Wheatear - Oenanthe oenanthe
Canon 600mm f8 for 1/2000th @ iso320
Steve had turned up from his French chateau and was slumming it in the U.K., in an effort to assist him in getting some ordinary wildlife photos, as opposed to the exotics he gets without even leaving the grounds of his property, we ventured out into the wilds of the Welsh moors. I was quite surprised to find even with my early start that I was last on the hill, in fact both Steve and Ian were only visible in the distance via the optics of the 600mm ! By 7am it was hot up on the hills and this did not bode well for later in the day and photography as a heat haze was already visible across the heather. The early risers (must be an age thing) had already photographed Stonechat and Skylarks and so by the time I caught up with them they had moved to the vast area of ferns and the target species was Whinchat. Five Whinchat in total flitted about, all a bit distant, nevertheless we pressed the shutter button and deleted loads when home ! Time passed the temperature rose and Steve discussing the delights of his new swimming pool did little to help us all except perhaps wish we where all in his garden in France. On the way back it was Ian who spotted some movement on the old field wall. A total of 5 fledgling Wheatear, three of which can be seen in this photo had come out from the wall, where no doubt the nest was and where being fed by the adult male.
Steve had turned up from his French chateau and was slumming it in the U.K., in an effort to assist him in getting some ordinary wildlife photos, as opposed to the exotics he gets without even leaving the grounds of his property, we ventured out into the wilds of the Welsh moors. I was quite surprised to find even with my early start that I was last on the hill, in fact both Steve and Ian were only visible in the distance via the optics of the 600mm ! By 7am it was hot up on the hills and this did not bode well for later in the day and photography as a heat haze was already visible across the heather. The early risers (must be an age thing) had already photographed Stonechat and Skylarks and so by the time I caught up with them they had moved to the vast area of ferns and the target species was Whinchat. Five Whinchat in total flitted about, all a bit distant, nevertheless we pressed the shutter button and deleted loads when home ! Time passed the temperature rose and Steve discussing the delights of his new swimming pool did little to help us all except perhaps wish we where all in his garden in France. On the way back it was Ian who spotted some movement on the old field wall. A total of 5 fledgling Wheatear, three of which can be seen in this photo had come out from the wall, where no doubt the nest was and where being fed by the adult male.