February 2016 Wildlife Challenge

[Grandad]

I will start this off with a hope that we have more to post on the subject this month.

[Horus]

Glad you remembered to post the new thread Grandad

[LovelyLadyLux]

Me too! Hopefully the weather will change for the better and I'll be able to get 'out there' and get some photos going. Can't believe we're living in a world of rain......

[Robbo70]

Can I cheat and snap my exotic pets or do they have to be wild wildlife

[Grandad]

Anything that breathes Robbo

[LovelyLadyLux]

Yup - anything that breathes is the criteria and am sure that could be extended too

[LovelyLadyLux]

My first contribution. Granted it is through the back window of an "Anna's Hummingbird" The hummers are out in full force. Fighting and chasing each other. Two won't sit and feed at the same feeder (I have 2 feeders out there) and typically 2 will fight with each other while a third comes in and eats 'til the other two realize they're being had and zoom down and chase the 3rd away.



There is one variety out there with a brilliant red head. I waited at the window 'til I got bored but none of them landed and ate.

[Horus]

This is the best I could manage on todays walk, the woods were bare apart from this little guy sitting near a new leaf about to burst forth, Spring at last.

[Grandad]

Jolly good start to the month folks Lovely sharp pictures, and aren't those little hummers gorgeous with their very long beaks.

[LovelyLadyLux]

Good shot H! Were you handholding the camera or did you have it on a monopod? Very cute little bird.

I was handholding the camera and trying to point through the slats of the blinds. I'm quite close to them and as long as I stand still they'll land and the Annas who are here year 'round are more comfortable with me there than are the (I think) Rufus who zip off at any movement.

I'm wanting to get to Buttertubs marsh area. LOTS of birds there and they've made jut outs into the marsh all the birders can walk out on to get photos and watch the birds BUT we're so wet the trails aren't really passable.

I'm hoping I can ask the City to build a walk out into MY marsh out back. There are lots of birds out there but because of the black berries and scrub trees you can't really get too close to the water. They've designated it an Eco protected area so nobody can even CUT into the scrub to make a clearning.

[Horus]

Handheld LLL with a fair zoom, he was about 30 foot away.
Shame when the local rules stop them from improving the area.

[Kiya]

Lovely pics folks

[Jayway]

My garden is fenced so the hens cant get in, I have to collect tins of these. As you can see they ruin my cabbage. Photo forwarded, could not do it again , its hard work being thick.

[Grandad]

I did plan to go to The Scrape at the local reserve when I awoke to a great sunrise and blue sky. That changed to cloudy, cold 5 degrees, overcast by 9am so no excursion today.

One of my bird boxes was obscurred from my back door and as the small birds like a direct flight to the box I removed some vegitation, see upper picture below. Whilst pruning away, a pied wagtail came and sat on a branch about 3 feet from my face. No camera handy of course.

As I wanted to encourage birds nearer to the house (LLL has thrown down the gauntlet in this respect) I made a very crude bird table that just hooks over the fence top so that as they use it I can gradually move it nearer the house. They haven't found it yet. See lower picture.

[Grandad]

Had a visit from Tigris Felinas to drink at the birdbath. This is the moggy that was taken on holiday to London then when they found his chip, returned him to his owner.


And the squirrels obviously can't read the 'Small Birds Only' sign on the bird table.

[LovelyLadyLux]

That is a really good squirrel shot Grandad. Any sign at all of your albino squirrels?

[LovelyLadyLux]

Jayway's February contribution to the Wildlife Challenge



I must say this IS definitely WILD LIFE!! Geez I don't like these little buggers!

[Horus]

Nice shots everyone, Grandad, at least the moggy had a day out

Even Jay is getting very good with a nice sharp image of her 'Cabbage White' Caterpillars. Each year I always let them eat a few of my Nasturtiums then pupate under the eaves of my garage. I would like to think that it was the offspring's of my efforts in conservation that is devastating your crops Jay.

[Jayway]

HA HA HA -- This is war, I squash the little ones and pick the big ones, I HATE THEM eating my food. The cats are real good at catching the cabbage white butterflies, I often find sets of wings laying about ! Thankyou LLL.

[Grandad]

I really need to get out more, all my wildlife at the moment revolves around foxes and squirrels.
I returned the trail camera because I think it had a software glitch. But, the carrier lost it and only yesterday did I receive full compensation plus my postage costs, so I immediately re-ordered the same model after looking at the options and deciding that, for the money, my choice is still the best. So a little longer before, hopefully, I get some night images.

On another thread Horus posted some excellent landscape pictures with his 'best' camera. I am not sure which one you meant H but if it was the long zoom and as I have a similar (but not exactly the same) model I am posting this to show just how good medium priced Fuji's are at the long zoom end. Sorry, another squirrel but this was at 38x zoom (max is 42x) taken from my computer chair beside my desk at least 40 feet from the animals.



Fine cameras these Fuji's (PS. LLL has one as well )