my first Birding day with PeterD !

[Chevvyf1]

We all met up at Fort Nelson car park and Peter took all 10 of us around the Meadow fields first - lots of Invertebrates and a few little birds

I have only got into "Birds" since buying my BIGMA from Captain D and I am not yet "trained" in it ! I forgot to switch off the IS and up the ISO ... so many shots are not a good as possible !

My first efforts with E-5&Sigma150Macro
1.

2.

3.

4.


Then off to Farlington Marshes
5.

6.


Finally, the Oysterbeds on Hayling Islandmy trusty 50-200 on E-5
7.

8.


too noisy but I was chuffed with the catch
9.

10.

11.


and finally, if your looking for Peter in a crowd, THIS is his signature hat !



Our day started after Breakfast at Fort Nelson at 9am, our Convoy trailed around Hampshire ... all 5 vehicles ... and ended at the Inn on the Beach at 7.30 pm when the sea mist rolled in and killed any hopes of a fine Sunset opportunity or two !

Lunch at the Oysterbeds was Speghetti Bolognese with Broccoli and Sweetcorn; (bol sauce/meat cooked and frozen in the week, but thawed and heated on the four camping gaz stoves in the boot )followed by Hampshire Strawberries and Blueberries for puds. It was wonderful to eat off real china plates with real steel cutlery and we packed the dishes for the next day at home and the D/washer







We did have such a fun day ! Thanks Peter !

[sapper]

Re: my first Birding day with PeterD !

No 7 is a corker!

[Chevvyf1]

Re: my first Birding day with PeterD !

Dave, Thank You ! That is my favourite of the day - shame its not sharper ! but I was chuffed to "catch it" ! these little feathered things move so fast and are so tiny to focus on ! ...

Now I have to ask what bird is it ?
or maybe I should number them and ask PeterD to ID for me

[ringneck]

Re: my first Birding day with PeterD !

Sounds like you had a good all round day...and got some photing in as well...

..."I forgot to switch off the IS"....without knowing all the details I was wondering why you would not have it on.Even with a tripod I think it would be needed - unless you had it hands free.

Keith

[Chevvyf1]

Re: my first Birding day with PeterD !

Sounds like you had a good all round day...and got some photing in as well...

..."I forgot to switch off the IS"....without knowing all the details I was wondering why you would not have it on.Even with a tripod I think it would be needed - unless you had it hands free.

Keith

Hi Keith, Many Thanks for your comments ... Yes it was a marvellous day ! with 8 like minded Peeps I hardly knew, but we all got along great !

I was tripodless

[PeterD]

Re: my first Birding day with PeterD !

Dave, Thank You ! That is my favourite of the day - shame its not sharper ! but I was chuffed to "catch it" ! these little feathered things move so fast and are so tiny to focus on ! ...

Now I have to ask what bird is it ?
or maybe I should number them and ask PeterD to ID for me

Hi Chevvy

Sorry for not replying before but as I explained, I am up to my eyes in work with little time for photography nor time on the computer. Monday 1st Aug was one of those days I really enjoyed - not only to escape from the tasks but also for the great company!.

Here are the IDs for the photos you posted.

#1 - Soldier beetle
#2 - Pieredae sp. Not enough detail for ID.
#3 + #4 - 6 spot Burnet Moth
#5 to #8 Black-headed gull. The last being a fledgling.
#9 - Common Tern
#10 - Black-headed gull.
#11 - Common Tern

Moving from location to location was quite a challenge in a convoy. We didn't lose anyone which was a blessing in itself.

At the oysterbeds, we took a sneaky look for the Little Owl. Saw 3 of them fly off into the trees. Had lunch (prepared by Nick) and then went back for another look, hoping they would settle closer to us - no luck but here ore my shots of two of them. The shooting conditions were far from ideal as it was bright sunshine and the owls were in deep shade.







In Farlington marshes we came across a Meadow Pippit.


These can be recognised easily with the very long hind claw.

Time has prevented me from processing more images of the day but I hope to get more time from next week on.

I am thinking of organising a visit to the Hill forts. I wonder if any of you would be interested. These were built to defend Portsdown Hill from the possibility of invading French forces approaching from the north. Had they taken this high ground, the whole of Portsmouth Harbour would be at risk. Asd it happened, no such threat occurred and they are unkindly called - Palmeston's folly.

[Wee man]

Re: my first Birding day with PeterD !

Some super shots you seem to be getting to know your lens well. Peter love the Owl shots.

[Andrew Riddell]

Re: my first Birding day with PeterD !

I am thinking of organising a visit to the Hill forts. I wonder if any of you would be interested. These were built to defend Portsdown Hill from the possibility of invading French forces approaching from the north. Had they taken this high ground, the whole of Portsmouth Harbour would be at risk. Asd it happened, no such threat occurred and they are unkindly called - Palmeston's folly.

I'd be interested in that (othe commitments permitting)!

Andrew

[Chevvyf1]

Re: my first Birding day with PeterD !

Some super shots you seem to be getting to know your lens well. Peter love the Owl shots.

Thanks Ed

Peter's shots of the Little Owls are great o.o too ! Those Little Owls sure picked an awesome match in THAT tree bark ! without Peter we would NEVER have seen them !

[PeterD]

Re: my first Birding day with PeterD !

Some super shots you seem to be getting to know your lens well. Peter love the Owl shots.

Thanks Ed. As Chevvy said, they were difficult to spot - unless you knew where to look

[PeterD]

Re: my first Birding day with PeterD !

I'd be interested in that (othe commitments permitting)!

Andrew

Thanks for your reply Andrew.

i shall be free next Thursday so I shall make enquiries with the property owners. More later on a separate thread.

[Chevvyf1]

Re: my first Birding day with PeterD !

Peter I think B & N on PA / SE region are interested (I put details up there I hope you dont mind ? )

[PeterD]

Re: my first Birding day with PeterD !

Peter I think B & N on PA / SE region are interested (I put details up there I hope you dont mind ? )

Thanks Chevvy - a great organiser.

I shall post more when I get the details and opportunities offerred.

[gregles]

Re: my first Birding day with PeterD !

What a fantastic day out Chevvy and Peter

Lovely shots too from both of you I am really looking forward to seeing some more

Greg

[Chevvyf1]

Re: my first Birding day with PeterD !

What a fantastic day out Chevvy and Peter

Lovely shots too from both of you I am really looking forward to seeing some more

Greg

Thank You Greg - you may regret the "more" bit I have not looked at most YET ! Been to Butterflys at Studley Grange; Otters & Baby Meercats and Zorbing on water - with the children we care for as it School Hols ! and not even uploaded most photos and today off to Marwell Zoo ! At least we have weds & thurs at home this week and 4 days weekend to edit photos THEN !