Hoopoe

For years I have been looking to see a Hoopoe in this Country, I first saw one in a friends garden back in 1972 when we were youngsters, I saw it land on a tree and then quickly ran indoors and looked it up in a book to ID it.

Well at last I have finally found this one on Portland, it took a lot of finding, I knew where it was, but it was in the centre of the Island near 2 quarries and loads of open ground, it was very flightie, every time I got within 30 yards of it swoosh gone, still managed some shots though. Hoopoe Hoopoe

Another Bird that has been proving difficult is the Black Redstart, a couple of years ago there were tons of them down at the Bill, but since then I haven't been able to get close to them, well I have seen loads, but as soon as I raise the camera they fly off, very frustrating, well the other day I was able to get some semi reasonable shots. Black Redstart Black Redstart Black Redstart

Happy days took a lot of effort to get these.

Finally here are a couple of pics to finish off probably the last of my favourite bird the Wheatear, looking forward to the end of March until they return all smart and gorgeous, there are also plenty of Dartford Warblers showing over at Middlebere, so I had to get pics of them before the cold gets them. Wheatear Dartford Warbler Dartford Warbler

Happy days loads more to do, especially my evening on the Short Eared Owls, until then all the best and thank you for reading my blog

The day after going up to the Wildlife Centre, first thing in the morning, Elaine and I were down at the railway station boarding a train to London.

We really wanted to see the Ceramic Poppies at the Tower Of London.

It was rammed up there, so many people, I took this pic from on top of the hill, I have deliberately cut off the bottom of the pic to get rid of all the people from the shot, still we got to see them, a one off, never to be repeated.

We left the Tower and walked onto the Bridge for the Tower Bridge Experience, we had BOGOF tickets and it was a reduced day as well. so it cost us £7.50, Bargain :-)

How interesting, well worth the visit, the view from the top is excellent, then when you have crossed the top you come down and walk along the road a bit before entering the Engine room terrific.

This is the view from the top, HMS Belfast in the foreground.

Looking from the Southbank back at the Bridge, you can see the Gerkin in the distance.

We decided to walk along the Embankment back towards the Houses Of Parliament, we had never seen the Millenium Bridge, so we stopped off there for a while, didn`t realise it was right in front of St Paul's.

While we were here, it poured down with rain, took this in between the showers.

One view that dominates this part of London is the Shard, the header pic is just after another shower, it was amazing how as the sun came out, it lit up like a beacon.

Here are a few pics I took of it along the embankment.

We continued our walk back towards the London Eye, the tide was out, so we walked on the shoreline, I took this next pic, looking back towards St Pauls.

We eventually got to the London Eye, we had a couple of hours or more, before we had to be on the train home, so we had a bite to eat.

 I wanted to have a go at night time photography, I did try it before when we went up in February for Adam's day out, I wasn`t happy with them.

So I spent quite a while working it out, Poor Elaine, she has the patience of a Saint, there I was messing about for ages, she didn`t complain until she got cold, anyhow here are some of the results.

We had a great day, we will have to do it again soon, there are loads more pictures on the website:- http://markeggleton.zenfolio.com/

And finally a pic of inside Waterloo Station.

Barn Owl A couple of weeks ago my mate Chris invited me along to the British Wildlife Centre in Surrey, it was for a Canon owners day, well sadly they did not have the New Canon 7D to take and play with, so I used the 5D Mk3 instead  :-) 

For the First session we had a really interesting talk from Danny Green a Pro Wildlife Photographer. www.dannygreenphotography.com

He did put a new angle on how we go about taking wildlife shots, his main idea was, that we should be shooting in as wide an aperture as possible, great, I was always told to try and get as much detail into my shots as I can, so I nearly always shoot at F8 or above, Yes how right he is, on trying this out in field it worked.

The introduction picture is taken at F4 as are all the others, notice how the main subject is in focus but the background is blurred, what a great effect.

Barn Owl Little Owl Little Owl Long Eared Owl

Starting from the Top,  a Barn Owl inflight and then a shot of the same bird sat in a window, then a little Owl on a post, next is a gorgeous Tawny Owl, then finally is this Long Eared Owl.

When we finished we had Lunch and then had another session, this time it was with a chap called Mark Sisson, he spoke to us about photographing small mammals, very interesting again, then we went out to photograph them, we started with a Stoat and a Weasel Stoat Weasel

What a laugh trying to photograph the Weasel, they are so small and move like lightning, as soon as it stopped I tried to focus on it, then before I could lock on, it was off again, finally got this one with it's tongue out.

We left there and went into where the Otters were, Superb, I was using a 300 mm F 2.8, wow what a great lens, still shooting at F4.

There were 3 Otters I was not more than 3-4 feet away from them, I could have stroked them at times, what a terrific experience. Otter (Luta lutra) Otter (Luta lutra)

We left them after a while then went into the Fox enclosure, my pics were not as good on these, I was too close, still managed to get a couple that I liked. Fox Fox

Finally one of the best. Scottish Wildcats.

Again in enclosure, they looked like an over grown Tabby, took loads of shots, I have quite a few on the main page, still here are some, they maybe captive in enclosure but they are still wild animals. Scottish Wildcat Scottish Wildcat Scottish Wildcat

What a great day, the saddest bit for me was having to give back the Kit, I was Using a Canon 5 D mk3 + and the 500 mm F4 Mk2 , so I was walking around with ten grand in my hands, it wasn`t even mine, I was terrified of damaging it, later I was using the same Camera but this time I had the New 300mm F2.8 mk2.

I was so taken with these big lenses, I have always thought that I wouldn't want one, well I changed my mind, I now have a Mk1 Canon 300mm F2.8 Happy Days, thank goodness I have a brilliant Wife, who let me get it.