In search of a Norwegian Blue: Gulls

Showing posts with label Gulls. Show all posts

Monday, 26 November 2012

I think I'd rather be in West Africa...

How soon we forget. I was attempting to do some archiving, funny how you always get distracted. I think I was well distracted earlier in the year and have many images I have not posted... so here are a few of them for now.

Along with the Common Terns at Preston Dock, Lee Harrison came across at least one, possibly more Arctic Tern on a couple of occasions (Hi Lee, hope all's well there) generally late evening. The one night he wasn't there and I managed a record photo of one, splitting them out from the Commons is not easy....especially when it is nearly dark!

Some images of the Common Terns and the eclectic catch both fresh and sea water fishes on the diet – clearly the Common Terns are not fussy. One of the juveniles getting airborne and the Gulls, despite their size don't get much of a look-in when the Common Terns are around.

And completely off-subject for a change, I meant to include a few weeks ago but didn't, Tom doing his thing.

Arctic Tern, nearly dark (when taken, not the bird)

Arctic Tern, lightened image

for no apparent reason they all lift off at once and do a circuit or two, a few of them, frame too small

Tom Finney and the famous 'splash' image, now a statue outside Preston North End... nobody remembers the photographer!

Tuesday, 17 April 2012

More like it

(two posts in ONE day!)

My trip to Knott End on a high tide turned out to be almost a complete waste of time; I saw virtually nowt – a Red Breasted Merganser going east but too far out to photograph. As a consequence I popped down to the ferry to see if the Black Redstart was about or anything was in the estuary – fat chance! However my knowledge of Gulls is non-existent and my foray only demonstrates my complete ignorance. I think somebody had perhaps been 'chip throwing', either way a few Gulls were in front of the car park so I thought I might take some reference photos that may come in useful in years to come (are you sure?). I also saw it as an opportunity to practice flight photography – again a complete waste of time (much to learn), out of about 50 images I think these three are the only ones in focus; they do nevertheless demonstrate the variation in plumage in the various ages.

So desperate was I that I decided to call in further down the coast; I wont say exactly where due to the time of year and the sensitivity of a schedule 1 bird – the Barn Owl. (Send me a private message if you wish and I'll let you know). It did however take me completely by surprise. You can't have too many photos of Barn Owls so here are a few more. Not great as the light was failing (any excuse... but you know the score by now).

Back on my own patch, if you have viewed this blog in the past, you will know I have a penchant for flying things (for some reason I don't understand either!)... The sun 'in the wrong place' allowed me the archetypal image of the resident Mute Swan – so here are two. And having spotted a male Orange Tip frist on 4 April I managed to capture this image in a favoured spot I frequent; the local Mallards had nine young, freshly out of the nest (no photo)

Sunday, 8 August 2010

Dead Seal and Cretacean – Squeamish move on

Many of you will know I am a frequent visitor to Knott End and consequently always try to get out 'on the front'. Today was just one of those days when all seemed quiet...

It started off with two Red-Legged Partridge on the esplanade near the beach, clearly trying to avoid being cannon fodder. Even diving into the sea wall rocks looking for cover!

I walked down to Cockers Dyke and there was the Juvenile Cuckoo that had been well reported and covered extensively elsewhere. You will see I couldn't even get close, other than a borwn blodge in the distance. Some good views in the bins nevertheless. Bumped into the lovely Mr M Jones and a few folk I've not met before. A few Golden Plover on the sands, before walkin back. A Norhern Wheatear saw me long before I could get close enough for a decent photo.

About to depart the esplanande and 'that doesn't look like a log' methinks out there on the beach... way out there on the beach. Too intrigued... off I set across the beach heading for the horizon. Getting even closer I could see it wasn't moving but it didn't look like a log or tree trunk, but then again. Furthermore the accompanying gulls suggested something else might be afoot. I was somewhat taken aback as I approached to come across a smaller 'log' about twenty metres before the bigger lump, a dead cetaecean and on to the big lump, a dead common seal. I reported both sightings. Surprising what is out there off the coast.

I have always wanted to have a go at that micro-light thingie, but still saving up... so anyone out there with cheap training flights, let me know! I have noticed they do not appear to be using the beach area quite as much as they used to, so perhaps a quiet ear in your shell-like may have worked.

The images are not much use other than a record of the day. And finally on the way home, a juvenile Pied Wagtail wouldn't get out of the road over on Pilling Moss!