Rather overcast this morning, for all we're told we're about to have a massive heatwave... anyway, always happy to see a Nuthatch in Prospect Park, UK, even if they like the shade. Ring-necked Parakeets are escapes/introductions that have managed to survive and thrive in the wild in parts of the UK - but are seen as destructive & noisy.
Canon R5MkII + RF200-800
European Jay, Prospect Park, Reading, UK
Canon R5 MkII + RF200-800
And I'm not kidding about shooting from the hip. I was sitting on a bench having a coffee break, and this bird hoped onto the branch maybe 3 yards away. Jays are shy birds at the best of times, and there was no way this one would tolerate bringing the camera to the eye that close. So I left it at 200mm, pointed it as best I might with as little movement as possible and snapped blind. So, in the circumstances, even if the twig in front of the Jay was the point of focus, I'm pleased with the result!
The Jay then flew a little further into the trees - so I got in theory a better shot, at full focal length, but alas in the shade:
... have this lot head towards you ... happily passing to my right but way too close - only a couple of yards, if that.
First time I've seen a (presumably) honey bee swarm on the move, and I've no idea what prompted them. The photos on the left are blown up segments of those on the right.
Prospect Park, Reading, UK
Canon R5 MkII + RF200-800 (at 200mm in this case)
First onto a submerged stick and then onto a closer sawn off branch - very kind.
What struck me was the depth of yellow in the plumage - I'd normally expect paler.
Kennet Canal, nr. Reading
Canon R5 MkII + RF200-800
Kennet Canal, nr. Reading UK
Just pleased to catch the sequence at all
Canon R5 MkII + RF200-800, 1/1000s
(Technically, it's a crest that they sometimes raise, but since this one was just after berries or buds, it had no obvious reason to)
Having found an event in the park I thought was just yesterday actually covered today as well, I didn't expect to see any birds - instead I saw more than I've seen on several recent visits! This was taken on a dull day in the shade, resulting in an ISO12800 shot at 1/1000s, so I'm particularly pleased it turned out OK.
Canon R5 MkII + RF200-800
The mother had already disappeared behind vegetation by the time my camera was pointing ...
Reading, UK
Canon R6 MkII + RF200-800
Caught almost by accident, and a little over exposed & left that way as it seems to work to me.
Collared doves are far from rare, but make a pleasant change from pigeons everywhere.
Reading, UK. Canon R5MkII + RF200-800
Oh, and the shot I was trying to take:
Not that sharp, but the first time I've photoed a Sand Martin as far as I know. Surprisingly, well with the built up area of Reading, UK, along the Kennet canal. Ironically, the best shots of House Martins I have are over sand!
Canon R5 MkII + RF200-800
For such a sunny day, this Great Tit sure found lots of shade (ISO12800, 1/1250s sigh)... and a caterpillar protected by cobwebs, it looks like!
Reading, UK. Canon R5 MkII + RF200-800
Practically everything else round here is in hiding bar pigeons, magpies and black-headed gulls!
Reading, UK, Canon R5 MkII + RF200-800
Oh, and as a bonus:
Perhaps the least showy duck in the world - that's two males, believe it or not. The females are plainer!?!
Fobney Meadows, nr. Reading, UK
Canon R5MkII + RF200-800
Sadly the photo of the cormorant splashing down was distinctly "soft"
River Thames near Reading, UK Canon R5 MkII + RF200-800
These Red Kites were displaying to each other, I'm sure - though others were having challenges in the strong breeze.
Prospect PArk, Reading, UK
Canon R5 MkII + RF200-800
Dinton Pastures, gravel pits near Reading.
Canon R5 MkII + RF200-800.
Oh and a bonus "classic" shot of a pair displaying to each other:
A much easier subject than the swallows in the adjacent field! That's likely horse hair, as this is in a pasture for a riding school.
Little Heath, Reading, UK
Canon R5 MkII + RF200-800, 1/1250s
Swallows move far too fast to reliably get photos of them - even if a couple of these are not too bad.
Little Heath, Reading, UK
Canon R5Mk + RF200-800 1/1250s
