Lesser Spotted Wildlife

I’m out early in the woods to catch the wildlife before the other photographers and birdwatchers get here. Here is a bit of a honey-pot. First to provide the entertainment is the Upside-Down Bird, the Nuthatch.

Standing still is the best policy here. I once heard from a man who had bought a full professional camera and telephoto lens kit and was incredibly frustrated because all the birds flew off when he got anywhere near them. You have as much chance of taking beautiful photographs with my camera and lens as I do of making wonderful Michelin-starred food with Raymond Blanc’s pots and pans. It’s the field skills which are essential – and they take a lifetime to learn.

Next to approach was a Roe Deer. It was very close before the movement of a finger and the feint rustle of a sleeve alerted its curly-haired ears.

The repeat-everything-twice song of a Song Thrush was blasting out over the wood:

I could never have been a wildlife photographer when I was younger. I was far, far too active and needed to move and explore the whole time. Now I’ve slowed down, this is much more my game. The male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker comes along right on cue. He’s usually here from 8:30 to 9:30am, just before everyone else arrives in hope and expectation.

He’s one tiny little bird:

This is probably my best photograph of him so far.

I’ve been out here for early mornings on three days and managed a sequence of shots I’m very pleased with. At some stage I’m going to have to get back to work and earn a living but, for now, I’m having a great deal of fun with this lesser-spotted wildlife.

Thanks for joining me in its appreciation.