Another Otter

Hi Everyone, 

Today is a shot taken a couple of days ago in Dorset. The otter was hunting a few meters in front of me and catching fish on almost every dive. I managed to get a few shots of them with the fish in their mouths, however I like this angle as the view into the mouth is awesome. 

I am hoping to get back to the site over easter to try to improve the images. 

Otters

Today, I had the privilege of photographing an otter at close quarters. After only about 10 minuets of arriving at the site, I saw a lone Otter dive in the middle of the river. It surfaced on the far bank and proceeded to climb up the side of the river. It rested for a while before returning to the river to hunt.

I found a low level platform in front of it and got into position. It soon was diving and catching fish regularly right in front of me. I was at a really awkward angle and so I was not able to hold the lens very well however I am pleased with the results.

I am hoping to return to the site soon (ish) to photograph the female with cubs that has been reported in the area.

Here are two images, I will upload some more over the next few days. 

Stoat

While on a shoot today I saw a little brown thing run behind a rock, and run up on to the top of a large boulder on the beach. I had no idea what it was but I thought it could of been a stoat or a weasel. I sat down behind a small boulder and waited. I made some squeaking sounds with my mouth and sure enough, after about 20 mins. I saw a little head of a Stoat appear from a crack in the rock face. He was so inquisitive and when I made a noise he looked round at me and came down further.
Unfortunately it was heavy rain and was really dull light. He did come right out in the open however the rain caused the lens to not focus correctly.

I might go back to the same place, to see if more time will get me some better images. Im not sure if they have a large territory? or are they likely to be in the same location? some info would be great.

It was awesome to see one and a first for me.

Garden Birds

Yesterday myself and some pals of mine went to the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall. Its great for garden birds and loads of other things too but we sat in the hide all day for the birds.

I spent a lot of time trying to get clean sharp portraits of all the different species, then I moved on to trying to get in flight shots. This was a lot harder but I got a few results which I am happy with.

Great Tit in the rain 

A Coal Tit with in coming Blue tit 

Coal Tit

Marsh Tit

Coal Tit landing 

Please let me know which is your favorite.

Otter

This shot has got mixed opinions recently. I love it because it is very different to what I have uploaded before and that its a behaviour that happens about 1/10 sec after the otters surface. They raise their head straight up just after a dive and shake their head to rid of excess water. The whole process is very quick and it took me a lot of attempts to capture it and when I did this is what I got. What do you think? 

70-200mm @ 200mm f3.2 iso 800

Bodmin Dipper

A couple of days ago, myself and some friends went to bodmin to photograph dipper. it was quite successful and I hope to return soon to further improve my images. 

There were three present and some fighting took place to sort of pairing for the upcoming spring. 

The top image shows a courtship dance that was taking place. Let me know what you think.

500mm f4

500mm f4 

500mm f4

Recent work,

Firstly I need to apologise for my lack of posts recently. 

I have been woking hard but really have not been getting any results untill the last couple of days. I like to only blog work im really happy with and for that reason I have not been posting. 

I spent the day on the north cost a couple of days ago and was mainly shooting kestrels.

Let me know what you think of the kestrel images. 

Yesterday myself and some friends went to bodmin moor to photograph dipper. It was a good morning and I will upload some shots tomorrow.