Welcome to the September edition of my photographic exploits.

It was a very busy month with numerous visits to my local reserves of RSPB Otmoor and Farmoor reservoir trying to catch the various migrating birds that stop over on their way back South for the Winter. Also I made three visits to Santa Pod Raceway which were the final events of 2021 for me. Roll on 2022 when things hopefully will be back to normal!!

1968 Chevrolet Camaro - Jean Dulamon1968 Chevrolet Camaro - Jean Dulamon
STP National Finals 2021
Santa Pod Raceway Drag racing at Santa Pod Raceway

Purple sandpiper (Calidris maritima)Purple sandpiper (Calidris maritima)
Farmoor reservoir, Oxon. Purple sandpiper. A rare migrant which stopped off at Farmoor reservoir, Oxfordshire.

During September we have witnessed some great sunsets here in Oxfordshire. I'm not a big fan of landscape photography so I try and find some willing wildlife that will pose for me at sunrise/sunset! The herons at Farmoor are ideal and their silhouette is easily recognisable.

Grey heron (Ardea cinerea)Grey heron (Ardea cinerea)
Farmoor reservoir, Oxon.

Sunset Heron

Once a month I like to visit the wetland centre at Slimbridge and the Hawk conservancy trust in Hampshire. Both great places for beginners and experts to practise their photography. You can also get up close and personal to the wildlife.

Pink-backed pelican (Pelecanus rufescens)Pink-backed pelican (Pelecanus rufescens)
WWT Slimbridge. Pink-backed pelican at Slimbridge wetland centre, Gloucestershire.

Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)
Hawk conservancy trust, Hants. Peregrine falcon - The fastest animal on the planet at the Hawk conservancy, Hampshire.

Siberian eagle owl (Bubo bubo sibiricus)Siberian eagle owl (Bubo bubo sibiricus)
Hawk conservancy trust, Hants.

Siberian eagle owl at the Hawk conservancy

Lately I've been researching new local places to visit for my nature photography. As I've only been in Oxfordshire for the last three years I'm still trying to find my way about. I've found a few which I'm hopefully going to visit soon. Next month the annual 'deer rut' will be under way. This year I wont be visiting the London parks as much but I will be trying a new location in Leicestershire. Bradgate Park is a public park in Charnwood Forest, in Leicestershire which I have wanted to visit for a few years. The plan was to do a 'recce' at the end of September but it meant queuing for petrol so I ended up local! 

October will be all about the 'deer rut', maybe some fungi photography and a car show!

Thank you all for reading my latest blog and thank you all for your support and kind comments.

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 Instagram gallery page.

Thanks

Steve