August
Another busy month with the camera during August and now the Autumn migration is underway another busy month is forecast for September. Autumn is my favourite of the four seasons for photography. The Summer visitors head South to warmer climates and the Arctic/Russian/Scandinavian birds also head South and many will Winter in the UK. Our resident wildlife will be caching and feeding up to see them through the Winter months.
In August I visited Slimbridge, Otmoor and Farmoor which are good places to witness the Autumn migration. These are wetland areas which are a magnet for migrating birds to stop off on their journey. I got lucky towards the end of the month at Farmoor reservoir when an Osprey spent a few hours there. It caught a fish and sat on a pylon to eat it!
Western Osprey
The Slimbridge wetland centre is excellent for migrating birds due to its close proximity to the River Severn. Many birds follow these landmarks such as rivers and even roads. The Ospreys actually follow the A1 motorway on their journey North to Scotland etc and back on their way back to West Africa!
Wood sandpiper. A rare Summer visitor to Slimbridge, Gloucestershire.
Dunlin. A small wading bird at Farmoor reservoir, Oxfordshire.
During the month I made several visits to the British wildlife centre. I'll be paying rent if I make anymore visits! A great place to get up close and personal to British wildlife.
Male Adder at the British wildlife centre.
Rowan the Roe deer buck at the BWC.
Now Santa Pod Raceway is allowed to host motorsport events again I made a couple of visits to the home of European drag racing. There weren't as many cars as usual but there was still some great racing as always and even the weather was OK for a change!
Ford Capri MK1 at Santa Pod Raceway, Bedfordshire.
Dragster at Santa Pod Raceway.
Towards the end of August I visited the Hawk conservancy near Andover, Hampshire. A great place to learn about and watch birds of prey fly. From the kestrel to huge vultures and of course everbody's favourites...the owls. They have three flying displays every day in different arenas with different birds.
African white backed vulture
Snowy owl at the Hawk conservancy.
I spent a few days in my native Lancashire in the middle of the month. I always make a pilgrimage to Martin mere wetlands centre on my return. This is is where wildlife photography first started for me when I was 9 years old! I had a great visit even though it rained. It wouldn't be the North if it didn't rain!!
I didn't get many shots but found a snoozing hare and the kingfishers hangout.
Hovering kingfisher
Brown hare
As for next month I will be spending the first week of September in Lancashire visiting family etc. The deer rut should be starting mid to late of the next month which I am looking forward to. I'm going to try some new ideas out this year which hopefully will produce some different deer images than I normally take. I'm also looking forward to the colours of Autumn and hope to photograph the change in the seasons. Autumn also means misty early mornings and stunning sunrises/sunsets so dig your cameras out and get snapping!
Now 'lockdown' is easing I am starting my 1-2-1 photography tuition again. I find this very rewarding, teaching people of all abilities new photography skills. Not only from setting the camera up but to also editing the final image. You can use my CONTACT page for details and availability.
Thank you all for reading my latest blog and thank you all for your support and kind comments. I find nature is a great healer in difficult times. Even just sitting out in the garden or going for a short local walk. Nature is all around us.
Please continue to upload your photographs to my Photo's Page. There are some great photographs being posted.
Many more of my images can be viewed on my flickr page and Instagram.
Thanks
Steve