My Photographs for week ending 25 January 2015

I only posted photographs onto Facebook and Twitter on six days this week. However, here are the nine images I published.

A juvenile Mute Swan feeding amongst the roots of the reeds on the River Witham at Fiskerton Fen, Fiskerton, Lincolnshire. 

Another picture from my trip to Fiskerton Fen. A juvenile Mute Swan showing me how its new white plumage is coming along.

On the 26th December 2014 I showed you a picture of a Buzzard that I had taken, on the outskirts of Heighington, Lincolnshire, and said I would visit the location again to try to get another photograph. This time I was successful, after many return visits, to get this shot and a couple of others, before it flew off. You would think that was the end of the photo shoot – but no.

When I looked in the field behind me I was amazed to see the buzzard's mate sitting on a fence pole about 75 metres from me. I wasn't expecting this so didn't have my camera ready and only managed to get this poor quality image before the bird flew away, presumably to join its mate.

I realize I showed you a male Great Spotted Woodpecker in my gallery for week ending 4 January but this morning he was on the nut feeder – fat feeder previously.

It was 15:00 hrs. on the 23 January: I was very cold and dejected and I started to drive home, after an unsuccessful photography expedition. Why did I leave the warm comfort of my home for a walk in the bone chilling wind on the Heighington Fens?
This is why – my luck changed when I spotted this female perched on a gate post close to the road. Rather than fly away as usual, she decided to pose and let me take my first usable shots of a Kestrel. It's only fair I show you more than one aspect of her beauty.
What a great afternoon.

I knew I wouldn't have time to get out-and-about on the day so my daily photograph is from my garden. I asked these two Long-tailed Tits to pose on the fat feeder, facing in different directions, so that you can see their front and back plumage in one image. Such fidgety birds but we got there in the end.

I hope you enjoyed seeing these photographs: click on any image to see a larger version.

© Elliot sampford

Photograph Gallery for week ending 4 December 2014

Here is this week's selection of my photographs, in daily order.

The lens of my camera had some greasy finger prints on it so I thought I would give it a wash.

Just over three weeks ago I showed you a picture of a steam train – well here is another. This is the Bittern steaming through Heighington rail-space on its way to Lincoln on its 'Bittern Farewell Tour' on the 30th December.

I put a new additional feeder in the crab-apple tree on Wednesday and this was the first diner.

The popular promenade and beach at Hythe, Kent – but not in November 2014. In the later half of 1960 I lived in the first floor flat – now its called an apartment – of the end of terraced house nearest to me as I took this photograph. In the summer and autumn months it was great to be so close to the beach. In the winter it was hell with the storms coming straight off the sea.

Friday was the first time I had been able to photograph a Great Spotted Woodpecker in our garden. Its previous two fleeting visits were only to reconnoitre our bird feeding facilities. Unfortunately the wind was breezy and blowing the feeder so the focus is not as sharp as I would like it. If I get another opportunity, I hope he returns on a calmer day, I'll aim for better focus.

This is my first experiment of low light photography with vehicle trails. It shows the square of houses opposite my house. Living in a quiet village means there is a lack of a volume of traffic but I'm pleased with the result. The vehicle entering the square has left a trail of its rear, left indicator and forward lights; plus the headlights of two cars going up the road are shown.

It has been nearly a month since I last showed you a photograph of Mrs. Blackbird so I hope you wont mind seeing this one as I think it is a lovely image of her perched on one of her favourite spots.

Thanks for taking the time to have a look at my efforts for this week's show. If you want to see any of them in more detail just click on the image.

© Elliot Sampford