Ashley H Photography

Recent

2011-12-15T16:01:00.002Z

As usual, I havent posted here for ages. Been busy with Press photography and havent done much Wildlife stuff. I dont think i have any decent wildlife images apart from the simple Turnstone image and the Iceland Gull below so I've included some recent press stuff as well.

Turnstone, St Ives

Iceland Gull, St Ives

Princess Anne opened a sexual assault referral centre in Truro back in December, It was a private event with only accredited media allowed, out of the 8 media with passes (including the BBC and ITV), me and a friend were the only ones to turn up, not very professional of them!

Princess Anne

A week later I was accredited to photograph Status Quo at Plymouth Pavilions, with support of Roy Wood and Kim Wilde. My first ever attempt at concert photography was quite a large one so I was quite nervous of screwing up. Luckily I didn't and got some images im really happy with, Thanks to Monty and Paul for lending me lenses!!

Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt

Roy Wood

Kim Wilde

Ive also recently been accepted as a contributor to London News Pictures, Sent them my portfolio and they liked the images and now im their photographer for the Cornwall area. Hopefully ill get more sales of images!

I have also had images used in The Guardian and The Times, used back in July but only found out when payment came through at the end of November. Im surprised about the images used as i didn't like them at the time due to the crap weather conditions....
Links to the Guardian Articles are below:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/aug/20/red-arrows-jet-crashes-bournemouth

Small image half-way down:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-northerner/2011/nov/24/yorkshire-hull-bae-systems-brough-hawk

and a recent sale to The Mail Online through LNP. 2nd down

Isles of Scilly Trip Report

2011-10-30T19:29:00.015Z

Just got back from 3 days on the Isles of Scilly. Having dipped N. Waterthrush, Black and White Warbler, Baltimore Oriole and Red Eyed Vireo back in September it was good to spend a few days on the island in a more relaxed setting where we weren't rushing around trying to see stuff before the Scillonian left.

Arived at 12 on Wednesday and went for Upland Sandpiper at Borough Farm and Dusky Warbler at Lower Moors, record shot of the Upland Sand below, Dusky Warbler was to fast moving around in the trees to get any pics.

Song Thrush, Nr Newford Duckpond, 1+ Yellow-browed Warblers there

Black Redstart, dodgy angle looking down is rubbish, only photo of Black Redstart as managed to miss them when i went on a Black Redstart photo misson. Porth Hellick

Record shot of Lapland Bunting at Castella Downs, Richards Pipit over, no sign of Bluethroat or Radde's Warbler on St Agnes

Lesser Whitethroat, eastern race, probably Central Asian halimodendri race, Showing very well on Periglis Beach, St Agnes

On the boat back from St Agnes to St Marys news broke of a Red Eyed Vireo near Carn Friars Lane/Salakee Lane, all taxi's were busy so a quick run from the Quay and it was still present, record shot below....

After seeing the REV I had to quickly make it back to Higgos Pool before dark for the Northern Waterthrush, after a short wait it dropped in, record shots below taken at about 6:15, so quite dark!!

On the Scillonian on the way back with the sun setting I tried some environmental Gannet images, something a little different

So a pretty good trip, Northern Waterthrush, Red-Eyed Vireo, 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat, Dusky Warbler, Upland Sandpiper, Lapland Bunting, Yellow-browed Warblers, Richards Pipit and Treecreeper (very rare on Scilly, rarer than Red-eyed Vireo (45 records up to2009, Treecreeper was 12th record for Scilly!!)

Have video of the Northern Waterthrush feeding so will upload if I get chance.....

Kestrel at Porthgwarra

2011-10-17T11:05:00.002+01:00

This Kestrel was hunting close by and gave a few close flybys. Also a fly over Short-eared Owl, lots of Finches, Pipits etc moving...

Scillies

2011-09-24T21:25:00.007+01:00

Scillies has hosted a few good birds over the last week or so, Black and White Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Solitary Sandpiper, Baltimore Oriole, Red Eyed Vireo, Blue Winged Teal and more 'commony' migrants. Cue a mid week dip of everything but Bee Eater....

Even photos from the Scillonian summed it up, first time ive photo'd Dolphins and this was the best one....

Below are 2 images from earlier in the month, 1st Lesser Yellowlegs, Drift res. 2nd Greater Yellowlegs, Wadebridge

Stuff

2011-09-06T20:19:00.007+01:00

Not posted for ages and have been considering deleting the blog as I havent had time and are loosing enthusiasm for doing it. Anyway here are a few images from the last month or so.

Aquatic Warbler tapped and ringed at Marazion Marsh, 1st ringed there for many years (Dont think anyone has decided when the last was but around late 90's early 2000's). A 2nd ringed the next day!

Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper on Hayle estuary showing extremely well in with other waders close to road nr Tempest.

Spotted Redshank at Drift reservoir. Went to see a Pec Sand and another had been found, 2 Pec's, Spotted Redshank (image a bit dark after uploading??), Arctic and Common Terns. Paul's images of the Pectoral Sandpipers HERE

Belgian yacht runs aground on Hayle Beach

2011-08-08T18:54:00.003+01:00

Just a quick post to say the image below has been used by the BBC on their website and on BBC Spotlight regional news a min a go. The news will broadcast again at 10:30pm on BBC 1 for anyone who cares.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-14441796

Treveal

2011-08-07T18:03:00.009+01:00

Spent a few hours down at Treveal again yesterday. Few seals offshore but didnt bother photo'ing them, spent time photographing Gannets, Gulls, Fulmars and Shags.

Here are 2 from yesterday and 3 seal image from a few weeks ago. The first 2 Seals were shot slightly into the light to try to get some different type of images when the seals are doing the classic 'head out of the water'....

Porthgwarra

2011-07-27T12:21:00.003+01:00

What do you do when there's no birds around....

fiddle with techniques

CWT Trip

2011-07-25T18:55:00.004+01:00

Pics from the CWT field trip yesterday. First image, Green Veined White is slightly out of focus on the wind due to not being parallel, still happy with the image being the first time I've photo'd this species. Unfortunately no sign of any Purple Hairstreaks....

More Seals on Wednesday.

Seals

2011-07-15T21:42:00.004+01:00

Found a good site for Seals on Wednesday and decided to go back today to get some proper images. Typical that Weds/Thurs were perfect and today was overcast/rain. Didnt take to many images due to the rain and spent most time looking for areas to photo from. Best moment was having a Seal pup in the water about 5 meters offshore. 6 Seals in small group just offshore at one point was also nice, will be back soon on a nicer day.

Photo'd Prince Charles and Camilla on Monday, 2 of my favs here and here

Princess Anne on Monday and Air Day on Wednesday, might post images here if i can be bothered.

Im assuming Grey Seals???

Nothing special but hopefully more to come, hopefully to pursue this into underwater photos...

Lake V Spot Fly

2011-07-04T17:32:00.004+01:00

Another Spotted Flycatcher from Lake Vyrnwy, it was pretty close but unfortunately just high up in the trees flycatching hense the dodgy angle. Not much else seen apart from the normal woodland stuff, few Red Kites over and Hobby being mobbed by Peregrine. Heard a Wood Warbler but couldn't see it, let alone photo/video it.

Dont know how frequent posts will be this month, have a couple of Royal visits to photo (Prince Charles and Princess Anne) and a few other boring, non bird photo stuff so might not have many bird pics to add til the pelagic im on in mid August.

If it gets off the ground i have a plan of a project of photo'ing Basking Sharks, I want pics from eye level so I just need an underwater housing (and someone with a boat), so it'll be a while since ive just bought a MacBook Pro so have very little cash. I know some people who can help but i still need £1500+ for the housing, to donate click.....

PS: Thanks to Dave and Martin at Wildlife Photography Across The Water, according to the stats thingy ive had nearly 500 views which came front their blog just in the last month, so cheers

Lake Vyrnwy

2011-06-23T18:30:00.004+01:00

Took these at RSPB Lake Vyrnwy yesterday. Will be back at some point as the Redstarts, Pied and Spotted Flys were very obliging. Shot more video than pics so now need to edit them

Queen Visit, Penzance

2011-06-03T20:38:00.003+01:00

More of my images here: http://www.demotix.com/news/713892/queens-visit-penzance-cornwall

Tehidy Woods

2011-05-26T10:52:00.007+01:00

As there are no interesting birds around to photograph me and Monty headed to Tehidy for a mornings Macro photography. I couldn't resist getting some shallow DoF Squirrels. Also an exposure experiment with a Herring Gull.

All 7D/100mm f2.8 apart from Herring Gull...

Marazion Marsh

2011-05-17T11:48:00.006+01:00

Black Winged Stilts at St.Gothian

2011-05-08T11:49:00.006+01:00

Typical, we look one way, Paul looks the other and finds these.....

Bonaparte's Gull on Hayle Estuary

2011-05-02T10:59:00.004+01:00

A usually disant bird the Bonapartes Gull came reasonably close to the Causeway this morning. American Golden Plover also still present.

Hopefully the images are ok, edited on new laptop which needs the screen calibration as its a little bright

Purple Heron, College Reservoir 11/04/11

2011-04-17T12:34:00.002+01:00

Just one from College, no Garganey(s) Got a video of it catching a fish which if i get around to sorting out ill post on here...

Gull-Billed Tern at Sennen

2011-04-09T15:35:00.009+01:00

Found on wednesday this adult Gull-Billed Tern has been around Trevilley farm feeding well over the ploughed fields to the south east of the farm. Commuting between Trevilley Farm and The Cowloe in Sennen Cove, but has ranged as far as Swingates pool, Lands End. map here

Here are 4 of my images from earlier:

Hoopoe at Gulval

2011-04-02T21:31:00.007+01:00

Finally got them uploaded. Shame about the angle of the light...

Hare

2011-03-30T17:23:00.002+01:00

Hoopoe at Gulval

2011-03-29T20:50:00.003+01:00

This post should contain images promised of the Hoopoe but im unable to upload images at the moment. Ill try again tomorrow.

Here's a link to one that i put on Flickr earlier:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5101/5572100908_59c022707e_b.jpg

Hoopoe

2011-03-26T20:53:00.002Z

Doubt ill upload images tonight as I've just finished editing and yet to resize them.

Here is one that I have sorted out.

As you can see the lighting was a little dodgy!!!!

Gigrin farm - Pt 2

2011-03-03T18:04:00.006Z

The rest, hopefully they aren't huge -

Gigrin Farm - Pt 1

2011-03-03T17:56:00.013Z

First 4 from Gigrin, will get the rest on over the weekend...

Can you let me know if these images appear huge on your screen when clicked into, A few appeared very large when i previewed this post, i re-resized them to hopefully fix it.

crap background^^

Black Headed Gull's at Par

2011-02-12T20:50:00.010Z

Black-headed Gulls coming for food at Par Beach Pool. Canon 7D and 100mm f/2.8. Light was bad but you get the idea, Will try again next time im up that way

Coming Soon...

2011-02-06T14:57:00.003Z

Wheatear, Davidstow, October.

weird colouring to this image but something needs to keep my blog up-to-date.

2 images from Wednesday nights filming of Dr Who at Charlestown. HERE. 1st and 2nd to last images.

7D, 400/5.6, monopod ISO's 5000-12800, 1/40s ish!!

Red Kite

2011-01-25T20:13:00.006Z

Going through old images looking for images for Alamy and found this from February 2010. Shame about the background.

It hasn't resized well, looks very soft, the original is a lot better

Gigrin..

EDIT: Size changed, somehow its was huge when clicked on...

Seal Sanctuary

2011-01-21T18:52:00.008Z

Few images from a very wet Seal Sanctuary at Gweek. Good Cornwall Wildlife Trust field trip but just a tad wet/dark. The 7D has passed weatherproofing quality control! No award winning images but a bit of fun and a good test of weatherproofing and High ISO capabilities of both 1D2 and 7D

^^1D MKII, 400mm ISO3200, 1/100s

^^1D MKII, 400mm, ISO3200, 1/100s

^^7D, 17-40@17, ISO 12800 (NR) 1/250s,

^^7D, 400mm, ISO1000, 1/320

Curlew

2011-01-11T18:18:00.003Z

Took this back in December, the same time as the Purple Sandpipers. Something a bit different to a normal bird image. Going to try to do more like this through out this year, but concentrating on behaviour, light and habitat shots (a bit like wildlife meets photojournalism) where the bird doesn't have to be the main subject, shooting more for stock libraries.

Such as

This and this

More of Andrew's stunning work here: http://www.andrewparkinson.com/

Waxwing in Shropshire

2011-01-11T18:07:00.003Z

Blog has been very quiet lately, mainly due to 300 Grey Phalarope images disappearing from the hard drive, Dont think they downloaded properly and I then formatted the card so they're gone (and so is it) and every time im on the computer im getting images on Alamy to build up my stock, so haven't had much time to sort out images for my blog.

So above is just one image ive managed to edit, not to sharp but the light was bad due to the snow!

Next will more than likely be Dog images as im doing Pet portraits in Photography at College at the moment

Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Penzance

2010-12-29T10:14:00.005Z

Another bird worth another try, very approachable
ISO 2500, 1/50, dark!

"Artistic blur" 1/40s

Grey Phalarope at Newlyn

2010-12-29T10:10:00.003Z

Terrible light yesterday but still managed a few record shots. Will try again soon when weathers better (if it stays)

Garden Birds in Shropshire

2010-12-29T09:59:00.001Z

Balearic Shearwaters off Carbis Bay

2010-12-29T09:55:00.002Z

Failed attempt at filming Balearic Shearwaters...

Waxwings at Ellesmere

2010-12-29T09:54:00.001Z

All the video I managed, concentrated on photo's beacuse they were very mobile! Photos soon

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T19:36:00.004Z

I haven't managed to fully sort through all of the images from Shropshire yet so I will get them up sometime after Christmas. I have some average shots of Waxwings, low light didn't help.

Thank you to the followers, for all comments and views, Its greatly appreciated!!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!

Something a little different to a Robin in the snow image

17-40mm, at 17mm

Assorted Gulls on Carbis Bay Beach

2010-12-15T18:13:00.005Z

Just a few gulls on Carbis bay beach late afternoon and yes, complete with crappy sound (definitely external mic/sound recorder after xmas!).

Ive got some flight video of the Balearic Shearwaters which im about to edit but there is a lot of dodgy panning so dont expect anything decent if i do upload anything!

Still 100's/1000's birds offshore so if you haven't been yet, what are you waiting for!!

off to Shropshire on Friday until the day before Christmas eve so not sure where we'll be going up there (Gigrin, Rutland maybe??) but I will be trying to hunt down some Waxwings so stay tuned after Christmas for hopefully some images!

Merry Christmas to everyone if i dont update my blog between now and the 25th

Purple Sandpiper Video

2010-12-10T21:28:00.002Z

No sound as the 7D mic is terrible (and it was windy), Dodgy horizon as I was resting on a rock and cheapy transitions between the shots!

Purple Sandpiper's at Jubilee Pool

2010-12-10T20:08:00.007Z

haven't taken many images lately due to ringing but managed to get out on Wednesday to photo the Purple Sands at Penzance. My patients paid off as I was lying down and had them down to less that a meter (some walking within a foot of my legs!) I wish I could have stayed longer but I wasn't paying attention to the tide and I only noticed I should move when the camera strap was soaked by a wave (luckily I had my hand under the camera or I would have been testing the weather proofness of the 7D!) By the time i got back to dry land the area I was lying in was underwater!

Worth it tho', shot a bit of video to but i haven't looked at that yet/been bothered to edit it.

PS: NO birds were flushed in the making of this post (Note to the Birdforum brigade!!!)

Curlew

Ringing

2010-11-24T20:25:00.005Z

Just a few ringing images as I haven't done much photography for ages...

Video's on BBC Website!

2010-10-21T21:39:00.002+01:00

Videos didnt make the show but are on the BBC Autumnwatch website!!

Green Heron (featured on main videos page):http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/uk/yourmovies/gallery-other.shtml?id=215440

Fieldfare: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/uk/yourmovies/gallery-other.shtml?id=216410

Snow Bunting at Newlyn P2

2010-10-16T19:56:00.003+01:00

Shame about the shade on the cycle track...

Too bright, too shallow depth of field and a bit boring but..

Taken this morning

Snow Bunting at Newlyn

2010-10-16T13:59:00.002+01:00

Just a quick post as im about to go back down to Newlyn to take some more. Just one image ive found from this morning

Fieldfare in the garden

2010-10-15T21:40:00.003+01:00

My first Fieldfare of the winter in my nans garden today. Once again i went for video before images, which may kill off my photography blog if im not to careful :(

The Green Heron footage didnt make the show which is a shame. Although considering it was one of the first videos I have taken with the 7D i think it did pretty well to get nearly broadcast!!
Thanks for all the comments recently! I havent really been replying to them as Ive been busy

Green Heron on BBC2!!

2010-10-13T17:06:00.003+01:00

Just a quick note to say i have received an email from someone at the BBC saying that they want to broadcast my Green Heron video on Autumnwatch, tomorrow (Thursday) 8:30pm BBC2. because of the type of show they cant guarantee that they will fit it in but fingers crossed!!

If you cant watch tomorrow then here is the footage. Sorry crap sound and dodgy panning

Green Heron P3

2010-10-12T19:48:00.004+01:00

I have just had a quick run through of the last 200 or so images as i want to get onto the video, here are just 2 i came across. will go through them again when i get chance and might post some more but now its time to experiment with HD video

Green Heron at Heligan P2

2010-10-11T17:58:00.003+01:00

Still going through the images, here are a few more. I should have some more up tomorrow. I am also editing the video together so hopefully that might be ready soon

GREEN HERON!!!!!!

2010-10-09T20:11:00.004+01:00

Caught up with it today, have 14GB of pics and video to go through, need to sort out Lightroom trail and then i can play with the 7D RAW files. So you can have what ive done so far. 1 pic and 1 video, video is unedited as i haven't worked that out yet, got 2 nice videos (that ive found so far) of it fishing.

just a quick post to show the images and hopefully tomorrow i will be able to show you all of them

Flickr isnt the best video hoster (not amazing quality) but hey.....

sorry about crap sound

Green Heron!

2010-10-08T18:57:00.003+01:00

Still havent been :(

Wasnt allowed to take my last 2 lessons off today to get the Heron with Paul! Who needs education, I know what Id rather do, I didnt even learn anything!

Will be there tomorrow so for now all i can do is look at the pics and vids:

http://www.cornwall-birding.co.uk/the-cornwall-species-list/green-heron/

Thanks to all contributors of images and videos to the website, Derek's and John's videos are definitely worth watching!

Wheatear at Davidstow and something a little rarer!!

2010-10-06T21:39:00.004+01:00

This post should include images but for some reason photoshop wont read the 7D RAW files, definitely CS5 time!!

Half a day at college today so we headed off in search of the Buff-Breasted Sandpiper at Davidstow, it wasnt there...

While we were there the pager went off, MEGA Cornwall GREEN HERON...

Yep, Green Heron at the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Pager message came through at 15:22 and Heligans last entry was at 15:30, according to Google maps thats 58mins away, CRAP!

Well it better stay until Saturday!

I was also very surprised that Heligan wouldn't shut later this evening or open earlier tomorrow so more birders could connect with it, and at £10pp they will make A LOT!!

Images and info here!

Images of Wheatear will come at some point and hopefully on Saturday i will be posting Green heron shots. Good luck to those that go tomorrow. I need a good excuse to get off college!

PS: Red-eyed Vireo and Myrtle Warbler in Co.Cork plus Green Heron in Cornwall (and other stuff like Bobolink, American Waders/Pipits that have been around/still are around) what else could be in the country?!!?!

Ringing at Treveal

2010-10-02T20:08:00.008+01:00

We attempted to ring Snipe at Marazion last night but we gave up after a few hours of nothing and hit the pub with some of the local birders, hoping that tomorrow would bring better ringing.

It did...

We arrived at Treveal at about 6:30am and started setting up the nets in a few places around the valley. None of us had been to Treveal before so trying to find decent ringing spots in the dark was hard!

Anyway after about nearly 7 hours of ringing we caught the following (not huge numbers but some good birds!!!) 2 Firecrest, 2 Goldcrest, 4 Great Tit, 3 Blue Tit, 5 Chiff-Chaff, 1Wren, 3 Long-tailed Tit, male Blackcap and a male Blackbird. Also Yellow Wagtail andMerlin over

An interesting Chiff-Chaff was caught too, One of the Chiff-Chaff caught had a ring on, after close inspection Mark had ringed it earlier in the week at Marazion! What are the chances!

and Sam, its lucky I could be bothered to take my camera around this time!!!

Firecrest

Goldcrest

Ringing at Marazion

2010-09-21T20:11:00.003+01:00

Went ringing at Marazion 2 weeks ago with Mark Grantham. We had 4 mist nets up which over a period of 4 hours caught 16 birds (I think). Sedge Warbler (8), Reed Warbler (3), Cetti's Warbler, Reed Bunting, Blue Tit (2) and the highlight of the Morning, a juv. Kingfisher!! I used my phone for the majority of images as i couldn't be bothered with the camera but i did take it out for the last bird, this Blue tit.

Dog Control Order on Hayle Estuary

2010-09-17T20:30:00.002+01:00

So far there have been 12 objections to the dog control order on the Hayle Estuary and only one letter of support! We hear so many complaints from birders about disturbance caused by dogs on the estuary so this is your opportunity to do something about it!! PLEASE write showing your support for a Dog Control Order on the estuary BEFORE27th September to the address below or send an e-mail to Tina.Beeley@cornwall.gov.uk The area to be covered by the DCO and further details can be seen on the Council’s webpages:

http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=25172

We suspect the number of objections has been helped by the letter in last week’s ‘The Cornishman’ newspaper in which a local resident expressed her views on the introduction of a DCO in no uncertain terms. Unfortunately, in spite of two excellent responses (by Cornwall Council and Dave Parker) correcting the misinformation and total nonsense in that letter, the paper has declined to publish these today. We are not surprised but of course very disappointed.

Please write if you can before the 27 Sept to:

Ms Tina Beeley, Legal and Democratic Services, Room 43, Cornwall Council, St Clare, Penzance,TR18 3QW

Thanks, Cornwall Birding and RSPB

Please support the DCO, remember the Swan that was mauled to death by a dog on the estuary a few years back!! Pass on the message!

PS: more images soon, been busy lately sorry. I have some images of the birds ringed at Marazion Marsh last Saturday which ill probably post tomorrow.

Goldfinch nr. Nanquidno

2010-09-05T20:36:00.006+01:00

Well this is about the best ive seen today!!!

Saw Citrine Wagtail yesterday but didnt catch up with the Wrynecks and Ortolan Buntings, so this morning me and Monty had planned to return to Tregiffian Farm in search of the Ortolan Buntings, this plan went out the window when i looked out the window this morning! I decided that if it cleared up i would get down and give it a go, well it kind of cleared up, ish!

First stop the reported Short-toed Lark at Arden-Sawah Farm. It was VERY foggy, bad visibility/small bird/big field, wasnt the best combo. After about 30mins of waiting we headed of to Lands End for the Wryneck, in hindsight Porthgwarra would have been a better bet, missed the Wrynecks to!

So now with the fog coming back the only place to go was Nanquidno for the O Buntings, and guest what, no bloody birds. Still nice to get out and i did manage these pics.

1/125 and 1/160 handheld

Also while at Lands End, near Trinity pool i saw a bird dart into cover, managed to get on to it with the bins and all I can say is poss. Flycatcher with pretty prominent white eye ring, it didnt click until Brian Field mentioned the Brown Flycatcher in Yorkshire, that was it ;-)...... I wish

Black Tern at St.Gothian

2010-08-31T17:51:00.010+01:00

A few images of the juv. Black Tern at St.Gothian Sands yesterday. Took loads of images but the majority were out of focus, the bird was very fast. (Just like photo'ing a Swallow). I resorted to Manual focus as the AF could barely keep up. Thanks Paul for suggesting it, i never would have tried it else!

At some point I have images from Stithians i took with Monty's Canon 60mm Macro lens, i just need to find the memory card with them on.

more images of the Black Tern here:

Monty

Paul

PS: i have been trying out a new resizer and it seems to have lost A LOT of quality in the picture, will be back with CS3 "save for web" next time.

PPS: ive just noticed Google have added a page view thingy in the dashboard, worth a look! some cool stats, the top 3 countries i get page views from, 1st UK, 2nd USA and surprisingly in 3rd Taiwan!!! and Thanks Steve, Monty, Simon and John/Sue as you are in the top 5 URL referrals. Thank you!

Macro

2010-08-15T20:34:00.014+01:00

Went down to Botallack on Wednesday last week with Monty in search of Choughs. We saw them but i didnt get any decent images. I did however use Monty's Canon 60mm macro lens and Ring flash (which was a expensive mistake as im now looking for macro lenses). hard to get used to using the flash but i did get some nice images. shame its a EF-s lens but it was good to use the 450D again.

Thanks to John and Robert for the ID's

Cock's-foot Grass

Flash burnt it out a bit here

DoF :-) Greenbottle (Thanks John!!)

Common Carder

Pelagic

2010-08-01T20:33:00.006+01:00

Yesterday morning i was on the Pelagic mentioned in the previous post. Me, Paul, Monty and a group from shropshire left St.Ives just after 5am. We "sailed" to 7 miles NW (It think) of St.Ives and put out the chum. This attracted the usual stuff, Kittiwakes, Gannets, Gulls and a few better things, Storm Petrels, a single Arctic tern, 2 Sooty and a few Balearic Shearwaters. (also on the way out we had Arctic Skua)

Im not extremely happy with my images from the trip as the conditions weren't great. out of the about 500 images i took i have about 10 which are ok and the 3 which are below. Not a great hit rate but anyone on the boat would agree it wasnt easy!!!! The majority of images are just slightly out of focus.

Oh but no Wilsons :-(

Im booked on another one on the 21st so hopefully better images and a wilsons

Balearic Shearwater

Storm petrel

Fulmar

Sorry!

2010-07-25T20:36:00.003+01:00

Can i apologise to all the readers (are there any??) of my blog! I have promised images and so far have posted very little. To be honest I still havent looked through my images from lake Vyrnwy fully and this is mainly due to the laptop is on its last legs!

Anyway I have ordered a new PC from Pc specialist (https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/) they are a very very good company and should be your first call if you are about to buy a new PC!! they build the computer to the spec you want which for a photographer wanting more memory or RAM etc etc it is brilliant. I wont bore you with my spec (unless you want it?, NO, ok) all I can say is i think i went OTT and went A LOT over budget!!

The pc should be here some time this week coming and should hopefully be up and ready to process images on Saturday after the Pelagic with Paul, Monty and Mark, which i hope to have frame filling images of Wilsons Petrel.

And last of all sorry to all the people who's blogs i usually comment on or who appear in the blog list on the left hand side, i have been reading your blogs just havent commented for ages!

Here is an image you have all seen 100's of times but just to show what we hope to see on Saturday, Wilson Storm Petrel...

Book your place on one of the Cornwall birding pelagics from St.Ives through out August here...

http://www.cornwall-birding.co.uk/pelagics/

Farm Stuff Part 1 - Chickens

2010-07-05T20:50:00.007+01:00

Images from a friends farm of the chickens! I used 1D2 and 17-40mm to get a different perspective. Next up will be either images of Cows or Sheep....

Also new Cornwall Birding yahoo group, to discuss anything about birds in Cornwall: http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/Cornwall-Birding/

not technically perfect but funny

Slimbridge Part 2

2010-07-02T20:19:00.009+01:00

Part 2 of Slimbridge. This will probably be the final post as the other images i took were quite similar and i cant then post them another time when i have no images to post. Next will be images from Lake Vyrnwy, that will be a small post as i didnt take that many images.

They take security very seriously at all WWT centres...

Wood Duck

Red Crested Pochard, shame about the burnt out bit

male Smew, shows the DoF

Slimbridge Part 1

2010-06-29T20:30:00.003+01:00

First set of images from Slimbridge. The images were taken on the 28th May just to show how long its been since my last proper post. Not much wild stuff at Slimbridge but we did mange to re-locate the Little Gull which was on the estuary.

Duck Sp. anyone know?

Finally a post!!

2010-06-24T21:54:00.002+01:00

Its been ages since a proper post on here! I have many images to post but I've been busy with school/exams (finally over!!), damn laptop and loads of other stuff. In addition to the images taken in May i have (last week) spent some time on a friends farm, so i now have images of cows, sheep and the best ones, chickens. Very fun chasing the chickens around with 1D2 and 17-40mm, just to get a better angle/perspective!

Anyway bare with me and sometime either this or next week I might add some images.

PS: I'd post some now but i cant find the external HD

Lake Vyrnwy

2010-06-12T21:47:00.003+01:00

Got loads of images to edit from the last few weeks. I spend half term at Lake Vyrnwy RSPB, Wales. Loads of stuff seen but not as many images. Also stuff coming up Slimbridge, South Stack, some misc. stuff and maybe my images (record shots) of the Marmoras Warbler and Iberian Chiffchaff. just one of the Dam at the mo'!

Lake Vyrnwy

2010-05-27T16:59:00.002+01:00

As i said before Im at Lake Vyrnwy, Wales next week so my blog'll go quiet...

Ill post images when i get back an as im now on "study" leave ill have loads of time to post them :-)

Im hoping to do some landscapes and spend some time in a hide at some of the Pied Flycatcher and Redstart nests! (and hopefully some of the Dippers with young)

Hope Cornwall doesn't stay true to form and all the decent birds turn up!

Red Footed Falcon (19th record) at Lands End airfield today!

Powerboats Part 2

2010-05-25T21:06:00.007+01:00

Part 2.

My boats bigger than yours ;-)

Wheelie

Squacco Heron!

2010-05-23T17:25:00.008+01:00

The powerboats will have to wait until the week as the Heron is a lot better. A really nice bird in a really nice location. Good to meet everyone today!

More images here...

Steve (!!!)

About to fish, i missed it catch the fish and the images of it with a fish were out of focus

Damn branch

Damn branch again

Penzance Grand Prix of the Sea!

2010-05-22T21:16:00.012+01:00

This weekend the Powerboat championship is at Penzance. Its well worth visiting!!

All my images were from the Main pier a Newlyn (where the light is good, the parking is good and there's less people). Thanks to Bob for letting me use the 600 for a bit!

Newlyn is probably the best place to view/photo from, unless you have a boat (or a *see last image*)...

I have sorted the 400 or so images down to 14 which ill post in 2 parts.

Sorry they are a bit "samey"!!

Winner

I missed the main lifeboat but the inshore Lifeboat was still around

TV Chopper- That's the best place to view from!!!

St. Michaels Mount- ND Grad Test

2010-05-18T19:18:00.007+01:00

Ive just bought 2 Neutral Density filters for the 17-40mm. I have only taken about 20 images with them so far and im still learning but here's one from last night at St.Michaels Mount. The weather was crap, no sun just boring grey clouds so I was expecting to only get bad images. I stacked a ND4 and ND8 filter to get the dark sky. I like the weird purple in the sky. Im now waiting for a decent sunset. Also my exams have now started so I may not be able to post images for a while. Im at Lake Vyrnwy for a week in 2 weeks time so hopefully I have some decent images to post after that!

The image is a bit flat but.......

Sparrow

2010-05-11T22:11:00.005+01:00

Still not that many blogable images for a while. Loads of decent migrants around at the mo' (yet i still cant get any pics), Lesser Yellowlegs at Walmsley, The dodgy finch at Lands End, A few Woody Shrikes and much more!

I went down to Sennen this evening for the Hawfinch, and dipped. we spoke to the owners of the house it spends most time around, it was there about 1 hours ago.

Just a lot of House ~~Finches~~ Sparrows around. Bit of a boring image but i need to keep the blog up to date!

I might post a record shot of the little Tern at Marazion on Sunday later this week...

HOUSE FINCH!!!

2010-05-08T17:57:00.016+01:00

3 decent birds for Cornwall in 1 week. White throated Sparrow (1st Record), Golden Eagle (3rd Record) and House Finch (1st Record). In theory its been a great week BUT the later is more than likely an escape, Extreme :-(

House Finch would be the second north American bird this week for Cornwall!! House Finch's are very common cage birds in the UK and the Yellow Variant being what "most" captive cage birds are. They are also not very migratory birds, Females migrate further and a survey found only 4% of the ringed House Finch's in the survey moved as much as 200kms!!!. A pair of Mexican House Finch's were for sale in Cornwall in January and others are for sale for about £20. In addition to that the yellow variant in House Finch's make up c.5% of the birds surveyed in the "Colour variation in House Finches" survey. The majority of "Yellow" variations come from the diet of the birds. Captive birds also show a yellow variation which doesn't help the possibility of a wild Lands End bird. And just to make it even worse there is supposed to be an Avery next to the Post office in Sennen and although I haven't heard if they have lost a bird, or even keep House Finch's, it doesn't help the credentials of the bird.

Also a female House Finch (which would have been the first British record) was on Fair Isle in April 1966 for 3 days, it was assumed as an escaped cage bird and was accepted as a Cat. E bird on the UK400 list (and probably the BBRC as well).

Even more: As we were leaving Lands End RBA had "Dark-eyed Junco in private garden in Cheltenham present since Jan 8th!" although it was last seen on April 5th and it was in a private area and not twitchable.

Reference:http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw298

http://uk400clubrarebirdalert.blogspot.com/2010/05/house-finch-of-unknown-origin-in-west.html

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/HoufinColorVariants.htm

http://www.birdtrader.co.uk/birds/finches-for-sale/cornwall/mexican-house-finch-pairs-for-sale/BT104323

http://sennen-cove.com/birds

EDIT: Email from Terry George, "the bird was sighted early last week (not ID'ed) about 100yds from the house which apparently keeps caged birds"

Hope all that's correct and makes sense! If not, its not my fault im an idiot ;-)

Anyway, I did see it and thanks to the owners of the Swingates house for letting birders in today. Access was limited today and people were allowed to view the garden 6 at a time and no one was leaving without seeing it. Again thanks to the owners for letting people in BUT I don't think they will be letting people in tomorrow. Well worth the 6 hours (!!!!) spent standing up in the cold even if it is an escape! It wont be on my list until its proven otherwise, which I REALLY hope it is.

Better images here: http://www.swopticsphoto.com/2010/05/house-finch-at-lands-end-8th-may.html

My ISO 3200, c. 1/500s, Handheld, Shivering with cold, heavily cropped, No Noise Reduction extremely crap record shots.

White Throated Sparrow!!!!!

2010-05-02T17:58:00.008+01:00

1st Record for Cornwall, well worth the trip!!

I didnt get that good images with my camera but i got reasonable shots phone scoping. I think you'll agree i should leave the digiscoping to John Rowe. I did manage a video which shows it quite well, shame about the wind. Thanks to everyone who has commented lately!

More images of Sparrow:

John Rowe

Colin Selway

Images

2010-04-25T09:33:00.003+01:00

Sorry for the lack of postings, I haven't managed to get any good images recently!

Dunnock, Sennen Cycle Track (I think), April

Pied Wagtail, St.Gothian, March

Marazion

2010-04-11T21:23:00.005+01:00

A very nice (but windy) afternoon at Marazion. Great White Egret seen flying on and off (very briefly) about 6-7 times. Also good to see a Bittern. The main surprise was 2 Adders. The one in the photo (male?) was quite small but the (female) was a lot(!!!) larger. Thanks to Bob for letting me use the Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro lens, Love the DoF. I think ill get a 100mm macro before a 600mm ;-)

^^^Canon 100mm f/2.8 ^^^

^^Canon 400mm f/5.6^^

Original Post at: www.ashleyh-photography.blogspot.com

More from Church Cove

2010-04-06T21:14:00.004+01:00

I found 2 more images taken yesterday. The Dunnock's and Blue Tit's are very photo-genic. The Woodchat Shrike image was Manual focused so it isn't that sharp. Still a nice image though.

*Original Post at: www.ashleyh-photography.blogspot.com*

Woodchat Shrike Pt.2

2010-04-05T21:07:00.006+01:00

Re-visited Church cove this afternoon. Hoping the light would be better as it was overcast in Carbis bay and as I found yesterday that in the afternoon the sun is in a bad position for photo's. As we arrived the sun came out, for once that was bad. Anyway as usual the weather got worse, the wind picked up and it clouded over. It was darker than I had hoped.

ISO 640, 1/640 tripod mounted. Better images of the shrike Here

Woodchat Shrike at Church Cove

2010-04-04T19:45:00.006+01:00

Woodchat Shrike at Churchcove. If you plan to go down try to get there early as in the afternoon the bird is very harshly "side-lit" (as you can see in the pics). Also I have added a phone-scope and a failed attempt of video-scoping. For a better video of the shrike Click Here

^Phone Scope

^Camera

Purple Sandpiper

2010-04-02T20:16:00.005+01:00

A few from last weeks CWT field trip to Jubilee Pool. The weather was terrible but the water droplets made the images look a bit different. Still a good turn out despite the weather!

Thanks to Derek and Colin for showing us the Little Ringed Plover's at Trevraven Meadows today. tho' Distant, I may post a phone-scope later.

Redshank

2010-03-25T18:10:00.005Z

Redshank at St.Gothian Sands. Taken a few weeks ago. First 4 images are now on Alamy and I the 3 uploaded yesterday should be Quality Controlled hopefully tomorrow.

Alamy Gallery Here.

Original Post at: www.ashleyh-photography.blogspot.com

Slimbridge

2010-03-24T20:23:00.004Z

Another image from Slimbridge. I haven't got a clue what this birds called so if anyone knows please let me know. I doubt ill post much more from Slimbridge because as I said in the last Slimbridge post the weather was crap. Will visit again in the summer!!!

First 4 images should appear on Alamy tomorrow and I have another 3 awaiting Quality Control

EDIT: Thanks to Andrew and Chris, bird below is a Ruddy Headed Goose.

Original Post at: www.ashleyh-photography.blogspot.com

Alamy

2010-03-23T21:44:00.005Z

Just a quick post to say that I have just been accepted by Stock library Alamy!! I only have 4 images on there at the mo' and they arent key worded (so they wont appear in the link below). Anyway Ill try to get a few more images on there asap, and I could soon be making money :-) (I doubt it tho')

Ashley Hugo

600 f/4 here I come ;-)

Original Post at: www.ashleyh-photography.blogspot.com

Slimbridge

2010-03-17T22:04:00.003Z

Ive finally got around to looking at the Slimbridge pics from back in February. The weather was rubbish at the time so most of the pics are a bit boring/dull and high ISO/slow shutter speeds didnt help. Ive only edited 1 image so far but ill sort some more out soon.

Check out http://www.wildlifeacrossthewater.blogspot.com tomorrow after 0800 tomorrow where i will be guest photographer on Martin and Dave's blog...

Also due to what has happened with their blog I will now be posting the original link below so no one will steal my posts/images. not that anyone would want to but you never know.

Original Post at: www.ashleyh-photography.blogspot.com.

Buzzard

2010-03-12T22:07:00.004Z

Even more.....

Dust spots on this one, CS3 stopped working while I was cloning them out.

Tawny Owl

2010-03-07T18:25:00.007Z

Little Owl

2010-03-03T18:30:00.001Z

Sorry for the delay in posting but I've been busy. I was going to post some pics from Slimbridge on Saturday but realized i haven't sorted them out yet. Anyway here are some images of a Little owl taken on Bodmin moor (CWT trust field trip to the Screech owl sanctuary). Thanks to David Chapman for organizing it and to Mark Whittaker for doing a great job with the handling of the birds.

Most shot at f/6.3 with some wide open and some at f/8.

Long-eared Owl at Rutland Water

2010-02-26T19:23:00.007Z

4 images from Rutland Water. The Long-eared Owl (s) have been roosting here for a while and can easily be over looked. If it wasn't due to the small group of people gathered near the tree we would have never seen them, we unfortunately missed (by seconds) a Barn owl sitting on a nest box by the fieldfare hide and the numerous Short-eared owls that were spotted.

All the images were taken in dim sunlight and shade, Tripod mounted, manual focused through a bush and taken with the normal camera/lens. They would have turned out alright if there wasn't a big bramble going in-front of its face, but as record shots they are fine.

Was woken up by a low flying plane.

Images are a bit basic but not a bird I normally photo. Tomorrow images from Slimbridge.

Black Kite At Gigrin Farm

2010-02-25T18:32:00.006Z

Not as good as the Red Kite images but ok shots of a great bird. Never seemed to be around when the sun was out so plain grey backgrounds on most.

LE Owl Pics tomorrow, they aren't the best but reasonable quality for the conditions, shooting through branches and leaves.

Red Kites at Gigrin Farm

2010-02-24T18:16:00.004Z

Images from Gigrin Farm last week. We spent a few days in shropshire, with a trip to Rutland Water, Gigrin and Slimbridge WWT. Very variable weather at Gigrin, sun, snow and overcast conditions in the 3 or so hours we were there. So some images wont be that good due to the light (and snow).

Ill try to post the Black Kite images tomorrow, Long Eared Owl images on Friday and the Slimbridge etc images over the weekend.

Obviously not a kite but I thought I'd post it today as I really like it .

Black Necked Grebe at Drift

2010-02-14T20:41:00.006Z

Today made up for missing the grebe at Drift yesterday. When we arrived it was way over on the far bank opposite the hide, to far away for photo's. After loosing sight of it for about 10 mins we assumed that was the last we would see of it, we were wrong.

It drifted past the hide about 2 meter's out!!!

It then stayed close (ish) to the bank until about 5pm when we left. Thanks to Bob for letting me borrow the 600mm (again)

Canon 1D MKII and 600mm f/4 + 1.4X TC

Canon 1D MKII and Canon 600mm f/4 + 1.4X TC

Canon 1D MKII and Canon 400mm f/5.6

Drift Reservoir

2010-02-13T19:51:00.003Z

Images from Drift reservoir today. No BN Grebe seen or photo'd :-( Ill try again tomorrow.

Not great light this afternoon so there images aren't great, a bit boring as well

No images

2010-02-09T18:27:00.002Z

No images (well good ones) since the Seal. I have been out but just not seen any thing thats worth photo'ing. Im on school hol's next week so I should (hopefully) get out a bit more. We are Planning a trip to Slimbridge, Rutland and Gigrin Farm during the week so I expect many images from there.

Hopefully I'll get some images to post soon or ill have to look back into the achieves.

Seal at St.Ives

2010-01-26T18:11:00.003Z

This is the first time I have photo'd a Seal and I am really pleased with the results. It was just off Porthgwidden Beach and the rocks gave just enough cover to hide behind while taking theses pics without it being spooked. Taken while on Cornwall Wildlife Trust field trip.

I don't know what type of seal its though?

Tufted Duck's at Drift Reservoir

2010-01-24T20:35:00.007Z

As promised Tufted Duck's at Drift yesterday. Tomorrow I will post some shots of a Seal with a fish taken today on the Cornwall Wildlife Trust field trip to St.Ives. I wont bother posting my Cattle Egret images as they aren't great but I'll try for better next weekend.

Cattle Egret and Bitterns (3) seen again today, the latter briefly

Whooper Swan at Drift Reservoir

2010-01-23T18:54:00.013Z

Spend an hour or two at drift this afternoon. Whooper Swan and Barnacle Geese Still there, the later to far away for photo's. Despite the distant Geese the Whooper Swan was showing very very well, a lot better than last year when it was in the field to the left of the hide. I also visited Marazion and Brew Farm today, Images from there will appear tomorrow.

Might buy a Macro lens and go back down there ;-)

Coming in the next few days, Tufted duck at Drift, Record shot of bittern at Marazion, Cattle Egret's at Sennen and hopefully some good images from the CWT Field trip to St.Ives

Marazion

2010-01-09T18:35:00.003Z

Photo's from a very very cold afternoon at Marazion. The bittern was around but not when I was there :-( The weather has effected most of the birds on the marsh but mainly the Redwing and Fieldfare, about 200+ flying to and from the marsh and beach in search of food. Hope they find it! The first shot is a knot on the beach, Handheld 1DMKII and 400mm f/5.6

Second, Golden Plover from Roadside, Tripod mounted 1D MKII and Canon 600mm f/4 + 1.4X TC. @f5.6
Third, Teal From Roadside, Tripod mounted, Canon 1D MKII and Canon 600mm f/4 + 1.4X TC @f/5.6.

Anyone out today will agree it was cold!!
Thanks Bob for letting my borrow the 600mm.

Robin

2010-01-08T19:40:00.004Z

Due to the weather this week I haven't been able to get out, even though I have been off school for the last 3 Days!!! So I only have images from the garden to post. Got very cold taking these.

^^^A bit Dark^^^

Sorry a bit simple...

Recent Shots

2010-01-04T20:06:00.002Z

I am year listing this year so I have been rushing around trying/failing to tick the common birds instead of taking pictures. I did though have a good photo session at Marazion on Jan 1st with Bob and Rachel. Thanks Bob for getting the 7D, because I now want one!! And thanks Rachel for letting me use the 500, I also want one of those to now too ;-)

First Image up is a Turnstone at Newlyn on the 31st December, Handheld 1D2 and 400/5.6.

Second is a Little Egret at Marazion Marsh, Tripod mounted, Canon 1D mKII, Canon 500 f/4 L IS USM and 1.4x TC. Thanks Rachel

Favorite 10 Images of 2009.

2009-12-26T16:51:00.009Z

After reading Steve's and Bob's blog I've decided to follow suit......

My Favorite images of 2009!

Below are my 10 favorite images from this year. The images are ones that I like and you may not agree so I have added a poll on the side to see which of the pics you like.

Please vote for 3 of you favorite images in the poll to the side of this post. Thanks and Happy new year.

Long Tailed Tit, Priorslee Lake, Shropshire. December

Baird's Sandpiper, Marazion Beach. September

Ringed Plover, Davidstow Airfield. September

Red Kite, Gigrin Farm, Wales. December

Long Tailed Tit, Stithians Reservoir. March

Baird's Sandpiper, Davidstow Airfield. September

Dunlin, Davidstow Airfield. September

Dunlin, Marazion Beach. October

Chaffinch, Rothiemurchus Campsite, Aviemore, Scotland. August

Red Kite, Gigrin Farm, Wales. December

Some great birds from 2009 and I hope 2010 is even better.

Gigrin Farm Part 2

2009-12-22T17:56:00.008Z

More will appear on the blog probably after xmas now. I will upload what I can to Flickr...

Thank you to everyone who has followed and commented on the blog over the past year.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39523533@N07/

Gigrin Farm

2009-12-20T18:35:00.005Z

I have been in Shropshire this week due to finishing my mock exams early. We spent a day at Gigrin Farm in Wales so I have quite a few images to post. The only problem is the laptop is playing up and CS3 wont open, so I have only have one image to post that I have fiddled with on my Aunties laptop.

More to come soon....