The End of the World
2012 the end of the world came and went without much disruption which is a good thing.
I can carry on taking photographs.
2012 has been a good year I have been able to photograph a wide selection of wildlife.
In January frequent trips to Wales to photograph Snow Bunting and Short eared Owls took up most of my time, capturing some memorable images along the way.
To attract the Snow Buntings seed was scattered on some driftwood. A small group of Snow Bunting regularly patrolled the beach stopping off at the feeding station.
Short eared Owls hunting over the fields on an industrial estate
After placing some posts in the field it was just a matter of time before one of the Owls decided to land on one of them.
I also started my blog in February with a visit to my local Nature Reserve to photograph the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
In February the Siskins returned to my garden after a long absence but I struggled to get any better shots of them.
By mid- February I was making regular trips to photograph more Short eared Owls however I was struggling to get close to them.
Taken with 500m lens and x 2 converter
On the 20th of Feb I was at Leighton Moss in search of the Glossy Ibis although the weather was not at its best I decided to give it a go.
Early morning view from the public hide
I eventually found the Ibis in fields just outside of the reserve and managed a few shots in between the rain showers.
Also in February I photograph a tearful Kestrel as it came to terms with the fact that the Mouse escaped.
On to Pastures new to photograph Dippers
At the end of February I visited Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve to photograph the Bittern or as it turned out the Bitterns.
They gave me and many other photographers some great views from the Lancaster Hide.
March was a great month for me with lots of different species photographed:
Treecreepers, Buzzard, Short eared Owl, Crossbill, Stonechat, Goldcrest, Wheatear,Meadow Pipit, Skylark,
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker,Hawfinches, Little Owl, Nuthatch, Chiffchaff
Treecreeper at Moore Nature Reserve
I eventually managed to get better shots of the Short eared Owls
Cossbill Magic in Suffolk
It was a long way to travel but it was worth every mile
The Crossbills came down from the trees to drink, giving me a great opportunity to get some shots.
Back in Cheshire the first Stonechats of the season graced my camera.
11 of March I spent the next 3 days photographing short eared Owls
Late afternoon and the Owls are out hunting
Two nice Goldcrest turned up at my daughters
On the 17 of March I returned to the Short eared Owls to get some shots of them on posts
Some of the first migrants to show up were Wheatear
Along with Skylark I also got some shots of Meadow Pipit
By March the 23 the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker had started to dig out a nest site
I was seduced by the Owls again returning for some more shots
By 26 of March I was on my way to photograph Hawfinches.
and Nuthatch burying some nuts
I visited a site for the Little Owl
I finished the month of March with my first shots of Chiffchaff
The April Gold Rush
I noticed that the Goldcrests seem to be spending most of the day in the garden. In set up the camera and waited.
I visited Moore for a few hours to get some better images of Chiffchaff
The Mole and the Woodpecker
The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker scattering wood chippings at its nest site
Siskins are back again
Better shots this time
Nice to see the Bullfinch
This Ring Ouzel turned up at one of the reserves I visit
I returned for some better shots of the Ring Ouzel but it had moved on so I turned my attention to other arrivals
Singing in the rain
Willow Warbler
20th of April saw a big influx of Blackcaps at Moore Nature Reserve
Taken on a family trip to Whinfell Forest Penrith Cumbria at the end of April
May another great month
Grasshopper Warbler at Moore Nature Reserve
Cuckoo time
Common Lizards are not easy to photograph
Sunbathing Common Lizard
Pied Flycatcher
Liitle Ring Plover
A great little bird
Whitethroat at Moore
Female Blackcap
Redstart
Cuckoo
Goldcrest
Hunting Kestrel at Moore
Sedge Warbler at RSPB Conwy
Pied Flycatcher at Gilfach farm
Redstart
Red Kites at Gigrin Fram
Turkey Trip
Burial tombs at Dalyan River
Stork
Reed Warbler
Little Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Reed Warbler
Cemlym Bay Nature Reserve
Sandswich Tern
Common Tern
Arctic Tern
Little Grebe
Reed Bunting
Reed Warbler
Whitethroat
Yellowhammer at Moore
July
Grasshopper Warbler
Kingfisher
Little Grebe
Grey Heron
Yellow Wagtail
Corn Bunting
Green Woodpecker
Kingfisher
Sedge Warbler RSPB Conwy
RSPB South Stack
Stonechat
Stonechat
Raven
Chough
August was the time for Foxes and Kingfishers
Spotted Flycatcher
September
Fallow Deer
Garden Spider
Fallow Deer
Mute Swan
Tufted Duck
Marsh Harrier RPSB Burton Mere Wetlands
Little Stint
Red Deer
October and the Sparrowhawk visits the garden for an easy meal.
The Red deer are getting ready to rumble
Kestrel hunting at Tatton
Hobby at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands
Stonechat
November
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Buzzard
Back again
First Brambling of the year
Great Spotted Woodpecker
December
Firecrest RSPB Conwy
Fieldfare
