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Been a bit busy of late with family matters plus the hot weather has kept computer work down to a minimum, can't stand being indoors when the Gods are shinning on us, that said I also can't stand the heat - but one has to suffer for his cause, and its much better than upping the ISO in dull conditions to get some speed.
One thing that has been a priority in the editing room has been sorting images out from a recent trip to North Berwick for the Scottish Seabird Center, I'm thrilled to bits that they are going to use some of my images and they have invited me up for a trip onto Bass Rock. Trying to sort out a date to visit though has been problematic, June was suggested, but my daughter is expecting and is due to present us with a brand new offspring June / early July (what timing) anyhow due to go at the end of July, so something to look forward to - oh, as well as the kiddy-winkle I might add (I think I'd better). This has meant other holiday images lay languishing on the hard drive, not only that more images are added to the list faster than I can process them, it's a problem but a nice one to have. So if you see images appearing weeks (months) late forgive me, it will be down to my chaotic way of sifting through them.
My "system" is a far cry from my days photographing the Latics in the early 80's, when I would cover the matches home or away and have to have the pics ready for the early evening editions - mind the editor was only interested in the goals and they didn't score that many in those days (no change there then). Although I do remember an evening kick off at Scunthorpe giving me a sleepless night when the boys went berserk on a goal spree banging in SEVEN and that against an opposition who's captain was Ian Botham no less - yes he played football as well as cricket - but not quite so well.
Anyhow lets get up to speed, most of my time of late has been spent at Yarrow Valley Country Park photographing Great Crested Grebes and Dippers. The Grebes are on the main lodge and I love the water at the top end given calm conditions and flat water. Sitting in the middle of that end, the water to the left is light green mirrored from reed covered bank, dead ahead reflects the blue sky and to the right it's very dark green, almost black, but the light picks out the birds beautifully, that's my preferred angle to shoot. The best part of photographing at Yarrow is that I'm outside and right on the waters edge and at eye level with the birds, unlike Mere Sands Wood although good I don't relish being cooped up in a hide. A pair of Common Terns have nested on the pontoon and have been out feeding but alas not close enough to snap them YET. The river Yarrow flows through the park and a pair of Dippers can be seen regularly on this stretch as well as Grey Wagtails and the odd Kingfisher. Patients and luck is needed to get the Dippers on camera, it is no Lathkilldale, but more satisfaction is gained from a shoot when I pull it off and another plus, it's a lot cheaper.
At another location on one of my patrols I got a cracking view of a Little Ringed Plover, I didn't miss the chance to snap it........see you soon, Cheers David