Some pictures I took recently

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Capercaille wrote: »

I remember you saying you were an ecologist (I think). Whenever Im there I can't but notice how few oak saplings in the forest. Are the deer preventing regeneration?

Sika grazing on woodland floors is a major hindrance to regeneration. I'm afraid they are bad news in native woods.

vistafinder

MajesticDonkey wrote: »

What sort of shutter speed is recommended for in-flight shots?

I was at 2500 & 2000 for the second one.

Its trial and a lot of error

Capercaille

Jazlyn Incalculable Yo-yo wrote: »

Sika grazing on woodland floors is a major hindrance to regeneration. I'm afraid they are bad news in native woods.

You can get a Section 42 licence to cull them when doing damage to farmland. it's a pity the NPWS don't clear them out of that forest.

keps

Just after I took the 'flight' photo of the Reed Bunting and posted it, I ran upstairs for a quick shower - I was heading into town to meet a few friends and the train was at 15.49- so I was racing against time when I saw thought I saw TWO reed buntings in the garden



Only lens to hand was 300mm so it's difficult to get 2 separated items into focus- even though I shoved it up to F22( and though foreshortened by the lens - these birds are a good distance apart).




EDit

I'm only looking at these pics now.. but here is one focussed on the 2nd Bunting- is there anyway of knowing whether one is male/female?

stevensi

Both Males....

keps

stevensi wrote: »

Both Males....

Thanks - there were 3 males this morning!

OpenYourEyes

keps wrote: »

Thanks - there were 3 males this morning!

The males have that black 'cap' on their head, whereas the females are a more plain brown, with similar streaking to the males.

Kat1170

I would so mistake them for Sparrows :o

keps

Kat1170 wrote: »

I would so mistake them for Sparrows :o

They were not the best photos - was trying to get 2 birds nto one photo


This one shows that they have a distinctive appearance




and taken from upstaairs bedroom... 2 together on the hedge



added later

Last one I promise - I know you've had Reed Bunting overkill! But caught the three of them on the hedge a short while ago

Kat1170

keps wrote: »

They were not the best photos - was trying to get 2 birds nto one photo

Not because of your photos, but my untrained eye

splish

Red fox Vulpes vulpes

hollster2

Sorry the picture is so small it was taken Quick on my phone i dont know how to make it bigger Dragonfly:D

splish

Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula

Art Deko

Untitled by Greg Matthews, on Flickr

keps

Eclectic mix
Back-garden this morning



larger here
http://pix.ie/keps/3724341/size/1600

dodderangler

Art Deko wrote: »

Untitled by Greg Matthews, on Flickr

He done well to still be about for photos
Havint seen a stag about in ages though unfortunately I've seen the remains alright,

gzoladz

keps wrote: »

Eclectic mix
Back-garden this morning



larger here
http://pix.ie/keps/3724341/size/1600

Nice!

Starling, green finch, reed bunting, what is the brown bird behind the starling? Female greenfinch?

splish

Female House sparrow.

keps

Just when you thought it was safe to log-in:D




Might do a blog about these Buntings –as they are very interesting to watch during the day.

OpenYourEyes

Mod Note:

Fret_Wimp2's fantastic Sparrowhawk picture was chosen for the December picture of the month, Congrats to him!

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057260006

(We'll have Januarys this week and then be up to date!)

keps

OpenYourEyes wrote: »

Mod Note:

Fret_Wimp2's fantastic Sparrowhawk picture was chosen for the December picture of the month, Congrats to him!

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057260006

(We'll have Januarys this week and then be up to date!)

That was a no-brainer- a fantastic photo!

MajesticDonkey

It reminds me of an American cop holding down a suspect they've just caught

stevensi

gzoladz wrote: »

Nice!

Starling, green finch, reed bunting, what is the brown bird behind the starling? Female greenfinch?

There is a female Chaffinch there as well the bird in the right hand corner of the pic

splish

Round-leaved Crowfoot Ranunculus omiophyllus

Bonedigger

That Round-Leaved Crowfoot is flowering very, very early.
It usually isn't in bloom in my locality until May-ish.

splish

Bonedigger wrote: »

That Round-Leaved Crowfoot is flowering very, very early.
It usually isn't in bloom in my locality until May-ish.

Ye I was surprised to see it really. Looking forward to things warming up and some spring flowers.

keps

Not skylarks- but skysparrows:)

Bonedigger

splish wrote: »

Ye I was surprised to see it really. Looking forward to things warming up and some spring flowers.

I can't wait either!:)
I purchased a macro lens two or three weeks ago and am itching to get out and about with it.

keps

To make up for that Skysparrow 'pun' here is one from today in Lucan demesne of my Grey Wagtail grabbing some lunch!

keps

A couple more from Lucan today