New era

I've been thinking about getting a proper camera for a long time, and I've finally done it. I served my digiscoping apprenticeship and decided it was about time I jumped on the DSLR bandwagon.

These are early days. I haven't got a clue of which settings to use; I just know I need to get close. It's not been hugely successful so far, but it's great fun - feels like the photographic equivalent of go-karting!

Now I just need to find some nice, cooperative birds.

And so, at The Lodge this morning...

Blue Tit. Some nestbox inspection going on


Robin preening

Frosty ivy berries



Dunnock singing

Bramble leaves

Wouldn't be complete without some sunlit leaves, would it?

And from yesterday...

Greylag Geese

Bullfinches munching on ash keys

photos taken with Canon EOS 30D, EF 300mm f/4L IS USM, Extender EF 1.4x II

Cute and fluffy

Brood of eight Greylag goslings at Hampton Lakes.


House Martins were gathering muck for nest improvements. In past years there have been quite good numbers of nesting martins on the houses around the lakes. I might have to go and check them out this year, so I can get my initials in the club annual reports...

photos taken with Nikon Coolpix 995 + Leica Apo Televid 62 with 16x eyepiece