As is traditional at this time of year I have spent a little time looking back at the images of the last 12 months.
To be honest birding and photography took something of a back seat to family during large parts of 2012, as is evident by some large gaps in between blog postings. I apologise for the gaps in my blog, but not for prioritising my young family who are the most important thing in my life. That doesn't in any way mean I'm giving up my interest in wildlife, just that I need to work out better & smarter ways to combine these two aspects of my life.
Despite the limitations on my time, and for that matter those imposed by the weather, there have been some nice images through the year. Here, in no particular order are 12 of my favourite from 2012.
A group of Pink-footed Geese that were associating with some of the astonishing numbers of White-fronted Geese in the county in the early part of the year. While I did get some photographs of the White-fronts they weren't quite as co-operative somehow, and most of the images are what I consider record shots.
I also spent some time in the early part of the year photographing Hawfinch, along with a few of their woodland compatriots. The background is maybe not quite as clean as I'd like, but the interaction here gets me every time.
Again an image containing a slightly messy element - there are a couple of twigs that I might have preferred not to be there, but hey there's a bit of nature in the raw for you and I'm not going to change it.
One particular early June day provided me with what may just rank as my favourite Warbler encounter, simply a pair of Willow Warbler that paid me absolutely no heed as they went about their days work.
I also spent a fair bit of time on the River Kent this year, photographing Dippers, Sandpipers and Wagtails. This brace of Wagtails are my favourite from the time spent alongside the River Kent
Those who know me won't be surprised that I spent some quality time with the Swallows & Martins when they returned from their winter sojourn in climes somewhat warmer than ours.
Can't go wrong with a Marsh Harrier and a nice bit of habitat to boot.
Heron on a wall, a very nice wall it is too
And finally a Kingfisher, for once when I had my camera with me.
For a larger versions of any of the above, plus the rest of my top 40 of 2012 click
here
