Another bulk update

Well then I've once again left it for too long and I need to write a bulk update about the last few birding trips. If I remember correctly, my last trip was to Ivinghoe Beacon. Ivinghoe Beacon is a prominent part of the Chiltern Hills, filled with lush grassland and has hilly terrain. The purpose of the trip was to see and photograph Dark Green Fritillaries. Once we arrived, there was no problem in locating them, they were very flighty and we didn't see one land until we had already been looking for an hour or so. After that we saw a few settle down, but by the slightest sign of disturbance or wind or even sun, they flew back up. Once again, not great for photography. However, on the way back we did manage to see a Corn Bunting, which showed well for scope views, I tried my luck with photography and received worth while shots. We then moved onto Pitstone Hill, here we hoped to see a Quail, a rather elusive species which eludes both my life list and I can imagine many other birders. Whilst there we did hear up to 7 individuals calling, possibly more. However, seeing one was a complete other matter.

Corn Bunting

Dark Green Fritillary

Moving on to the more recent, today I made a "twitching" trip with Chris, Paul and Samuel. Our hopes where for the Stilt Sandpiper to reappear, and head up in the direction. Unfortunately our hopes were not answered and we were left with the option of Wood Sandpiper at Carlton Marshes, Suffolk. When we arrived the directions seemed a little vague, but after some help from some locals we were well on our way. At the scrape we had distant views of the Wood Sandpipers, 5 individuals in total! No pictures but a life tick. After our success the White-winged Black Tern at Abberton Reservoir seemed promising and that was the next stop on the list. Once we arrived it only took us a few minutes before we were on the bird, conveniently with a Black Tern flying around with it. We then went to the visitors center, were it looked as if the bird was regularly flying past. From the visitors center we realized we had been mislead, but the views were still better than from the causeway. After a successful day we headed back home with high spirits.

The Tern showing too distantly for any good shots

After my GCSE photography course I found black and white photography and colour photography need completely different exposures, contrasts and composition. There for I have taken a few shots differently, and edited them on Lightroom, I think the results have been decent, what would have been rubbish shots in colour are interesting abstract shots in black and white. Have a look for yourself and make your own decision.

BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY

Hobby

Kestrel

Common Tern

Common Tern

Avocet