Saturday February
9th 2008 |
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"Life
birds " |
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Birding and in turn bird photography
is such an unpredictable hobby. We go out in the hope of seeing something
unusual or rare. The more hours we put in the more likely our chances
will be of hitting the jackpot. One very special day can make all the
days when we see nothing unusual at all so very worhtwhile. Today was
just such a day.... |
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After a spell of bad weather
the day dawned clear. Yesterday I had been just up the road looking
for Snow buntings but the wind had forced the birds to take shelter
and we did not find them. Today we arrived just after dawn. There was
no wind and the beach was empty. Getting from the car my senses were
alerted to a noise that I was not familiar with and my adrenalin kicked
in. Eight little birds were hopping about in the sand right in front
of us. Arctic visitors prestine in white and before I had even begun
my search it was over. Here were the Snow Buntings. |
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People say that
these birds are very approachable but this time I did not find it to
be the case. Feeding aamongst the shingle and the flotsam line they
were very flighty and I found them hard to get close to. They would
take off without any notice and fly fifty yards up the beach. I got
a few record shots of them but I kept losing them and never really got
the shots I wanted. |
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I chased the bunting sup the beach for about a quarter of a mile but lost them. The tide was on its way in and having kept my eye on the tideline was aware that another favourite bird of mine was close by. A small flock of Sanderling were feeding on the rising tide and as I had yet again lost the Buntings I went to investigate. |
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Sanderling can run very fast.
If you are to photograph them successfully a two man method is usually
mos effective. One person lies down with their camera on the rising
tide line and waits whilst the other shephards the birds carefully in
their direction. Walk too fast and too directly and the birds fly away.
A nice slow wavering speed is best. The birds walk where you want them
without being spooked and everyone is happy. |
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