Destined for the Office

I was today destined for office work,allthough long overdue, it was not my choice.
The wifes car would not start this morning,so she used my space gear.
Praying that nothing mega would turn up while i tried to fix the sick seat.
Then into the office, and a quick click on these Siskin in the garden.

back to the ranch

After the large number of birds yesterday,today was a contrast,as most seemed to have moved out. after scouring south mainland Shetland, with Great Grey Shrike the only bird of note.
On the way back to the ranch, called in at Channerwick a few common migrants, and this welcome Red Breasted Flycatcher.

My co-operative Dunlin again

Tiny Gems

Today was a day full of birds, with a good fall of migrants.
While photographing Goldcrests at Sumbrugh, i followed a lead in to the nearby fields to find this Stunning gem , a Pallass's Warbler.
I was accompanied by Dougie Preston, who heard the call of a Richards Pipit and thanks to Dougie we tracked down the bird to confirm his find.

Goldcrest seemed to be everywhere today, these must be one of my all time top birds.

Song Thrush


Siskin

Wave Goodby

Hunted in the morning for a Citrene Wagtail that had been around for a few days, but even with local knowledge,could not track down.
Early after noon and a number of birds came out, including this Red Flanked Bluetail at Geoster.
A tricky critter,only obtaining a single image i was happy with.
But loads of other common migrants .























This Pied Flycatcher in some great light,and the characteristic flick of the wings.

Buff-belied Pipit-second time around

Yesterday 6th October 2010
Visited the Buff-Bellied Pipit site at Eshaness.Only waited two hours this time before the Pipit turned up. later in the afternoon, a few images in the garden.

Shetland Wren

Chiffchaff

British Wildlife Photography Awards

I have recently been notified that one of my images has been selected for the British Wildlife Photography Awards.

A book, by AA publishing is due out this week, that includes all the winning images.

The image taken last year in Shetland , depicting Arctic Tern's against the setting sun, and was chosen as one of the best submissions in the competition.

The image was also one of thirty images that have been chosen to be sold as limited edition framed Lambda prints in the Hoopers Gallery, London.

I have agreed to make a donation to the WWF for each print sale.

This follows my other success earlier this year in the

British Birds Photograph of the Year competition.

The Book can be purchased from Amazon Here

Milky Tea

The morning started with a check on our Horses, a Pallass's Grasshopper Warbler had been found yesterday at the bottom of the field. All was well,but i had no intention of following 40 + around a iris bed , so I headed for Sumbrugh to relocate the Radde's Warbler at Sumbrugh.I soon found the bird in a nettle patch.These birds are intent on groveling around on the floor in the undergrowth, I just wanted it perched up.With patience it eventually obliged.

On the way back home ,called in at Channerwick to try for the Sykes Warbler.
No images obtained of this bouncing milky tea bird.
But witnessed two Rapters coming down the valley. A Merlin mobbing a Sparrowhawk, plus an obliging Dunlin.

Dunlin