Autumn Highlights - Scops Owl & Rock Thrush

Scops Owl, County Durham, September 2017:

Rock Thrush, Pwll-du, Gwent, October 2017:

My Winning Image in the Bird Photographer of the Year 2017 Competition

This is my winning image from the Bird Photographer of The Year 2017 - 'Wing Formation' in the Attention to Detail category:

This Cormorant was fishing in dark light under a bridge on a lake.  It emerged from the water onto a rock to spread its wings in typical Cormorant fashion. The bird was close which meant I was able to capture the formation of the wing feathers and the wonderful colours that are found in the detail - blues and purples, which are normally invisible at distance.  The bird somehow manages to separate each feather, presumably to allow air to pass through. I included the bill in the composition to show that it is a Great Cormorant.
Taken with Nikon D7100, 300mm f2.8 lens, 2 x Converter. Focal Length 600mm; 1/800 second; f5.6; ISO 1,600

Presenter Chris Packham's comments can be seen in the awards presentation here (21m 10s in..):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks-Uc9NNkK8

The image appears in the book 'Bird Photographer of the Year 2' which can be bought here:
https://www.bto.org/research-data-services/publications/bto-books-and-guides/2017/bird-photographer-year-2017

Three other images of mine appear in the book:

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Jackdaw & Red Deer

Oystercatcher & Knot

Some press of the competition can be found here:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2017/aug/31/bird-photographer-of-the-year-2017-in-pictures 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4809210/Bird-Photographer-Year-awards-2017.html

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4393955/bird-photographer-of-the-year-2017-entries-winners-pictures/

http://www.discoverwildlife.com/gallery/bird-photographer-year-2017


Thanks for looking!

Rock Hard - Eastern Black Redstart

Who would have thought when this Eastern Black Redstart turned up in Cleveland in late October last year it would spend the whole winter on the rocks of this east coast beach.

Nearly 150 days later it is still present, having endured the harsh conditions of a winter at Skinningrove.  An amazing bird.

Thanks for looking!

Cliff Swallow!

A couple of images of the superb Cliff Swallow from Minsmere in early November... 

First identified late on the Friday afternoon, it was very likely to be present the next morning.  After a very early start and we arrived at Minsmere in the dark. A bit if a gamble as to where to go for dawn soon found us positioned in the Bittern Hide. An Otter provided the first action as it came from under the hide into the water giving great views.  Soon afterwards the inevitable phone call came through - "its over the car park"! The exodus from the hide was reminiscent of the Romans leaving Brian's house in The Life Of Brian.

Fortunately after a quick sprint back it was soon located and performed well for at least two hours accompanying around 7 Eurasian Swallows.

Thanks for looking!