The kites are back, haven’t seen many yet this year, but they often pass right overhead catching the thermals. If I have my long lens handy I get an occasional shot. One from this year and a few from last year.
(c) K Wicks
High as a kite
bird
Blue tit nest
There are Starlings and Sparrows nesting in the holes and eaves of both my neighbours houses, so I had just been enjoying the little chirping of new birds from afar. Or so I thought. Today I saw a bird shoot into my wall and disappear. I watched and waited, and saw the exit. So quick I almost missed it. But it looked like a Blue tit. So I got my camera, set to video mode and waited, again. And waited. Just before giving up, it darted out and luckily I caught it. Here are the stills. It’s extra exciting now to know I also have birds nesting, and interesting to see how they make do and manage to find somewhere warm, dry and safe right alongside people.
(c) K Wicks
Sparrow silhouette
Just a lone sparrow sitting on the fence.
(c) K Wicks
Red Kite – April 2020
We are lucky to have fly them over the garden quite often, so I get to take my time and try and get a good shot. Occasionally I do 🙂
(c) K Wicks
Stonechat close up
We had a number of stonechats in Spain which frequented the garden, giving me ample opportunity to get some good shots. But this one stopped near me while I happened to already have my camera in hand and didn’t mind me gradually getting closer and closer. Even singing a bit while I was taking pictures. You can’t help get the feeling sometimes nature enjoys being watched.
(c) K Wicks
Nuthatch
Inspired by a post I saw yesterday, I have dug out my photo of the only time I have seen a nuthatch here in the UK. Having trees close by meant we had plenty of wildlife in this small patch of garden, but was only a temporary rented property again so we weren’t there very long. I also spook birds quite easily as well, so usually have to spend some time waiting for them, this time I was lucky having put food out for the squirrels and other birds.
(c) K Wicks
Spanish Bee-eater
One of the most colourful birds I have seen in the wild is this one, the Spanish bee-eater. Only managed to get a few shots and didn’t want to try and get too much closer in case I scared him away before I got any. I have a knack of disturbing the wildlife I am trying to capture!
He only hung around for a few minutes then was off on his travels again but a real treat to have drop into the garden!
(c) K Wicks
Robin
Not so much now, but previously was lucky enough to live in a property that had a great garden, with hedges instead of fences and even had a small pond. The amount of wildlife that passed through was much greater than any other fenced garden I have known. I managed to capture a fair few different things in our brief year there.
The birds that visited took much of my attention (as did the squirrels), and I couldn’t help but put food out for them. They had the pond and plenty in nature, but a helping hand here and there doesn’t hurt does it?
The robins seem to get the hint that they should hand around for some photos, and wonderfully a baby robin dropped by as well.
I even caught him having an early bath one day. The blackbirds and sparrows also frequented the pond, it seems they all got along quite well.
Having the time and such a great garden at my disposal was a real treat. It’s not the same going out and about to try and find wildlife. Being able to see the same things and set up in different weathers and conditions was great. It changed every day and each time there were different flowers opening, or different bugs and insects. There isn’t enough available out and about for a photographer like me, I don’t always get the time to stand around waiting for the perfect shot or to get the angle I might like. And I end up feeling self conscious in public when I should be concentrating on the photo. I have a small garden now and have been treated to butterflies, caterpillars and one dragonfly whizzed through, but nothing like a less restricted garden would bring. So I dream of having a nicer garden again so I can capture the awesomeness of nature.
(c) K Wicks
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