Hello and welcome

I have always had a keen interest in wildlife and the great outdoors;

I was an Angler for over 30 years but gave it up a few years ago to

concentrate on photographing wildlife. I lived in Runcorn; Cheshire a

short distance from the M56 that gave me great access to the Wirral,

Northwales and Lancashire, with some great countryside on my doorstep

I didn't have to travel too far in search of wildlife and photographic

opportunities.

Some of my wildlife photographs range from as far afield as Cuba,

Antigua, Saint Martin, Saint Lucia, Dominican Republic, Tuscany ,

Corfu, Turkey, Spain, Portugal.

I now live in the Charente area of western France.

Another One Bites the Dust

December 19, 2015 • 1 Comment

0Y2A8208

Just missed the shot.

0Y2A8282 0Y2A8281

0Y2A8285

0Y2A8276 0Y2A8275 0Y2A8268 0Y2A8270 0Y2A8247 0Y2A8246 0Y2A8238 0Y2A8256

That's the last for this week

Short-eared Owl Photographs

December 18, 2015 • Leave a Comment

Short-eared Owls

0Y2A8199

0Y2A8197 0Y2A8190

0Y2A8189

0Y2A8160

0Y2A8120 0Y2A8165 0Y2A8168 0Y2A8167

Some more Short-eared Owls

December 17, 2015 • Leave a Comment

0Y2A8036

Short -eared Owls

0Y2A8072 0Y2A8032 0Y2A8039 0Y2A8034

0Y2A8031 0Y2A8029

0Y2A8014 0Y2A8030 0Y2A8016 0Y2A8013 0Y2A8008

More later

Last chance

December 16, 2015 • Leave a Comment

0Y2A8004

It’s the last chance to get some photographs of the Short-eared Owls in good light this week and with Christmas one week away too, I had to give it a go.

After selecting a spot in the field with the Sun behind me, I started what could be a long wait. It was late in the afternoon when one or two birds started to hunt. However I was in the wrong place most of the time with the birds flying behind me.

0Y2A7830

0Y2A7838 0Y2A7832

0Y2A7884 0Y2A7880 0Y2A7881

0Y2A7829

0Y2A7857 0Y2A7872 0Y2A7858

A92X8565 A92X8572 A92X8564 A92X8433 A92X8429

It's Back

December 15, 2015 • Leave a Comment

I took the shot through the window and at an angle, not a good situation to be in. Now I know it’s here I can make plans to get the photograph I want, using the Canon 7D mk 2 and external flash.

0Y2A5890

Now it’s a waiting game.

Just Another Day

December 14, 2015 • Leave a Comment

You shouldn’t take the Short-eared Owls for granted they will soon be gone until next year, you can be lucky and get them in good light but most of the time that’s not the case.

A92X8185

A92X8384

You say to yourself, I will get them another day.

A92X8428

You take the shots you can but not the ones you wish you could get.

A92X8565

It all has to come together; you have to have the time, the good weather and the luck.

A92X8432

Time, I have that. Good weather that’s in the lap of the Gods. Luck, more visits means a chance of more luck.

A92X8394

I am still working on the latter.

A92X8312

More later

Hunting Owls

December 11, 2015 • Leave a Comment

I arrived at first light to be greeted by two hunting Barn Owls, one of which soon disappeared from view.

I slowly made my way into position getting as close as I could, although It wasn’t near enough (it never is).

The light wasn’t up to much; I was going to struggle to get any shots.

0Y2A6178

I took a few shots, (why I don’t really know). I have better shots of Barn Owls and these are going to be rubbish, but that’s what we do.

0Y2A6145

A better photograph taken a few years ago

With better positioning and a lot of luck some good shots are achievable but not for me today.

The remaining Barn Owl soon disappeared.

As time passed along with any good light nothing turned up to photograph, the promise of Short-eared Owls seemed to be a joke.

A92X8174

With the sun started to disappear one Short-eared Owl took to the sky only to tantalize the waiting photographers, then it too disappeared followed the photographers.

A92X8168