My blog is mostly about wildlife, particularly birds, walking, days out, all growing things and anything else that comes to mind.
To view pictures in larger format, just click on any picture for the picture gallery....

Tuesday 16 December 2008

A quick nip up the road to experiment...

I'd like to say that I awoke to brilliant sparkling sunshine on a crisp winter's day - but we don't always get what we would like. In fact, I woke to a grey, damp and very misty day!!

About mid afternoon I decided I would nip up the road to my local National Trust gardens - Claremont. I had a reason.

I was interested to see what birds were about. Well, nothing out of the ordinary except there are now two Emperor Geese. I'm assuming they are collection birds.

However, just a few pictures .... with a difference?
Greylag


I hadn't had time to adjust the camera or take the lens back before capturing this "stretch"

A rather snooty Greylag Goose

Emperor Goose

Red crested Pochard



One of a pair of Black Swans that have been residents for some time. According to a lady feeding the birds (who seemed to be a regular), its mate had recently been predated and a younger bird had been brought in.

The photogenic Mandarin Duck

Carrion Crow enjoying some of the scattered bread

and finally, but topically, - one of the many White Doves that have been around now for many years


I know these aren't the most exciting subjects and I've included them in previous posts, but I wanted to try out my new camera that arrived yesterday! The light was appalling, but I couldn't wait any longer.

What I am impressed with is the amount of detail that the camera has captured - none of the pictures have been sharpened; some have been cropped and some have been adjusted for lighting and contrast.

Just would like some sun and different subjects now to put the new acquisition through it's paces (when I've read the instruction manual too :D)

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good pic's Tricia, the one that stands out for me is the Mandarin Duck a real cracker.




paul.

Tricia Ryder said...

Thanks Paul - their colours are amazing!

mick said...

Great photos again, Tricia, but of course I like the black swan! I saw a couple of them swimming way out in the bay here a while back. I must admit I didn't know till then that they would frequent salt water. btw Have you told what your new camera is and did I miss it?

The Quacks of Life said...

ahem you gave in then!!!

Anonymous said...

Good on ya Tricia. I did`nt even get to use my new camera today :(

Tricia Ryder said...

Mick, thanks again - It must be great to have black swans "in the wild". Here they are captive of course.

The camera? is a Canon 50D.

Dean - So sorry you couldn't get out - think the weather wasn't kind at all today - regardless of where in the UK we were!!

Tricia Ryder said...

Pete - yes - finally and well, someone kept talking about it!! :D

Anonymous said...

Great photo's again Tricia. Certainly brightens up the day seeing them, thanks, Jackie.

oldcrow61 said...

The black swan is a beauty. The water in your pictures looks like silk. Great shots.

Richard said...

That's a great little camera you have now. Beautiful pictures. Love to look at what you consider common birds since we don't have many of them on this side of the pond.

Tricia Ryder said...

Richard - I'll try and remember to identify common and rarer birds when I post future pictures.

Tricia Ryder said...

Jackie - glad to have helped!

OC - know what you mean about the water!

Anonymous said...

Nice set of pics. Whats your new camera then?

Tricia Ryder said...

Thanks Neil. The camera's a Canon 50D.

Jan said...

Photos are great Tricia, just trying to catch up on the blogs a bit. The Black swan is amazing.

Graham James said...

Great photos, Tricia, it makes me very jealous!

Tricia Ryder said...

Hi Jan and thanks - glad to see you here again.

Thank you Graham - I still stand in awe of your moonshot!!

Related Posts with Thumbnails