Old Photographs Never Die, But Where The Hell Are They??

I had a surprise email :- "Hi David, my name is Stewart Winter I work for the Sunday Express, could we have a chat."
As a reader of the SE I new of Stewart, as he has a birding column, so of course, we indeed could have a chat.
He was interested in the rise and rise of amateur nature photography and bird photography in particular and how we amateurs are now challenging the Pro photographers with the quality of our work.
After a nice chat about the subject, he called me again the next day on another matter, at the time I was photographing Willow Warblers, he recited a poem to the tune of Willow Warbler, it was strange hearing the little blighter in front of me singing it's head off, while a harmonious mirror sound was coming out of the ear piece on my phone. He left me saying that the photo editor would contact me to discuss what images she would require.


The said Willow Warbler
I arrived home from the shoot as Jane the PE was on the line, "We want the fluffy cuddly Starling picture" fine I said I'll send it to you when I've had a cup of tea.
That's when the problem started, my filling system is crap to say the least. Obviously I looked in my Starling file, but it came as no surprise for it not to be there. I could remember it was taken in Seahouses, but what bloody year, see the thing is I go there three times a year and have done over the past twenty years and all my Seahouses files are all clumped together without even being dated. Luckily as I was trawling through my files I came across one named Photos For Prints, bingo there it was in all it's glory, phew!!!
Jane emailed me back to say the picture looks lovely in the piece, and that I should find it in the middle of the paper on Sunday, but added it might be flooded out with another big news event that's happening.
Now what on earths happening that could be more important than my Starling picture I wonder????

A stretch of the Legs

A three mile walk on the first evening in search of wheatears proved fruitless until I arrived back to the cottage gate. Then there right in front of me was this beauty enjoying the last rays of late evening sunshine.

Down by the River

Coquetdale is normally very quiet, but it was a scorcher of a day and a bank holiday to boot so it was packed out. This forced me away from my usual haunts and I spent a very uncomfortable hour sitting on some very sharp rocks with my legs in the river. Eventually the shot I wanted came into view, a Common Sandpiper walking straight towards me.
Fortitude

53.3 Degrees North

I wouldn't have a clue how far north a Dartford Warbler has been recorded, but 55.3 degrees north was enough to tempt me to go and have look at one.
This has long been on my wish list of birds to see, so when one arrived on a Welsh hillside above Llangollen at the weirdly named World's End, I didn't need too much convincing to head over there.
This was to be my second encounter with World's End as I had passed that way in 1991 when I walked the Offa's Dyke Path. I remembered the limestone escarpment above Llangollen as one of the highlight of the walk and seeing it for a second time I wasn't to be disappointed, it is simply breathtaking scenery. I wasn't disappointed with the tiny warbler either a stunning little bird and a privilege to see.

Rare Norwegian Blue Found

The Norwegian Blue thought to be extinct for forty years has been found "Alive and Kicking" Click here for the latest.

Not a Norwegian Blue but a Wren in my garden today


Fortitude

Spring is Here

Yes its official,Spring is here, frogs cavorting as only frogs can in my pond Saturday 16/02/11

Disbelief

Great Crested Grebe


Not long to go now for our warbler invasion, hopefully this year will be a little more normal, having had apart from one cold snap a relatively mild winter. If memory serves me well (I don't keep records) I saw and photographed my first wheatear around the 15th of March in our milder winters. Then all hell breaks lose, well lets hope so anyway.
One species returning to our inland lakes and ponds now the ice has melted is the great-crested grebe, I photographed the one above last week, quite artistic as its wake created some lens flare. Although some dick-head commented on Birdguides accusing me of photoshoping it! My short fuse burst, I was livid and insulted. I can assure you I haven't doctored it in any way, its the genuine article. I can also assure you I've put the guy straight.

Elegance personified


This is simply one of my favorite birds, it personifies elegance, and love with its ritual courtship greeting, and exuberance with its weed dance.

Ritual Greeting


Electrifying the Weed Dance

What more could one ask for, from a common bird.
Fortitude