What have you seen

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  • greylag
    greylag Forum Participant Posts: 584
    edited February 2017 #302

    I would have no chance of any pictures as I do not have the 1.4 ex.

    It is now blowing with rain supposed to be on way, so afternoon at home..Grrrrrrrr!

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited February 2017 #303

    Which camera do you use, Unless it is a full frame sensor, you will have either a 1.3 or 1.6 crop due to the sensor size.

     

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited February 2017 #304

    GL

    I have a notion we had part of the above conversation previously, and I think you said that you used a 70D.

    If this is correct, Your camera sensor has an effective crop value of 1.6 which would make your camera / lens combination 160/640 with an aperture range of F4.5/F5.6.

    If you then attached a 1.4 converter, then you would get 224/896 and an aperture range of F5.6/F8

    Both options would be quite a bit longer than my camera/lens/converter combination of 140/560 aperture range F5.6/F8

    Even without the converter/extender on your camera, you have a longer effective focal length.

    The advantage you would have with your set up, even without the converter, would be a longer length and larger max aperture as I loose one stop with the converter.

    Hope your eyes have not glazed over, but in simple terms you should be able to get good pics of the SEO's.

  • greylag
    greylag Forum Participant Posts: 584
    edited February 2017 #305

    Blue.....for some reason my Samsung will not let me write BM to start this response.

    Fantastic reply and I really have no idea about the differences between settings.  I am happy that you say I have a good chance of getting decent shots.  Perhaps this is why I am happy with most of the results that I get.

    I know that adding more glass in front of the camera is not always beneficial and could add to the problem of poor light.

    I have had some very good results with my combination, the 100  400 gives me quite a bit of flexibility, coming down to 6 feet at times and I have had very good insect shots.

    Looking at some people lugging Jodrell bank around, if I did that, I don't think I would get any more enjoyment out of it.

    No photos but I did see an Otter and Kingfisher catch fish yesterday.

     

     

  • greylag
    greylag Forum Participant Posts: 584
    edited February 2017 #306

    Just thought to illustrate what my lens gives me....the attached picture was just 6 feet away from me.

     

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited February 2017 #307

    Super pic, nothing wrong with your lens or settings.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2017 #308

    Started at Bungy Common plenty of Long Tailed Tits, Chaffinches and a single Stonechat.  On the way home saw 3 x Hares boxing then diverted to Bradwell where we watched 5 x Waxwings.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636
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    edited February 2017 #309

    Spotted a Kingfisher this morning during our prebreakfast walk along the bank of the Wharfe, just outside of Ilkley. Have seen a couple of Dippers and 4 Goosanders, 1 male & 3 females, this week too on the river, plus a pair of ducks I couldn't identify....a bit like Manderins in colour and with the upturned tail but longer in the body.

    Saw our first Red Kites on this trip too, as we travelled north from Otley towards Harrogate. Obviously spreading out from the breeding centre at Harewood.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited February 2017 #310

    I love watching dippers in a clear stream. I think they are amazing. Only seen kingfisher half a dozen times. Best was in Cyprus where it was on a rock breakwater. I was in the sea and it seemed unconcerned even though I swam gently towards it and trod water for several minutes about 2 yards away. Beautiful to see.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636
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    edited February 2017 #311

    Turned out an even better day/night as I saw a Barn Owl when out at 10:15 last night on our last walk.smile

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited February 2017 #312

    I love watching birds but I am hopeless working out which little brown job amongst the reeds is which. Give me a simple bittern every time. That I can recognise. laughing

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #313

    Strumpshaw yesterday morning, plenty of Marsh Tits, Marsh Harriers and a couple of Bullfinches but elusive.  Yesterday afternoon went to Oulton Marshes, No SEO although 1 x Barn owl quartering, seem to be catching food but too far away to see what it caught

  • Jo J
    Jo J Forum Participant Posts: 228
    edited March 2017 #314

    Saw a squirrel this morning running between two trees on either side of busy road using a convenient overhead telephone wire as its means of safe passage. 

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636
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    edited March 2017 #315

    Saw another Kingfisher today, as it flew straight across in front of me as I was crossing the R. Ouse. Further on there were a pair of Hares sparring in a field next to the cycle way.....appropriately enough it is the 1st of March. 

  • Pliers
    Pliers Forum Participant Posts: 1,864
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    edited March 2017 #316

    Excellent website, many thanks, Oneputt. 

  • HelenandTrevor
    HelenandTrevor Forum Participant Posts: 3,221
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    edited March 2017 #317

    Trevor said he saw a Kingfisher at Ferry Meadows when walking the dog first thing in the morning,  shame I'd decided to have a lie in that morning. 

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636
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    edited March 2017 #318

    Didn't see a Kingfisher today, but did see over 20 Goosanders on Redhouse Ings Reservoir and the R.Ouse, as well as Long Tailed Tits, Lapwings and the odd Curlew.

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,585 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #319

    laughinglaughing

    Not been out much but did see a Short Eared Owl, Female Hen Harrier taking a Meadow Pipit and about 10 Waxwings the other day on the Dee Estuary. Hoping to do some more walking next week.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636
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    edited March 2017 #320

     Not ever seen a SEO, and haven't seen any Waxwings this year, although there appear to have been lots about. 

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #321

    Away at the moment Nell but 66 waxwings reported just down the road from down the road where Daughter lives in Oulton Broad, so will have a look tomorrow.  

    Managed to photo a grey wagtail in Sudbury yesterday.

    Just read that Pallid Harrier is in North Norfolk don't know if it's the same as one as last year.

  • greylag
    greylag Forum Participant Posts: 584
    edited March 2017 #322

    OP...ask your daughter to have the kettle on....I am planning to do Lowestoft tomorrow, some DIY bits to get, any excuse to get near Waxwings.

    I see they have been by Old Franks pub?(don't know where that is), Oulton and now in Kents Lane Bungay...2 choices tomorrow.

     

    This morning GREAT NEWS...Barn owl is back.  Not the best photo, but the start of better to come?

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,585 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #323

    I know you won't be that far from Goole and we always used to see them on the RSPB reserve at Blacktoft Sands just south and east of Goole, so if you are that way then they should be there just before leaving for their summer breeding grounds. Plenty of Water Rail at this site as well.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #324

    GL the Ole Frank is on a mini roundabout on Gorleston road.  Unfortunately there are roadworks with diversions through Oulton Broad for the next 3 weeks.  

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited March 2017 #325

    Anyone visiting Bath in the coming weeks will find a pair of perigrines clearly visible at St Johns church. Mating has taken place as a couple of pics on Avon Birds website shows a nest and webcam also in place.

    Our small flock of waxwing have resorted to picking berries from the floor, so can only be a few days before they move on.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636
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    edited March 2017 #326

    Thanks for that info WN, but change of plans. We're going to Bempton next weekend for 5 nights so it will be seabird spotting instead!! Wonder if the Puffins will have arrived?

    Edit.  Have just had a look at their web site and 3 SEO were spotted there today, along with a few Puffins out at sea.laughing

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,585 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #327

    Nellie, at this time of year they tend to stay mostly on the sea awaiting the arrival of more Puffins which will slowly increase as they've been quite widespread during Winter. They'll also be on the lookout for their mates although how they recognise them is beyond me.

    They have many predators on land so feel safer in a large group, they'll then have a collective fly past their old breeding areas to see whats on the ground before making the hazardous landing, so the likelihood is that at this time of the year you'll probably see loads on the sea. However as with all things in nature they'll probably prove me wrong and have the deck chairs out on their piece of turf and be chatting to the next door Razorbill about where they spent the last 6 months.

  • greylag
    greylag Forum Participant Posts: 584
    edited March 2017 #328

    Op...thanks for the heads up.

    'Ole frank', came up trumps...only 4 birds and soon buzzed off, I could hear them overhead but had no time to stake them out.  Loads of berries on ground, wonder if they will go for them?

    As a day it has not been bad...early morning Barn owl(very poor light), mid-morning Waxwing(poor light) and this afternoon a male Kingfisher in good light.  I have found a new place to sit and watch the Kingfishers fishing...I came the closest to catching a diving Kingfisher than ever before.  Tomorrow I am going to set up and wait.

    I may try for the Bungay Waxwings later tomorrow.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #329

    GL Is the pool you use to spot KF on the right of the golf course car park?

    Called in at Minsmere today, most interesting thing around was an adder trying to get some heat from the sun.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #330

    Adder at Minsmere

     

  • Pliers
    Pliers Forum Participant Posts: 1,864
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    edited March 2017 #331

    Skylarks singing and flying high over the moors this morning - magic.