And now for something completely different

I've been playing with some of the more artistic new tools in the latest version of photoshop, specifically the mixer brush tool which can be used to make "digital paintings" by applying brush strokes to a photograph. A fun process that I'm just getting up to speed with, but here's a couple of paintings I did over the weekend from old photos of a small Eider flock & a Brent Goose. Enjoy !!

Sizergh

A morning visit to Sizergh failed to produced any Hawfinch in the feeding area opposite the cafe & shop, although as I was out with my camera I didn't spend any time scanning the tree tops where they are perhaps more likely to be seen at this time of year.
Most of the other regulars were present in reasonable numbers, with Blue, Great, Coal & Long-tailed Tits, Chaffinch, Nuthatch, Robin, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush & a Treecreeper that chose to settle on the first tree that I couldn't point my camera at.

Also I spoke to the National Trust staff to clarify access arrangements. The shop opens at 11.00, which is when the car park is officially open. However the car park will be opened by the first member of staff to arrive - often someone from the cafe will be in early to do some baking and it's fine to drive in then. If the gates aren't open it is still fine to enter on foot, but please do not park at the car park gates, instead please park on the public road outside the main gates (near the Strickland Arms pub).

Click on any of the photos for larger versions & more photos

The Long & Short of it

I spent the afternoon on Walney today, with my two target species being the Long-tailed Duck and Short-eared Owl that have been featuring recently on the Walney BO Blog
On my way down I paused at Wylock Marsh to eat my dinner and was rewarded with a couple of Little Egret.
Upon arriving at the reserve I headed down to the area around the Oyster Farm, where I spent an hour or so photographing the various ducks present, mainly Red-breasted Merganser, Goldeneye & the Long-tailed Duck which at one point was very confiding indeed.
I then worked my way down towards the old pier, hoping for a Short-eared Owl sheltering from the wind, but no luck there. However I grabbed a couple of nice shots of Ringed Plover on the shore and the Twite flock flew past, before I headed back to my car.
I then settled in at Gate Marsh, hoping for a hunting Owl, but again no sign as the light faded.

Click on any photo for larger versions and more photos

Dippers again

Again I had a free hour or so available this morning and opted to visit my preferred spot on the river Kent for Dippers.  A welcome bonus was a pair of Grey Wagtail when I arrived - although common enough on the river I've not observed them on this particular section before.  The Wagtails spent 5 minutes or so flycatching, which I thought was remarkable given the time of year, before flying upriver.  Also a Grey Heron flew in and settled on the opposite side of the river before the Dipper action started.

And then the Dipper action really did start, with a number of energetic chases up and down the river involving usually 2 and occasionally 3 birds.  These chases were interspersed with calmer periods of feeding, and on one occasion a Dipper drifted along the near bank to within a couple of yards of where I was sitting - well and truly inside minimum focusing distance forcing me to sit and enjoy the magic of the moment.

I was pleased to capture images of a full fight sequence between two birds, with the first bird stood on a rock which the second bird approached.  The first bird took exception to this and attacked the second bird, they fought in the air and then on the water before separating slightly and drifting on the water for a moment before being lost to view.

For the full fight sequence and a couple of other Dipper shots click on any of the photos below or click here