Psilos Bird Journal
Monday December 11th 2006
     
"Young favourites "
 
Torrential rain from the night before made way to blue skies this morning and you would not believe it is the same day. Decided to go looking for the Kingfisher at Moses gate but was convinced that the sun would disappear before I arrived there. After all the rain over the past few weeks the river was in flood and it was obvious there would be no kingfisher to be found there. I felt sure he would be somewhere on the lodges.
 
 
One bird I didnt have to search for was the juvenile Great crested grebe. He was fishing in his usual cornor and he didnt seem to mind my presence too much. There are still two juveniles but they are totally independant now. It is clear however that at present their closeness to the adults is still being tolerated. This can be compared to the juveniles at Doffcocker which are two months older and have been driven off by their parents .If they want to share the same water they often have to go into hiding. So for the moment on the lodge there is harmony.
 
 
As ever there are plenty of swans on the water. The light is superb and so I concentrate on trying to get some shots of them preening. I particularly want a shot of feathers being lifted as they preen. Changing light can change the colour of the water so quickly so I had to work fast. The deep blue was very complimentary to the white of the swans feathers. Shooting with a small aperture to restrict light works best for pale birds in bright light.
 

 

 
Black headed gulls are everywhere so when once swims into view I photograph him. Such an underrated gull but in the right light can look quite beautiful.

Coots are another favourite of mine and the light was showing their feather detail especially well. To capture the beauty of these birds light and the right pose is especially important. The subtle blue/purple in the photo below particularly compliments the bird.
 

 
...and the shot below is the luckiest of all. I was merely photographing this bird as he fed and as I clicked he dived. You could intentionally practise this shot a hundred times more and never again get the exact split second when his beak meets the water. For that extra special something you often have to depend totally on luck.

Once again the Kingfisher did not put in an appearance. The wind was light and light good making for good fishing but he was nowhere to be found. No matter though as I am pleased with the photographs I did get. When the light is good there is beauty to be found everywhere. Never underestimate the beauty of our common birds.