Wildlife June 2013

[FrazerHenderson]

In the garden pond today, taken by Lynn

[Anthony Darby]

Check on the weans?

[Roma]

Seen in poor light through a dirty window

[Peter Maguire]

Not what I would wish to see loitering around my Meconopsis!

[Peter Maguire]

I've been having a play around with a new (to me) camera for bird photography (Canon SX50) and thought that I might post a few pictures of the results.

Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias - this was actually my first experience with the camera. It was taken in Seattle where we were visiting my wife's cousin. Robin is a keen bird photogrpaher and let me play with her camera on a trip to a local reserve. This was the best result from my first half hour with the camera. 

Jackdaw Corvus monedula - having returned home and bought one for myself, my first major trip was to a local country park. This was taken whilst sitting in the car - the site is well known to local birdlife as a place where people come to feed them!.

Grey Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis - taken immediately afterwards, still sitting in the car. This used to be a good local site for Red Squirrels, I haven't seen any there recently. 

Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella - as seen at Findhorn on the Moray Firth the week before the Pitlochry party.

Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius - also taken at Findhorn.

[ranunculus]

Super images, Peter ... any or all of those taken using a tripod?

[Peter Maguire]

None; the heron was totally hand-held, the Jackdaw and Squirrel resting against the car door, and the other two I did actually use a monopod, which seems to work well with the camera's image stabiliser (you noramlly have to turn this off when using a tripod, and the command is buried amongst the camera menus, not a switch on the body).

[ranunculus]

Thanks Peter ... the images are compelling evidence for the defence!

[Roma]

Three hoverflies enjoying Celmisia flowers.  The first two look similar but one had yellow stripes and the other, white.

[ranunculus]

None; the heron was totally hand-held, the Jackdaw and Squirrel resting against the car door, and the other two I did actually use a monopod, which seems to work well with the camera's image stabiliser (you noramlly have to turn this off when using a tripod, and the command is buried amongst the camera menus, not a switch on the body).

Peter, I presume you have watched this video? If not, then it may be of interest ... it certainly was for me.

[Peter Maguire]

Cliff,

Thanks for that video - it mentions several features I haven't got round to trying.

the images are compelling evidence for the defence!

Do this mean you're going to buy one? If you do, I'll send you a copy of a forwarded email I recieved which details how a professional American bird photographer has it set up for her use - she uses aperture priority, not shutter speed priority, but it seems to work for her! 

[Peter Maguire]

Roma,

Nice photos  - and a nice Celmisia! I think your first two are probably different species, the first one may be Episyrphus balteatus, and third one Leucozona lucorum but I'm only a beginner when it comes to hoverflies. If you have time on your hands, you could try this website:
http://www.hoverfly.org.uk/portal.php
which has photos to help identifcation. Be warned though, there are a lot of similar species! It might be better to see if Anthony can help here.

[ranunculus]

Cliff,

Thanks for that video - it mentions several features I haven't got round to trying.
Do this mean you're going to buy one? If you do, I'll send you a copy of a forwarded email I recieved which details how a professional American bird photographer has it set up for her use - she uses aperture priority, not shutter speed priority, but it seems to work for her! 

It seems quite likely, Peter - so I would appreciate that e-mail when you can spare the time please.  Many thanks.

[fredg]

Noticed this Large Skipper - Ochlodes sylvanus feeding on the violas

[Maggi Young]

Goodness me! What superb photos you folks take!