Casting a shadow

Another turstone photograph :)

f/7.1
1/32000
ISO - 500
500mm

Mute swan take off !!!

This photograph was the first in focus photograph of wildlife i ever took with my Canon 70D and Sigma 150mm - 500mm. The exposure was a bit high but it was still a composition i was very happy with :).

F/8
1/1600
ISO - 640
500mm

Turnstone in flight

Today i got to use my new camera and lens for the first time. It is a steep learning curve as i was expecting but wow what a difference, worth every penny. Im still getting used to RAW formats and converting them to JPEG amongst other things, but this was one of the better photos from the day.

f/7.1
1/2000
ISO - 400
439mm

Roe Buck

Me and my dad went to Itchen valley country park today. It was a chance for us both to experiment and practice with our cameras before either of our trips to wildlife rich locations. Luckily being early we were able to spot a couple of roe deer, this buck is in the process of shedding the velvet from its antler, hence why they appear slightly pink. A lovely days photography with great whether, more photo's from today will follow in the next few days :).

New camera... coming soon !!!

Just a little update, i am planning on buying a new set up in order to get some better photographs. My 1100D was a fantastic camera whilst i was learning but i feel it is time for an up grade. I will be getting a Canon 70D. I chose this camera because it can reach a high level of ISO with little noise, has almost 9 more megapixels than my current camera and has a very clever little flip out touch screen that could come in very handy. It also has many other little improvements but these are the key ones.

To go with my new camera i am also buying a new telephoto lens, the Sigma 150mm - 500mm. This will allow me a lot further reach which is often needed in my case. Some would have suggested a smaller canon L lens with a teleconverter, but having compared the options this new sigma lens has amazing reviews (with the weight seeming to be the only down side). In the future i also hope to get a teleconverter to go with it to give me even more reach, but one step at a time :). As soon as i get it i will be heading out to take some photographs of course, as soon as i get one i am happy with it will be posted on here with a mini review of the camera and lens. Cant wait :).

Herring Gull (at eye level)

Another one of my photographs from my trip down to Brighton to see the starling mumuration. I spent about half an hour trying to time my shot with a passing gull as they flew along the pier, it was a little difficult due to the sun being in the direction i was trying to take the photograph, but it the end i was happy with the result.

F-stop: f10
Exposure: 1/800
ISO: 800
Focal length: 190mm

Dunlin

I took this photograph of a Dunlin on the flat sands of East head spit. I was out geocachig with the family when i spotted some movement along the waterline, i immediately ran over to check it out. After realising it was a group of Dunlin's i decided to take a few quick snaps, in the meantime the rest of my family got bored waiting and carried on with the geocaching. I stayed as long as i could until the looming dark clouds on the horizon forced me to pack up and head for the car with haste. By the time we all found each other again we were all slightly regretting taking the risk of the forecast rain that day.

Dunnock

I took this photo of a Dunnock on the same day as the two Siskin Photographs previously posted. Whilst all the other birds where fighting over the feeder, far fewer were feeding on the ground. This little Dunnock was hardly noticeable and really highlighted to me how effective their camouflage is. I was there a good 20 minutes before i even noticed birds on the ground, and they were only 6 or 7 feet away.