Without straying more than 25 miles from my home in Birmingham, I managed to get the following pics over the weekend.

Osprey at Brandon Marsh (near Cov).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/MiltonMallard/Osprey01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/MiltonMallard/Osprey02.jpg

Kingfisher also at BM.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/MiltonMallard/Img_2656.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/MiltonMallard/Img_2658.jpg

And finally, this dear fox, in next door's garden this morning!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v655/MiltonMallard/fox02.jpg

:)

Nice catches! It's amazing what we miss when we're just poottling along in our lives. I remember an article in Outdoor Photographer a couple of months back highlighting the wildlife in London of all places! I'm kind of lucky to live 20 minutes from the centre of Geneva but still be "out in the sticks" (although it's being developed a bit too rapidly). I've seen deer, foxes, a wild boar, red squirrels, and lots of other wildlife around here including the buzzards which are always great to watch in the fields as they hunt for their prey. I'd love to see a kingfisher as the colours are so beautiful but they've always eluded me.

Good views of the Osprey. How close did you manage to get to the fella or a long lens?

excellent shots, what kit were you using ? Didnt even know there were Ospreys in Coventry ! The ones at Rutland have left for the winter !

I'm a member of the site BirdForum.net, and had heard that an Osprey was present at Brandon Marsh from there. On Friday, early evening, I was fortunate enough to spy the Osprey from a distance at the back of the reserve, but it didn't get any closer.

Saturday morning, I made the effort to get up early, and was at BM early. Osprey? No. Didn't turn up until just after 1pm.... but my word, when it did it was worth it. I saw it make 2 attempts at fish, with huge splashes (one right next to a local angler) without success. I could have got many more pics (well I did, see here (http://www.peter-walkden.fotopic.net)) but I was rather in awe of it.

I've only got a Canon S2 IS, but it does have a cracking 12x optical zoom. Clarity doesn't match DSLRs, but for a "leg it through some reeds, point at eagle in tree, and reel off 30+ shots" camera, it's not bad. :D

I saw it make 2 attempts at fish, with huge splashes (one right next to a local angler) without success. I could have got many more pics (well I did, see here (http://www.peter-walkden.fotopic.net)) but I was rather in awe of it.

I've only got a Canon S2 IS, but it does have a cracking 12x optical zoom. Clarity doesn't match DSLRs, but for a "leg it through some reeds, point at eagle in tree, and reel off 30+ shots" camera, it's not bad. :D

Hmmm i only live in Northampton, i should take a drive across there ! lol

How relaxed does that fox look sunning itself :) Lovely shot

Might be worth looking at a dslr if you can pull these sort of shots out of the bag with a compact. Mind you, I'm not sure how much you would have to spend to equal 12x optical zoom??

I'm actually looking at the 400D, plus a loan ;) for a TF lens up to 500mm. Still not on par with what I have in actual zoom, but the clarity will walk all over what I have now.

I'll still keep the Canon S2 IS, as for a point & shoot camera, it's hard to beat. :)

Good views of the Osprey. How close did you manage to get to the fella or a long lens?

It flew past me, and I glimpsed it out of the corner of my eye. After a brief (and in my case I mean "brief") run around the lake, I was lucky enough to see it swoop to try to catch a fish, but it missed, and it rested in a tree. After another attempt, it disappeared from view.

Ignoring signs for anglers' privacy, I ran through some reeds, and turned to see it perched on that branch, maybe 100 yards from me. I just stuck the camera on multi shot, and reeled off about 30 pics. There was some other tog underneath the bird - he got some stunning pics - do a search for Brandon Marsh - he's on the gallery for the "unofficial site".

I do have a 12x optical zoom on the camera, so it is good for fast pics, though the clarity does leave a lot to be desired for. That said, in this instance, it did come in to its own.

Crackin' Duck.. always fancied photography keep saying in gonna start carrying my cam but ......:(

Yep, I've found the unofficial site. Stunning looking bird the Osprey. I've never seen one in the flesh/feathers. I went looking for Kingfishers today in East Yorks with no luck, but had a good view of this Common Sandpiper.

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/6237/poop027et1.jpg

floating round the back garden:norty:




http://snap32.photobox.co.uk/14206797ca0048b01af622dfabf74c0fb8f7ede08a164e88b5 2dbfca.jpg

I'm actually looking at the 400D, plus a loan ;) for a TF lens up to 500mm. Still not on par with what I have in actual zoom, but the clarity will walk all over what I have now.

I'll still keep the Canon S2 IS, as for a point & shoot camera, it's hard to beat. :)


Remember to multiply the 500mm x 1.6 due to the size of the sensor in the 400D, so you actually should get the equivalent of 800mm :)

That'll do nicely :thumb: Just need to find £1200 for the camera and lens now... :mad:

Remember to multiply the 500mm x 1.6 due to the size of the sensor in the 400D, so you actually should get the equivalent of 800mm :)

Not totally accurate ;)

The 1.6 sensor gives you an equivalent field of view of an 800mm lens using a 500mm it doesnt give the magnification of one ! ;)

Not being one to hang about with these ideas, I've just acquired a 2nd hand 350D with 3 lenses (standard, macro and telephoto (300mm)) along with spare battery etc etc for £350.

Now I just need to learn how to use it. Roll on the weekend!!! :D

Not being one to hang about with these ideas, I've just acquired a 2nd hand 350D with 3 lenses (standard, macro and telephoto (300mm)) along with spare battery etc etc for £350.

Now I just need to learn how to use it. Roll on the weekend!!! :D

The sticky thread on this forum would be your first stop for F-Stops, ISO, DOF, AV/TV/Manual etc.

:thumb:

Nice one Duck :thumb:

Sounds like a good deal there :)

Welcome to the slippery slope of Canon SLR's ;)

Not being one to hang about with these ideas, I've just acquired a 2nd hand 350D with 3 lenses (standard, macro and telephoto (300mm)) along with spare battery etc etc for £350.

Now I just need to learn how to use it. Roll on the weekend!!! :D


Nice one, a bargain.:thumb: Dem birdies are going to seem a long way off though on an ickle 300mm!:lol1:

Good shots, me duck. :lol1:

I only live 2 miles from Brandon Marsh but have never been :freak3:

You might aswell sell your compact now because I doubt you will ever use it again.

I'll use it for when I am out and about with mates. It's incredibly convenient for just point & shoot, plus it has a great movie mode.

I think either a 400 or 500mm is on the shopping list after Crimbo, though it'll be a zoom lens - can't afford (or justify) the cost of a prime lens. I'll also need to consider whether to get one with IS in it, as I've not got the most steady hands! :D

I'll use it for when I am out and about with mates. It's incredibly convenient for just point & shoot, plus it has a great movie mode.

I think either a 400 or 500mm is on the shopping list after Crimbo, though it'll be a zoom lens - can't afford (or justify) the cost of a prime lens. I'll also need to consider whether to get one with IS in it, as I've not got the most steady hands! :D

Just imagine the lense is a pint, no need for IS :thumb:

You obviously get better beer in Scotland - you need a shaky hand to retain the head on the ones down here ;)