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
 

Meadow PipitSalthouse, Norfolk, UK
 

Meadow PipitSalthouse, Norfolk, UK
 

Meadow PipitSalthouse, Norfolk, UK
 

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
 

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
 

Male Reed BuntingTitchwell, Norfolk, UK
 

Male Reed BuntingTitchwell, Norfolk, UK
 

Male Reed BuntingTitchwell, Norfolk, UK
 

Male Reed BuntingTitchwell, Norfolk, UK
 

Male Reed BuntingTitchwell, Norfolk, UK
 

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.