My Photograph Gallery for week ending 6 September 2015.

Starling - 'Poised Poser'

Lapwings in 'Fright Flight'. Couldn't decide which I prefer, so here are three images.

Long-tailed Tit.

Robin.

© Elliot Sampford

Five Peacock Butterflies in my Photography Hide.

I've posted these images not because they are of a particularly interesting subject – although to an entomologist they might be – but to show an experiment I tried.

I entered my garden hide this morning, and discovered these five 'Peacock Butterflies' tucked under a ledge.

As there isn't much room inside I changed the lens to my Canon 18-55mm as I couldn't get a focus with the 55-250mm. All the images were taken in shutter priority with the Canon 70D choosing the f/ and ISO.

Image 1 was taken with the on-camera flash – only one I have – and was at 1/250 sec, f/3.5, ISO Auto (@400). The lens was at 18mm as I couldn't seem to get focus at any other focal length.

For image 2 I put a 13mm extension tube – which I'd recently purchased – onto the 18-55 to see if I could get more detail. Again the shot was taken with the on-camera flash and was at 1/250 sec, f/5.0, ISO Auto (@400). The lens was at 40mm.

As I didn't like the shadows caused by the flash I tried a long exposure time. Image 3 was taken at 15.0 secs, f/11, ISO Auto (@100) and the lens at 48mm. By now there were only four 'Peacocks' as one had warmed-up and flown.

Image 4 was taken from a slightly different angle at 5.0 secs, f/5.0, ISO Auto (@125) and the lens at 46mm.

By now all but one 'Peacock' had warmed up and flown. As an aside, I could see each butterfly start to quiver shortly before it took flight.

© Elliot Sampford

My Photograph Gallery for week ending 30 August 2015.

Now that's a mouthful for a Blue Tit.

Shoveler (female).

We were preparing lunch on the 26 August when we noticed that one of our regular visitors couldn't wait any longer and started to eat before us. The tray is just under 3 metres away from the kitchen window.

 Woodpigeon.

Ready…Steady…GO!

Repair & Review.

© Elliot Sampford

My Photographs for week ending 23 August 2015.

An exercise in a trial of alternative presentations of Blackbirds.

Four images of the Red-footed Falcon at Willow Tree Fen NR 19.08.2015. It's unfortunate that his back was towards me and head in the shadow but at least I got to see this rarity and grab a few shots in the 55 seconds he was perched nearby.

A Little Egret having a 'Quick Snack'

I asked the Grey Heron at Fiskerton Fen N.R. to show me some different poses.

Eating peanuts and sunflower-hearts makes the mouth dry.

© Elliot Sampford

Photograph Gallery for week ending 16 August 2015

Just a couple of profile images of a juvenile House Sparrow with a piece of fat-ball in its beak.

Green Sandpiper at Marston STW 15.08.2015. Two for the shot of one.

'Leaving Friends' Greylag Goose.

Click on an image to see a larger version.

© Elliot Sampford

Photograph Gallery for week ending 9 August 2015.

Song Thrush (& onlooker).

Egyptian Goose.

Fatherly care today from a House Sparrow.

'Food Aid' flight landing!

We've missed seeing them in our garden of late but three Long-tailed Tits visited us yesterday: let's hope they're back for the long term.

 Click on any image to see a larger version.

© Elliot Sampford

My Photograph Gallery for week ending 2 August 2015

Great Tit.

They might not be the prettiest, or most colourful, of some birds but Gulls have a sleek, handsome look that gives an air of being aloof and arrogant. Black-headed Gull.

Blackbird chilling out.

A Little Egret alone with its shadow.

 Starlings are head and shoulders above other birds for audacity.

Click on an image to see a larger version.

© Elliot Sampford

My Photographs for week ending 26 July 2015

Eyptian Goose (x 2) at Kirkby Gravel Pit Nature Reserve, Lincolnshire.

The Magpie has a large beak with a delicate touch.

Meadow Pipit.

Brown Hares relaxing in the evening sun.

Woodie needs a bigger roll-top.

Mr & Mrs Tufted Duck.

Chaffinch resting before taking supper home.

 © Elliot Sampford.