Oscar writes: Andean Cock-of-the-Rock: At the end of our time in Peru, we spent a few days in the rainforest, including one night at Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, so named due to the presence of a lekking area for these birds just a short walk from the lodge. 4pm on the day we arrived saw us assemble…
Category: THE PHOTOGRAPHS: by Tim Melling, Oscar Dewhurst, Paul Leyland, Guy Shorrock, Brian Leecey
Tim Melling – roding Woodcock
Tim writes: Living all my life in the north I see lots of roding Woodcocks but this is the only half decent photograph I have ever managed to take. After sunset males start to become active and perform spectacular display flights known as roding. This special flight has slow motion flickering wing beats accompanied by…
Oscar Dewhurst – Puna Teal
Comments Off on Oscar Dewhurst – Puna Teal
Oscar writes: This is another one from Peru. There was a lot of driving to get from place to place, and on one of these routes we stopped at a couple of high Andean lakes where there were some wildfowl and other birds, including some Puna Teal with their bright blue beaks. Nikon D800, Nikon…
Tim Melling – Green Violetear Hummingbird
Comments Off on Tim Melling – Green Violetear Hummingbird
Tim writes: I have always wanted to photograph a Hummingbird in flight and it isn’t as difficult as you might think. They often visit hummingbird feeders but that does not look anywhere near as good as one feeding on flowers. This was taken at a resort at Savegre in Costa Rica where hummingbirds were numerous…
Oscar Dewhurst – White-capped Dipper
Comments Off on Oscar Dewhurst – White-capped Dipper
Oscar writes: Earlier this Summer I spent nearly 3 weeks in Peru. Having spent nearly 3 months there in my gap year, it was great to return and show the place to my family. For part of our trip we were staying near the Colca Canyon, and this river ran through the valley at our…
Tim Melling – Ring Ousel
Comments Off on Tim Melling – Ring Ousel
Tim writes: Ring Ouzels have a reputation for being unapproachable and skittish but in places like the Peak District they seem to get used to visitors. In early spring I repeatedly saw a male singing from a favourite song perch rock, trying to attract a female. While he was having some down time I ensconced…
Oscar Dewhurst – Lion
Comments Off on Oscar Dewhurst – Lion
Oscar writes: I’ve just got back from a field course by my Biology course at Durham University which was held at a game reserve in South Africa. The work was pretty full on for the 10 days I was there, but we did have a couple of afternoons off where we did game drives in…
Tim Melling – Orcas
Comments Off on Tim Melling – Orcas
Tim writes: Orcas are amazing animals that live in family groups where every animal is a blood relative, so no spouses allowed. Each family group has distinctive vocalisations that they recognise, so they can socialise with groups they get on with, and avoid those they don’t. Liaisons between groups are when they mate, but animals…
Tim Melling – Black Hairstreak
Tim writes: the Black Hairstreak is undoubtedly Britain’s rarest hairstreak, being restricted to a narrow band of ancient woodlands between Oxford and Peterborough. They are also frustratingly difficult to predict their appearance as it varies between early and late June. They also seem to get worn and tatty rather quickly so photographing them soon after…
Tim Melling – Leaping Rays
Tim writes: I know they are “just” fish, but this was one of the most difficult things I have ever photographed. They are Smooth-tailed Mobula Rays that are known for their habit of leaping clean out of the water. But the problem is they give no warning so I had to react in a split…