Spring birds.

Blackcap

During the winter I made a bit of an effort to go back to basics and work with flying ducks, nothing arty or moody but simple images of birds in flight in nice light. I really enjoyed the project and it made me think a bit about my stock of British bird images.

Whitethroat

When I had a quick review I found that for many species I had very few nice images, and those I did have were now looking a bit dated.

Reed bunting

So, with this in mind, I have spent virtually every morning for the last two weeks or so getting up early and doing the old fashioned wait and see photography in one of the many small local reserves in Sheffield. I have kept my kit for this to the basics.

Tree creeper

I carry one body (a 7Dmk2) on my 500 lens with a 1.4 converter, no bag or tripod, the only other thing is a small flask of tea in my pocket.

Whinchat

The project has been brilliant, not only have I enjoyed it greatly but I have re-familiarised myself with a number of small local wild areas, often bedded right in the heart of industrial Sheffield and Rotherham. April is an amazing month. So many of the summer migrants are now returning and starting to sing and defend territories. In many ways the aim of this project is to reflect the joys of spring and celebrate the sounds and feelings that I experience each morning. 

Snipe drumming

Bar the odd early dog walker these small local patches are oases of tranquillity at this time of the day with some fantastic birds. The following images have all been taken during this project in the last two weeks. Many of my targets are what I term skulkers. I can hear them but they don't like showing themselves too much. The secret is to wait, eventually they will climb a little higher in the undergrowth and let my lens record their image. This must rate as one of the most enjoyable and productive periods in my local patch bird photography ever.     

Blackcap

Linnet

Reed bunting

Reed warbler

Tree creeper

Skylark

Wheatear

Whinchat

Whitethroat

Willow warbler

Wren.