the Cormorant has. Although small numbers of cormorants are found on the Farnes, they are generally seen from the boat trips as they travel round the islands. Shags, on the other hand, are abundant on both Staple Island and at one end of Inner Farne, where you can get really close to them indeed.

This first set of images is of simple portraits.

ShagFarne Islands, Northumberland

The juvenile birds are fluffier and a distinctive brown colour, in contrast to the bottle green adults.

ShagFarne Islands, Northumberland

This last image is more of a family portrait!

Kittiwakes

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 19:44:34 GMT

Kittiwakes

One of the loudest birds on the Farne Islands is the Kittiwake. Smaller and daintier than the similar Common Gull, they have distinctive black legs and narrower, more pointed wings. Their distinctive call of "kitt-ee-wayke" fills the air, particularly on Staple Island, where the birds can be seen nesting on ledges with their chicks.

This first shot is a simple portrait, showing all the main visual characteristics of a Kittiwake.

The next few shots show adult Kittiwakes at their nests, interacting with their chicks.

More Kittiwake images can be found in the Gulls gallery here.

Gannets with chicks

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 17:22:47 GMT

Gannets with chicks

I was keen to get a few shots of the Gannets interacting with their chicks. The chicks are ever so close in places and great care has to be taken not to disturb them. The chicks were quite young and naked when I visited. As they get older they get a lot fluffier.

The birds are closely packed together so it is sometimes difficult to get a shot with a clean background.

It took a stealthy, low approach through the dirt to get these images of a Gannet with its chick set against the blue sky.

Gannet portraits

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 22:05:05 GMT

Gannet portraits

The photographic opportunities on Bass Rock are huge, with portraits, actions shots, flight shots and close ups of individual birds, adults and chicks and groups of birds all a possibility. This set of images shows simple portraits of individual birds.

GannetBass Rock, East Lothian, Scotland GannetBass Rock, East Lothian, Scotland

I particularly like these last two close up "eye to eye" images of this magnificent bird!

Gannets - part 1

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 16:22:09 GMT

Gannets

I will post more birds from the Farne Islands soon. But on the morning of Day 2 of my trip to Northumberland I travelled north, early in the morning, to the small harbour town of Dunbar in Scotland. My destination was the site of one of the greatest wildlife spectaculars in this country - and probably the world - Bass Rock!

Bass Rock is a small island off the Scottish coastline that is home to approximately 150,000 Gannets. Landing is restricted to special trips run by the Scottish Seabird Centre and is very weather dependent. You travel with 11 other people and your guide, Maggie, in a small fishing boat called the Fisher Lassie (pictured below). The boat lies low in the water making it easier to land against a rock step that has been cut into the rock face. There are numerous reports of people trying for year after year without successfully landing. I have been incredibly lucky. July 2013 was my third trip and I have landed every time - on each occasion on bright sunny days with clear blue skies.

Bass Rock is a magical place. The trip lasts about 5 hours in total, with about 3 - 3.5 hours on the island itself. You land near the island lighthouse before making your way up the steps, birds all around you.

The sky is full of Gannets, but at this stage the true spectacular is yet to unfold. Maggie expertly leads you up more steps, at all times surrounded by birds, so close you could touch them. Herring Gulls also nest near the steps and you have to take care not to step on or disturb their chicks too. Maggie leads you to an area higher up the rock, which she marks off with a rope. Here you can leave your equipment at one end and move around more freely, still getting incredibly close to the birds. At all times Maggie keeps a careful eye on birds and photographers alike to ensure no bird is disturbed in any way.

These first set of images show groups of Gannets, giving you an idea on the scenes in front of you (although they don't really do it justice by any stretch of the imagination).

In my next post we will get a bit closer to the Gannets, some of which had chicks with them.

Razorbill

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 16:19:02 GMT

Razorbill

Superficially similar to the Guillemot, the Razorbill gets its name from a flattened, razor like bill. There are a lot fewer Razorbills than Guillemots on the Farnes. They breed in loosely packed colonies and can often found in pairs or as single birds. Again, they present a photographic challenge, with a black eye, set within a black face.

I particularly like the next set of images of a Razorbill that landed, with fish in it's beak, and then waddled towards me, seeming to pose at it went.

Guillemots - part 2

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 12:01:31 GMT

Guillemots - part 2

Apologies for the delay in my posts. It's been a busy summer with plenty more photos to add to the back log, including Red Kites at Gigrin Farm, Puffins from Skomer Island and butterflies from the Dordogne. But first back to the Farne Islands.

This second set of Guillemot images show interaction between adults and chicks. Guillemots nest on cliff edges and lay one egg that is pear shaped to prevent it rolling off the cliff edge if it is disturbed.

Guillemots - part 1

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 20:56:54 GMT

Guillemots - part 1

One of the birds I had relatively few images of, despite their numbers on the Farnes, is the Guillemot. Nesting on cliff edges, they can often be seen in large groups on top of the cliffs, but until this trip I had relatively few opportunities to photograph them close up. They also present a photographer a couple of challenges. Firstly the simple challenge of both dark (chocolate brown) and white plumage. The other related challenge is that of a dark eye that can often get lost within the chocolate dark plumage. So I was actually quite pleased when the conditions became overcast, reducing the contrast and making photographing these birds slightly easier.

My first set of images is of individual portraits or group shots.

These last two images are of a Bridled Guillemot, with the striking white eye line and line back from the eye.

Arctic Tern attack

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 19:46:48 GMT

Arctic Tern Attack

Another bird I wanted to capture in flight was the Arctic Tern. These birds nest on Inner Farne, and you have to take great care that you don't step on a chick or an egg as you walk along the paths around the island. As you get very close to the nests, the birds are quite aggressive in protecting their young, attacking passers by on a regular basis. It was a shot of an aggressive bird against a blue sky that I was after.

But first, here are a few more standard shots of Arctic Tern in flight. These initial shots are taken at the longer end of the 15-85mm lens or using my 100-400 IS lens.

As I say, these birds are quite aggressive in protecting their nests - a hat is advisable. These following shots are taken using my 15-85 mm lens, often at the 15mm end. It was very hit and miss, but I got a couple of shots that really show an Arctic Tern attack!!

The above images were taken on Day 1 when the sky was blue. Day 3 was a lot cloudier - producing a different kind of image, this time with two birds in the frame.

There will be more Arctic Terns in a later post.

Puffins in Flight

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 16:04:34 GMT

Three Days out for Good Behaviour

A few years ago Rachel gave me an anniversary present of 3 days away with my camera - I'm not quite sure what that says about our relationship (!!??) but I was very pleased with the idea, as it allowed me to travel further afield than I can in a day to take photos. On that occasion I spent three days camping in Northumberland.

To my great delight, and surprise, I was allowed a similar trip the next year, and the next year, and unbelievably it seems to now be an accepted part of my annual calendar. So in early July last year I effectively replicated my first trip - spending three days in Northumberland, two on the Farne Islands and one combining a trip to Bass Rock in Scotland with an afternoon and evening on Lindisfarne.

I spent Day 1 and Day 3 of my trip on the Farne Islands, on both days going on the Billy Shiel's All Day Trip from Seahouses harbour. The weather, and therefore the light was varied, with the two trips offering opportunities of photographing a number of different birds. I will therefore brigade my images by bird rather than go through the photos I took on each individual day. I will start with one of my favourite birds - the Puffin.

Puffins part 1 - Puffins in Flight

I love Puffins - they are great characters and very photogenic. I have photographed them on a number of occasions, both on the Farnes and on Skomer Island off the Pembrokeshire coast. I therefore already have a number of images I am quite pleased with. But I have very few photos of Puffins in flight.

Puffins fly very quickly indeed making them very difficult to capture. One of the best times to catch them is as they come into land. They sometimes hang in the air a bit longer when the wind is in the right direction. The best shots also need good light and a nice blue sky. On Day 1 of my trip I was also blessed with all these conditions coming together. Setting my camera to AI Servo for moving objects, I made full use of the EOS 7Ds ability to take 8 frames a second.

I did get a couple of shots against the green background of the grassy bank the Puffins were nesting in.

But my favourite images were taken against the blue sky.

There will be more Puffin shots from this trip in a later post.

Bedruthan Steps

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 16 May 2014 17:05:00 GMT

Bedruthan Steps

Keeping with landscape images for another post, we move to a set of pictures from our summer holiday in Cornwall. Having spent a number of years holidaying in my Auntie and Uncle's caravan near St Michael's Mount, I have lots of images from that area, many of which are found on this website. However, with the caravan no longer available, we took the opportunity to try somewhere new - still in Cornwall - and spent a lovely week near Padstow.

The main challenge of this holiday was the fact it was camping. Against Rachel's better judgement, we had recently invested in a family tent, But it took all my negotiating skills to get her camping for more than a weekend. I was therefore lucky to get just one opportunity for photography whilst we were there.

I love taking sunset images and there are plenty of opportunities in Cornwall. However, sunsets can be a bit hit and miss. Not only do you need the right light, but with a new location I had to do the best I could in terms of the best viewpoints and compositions.

I chose Bedruthan Steps - a famous and well photographed location. It is also a place where you need to take care and know what the tide is doing. Having cross referenced an outgoing high tide with the sunset I spent an enjoyable, if frustrating evening on the beach at Bedruthan Steps.

My first image is a traditional shot of the sanding rocks at Bedruthan Steps, taken from the cliff tops.

At this point came my first frustration. I hadn't tightened the angle arm on my tripod properly. It came crashing down shattering my best graduated grey filter!! A great start!! Still it could have been worse - and fortunately I had others.

As the tide went out I went down onto the beach and scouted around for images. I found I could access a couple of beaches by going through a narrow tunnel in the rocks - not easy with my tripod. And this presented my second frustration - as the sun set, the colours in the sky were best as I was struggling through this tunnel. This was even more frustrating when I got out and discovered that the tide had gone out sufficiently far that I could have walked around the outside.

Whilst it was tricky to find a composition I liked, I did manage one or two images as the sun set.

As the colour in the sky started to fade, I tried to pick out the shapes and patterns in the sand.

BedruthanBedruthan Steps, Cornwall, UK

I particularly like this channel in the sand that flowed out to the sea. I think the seaweed really adds to the images.

I learned a long time ago to continue taking images well after the sun has set as the colours in the sky often pick up again. Twilight can often be as productive as sunset itself.

I don't often get chance to take sunset photos so I maximise any opportunities I get. Now I shoot digital I can up the ISO from 100 to 200, 400, 800 and even 1600. I usually leave the beach when even this is giving me a 30 second exposure at F5.6. Thankfully I take a head torch with me, particularly important when climbing back up the very steep and slippery steps back to the cliff top here.

For more images from this shoot please visit my Bedruthan Steps gallery here.

Pike O'Stickle and Langdale Pikes

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 16 May 2014 17:00:00 GMT

Langdale Pikes

Our official Water Aid Challenge, the day after Helvellyn, was a shorter walk up the Langdale Pikes and in particular Pike O'Stickle. Whilst the light started bright and clear, it soon became hazy, limiting the photo opportunities.

I did manage to get one or two images of the Langdale Valley on the way up.

The next image looks towards Pike O'Blisco and the Crinkle Crags in the top right corner. In the middle of the image you can see a path winding left to right from a farm up the hillside. This is "The Band" - the quickest route up to Bowfell - a route I took later in the year, that yielded lots of images and that you will see in a later post.

The next couple of images include Blea Tarn, a picturesque tarn worth a visit in its own right. Here I like the light on the tarn the play of light and shadow across the hills.

The following image is from the summit of Pike O'Stickle.

And the final image is of the summit of itself, taken a distance away from Harrison Stickle - the other of the two Landgale Pikes!

More images from this walk can be found in the Langdale gallery here.

I finally reach Helvellyn summit

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 11 May 2014 20:40:37 GMT

Now for a few landscape images from last year.

I finally reach Helvellyn summit

One of my favourite parts of the UK is the Lake District. I love the scenery both at lake level and from the hills, as well as the challenge of getting to the tops of the highest peaks, even though I am not at all good with edges! It is for this reason that, until last year, I hadn't actually reached the summit of Helvellyn, despite staying at Grasswaithe How, part way up the most commonly used route to the top.

Over the past couple of years, I have walked in the lakes with a group of friends, in June, to raise money for the charity Water Aid. A small group of us go up the day before to get some extra walking in, and in my case, get my body used to physical exercise again. This proved a good opportunity for me finally to climb Helvellyn!

Helvellyn is the third highest peak in the Lakes, and indeed England, and is arguably the most famous. There are numerous routes up Helvellyn but by far the most used is the route up from either Patterdale or Glenridding, via Striding Edge. Striding Edge is not for the faint hearted - and for someone like me, not the best route up, at least on my first attempt. An alternative route goes up via the slightly less precarious Swirral Edge - often the route down in a circular walk that goes up Striding Edge and loops round above Red Tarn. After scanning a few photos on the internet (it is after all still an edge!) I decided that his would be OK.

Our route started in Patterdale on the banks of Ullswater, up the minor road into Grisedale, across the Grisedale Beck, and up the well trodden route to the Hole in the Wall. My first two images are of the view back down Grisedale.

The views down Grisedale get better and better as you rise. But I have taken many shots along this path as this is the route I took before sunrise, when we stayed at Grassthwaite How (photos can be found in the Grisedale Gallery using the link at the bottom of this post). Pressing on, you get to a landmark known as Hole in the Wall - which is fairly self explanatory - the wall is marked on the map. Beyond this, the scene opens up with Red Tarn in front of you - head left for Striding Edge - we were going right up Swirral Edge.

Looking back down on Red Tarn and across to Striding Edge.

As we get to the top we look back towards Catstye Cam and the route we have just come up from the right. You can see Ullswater in the distance.

Once you get to the tops there is a lot of space. The summit of Helvellyn is quite broad with stories of a plane being landed up there. The views are spectacular with Red Tarn and Ullswater dominating the view.

As you move across the summit you get increasingly good views of Striding Edge.

From Helvellyn summit we continued across the tops across Nethermost Pike and Dollywaggon Pike. We had a very near miss as thankfully we heard a shout (from about half a mile away) of "has any one lost any car keys?" - yes that turned out to be my car key - that could have been a very long walk back!

From Dollywaggon Pike we came down the hillside to Grisedale Tarn, from where we had two choices. Back down Grisedale Valley, or up and over the other side of the valley over St Sunday Crag. It was such a lovely day, and having been to the summit of St Sunday Crag before (from the other side), I persuaded everyone to take in the high level views.

As you come down St Sunday Crag into Patterdale, Ullswater gets closer and closer.

Next stop was the pub in Patterdale and a well earned pint. It had been a great day!

For more images from this walk please go to the Grisedale, Helvellyn and St Sunday Crag galleries.

Goldfinch

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 17:00:00 GMT

Goldfinch

The prettiest bird that comes into the garden still has to be the Goldfinch. Even their twittering call is attractive and brings with it the anticipation of activity and a splash of colour. I never tire of photographing these birds - so here are a few more images!

More images of these birds, and other finches seen in recent blogs, can be found in the Finches gallery here

Greenfinch

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 17:00:00 GMT

Greenfinch

Both male and female Greenfinches come to the set up quite regularly. They have the habit of sitting quite still in one place, but generally whilst they are gorging on seed, making for quite messy photos. The art is to photograph them before they start to eat, or to catch the moment just after they have swallowed!

I'll start with the more dainty looking female bird.

The male is a handsome but somewhat sterner looking bird.

Chaffinch

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 19:30:00 GMT

Chaffinch

Back to the garden set up and a bird that I don't often photograph. As ground feeders, the Chaffinches don't tend to come up onto the set up I have in front of my hide, choosing to feed from the seed that falls to the ground instead. But just recently one male bird has chosen to be adventurous, allowing a couple of shots. The female birds stay firmly on the ground.

Great Egrets - part 3

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 17:10:00 GMT

Great Egrets - part 3

I thought I would end my posts from Florida in the way I started - with undoubtedly the bird of the holiday - the Great Egret! I love this magnificent, elegant bird and I loved the opportunity to see them close up in the wild, in their natural habitat. The first two posts were of photos taken on my early morning visit to Gatorland with the egrets building their nests or tending their eggs in the green vegetation of the marsh. These final images include flight shots, close ups and shots of a bird in a lakeside habitat, all set against a blue background of sky of water.

Great EgretGatorland, Florida, USA

Great EgretGatorland, Florida, USA Great EgretGatorland, Florida, USA

Great EgretGatorland, Florida, USA

I hope you have enjoyed my photos from our trip to Florida. I'm sure you'll agree that there were plenty of opportunities for photography even though it was a family holiday. Goodness knows how many photos I could have taken on a photographic trip!! So if you go to see Mickey and Minnie - don't forget your camera!!!

And for the full suite of photos from the trip please see my Florida Birds gallery here

American Robin, Grackle & Catbird

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 17:05:00 GMT

American Robin, Grackle & Catbird

This penultimate blog from Florida picks up the remaining species I photographed on this trip.

Firstly, two species of Grackle. Grackles are large iridescent Blackbirds, found almost anywhere. They were particularly numerous in Animal Kingdom but were found pretty much anywhere we went. The first two images are of the larger Boat-Tailed Grackle. The second two, the Common Grackle.

Common GrackleFlorida, USA

This next image is the one and only image I managed of an American Robin.

American RobinGatorland, Florida, USA

This Grey Catbird came to eat berries off a bush just in front of me whilst I was walking along the boardwalk at Gatorland.

Grey CatbirdGatorland, Florida, USA

And this final image is of an Anhinga, sunning itself in the early morning sun, again at Gatorland.

Anhinga 2aFlorida, USA

Walt Disney World's Fabulous Birds

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 17:00:00 GMT

Walt Disney World's Fabulous Birds

I am nearing the end of my posts from our trip to Florida. There are one more set of Great Egret images to come, but first an eclectic selection of birds taken throughout the trip. This first post is of images taken within the different parks of Walt Disney World.

Firstly a Pied Billed Grebe taken on the main lake at Disney's Epcot Park.

This American Coot was also taken on one of the smaller ponds at Epcot.

This Hooded Merganser was taken, in very dull light, on one of the lakes in Magic Kingdom.

These Double Crested Cormorant images were taken on the same lake in much better light.

Double Crested CormorantFlorida, USA Double Crested CormorantFlorida, USA

Double Crested CormorantFlorida, USA

And this final image is of a Mourning Dove, taken in the middle of Animal Kingdom, whilst we were waiting to buy some food.

Mourning DoveFlorida, USA

Even without a special photographic trip, simply visiting Walt Disney World with your camera (don't forget the kids) can produce a range of different bird images!

Wood Stork

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 17:00:00 GMT

Wood Stork

Back to Florida again, for yet another impressive species photographed in the Gatorland Rookery. The Wood Stork is a very large white bird with a dark naked head, not dissimilar in appearance to a vulture. Numerous pairs of these storks were starting to nest nesting on the far side of the lakes at Gatorland.

Wood StorksGatorland, Florida, USA

Wood StorkGatorland, Florida, USA

When we visited Gatorland during the day I was able to get some nice close up images too.

Wood StorkGatorland, Florida, USA Wood StorkGatorland, Florida, USA

Wood StorkGatorland, Florida, USA

Some of the birds had also come down into the water.

Wood StorkGatorland, Florida, USA

This final image of a Wood Stork in flight was taken in the early morning.

Wood StorkGatorland, Florida, USA

Starling

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 17:00:00 GMT

A Noisy yet Beautiful Bird

Another bird that hasn't visited my set up until recently is the Starling. A common (and noisy) bird it is often ignored in favour of other, more glamorous, species. But look at it closely and you can see it is actually a beautiful bird with iridescent feathers that glow in a multitude of colours when caught by the sunlight.

It is also a bird that makes me thankful for the zoom nature of the 100-400 mm lens, when photographing birds that could otherwise be the size of a Coal Tit.

For more Starling images please visit the Garden Birds gallery here

Great Tit & Long Tailed Tit

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 17:05:00 GMT

Great Tit & Long Tailed Tit

One of my favourite birds is the Great Tit. I love the combination of black and yellow and the striking poses that this bird can take. This is one bird that does take the same route to the feeder each time, posing nicely on route for a photo!!

During one recent session I was really pleased to see a fourth member of the Tit Family in front of the hide. Unfortunately, this Long Tailed Tit took me completely by surprise, clinging to thee side of a log in an awkward position. I took just three photos, only one of which came out (sort of), before it flew off, and so far it has not returned!!

For more images of Blue Tit, Coal Tit and Great Tit from the garden, and Long Tailed Tit images from elsewhere, please go to the Garden Birds gallery here.

Blue Tit & Coal Tit

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 17:00:00 GMT

Blue Tit & Coal Tit

Whilst Goldfinches and Robins came to the set up almost straight away, soon to be joined by Greenfinches, it seemed to take quite a while before any member of the Tit family came down to feed. And when they do come down they often fly straight into the feeders and off again. In the end though, with a lot of patience, I have managed photos of four species of tit, staring here with the Blue Tit.

Another very flitty visitor is the Coal Tit. We used to get these birds visiting the garden quite regularly but we now only get them occasionally since we had our big conifer tree cut down. this year two birds have visited quite regularly. Again you have to be very patient and very quick to get a shot of this gorgeous little bird!

Redpoll

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 17:05:00 GMT

A new visitor to the garden

It won't be long before the bird hide has to come down and the lawn returned to a football pitch and family garden. But we have had quite a large variety of birds come down to feed this year, and as the birds has come accustomed to the set up I have been really pleased to capture one or two new species.

One of my favourite has been another member of the finch family, the Redpoll. Both a male and a female Redpoll have come down to feed on the niger seed in one of my feeders, giving me some quite pleasing images.

For more Redpoll images please go to the Finches gallery here.

Florida Birds of Prey

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 17:00:00 GMT

Florida Birds of Prey

Whilst we were in Florida we saw a number of birds of prey, but the most common by far were vultures. There were generally two species of vulture that could be seen flying high on the thermals above the parks, or pretty much anywhere we went. The bigger of these birds, the Turkey Vulture, remained out of photographic range. The other, the Black Vulture, was more confiding, particularly in places frequented by other animals and birds. The following images were taken at Gatorland in or around the bird rookery.

Black VulturesGatorland, Florida, USA

I was able to get some lovely close up images of the vultures that congregated near one of the alligator pens.

Black VultureGatorland, Florida, USA Black VultureGatorland, Florida, USA

Black VultureGatorland, Florida, USA

I was also pleased to capture on in flight, although the exposure was tricky against the bright blue sky.

One of the other common birds of prey, wherever there is water, is the Osprey. Still quite a rarity in the UK, they are a lot more common in Florida. Unfortunately I only manage to grab a coupe of flight shots.

OspreyFlorida, USA

I managed to grab photos of two other species as well. This Red Shouldered Hawk flew into a nearby tree whilst we were in Disney's Animal Kingdom.

And this final image was taken late one evening over the lake at Disney's Boardwalk. I am not sure, but I think it is an immature Bald Eagle.

Bald Eagle (juvenile)Florida, USA

Roseate Spoonbill

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 21:37:01 GMT

Roseate Spoonbill

One of the birds I was hoping to photograph in Florida was the Roseate Spoonbill. I find Spoonbills fascinating birds, and love to watch them feeding with that huge bill sweeping rapidly from side to side. But I have only occasionally seen Spoonbills in the UK and then of course they are the all white Common Spoonbills. I planned to photograph their pink relations, which I had previously only seen fly overhead on our previous trip to Florida, on honeymoon over 15 years ago. I was therefore a little bit disappointed when I didn't see any on my early morning visit to the rookery.

However, we visited Gatorland the next day with the kids. Imagine my excitement when I saw a whole group of birds that looked like were starting to nest at the back of the rookery. Although the light was harsh, and access quite difficult, I did manage to get a few photos of this beautiful bird!

Black Crowned Night Heron

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 21:36:45 GMT

Black-Crowned Night Heron

Another member of the heron family found at Gatorland Rookery is the Black-Crowned Night Heron. A stocky little bird, it is often found hunched and inactive, making it relatively easy to get quite close. The first birds I photographed were high up in a tree, along with the Cattle Egrets previously posted.

Later in the morning I was able to get close to a couple of birds and fill more of the frame with the bird. I love it's striking red eye.

Great Egrets part 2

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 20:38:18 GMT

Great Egrets - part 2

Back to Florida again and my second post of Great Egret images. Gatorland Rookery is a particularly good place to see these birds in their natural habitat, allowing images on the nest, in and around the water and overhead. All these images are taken on my early morning photographic visit to the site.

Great EgretGatorland, Florida, USA

Great EgretGatorland, Florida, USA Great EgretGatorland, Florida, USA

Great EgretGatorland, Florida, USA

Even more of these great birds in a later post!!

More Garden Birds

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 20:38:05 GMT

More Garden Birds

Whilst my second session in my hide was dominated by two friendly Robins, there were a couple of other common garden birds that also came down to feed. Whilst these are birds we see every day, it's nice to watch them from only a few feet away.

Perhaps not the most glamorous of birds, the blackbird is still quite handsome. And close up the detail in the birds feathers is actually quite remarkable.

The male Chaffinch is a very handsome bird but usually just comes to feed in the grass in front of my hide.

And finally a couple more images of the beautiful Goldfinch. We now have 5 or 6 birds in the garden at any one time. In previous years we have had up to 20.

Laughing Gull & Royal Tern

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 20:41:31 GMT

Laughing Gull and Royal Tern

I photographed another gull whilst on Cocoa Beach. Again a common bird, the Laughing Gull superficially looks and behaves a bit like our Black Headed Gull, but is thicker set. I enjoyed trying to photograph them against the bright blue sky.

Laughing GullCocoa Beach, Florida, USA

The final bird I photographed on our day trip to Cocoa Beach was the Royal Tern. A pretty bird, I managed to grab a couple of shots as it flew past. Again I like the contrast of a largely white bird against a blue sky, with the orange yellow bill adding a splash of colour.

Royal TernCocoa Beach, Florida, USA

Ring Billed Gull

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 20:41:09 GMT

Ring Billed Gull

Another common bird around the Florida parks was the Ring Billed Gull. A rare visitor the UK, this was the common gull around lakes and ponds and also on our trip to the coast. It looks a bit like our Herring Gull in general build, but the adult bird has yellow legs and as the name suggests it has a very pronounced ring around its bill. Whilst I took pictures in a number of locations the most pleasing ones were at Cocoa Beach.

Ring Billed GullFlorida, USA

Robin

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 20:10:32 GMT

Robin

My opportunities for photography during the winter months are restricted to weekends. Even then, as a dutiful husband and father, I have to fit it in around football, ballet and shopping. Quite often, particularly recently, the weather is then poor. So I felt particularly lucky to get two Saturdays in a row, in the hide with decent light.

My first visit had seen a mixture of birds come down, but only one fleeting visit from a Robin. This session was however, dominated by two Robins, who came down quite frequently, offering a number of different photo opportunities.

For more images of these Robins please go the Garden Birds gallery here.

Ruddy Turnstone

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 18:00:00 GMT

Ruddy Turnstone

Back to Florida!

If photographing the Brown Pelicans involved a short stroll along the pier, another bird required even less effort. Simply sitting and sunbathing on the beach, allowed photographs of Ruddy Turnstone as they scuttled along the sand, often right up to me! Occasionally I saw fit to expend enough energy to roll over and get a low birds-eye view of this attractive wader!

These are the same birds we simply call Turnstone - so not a new bird, but it was lovely to get this close with such little effort!!

Quick - the sun has come out

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 21:46:35 GMT

Quick - the sun has come out!

A very strange thing happened yesterday. The sky turned a weird blue colour and there was a bright yellow ball shining away for much of the day. A quick look back through history revealed the return of a miracle - the sun had come out!

Not only was it out, but it had come out as forecast. Having spotted this I had quickly added some perches in and around my bird feeders the day before, although it was blowing a gale and there was no hope of putting up my hide. But I woke the next morning to a calm winter's day, quickly set up my garden hide and took my first photos of 2014 - yes the first photos and it is mid February already!!

My first session in my hide is always a bit hit and miss and hopefully there will be more to come. But I was pleased that a variety of birds came down, all seemingly unperturbed by the strange camouflaged tent that had suddenly appeared with a large lens sticking out the front.

One bird that came down almost immediately was a Robin.

A couple of Greenfinches also came down to feed.

My hide was set up at a distance from the perches suitable for taking photos of these smaller birds, not large birds like the Woodpigeon. But one such pigeon decided to come down and sit in front of me, not allowing any other bird anywhere near. It sat there for what seemed forever, eating every bit of seed it could find, despite my best efforts to get it to move. Fortunately though, the 100-400 mm zoom lens allowed me to take a range of images of this slightly less welcome visitor, before it finally flew off to the bushes.

A bird I was pleased to see was the Goldfinch. A pretty little bird, up to four or five would come down to feed at any one time.

For more images please see the Finches and Doves & Pigeons Galleries.

Hopefully I will get more images over the coming weeks. I'm not sure Rachel is best pleased that the hide is back up and I'm not sure Sam has realised yet his football pitch has disappeared. I'm not sure the lawn was thanking me for squelching around on it either.

But I was just pleased to see the sun and get the camera out again!

More from both the hide and from the trip to Florida soon!

Brown Pelican

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 13:02:01 GMT

Brown Pelican

One day towards the end of the holiday we left the excitement of Disney and travelled to the east coast of Florida to Cocoa Beach. Just down the coast from Cape Canaveral, this long expanse of golden sand is great for sunbathing and relaxation. We spent a lovely day near the pier, which we realised we had seen on TV a number of times as the place where people watch the launch of the Space Shuttle. Unfortunately we didn't have time to visit the nearby wildlife mecca of Merritt Island reserve, but a simple family day on the beach brought it's own bird photographic opportunities.

By far the largest bird we saw in Florida was the Brown Pelican. They were relatively common on and around Cocoa Beach and very accustomed to humans, perching on the rails of the pier or waddling across the sand. I think they're great - and such characters. I particularly liked the images I could get looking up at the birds as they sat on the pier café roof above me!

White Ibis

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 12:59:54 GMT

White Ibis

Another relatively common bird, particularly around the parks and lakes at Disney World, is the White Ibis. They were particularly accustomed to humans and allowed a very close approach, often within the minimum focus distance of my lens. I love their pink legs and bill and comical looks (look closely and their faces remind me a bit of turkeys). The following photos were taken at Epcot, Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom.

White IbisFlorida, USA

They were particularly common around Animal Kingdom, in the trees alongside the rivers that run through the park.

White IbisFlorida, USA

And as it gets dark they congregate in large numbers to roost in the trees.

White Ibis roostFlorida, USA

Palm Warbler

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 18:30:00 GMT

Palm Warbler

One of the birds I saw quite frequently during the holiday was the Palm Warbler. At first glance it is a classic "lbj" or little brown job. On closer inspection though, it is quite an attractive bird, that constantly bobs it's tail. These photographs were taken at Disney's Epcot Park, and at Gatorland, but I saw them in a number of places.

Palm WarblerFlorida, USA

Other Villa Wildlife

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 18:30:00 GMT

Other Villa Wildlife

Whilst most of our daylight hours were spent away from the villa, I did manage to grab a few images in the early mornings as we got ready to go out.

These first two images are of an Eastern Bluebird, taken looking vertically up a tree at back of the villa.

Eastern BluebirdDavenport, Florida, USA

This Red Headed Woodpecker was in a tree across the road from the villa.

This Pine Warbler was one of a group of birds that flitted in the trees and grass at the back of the villa.

Something had told me I should take my walking boots with me on holiday. After all I didn't really know what I might find in the scrubland at the back of the villa!. I joked with Rachel that I was wearing my boots in case I came across a snake or something similar. Imagine my surprise when I actually did!!

Southern RacerDavenport, Florida, USA

The Canon 100-400mm lens has a minimum focussing distance of 1.8m - which it probably was a good job as I didn't know what kind of snake I had disturbed just feet away from the villa perimeter. Fortunately I think this is a non-venous Racer and not one of the six venomous snakes found in Florida!!

Northern Mocking Bird

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 18:47:38 GMT

Northern Mocking Bird

There are plenty more photos from the bird rookery to come, including more Great Egret images as well as Black Crowned Night Heron, Roseate Spoonbill and Wood Stork. But more of those later.

Rather than stay in a Walt Disney hotel we decided to rent a villa at Calabay Park a few miles to the west. Calabay Park is a relatively new development, surrounded by undeveloped land. One of the reasons we chose our specific villa was because it backed onto a small area of scrubland and woodland. As well as being a place of rest and relaxation away from the excitement of Disney World, I hoped that his might provide some additional photo opportunities - and I was right.

Each morning there was one bird that would sing loudly and melodiously from the back of the villa, accompanied by a range of other calls and sounds. This was the Northern Mocking Bird, a good mimic, with a distinctive flash of black and white in flight. At least two birds visited the area each morning - after a while allowing a close approach in the early morning sunlight.

Cattle Egret, Green Heron & Little Blue Heron

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 18:30:00 GMT

Cattle Egret, Green Heron & Little Blue Heron

The final species of egret I photographed at the bird rookery was the Cattle Egret. This is the same species that can be occasionally seen in the UK. A smaller bird than the other two, I wasn't able to get as close as the Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets, but I was able to get a couple of shots I was quite pleased with.

Cattle EgretGatorland, Florida, USA Cattle EgretsGatorland, Florida, USA Cattle EgretsGatorland, Florida, USA

A similar sized bird to the Cattle Egret is the Green Heron, although it is considerably more colourful. On my trip to the rookery, I just saw one single bird, skulking around a bush close to the boardwalk. It only came out into the open briefly, just long enough for a couple of photos.

Green HeronGatorland, Florida, USA Green HeronGatorland, Florida, USA

One bird that did allow a close approach was the Little Blue Heron. This first bird stood on the rail of the boardwalk and allowed me to get within just a few feet for this close up image.

Birds in neighbouring bushes allowed fuller portrait images, including a leucistic bird, which at first glance could be mistaken for a Cattle Egret.

Snowy Egret

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 18:00:00 GMT

Snowy Egret

A much smaller and more delicate bird than the Great Egret, the Snowy Egret is another bird that nests around the bird rookery. I love the Snowy Egret's crest and yellow/orange feet - a particularly attractive bird. It is very similar to the Little Egret, but the UK bird has blue green /blue grey lores around the eyes rather than the yellow lores of the Snowy Egret.

Snowy EgretGatorland, Florida, USA

Snowy EgretGatorland, Florida, USA Snowy EgretGatorland, Florida, USA Snowy EgretGatorland, Florida, USA Snowy EgretGatorland, Florida, USA Snowy EgretGatorland, Florida, USA

Snowy EgretGatorland, Florida, USA

Great Blue Heron

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 17 Jan 2014 18:00:00 GMT

Great Blue Heron

Another large bird found in the marsh at the rookery is the Great Blue Heron. Similar to the Grey Heron found in the UK, it stands very still whilst hunting for fish, providing great opportunities for photos.

Great Blue HeronGatorland, Florida, USA

Great Blue HeronGatorland, Florida, USA Great Blue HeronGatorland, Florida, USA Great Blue HeronGatorland, Florida, USA Great Blue HeronGatorland, Florida, USA Great Blue HeronGatorland, Florida, USA

Flight photography is not one of my strong points. But at least these Heron fly quite slowly!

Florida's Fabulous Birds

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 18:00:00 GMT

Florida's Fabulous Birds

One of the highlights of 2013 was a family holiday to visit Mickey & Minnie at Walt Disney World in Florida. This was very much a family holiday for the kids (if you count me as a big kid!), with only one period of about three hours specifically set aside for photography. But Florida in February is great for bird photography wherever you are, with the birds far more camera friendly than in the UK.

Great Egret - part 1

One of the birds I photographed the most during my trip was the Great Egret.

These magnificent birds were relatively common, with one even appearing in the front garden of the villa we were staying in. This first image was actually taken at Walt Disney World itself during one of our visits to Magic Kingdom.

One of the best places to photograph these birds though provided a very much more natural setting. The famous Gatorland Bird Rookery was created in 1991 as an alligator breeding marsh. This unique habitat has grown into one of the largest and most accessible wading bird rookeries in Florida. Today, this area provides protected nesting, foraging, and roosting area to over 20 different species of wild bird, many of which are listed as Endangered or Species of Special Concern. Photographers can buy a special pass to enter the park outside normal opening times when the light is much better for photography.

Here is a selection of Great Egret images from my early morning visit to the rookery.

Great EgretGatorland, Florida, USA

You really can get close to these birds. All these photos are taken with the Canon 100-400mm IS lens.

Great EgretGatorland, Florida, USA

More of these fabulous birds later!

Happy New Year

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 22:08:28 GMT

Happy New Year!

Having promised a regular update to this blog back in early 2013 I realise I have singularly failed in keeping my website up to date. However, 2014 is a new year and I am already starting to catch up on my backlog of photos.

Photographically, 2013 was actually a very productive year, with trips to Florida, the Farne Islands & Bass Rock, Cornwall, the Lake District and Fuerteventura all producing a range of images.

As a taster here are two shots from Florida, a Roseate Spoonbill and a Brown Pelican- just two of around 30 different species from this trip alone that will appear here over the next few weeks.

As ever I would really welcome your feedback and comments.

In the meantime, Happy New Year and watch this space!

Miscellaneous Fungi

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Thu, 30 May 2013 21:56:33 GMT

Miscellaneous Fungi

This second post from my two visits to Morkery Wood is simply a collection of Miscellaneous Fungi. Any help with identification would be very welcome!

The Deceiver

Puff Balls

I am pretty certain that the fungi above are Common Puffballs.

I particularly like these last two images.

For more fungi from these trips, including bracket fungi and other miscellaneous shots, please go the Fungi Gallery here.

Mycena Fungi

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Thu, 30 May 2013 21:03:09 GMT

Mycena Fungi

Last autumn I made a couple of visits to one of my favourite local woods, to find fungi. Morkery Wood is a place I have visited a number of times before. It's great having it just a short drive away - again I wasn't disappointed.

I have divided the photos into two main groups - the first is Mycena Fungi - generally small fungi, they grow in groups and are often one of the most photogenic species.

Mycena Fungi

Mycena Fungi Mycena Fungi Mycena Fungi Mycena Fungi

For more images of Mycena Fungi, both from these trips and from other trips and locations, please go to the gallery here.

Red Kite

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:23:26 GMT

I'll return to Cornwall in a few posts time. Now for some more wildlife.

Red Kites

One of my favourite birds in the Red Kite. It's not so long ago that these birds were extremely rare. Now it is not uncommon to see three of four birds flying over the fields near where I live, with up to seven seen at any one time. Getting anywhere near them, on the other hand, is a different matter.

During a family walk in the snow in February this year, I noticed that one of two of the Kites would fly up and down the railway line that runs near my home. I suspected that they were hunting for food - maybe this was a regular thing? The weather was gloomy, and we were busy sledging with the kids, but I vowed to return to investigate. A few days later, the snow almost completely disappeared and my attention returned to other things.

Then towards the end of February we had another sharp fall of snow. I woke up one Saturday morning to find several inches on the ground and a beautiful clear blue sky. I persuaded my wide for a pass out and made my way to where I had seen the birds. I couldn't believe my luck. They were still there. I found a great vantage point that concealed me from the birds but that meant that from time to time they came close by over head. The lying snow really helped, providing near perfect lighting conditions, as the undersides of the birds were really well lit, with the birds set against a bright blue sky. On one or two occasions my excitement got the better of me, and the cold made taking photos very difficult indeed. But I finally managed a couple of shots of these magnificent birds - not 10 minutes walk from where I live!

Red Kite in Flight Red Kite in Flight Red Kite in Flight Red Kite in Flight

And my favourite shot

Red Kite in Flight

For more images of these Kites please go to the Owls & Raptors gallery here

Cape Cornwall

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:05:00 GMT

Priest's Cove - part 2

Cape Cornwall is essentially a headland with a small monument on the top. This presents challenges photographically as the light drops as the headland becomes a sold block of rock. Fortunately there are one of two standing rocks just of the main headland, which along with the foreground rocks I was standing on, allowed a range of interesting images.

Priest's Cove Priest's Cove Priest's Cove Priest's Cove Priest's Cove Priest's Cove Priest's Cove Priest's Cove

My favourite image is this last one - a close up image, slightly more abstract - but it's the one that evokes the memories of my first trip to Priests Cove.

For more images from Priest's Cove, both of the Brisons and of Cape Cornwall headland, please go the the gallery here.

A new view of a familiar landmark

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:00:00 GMT

Priest's Cove - part 1

One of the places I hadn't visited before last summer was Cape Cornwall. Just around the corner from one of my favourite places, Porth Nanven, is a bay called Priest's Cove. Bigger, and with easier access, it doesn't quite have the solitude and atmosphere that I like about that Porth Nanven. But it easier to walk around and offers views of the headland that is Cape Cornwall. It also provides a different view of a familiar landmark.

Two large rocks just offshore - the Brisons - form the focal point of many of my images at Porth Nanven. They are also clearly visible from Priest's Cove. The challenge on this particular evening was the stillness of the water. I like using slow shutter speeds and the movement of the water to add blur to some of my seascape images. But on this occasion the water had almost no movement in it at all. Fortunately the sky did have some colour in it, and the rocks in the foreground provided some foreground interest.

The Brisons from Priest's Cove

The Brisons from Priest's Cove The Brisons from Priest's Cove The Brisons from Priest's Cove

The Brisons from Priest's Cove

As the light dropped I was able to use the slight movement in the water, and I turned my attention to Cape Cornwall itself.

A revisit to Grodrevy Lighthouse

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:47:37 GMT

For the past two or three of summers we have been very fortunate in being able to use my Auntie & Uncle's caravan down in Cornwall. Situated just a couple of miles from St Michael's Mount on the south coast, but only 5 or 6 miles from the north coast and just over 10 miles to Land's End, it provided numerous photo opportunities, as well as being a great location for a family holiday.

Last August saw our final opportunity to use the caravan - the last opportunity to visit some of my favourite locations, at least for a while, as well as find one or two new ones.

Godrevy Lighthouse

One of my favourite locations is Godrevy Lighthouse at the end of St Ives Bay on the north coast. When I look back through images from different visits, it's interesting to see the different conditions I have found. I have yet to be able to replicate the amazing images I have seen others take. But once again, this visit provided different conditions and one or two images I was pleased with.

Godrevy Sunset Godrevy Sunset Godrevy Sunset Godrevy Sunset

Godrevy Sunset

I think these images show how the changing light conditions throughout one evening can produce a different kind of feel to your photographs.

For more images from Godrevy please go to the relevant gallery here

A glorious summer's morning

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 10 May 2013 17:00:00 GMT

It's a while since have updated my website, as work and family commitments have taken priority. And it seems quite a whilst since I actually used my camera in anger. But a quick flick through my backlog of raw images reveals a range of photos, both wildlife and landscape. From coastal sunsets at new locations in Cornwall, to storm clad hills in the Lakes. From images of Red Kite taken just ten minutes walk from my front door, and fungi in local woodland, to a spring time trip to meet Mickey and Minnie in Florida which, despite being a family theme park holiday, produced photos of over 30 species of bird. But more of those to come.

The sun seems to have come out for the first time in ages this week, with a real warmth that, for a few days at least, suggests that we might actually get a summer. With this in mind, my first set of images takes us back to July of last year and a glorious summer morning at Barnack Hills & Holes.

One of the specialities of this nature reserve is the Marbled White Butterfly. A visit the previous year had been too late, but on this occasion I was in luck. The Marbled Whites were there in large numbers, allowing me the first opportunity to use my new Canon 100mm IS macro lens.

I arrived quite early, finding a butterfly sunning itself in the dappled early morning light.

Marbled White

As the sun rose the butterflies became more active. Using my new image stabilised lens hands free allowed me great freedom to move round and get a set of different images.

Marbled White

For more images of Marbled Whites please go to the Butterflies gallery here

Sedge Warbler

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 21:53:22 GMT

But the star of the show was a much smaller bird, singing in one of the roadside bushes - a Sedge Warbler. I'm not sure that I haven't seen, or even photographed, a Sedge Warbler in the same bush in a previous year. This particular bird was very confiding - it would come and sit out on a relatively exposed branch for quite a few minutes at a time, and seemed unconcerned by my slow but careful approach. When it did occasionally fly off, it was only to the next bush, and it wasn't long before it returned, again seemingly unperturbed by my presence!

I took a range of images, as I got closer and closer - at 8fs on my new 7D, hand held - I took really quite a lot of images. Here are a few of my favourites.

Sedge Warbler

A lovely bird and a great experience!

More images of this bird can be found here

Early morning light - Frampton

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 21:34:11 GMT

Those of you who have read my reports from last year will know that Frampton Marsh RSPB reserve is one of my favourite locations. But with the weather being so poor, and my photographic opportunities seemingly so few and far between, my first visit wasn't until early May. An early rise saw me on the reserve before 6am, in glorious morning light. There is something about the quiet and light at that time in the morning that I really love - although it wasn't long before I was joined by a fellow photographer.

My main photographic subject allowed a close approach, and some very pleasing images - but more of that later. First, here are a few images of very common species, Coot and Canada Goose, lifted by the lovely light and the calm conditions that resulted in some nice reflections.

Coot Preening

Canada Goose

More images can be found in the respective galleries.

Avocets - part 3

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 21:50:25 GMT

The Spotted Redshank wasn't the only bird to come close to the path at Titchwell. Whilst I had already taken a lot of Avocet images earlier in the day, I love these birds, and I was pleased to grab some final images in the late evening light!

Avocet

I had a great time in Norfolk - I hope you enjoy my photos as much as I enjoyed taking them.

For more Avocet images please click here

Spotted Redshank

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 19:07:21 GMT

My last stop on my trip to Norfolk was to Titchwell RSPB reserve. I have had some success at Titchwell over the years but this year I was particularly keen to get some images of a bird I hadn't photographed before. I knew it had been at Titchwell for a few days so my hopes were high.

On arrival I visited the two main hides that are easily accessed from the main path, with very little success. Then, out of the corner of my eye I spotted what I had come to see as it flew to a different part of the reserve. I left the hide and walked onto the main path that runs along the flood defence bank and down to the beach. I couldn't believe my luck - there it was - a Spotted Redshank in full summer plumage. The bird proceeded to walk up and down alongside the main path for quite a while. As the sun started to come down, I got a number of images I was pleased with, some in the evening sunlight, others as the bird came closer into the shade of the bank.

Spotted Redshank

For more images of this bird please go to the Wading Birds gallery here

Ruff & Black Tailed Godwit

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 18:42:52 GMT

Later in the day I paid a visit to Cley Marshes. I limited my visit to the main hides near the road as I wanted to visit Titchwell later in the evening for a bird that I hadn't photographed before.

One of the birds that walked fairly close to one of the hides was a female Ruff. Rather less grand than the male, it did allow me some nice images, despite the aperture on my camera being accidentally set to F11 instead of F5.6!!

Ruff

Another bird that landed in front of the same hide was a Black Tailed Godwit.

Black Tailed Godwit

For more images please see the Wading Birds gallery here

Avocets - part 2

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 19:29:36 GMT

I have now had opportunity to process some more of the Avocet images from the early part of my trip to Norfolk. Having the birds come so close and so obviously at ease, just a few feet away, was great. The light was changeable, with the sun going in and out from behind the clouds. All the photos are either taken lying flat on my stomach, or slightly raised so as to get water in the background rather than the shingle.

Quite simply, a remarkable experience!

Avocet

Avocets

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 29 May 2012 20:07:05 GMT

It is a long time since I have added to this blog and seems a long time since I have taken many photos. The weather for most of April was absolutely awful and since then, work and family commitments have kept me very busy. Looking back though I have had a couple of successful trips!

I also made a couple of significant purchases during this period. The first of these, after much deliberaton, was a new Canon EOS 7D. This was part one of my birthday present for a recent significant birthday - one where life is supposed to begin again! I was therefore very keen to try out the new focussing system and 8 frames per second (amongst many other new features) on the first of these trips - a trip to Norfolk in early April. This effectively replicated a trip at the end of May last year, albeit with slightly different locations and a different balance to the day.

Again, I travelled to Norfolk early, to try and benefit from the early morning light. My first location has proved productive in the past but, despite the early arrival, initially didn't provide any photographic opportunities. An obedient Black Headed Gull and a few distant shots of a Redshank and Brent Geese didn't seem worth the early rise and drive. I was still itching to use the new camera in anger.

It wasn't until mid to late morning that things improved - but boy did they improve!

One of my favourite birds is the Avocet - a very elegant bird, with beautiful plumage, long legs and an elegant upturned beak. I was very fortunate to get incredibly close to a pair of Avocets feeding in a pool, right next to a public footpath. Lying on the ground, using a bean bag for support, I was able to move forward on my stomach until I was within just a few feet. My careful approach ensured that I didn't disturb or interupt the birds. And with 8fs at my disposal I ended up with really quite a lot of images!! I have selected just a few below (more to come).

Avocet

I was very pleased to get these images - a truly memorable experience!

Little Egret

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 21:18:28 GMT

The only other bird I was able to photograph at Rutland Water was a Little Egret. Frustratingly it had been really close to one of the hides when I entered, but the window was open and it saw me before I saw it. Luckily it landed nearby, but not for long, leaving me with that all too common feeling of what might have been!

The two images at the bottom are computer crops of the first two.

Little Egret Little Egret Little Egret Little Egret

More Little Egret images from different locations can be found in the Egrets and Heron gallery here

Long Tailed Tits

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 20:46:26 GMT

A quick walk around the rest of the reserve at Rutland Water proved largely unfruitful. The birds are quite a long way from the hides at the best of times but the recent dry weather means that water levels are especially low, and the birds even further away.

I did however come across a small flock of Long Tailed Tits in a bush alongside one of the paths. One bird in particular was quite confiding, allowing me my first photos of this species.

Long Tailed Tit Long Tailed Tit Long Tailed Tit Long Tailed Tit

Long Tailed Tit

Chaffinch, Blue Tit & Great Tit

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 20:33:32 GMT

It wasn't just Goldfinches that were coming down to the feeders at Elgeton reserve at Rutland Water. I was also able to gain a few shots of other species too. Whilst Chaffinches are mainly ground feeding birds, both male and female birds posed on one of the perches close to the feeders.

Male Chaffinch Male Chaffinch Female Chaffinch

Blue tits and Great Tits also came down to feed, although they gave far fewer photographic opportunities as they often flew straight to the feeders, bypassing the perches on route.Blue Tit Blue Tit Great Tit

More Goldfinches

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:44:23 GMT

The early onset of spring has meant my garden is needed as a football pitch once again. That, and the fact that my wife has spotted the uneven patches on the lawn where my set up has been, has meant the hide has had to come down!

But not before I grabbed a couple more Goldfinch images.

Goldfinch Goldfinch

I do love these birds, and I was pleased to add more images to my portfolio on a recent visit to Rutland Water, where a feeding station is set up near the visitor centre at Egleton.

Goldfinch Goldfinch Goldfinch Goldfinch

For more Goldfinch images please go to the Finches gallery here

Mute Swan in evening light

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:15:30 GMT

The early part of 2012 has seen few opportunities for photography outside of the back garden. I do, however, try and carry my camera wherever I go, just in case. And I try not to overlook the common bird species - after all a half decent photo of a common bird in nice light is better than an out of focus rarity in the gloom!

So on a family visit to Melton Country Park, after playing football with my son, and our daughter's first foray into riding a bike without stabilisers (!!!), I was pleased to grab a few snaps of a Mute Swan in early evening light. When photographing Swans, I like getting in close and using the curve of the Swan's neck. The water drops coming from the bird's beak were an added bonus.

Mute Swan Mute Swan Mute Swan Mute Swan

Woodpigeon & Collared Dove

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:58:22 GMT

Woodpigeons and Collared Doves are common vistors to our garden. Often overlooked photographically, they are actually quite attractive birds. I welcome their visits as their presence seems to bring comfort to other birds who come down to feed whilst they are around.

First a few images of Woodpigeon, then a Collared Dove.

Woodpigeon Woodpigeon Woodpigeon Woodpigeon Collared Dove Collared Dove

For more images please go to the Doves & Pigeons gallery here

Fieldfares - part 2

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 21:41:29 GMT

Would the Fieldfare stick around? - the answer was yes - it was there again the next day! I had probably already exhausted my photographic good will for the weekend, but a quick grovelling explanation that it wouldn't be there the following weekend (it wasn't!) resulted in another short visit to the hide - and another set of Fieldfare photos.

The snow was already melting quite fast - ironically this was a positive thing as it revealed the bird's legs (none of the images from the previous day show the bird's legs). The light on the other hand was poor, needing ISO 800, and only that low because of the reflective nature of the snow.

This time I placed three apples in different locations and the Fieldfare came to each in turn. One in particular meant it came really quite close. A combination of low light and the snow resulted in very high key images, completely different to the day before, but just as pleasing - another great day!

Fieldfare Fieldfare Fieldfare Fieldfare

Fieldfare

For more images of this Fieldfare please go to the thrushes gallery here

Fieldfares - part 1

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 21:08:44 GMT

Towards the middle of February we had a cold snap, with several inches of snow carpeting the garden. The Saturday was forecast to be sunny, with very little wind, and I had negotiated a few hours in the hide - excellent! I placed a number of apples at strategic locations, stocked up the feeders and settled down in the hide. I was looking forward to a productive morning.

And productive it was - but not for the reason I expected. I had not been in the hide long when a relatively large bird flopped into the snow, just few feet from the hide - it was a Fieldfare! We have had Fieldfares in the garden before, but never when I have been in the hide, and never so close.

Exposure was quite tricky, with white snow on a bright day. But I had plenty of chance to get my shots. The Fieldfare stayed in and around the garden for the whole time I was in the hide, occasionally moving to chase off other birds, but soon returning to feed on an apple. It pretty much got through a whole apple all by itself.

The bird presented itself in a number of different positions, allowing a number of pleasing portraits.

Fieldfare Fieldfare Fieldfare Fieldfare

Having bagged a few portraits, I focussed on trying to capture the bird in action, feeding on the apples that had sunk into the snow.

Fieldfare Fieldfare Fieldfare Fieldfare Fieldfare

I was really pleased to see and photograph a Fieldfare at such close quarters. It proved to be pretty much the only bird that I photographed that day as it chased everything else out of the garden. Still - a first for me - but would it stick around?

Blackbirds

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:36:29 GMT

Ok, so the Blackbird isn't the most exciting bird in the world. But we have a group of 6 or 7 birds that regularly visit and they do offer photographic opportunities whilst sitting waiting for other species to visit. This year the blackbirds have particularly liked the apples I have put out on the lawn, and the dried mealworms that I have left in a hollow in a log on the set up.

Again, the birds come really quite close. And when they do, you realise that blackbirds are quite attractive birds. I particularly like the females which, rather than being just plain brown, have quite detailed, mottled breasts.

Female Blackbird Female Blackbird Female Blackbird Female Blackbird Male Blackbird Male Blackbird

Dunnock

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:46:10 GMT

Another common visitor to our garden is the Dunnock. Sometimes known as the Hedge Sparrow, it is not a Sparrow at all. A close inspection reveals that its beak is sharp and pointed, more suited to feeding on insects than the thick stout beak of a Sparrow. Again, Dunnocks are largely ground feeding birds, hopping around the base of the set up, often quite close to the hide.

Dunnock Dunnock Dunnock

Dunnock Dunnock

Chaffinches & Brambling

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 22:41:39 GMT

Chaffinches are another common visitor to the garden. They are predominantly ground feeding birds so don't often come onto the perches.

Again the male of the species is more attractive than the female.

Male Chaffinch

Female Chaffinch

Brambling

During one of my sessions something different caught my eye. In and amongst the chaffinches (a flock of 6-8 birds visit) was a superficially similar, but more interesting bird. The Brambling is a winter visitor to this country and this was the first time I have had opportunity to photograph one!

Unfortunately it stayed on the ground, hopping around the base of my set up. It did however, come very close. Oblivious to me in my hide, it came within 3 feet, albeit moving around quite quickly and often only pausing with its back to me. The light was very dull (I shot at ISO 800) but I did get one or two images I was pleased with.

Brambling

Brambling Brambling

For more images of this Brambling please click here

Greenfinches & Goldfinches

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 22:00:19 GMT

After the strong winds I rebuilt my set and have been in my hide on various occasions over the past few weeks, with varying degrees of success. The weather has been the key factor, with any bright conditions seeming to appear during the week, when I am at work, with dull conditions at weekends. I have, however, obtained a few shots I am pleased with, which I will now post grouped by species rather than highlighting any particular session in the hide.

Greenfinches

Greenfinches have been a regular visitor to our garden over the years. After a slow start, with a couple of sessions without any showing at all, there are now 4 or so birds that come down quite regularly. I particularly like the male birds, who can look quite stern and be quite aggressive at times.

Male Greenfinch

I try to capture the birds without food in their mouths. This male, however, has sunflower seeds in his beak, which he has taken from a small hollow in the far side of this perch.

Male Greenfinch

The females are somewhat duller looking birds.

Female Greenfinch

Goldfinches

In previous years I have had a large flock of goldfinches visit the garden , with up top 16 birds on or around my set at any one time. This year has been a lot quite with occasion visits from just two birds, attracted by Niger seed in one of my feeders.

Goldfinch

They are attractive little birds, so I hope to get some more images soon.

More images of finches can be found in the gallery here

January 2012 - Garden Birds

(Wildlife & Landscape Photography by Andrew Mozley) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:21:47 GMT

A few years ago, before I moved to digital photography, I took a lot of photos of birds in my own back garden, using bird feeders to attract the birds, providing photographic perches for them to use on route. I thought I would have another go this year - whilst it might not be quite the same as photographic Puffins on the Farnes or Gannets on Bass Rock, it does have the advantage of convenience. It also has the potential to increase my opportunities for photography as I can always nip out for an hour or so from time to time when other longer trips elsewhere are not possible.

Generally speaking, garden birds are quite small and you need to get quite close to photograph them - some kind of hide or camouflage is essential. Originally I couldn't justify a purpose built hide and used a toliet tent instead! - it was a lot cheaper and fulfilled the same basic principle of providing privacy - I even have an aerial photo of our house with a toliet tent in the garden! Nowadays I do have a portable hide, albeit an Amerstep hunting hide, rather than a specific photography hide like those supplied by Wildlife Watching Supplies.

My initial session was experimental - with the best will in the world you won't really know how your set up will work, and importantly how it will be lit as the sun moves round, until you give it a go. So I will hope to get some better shots, but I was reasonably pleased with some of the results.

One of the first birds to come down was a Robin.

Robin

My other main photographic subject in this first session was the Chaffinch. Both male and female birds came down to feed.

Male Chaffinch

Female Chaffinch

I had three species of tit come down to feed during this session - Blue Tit, Great Tit and Coal Tit. Most of the time they would fly straight into the feeders and away again. One Great Tit did stop off on one of my perches, but I hope for better images in the future.

Great Tit

I came away from the session planning to rearrange the feeders, the perches and the position of my hide. In actual fact this has now been taken out of my hands. The strong winds of the past few days have destroyed my set up completely, sending perches and feeders around the garden, including one log I could only just lift on my own! I had to rescue the hide before it blew away completely!

So back to the drawing board....... watch this space.

More images of Garden Birds can be found here