Standing up for Nature
Oscar writes: While in Peru one of the more common birds of prey I saw was the Swallow-tailed Kite. One evening, from the canopy tower, a group of 12 flew past fairly close, before settling in the top of a tree to roost. Nikon D300s, Nikon 600mm f4 AFS-II
Oscar writes: While walking into Minsmere one morning from Eastbridge I spotted this Red Deer standing by the reeds in the mist. The light levels were so low that it took me about 100 images before one was sharp! Nikon D800, Nikon 600mm f4 AFS-II
Oscar writes: Other than Bitterns and Marsh Harriers, I also wanted to get some photos of Bearded Tits when I was at Minsmere. Luckily the best spot for them was the best spot for Bitterns! During a period of Bittern inactivity I heard the characteristic pinging calls of Bearded Tits and on turning around I…
Oscar writes: While I was at Minsmere the East Scrape was frequented by Kittiwakes. At one point one landed just behind another, before putting its head up between the tail feathers of the other. Nikon D800, Nikon 600mm f4 AFS-II
Oscar writes: While I was Minsmere earlier this Spring I spent a lot of time standing on the boardwalk just outside the Island Mere hide waiting for a female Bittern. On one morning there was a large flock of Swifts flying just overhead, and the very strong wind meant that they would stall as they…
Oscar writes: Red-bellied Macaws were also common at Los Amigos Biological Research Station. These flew past the canopy tower at about head height every evening, sometimes very close to the tower! Nikon D300s, Nikon 600mm f4 AFS-II
Oscar writes: Blue-and-Yellow Macaws: One of my favourite things about where I was staying in the lowland Amazon (at Los Amigos Biological Research Station) was their 60m tower. Every evening groups of macaws would fly past. Here are two Blue-and-Yellow Macaws flying to roost. Nikon D300s, Nikon 600mm f4 AFS-II
Oscar writes: Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager: This was taken in the cloud forest of Peru, at Wayqecha Biological Research Station. Mixed species flocks would regularly pass very close by my room, so I spent a couple of hours standing just outside waiting. This Scarlet-bellied Mountain-Tanager perched out in the open for me. Nikon D300s, Nikon 600mm f4…
Oscar writes: Hoatzin were one of the most common birds around the oxbow lakes in the lowlands. They would perch on the bushes surrounding the lake in small groups, and usually allowed a fair close approach before clumsily flying off. Nikon D300s, Nikon 200-400mm f4 VR
Oscar writes: Bluish-fronted Jacamar: Bluish-fronted Jacamars were fairly common in the lowlands and I saw them most days around the station buildings. Luckily this one perched out in the open and gave me a nice clean background. It would sit on this branch before shooting up to snatch flies from the air and returning to…