Blashford and Martin Down

Made the most of todays brilliant weather and paid another visit to Blashford.  Unfortunately most of the birds on the lakes were too far away for me to see even with bins although I did get a distant view of a great white egret.  Someone very kindly let me have a look through his scope. Wow!  What a treat - I might have to put one on my Christmas list.  Managed to photograph some small birds though.  Didn't see many birds at Martin Down other than flocks of noisy redwings which were difficult photograph.  Here are some pics from my day.

Birdman?  ;-)

Lovely photos SB, great close-ups of the small birds. I see you are another "if it's flying, photograph it" person. I posted a pic of the air ambulance on another forum I use!

Great photos SB, glad you had a lovely day.

Great Pics, have put a Scope on my Christie list too.Its good to see birds and animals at this time of the year much closer now the trees are bare.

SB, I have really enjoyed seeing these photographs. Thanks.

Do put a scope on your Christmas list and don't forget the correct fitting for your camera. They are a tremendous asset when bird watching. We use our's mostly on the coast when spotting waders etc. on the water's edge.

HI Brenda, just curious here - what happens if, later, you change cameras - fitting-wise?

Squirrel, it very much depends on size and type of camera. It may mean you have to buy a new adapter for camera to attach to scope.

SB  You are taking great pics with whatever you are using - scoping isn't always better - I suggest you go somewhere where you can "try before you buy" before you invest lots of money!  But, yes, if you do opt for digiscoping, definitely invest in the full compatible kit.

original goldfinch, couldn't agree with you more. It is very much a matter of choice.  I have actually asked for a new camera for Christmas, as I dropped mine today, on concrete, and it didn't bounce!!

Brenda H

original goldfinch, couldn't agree with you more. It is very much a matter of choice.  I have actually asked for a new camera for Christmas, as I dropped mine today, on concrete, and it didn't bounce!!

O dear - sorry about the camera.  Are you likely to get your Christmas present early, or will you have to wait?

Sorry to hear about the camera Brenda, hope Christmas comes early and thanks everybody for your nice comments. 

I wasn't thinking about digiscoping really as I am very pleased with my current camera, which is still new anyway - I was thinking more about how good it would be to be able to see the birds better - others seem to be talking about what kind of wader they are looking at whilst all I can see is a dot which may or may not be a bird!  The only thing that puts me off a scope is having to carry a tripod about.  I'm not sure my middle aged joints are up to it!!!  

OG & SB, I stepped out of the car and forgot the camera was on my knee! So glad it wasn't my husband's as his is a lot more expensive! He said that I didn't have to throw it out of the car, as  he had already said that he thought that we should replace my camera. ( people around must have thought we were mad as we were laughing after my initial shock.)  Anyhow, no, I haven't got to wait untill Christmas and it won't be my present. I knew there was a reason why I married him.

SB, our tripod is extremely light and is only about a foot long, which then extends. Enjoy looking around and trying the scopes and tripods. We spoke to various birdwatchers who already owned one and who let us try their scope. We had learnt a lot before we went shopping.  

You're a lucky lady Brenda!  OK, I'll do plenty of research one way or another before I take the plunge.

Hi SB

Love your pictures and they are good close-ups of all our favourite birds

Even the sheep looks happy LOL

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Fabulous set of pics there SB!! Thanks for sharing!

Brenda - sorry about your camera - good to hear you'll be getting a new one soon!