Wildlife

COMMON BUZZARD

16.11.20

Never in my life have I been able to get close to a buzzard in the wild until today. Down a lane near Rocquaine, I spotted this buzzard perched in a tree. Wound down the window and slowly drove closer and closer until I was pretty much underneath it. The thing that scared it was an attack from another buzzard which came out of nowhere!

Canon EOS 70D - EFS 55-250 USM

250mm / ƒ8.0 / 1/250s / ISO 320

JALFREZI

06.11.20

The latest prickly visitor to find it’s way into our garden, how, I still have no idea. I’ve found one small gap in the fence, possible big enough for a baby hog to squeeze though. He had ticks on his face so I took him to the GSPCA where I named him Jalfrezi, after my favourite cuisine!

Canon EOS 70D - EFS 55-250 USM

200mm / ƒ6.3 / 1/125s / ISO 500

SLIMY

10.10.20

A surprise find in the garden as I was clearing leaves before mowing. I’ve got no idea how it got into the garden as there’s no gap anywhere that’s big enough for a frog. The only explanation I can think of is a bird dropping it in. I let him find a new hiding place for now but I’ll release him near a pond tomorrow.

Canon EOS 70D - EFS 55-250 USM

210mm / ƒ8.0 / 1/160s / ISO 320

ROBIN

29.06.20

Feeling fed up, tired and frustrated with no inspiration, this robin landed on a fence next to me just as I opened my boot to put my gear away. He stayed for 5 shots then disappeared.

Canon EOS 70D - EFS 55-250 USM

250mm / ƒ8.0 / 1/250s / ISO 250

LONG EARED OWL

20.08.19

It’s not every day an opportunity slaps you in the face, but today was one of those days. Driving along the coast I caught sight of this owl swooping down and then perched on this branch.

The down side, the adrenaline to get the shot was so intense, even image stabilization struggled with the camera shake!

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV - EF70-200mm f2.8L

200mm / ƒ/6.3 / 1/160s / ISO 400

PHEASANT

09.04.19

Has to be the most unsubtle bird on the island. Walking the lanes, minding my own business I hear this pheasant hundreds of metres away then it flaps about almost saying, oi you, I’m over here! Got pretty close too so he obviously didn’t give two poops about my presence.

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV - EF70-200mm f2.8L

200mm / ƒ/5.6 / 1/400s / ISO 200

COOT

06.03.19

For those days when inspiration is running very low, head to a local park and just wander round aimlessly. Most of the time something will stick out. If it doesn’t, just look harder!

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV - EF70-200mm f2.8L

180mm / ƒ/4.5 / 1/200s / ISO 400

GREY HERON

27.02.19

This heron really doesn’t care about people, he’s more interested in catching every last fish in the pond. It’s easy to find and photograph, the personal challenge is trying to capture him in the best possible light. This was about 09:30 and apart from a few blown out feathers, I think I’m finally happy and can let this one go.

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV - EF70-200mm f2.8L

125mm / ƒ/4.5 / 1/400s / ISO 320