The tinkling of Goldfinches is approaching and I’m thrilled to see one perching nearby. I love their upright stance, and those fluffy feathers and sharp claws and beak are a delight. The contrast between them creates their fierce yet vulnerable character.
Blue Tits and blossom. Always a winning combination.
This Red Kite clearly knows I’m here. Its threat-awareness and predator-avoidance systems are working overtime. I suspect I’m a distraction from hunting …
I never realised that the inside of a Sedge Warbler’s mouth is so intensely red. What a glorious punch of colour in …
One of the most distinctive features of the Greater Whitethroat, or Common Whitethroat, or just Whitethroat, is, well, yes, its white throat, …
I’m in Oxfordshire, and a photograph of a Greater Whitethroat in deep pink cherry blossom is my aim. Especially if I can …
There are 260,000 territories of Sedge Warblers in the UK. They manage to fly non-stop from sub-Saharan Africa to the exact spot …
I love how waterproof all this Grebe’s preening has made its plumage. It has a headdress of raindrops.
Hobby look like giant Swifts or tiny Kestrels as they cruise above Otmoor. There are five high on the thermals. A dragonfly …
This Hobby, Falco subbuteo, has just arrived after migrating from Africa. It has caught a tiny fly in its talons and is …
The Red Kites over the garden here in Oxfordshire are a constant delight. The light hit this one and illuminated its name …
At first I think there’s a Curlew flying into view. As I watch it approaching it looks smaller, more delicate, somehow. When …
The smaller male Marsh Harrier is chasing the larger female, which is calling loudly. The female turns upside-down in the air and …
The church of St Mary the Virgin in Charlton-on-Otmoor, features a tall tower that acts as a beacon in the landscape. In …
This looks like an adult female Marsh Harrier. With Marsh Harriers, however, you can never be quite sure. Some adult males have …
Blue Tits in blossom are a constant delight at this time of year. They may appear decorative, but the trees hide a …
I love a close Marsh Harrier. Here at RSPB Otmoor they are busy, but distant, and a pleasant hour or so in …
This light at RSPB Otmoor is wonderful. It’s improved by a beautiful Whimbrel flying past.
I’ve enjoyed going to RSPB Otmoor to see the Grey Herons in the past few years.
Bright light for bird photography is a wonderful thing. Harsh light is terrible. Deep shadows, blown highlights, and excessive contrast are all …
Last year, when I was in Oxfordshire, chicken-sitting for my friends, a Greater Whitethroat was in the garden scratching its beautiful/ugly song …
I’m surrounded by Teasel. It’s the ideal perch for Goldfinches and I’m ready to take their photograph any time they decide to …
This Dunnock was singing beautifully on top of the bursting Hawthorn this morning. What a joy to be up early in glorious …
The Red Kites over my friends’ garden here in Oxfordshire all appear to be clutching something. There’s usually a feather or a …
I’ve just spent an hour trying to get a good photograph of a Song Thrush and failing miserably. It was deep in …
I’m in the garden in Oxfordshire while on chicken-sitting duties for my friends My local Red Kite here has half of its …
The planting in Foxburrow Wood in Oxfordshire is relatively new. It started in 2010 and ended in 2014. It’s 20 acres and …
There’s a pair of birds twittering overhead. I can hear one say “Ninnet”. It must be a Linnet. Their song has far …
I’m currently chicken-sitting for my friends in Oxfordshire and enjoying an egg or two. Their enclosure is larger than my garden and …
I’m currently back chicken-sitting for my friends in Oxfordshire. Last time I was here there were eleven chickens. This time there are …