I have not been fishing for the last few months, might sound strange, but its rather nice, when I start again shortly I shall be re-charged and keen again, I enjoy all the seasons, but winter can really test you from a fishing perspective, it can at times be an endurance test, it has its rewards and its great to be outdoors experiencing the different weather conditions that get thrown in the mix, but perhaps as I'm getting older I am just beginning to feel it a bit more! Anyway, the River Season starts Soon..can't wait!!

Went out on a very blustery and showery day last week down the Nature reserve at Weir Wood, again hoping for some reasonable pictures of Swifts & Swallows, oh, and Terns that I have found so frustrating, as they have been swooping and flying around, always far away, certainly too far to get any sort of decent Photos!, I spent far to long chasing them to no avail a couple of days ago!
Anyway, this time it was to be different..I finally got some interesting photos (well I think so!)

This was taken during a heavy downpour, but hey finally, a usable picture!, A Tern feeding a Youngster                                                                                                                                                    

...More was to follow a good hatch started that drew in the Swallows and swifts from nowhere Amazing watching these speedy guys, swooping and diving, I find it fascinating to see how they can spot their food travelling at such speed, but they do.. and so successfully!


Well in between showers it brightened up, and the Young Tern showed up on the same platform, and I managed to get some better pictures of them feeding ..     If you look carefully at the middle picture you can see the youngsters meal is a small fish, proberbly a roach. I could also get some better photos of the distant Cormorants, many dislike these birds because I think because of their looks, to me their attitude and behaviour is quite interesting, they survive and flourish in spite of our best efforts to stop them! Just look at those wings, perfect design for "flying underwater!  

I spent a couple of very enjoyable hours watching from the hide but had been told of a little field close by that Yellowhammers frequented, and its a bird I have crossed paths with only once with the camera, and the pictures were far from acceptable!
Anyway, I crept up to the entrance of the field and could see nothing of real interest, but on further looking at the wheat that was growing I could see just the top of a pair of Horns!
I instinctively slowly went as low as I could so as not to startle them, I looked at trying to get in a better position but it was just not possible.
I waited about Thirty Minutes  before anything happened, although I was a reasonable distance and as quiet as I could be they became aware of my presence, what I had not realised was there was Three of them Two Adults and a Foal, I'm pretty sure they were, in fact, laying down, taking in the brief warm sunshine we had that day..my first "Proper" view of them was this.. 
    How cute is that!!
Here is the Foal with them who got up after Mum and Dad...
   Well what a fantastic day, however, those deer were the Icing on the cake, a great bit of luck being in the right place just at the right time!
I always try not to panic or frighten wildlife, I like to Observe and Photograph them totally on their terms, Never, Never chase after them they deserve respect, if you miss your photo well that's how it is, except with grace, and be pleased you had the privilege to see them!
They the wildlife owes us nothing!

A Great Day Out on the Sx Ouse and South Downs!

I thought out a great walk taking in part of the River (Tidal Sussex Ouse) and a walk over stunning farmland (South Downs) that I expected to spot perhaps some Birds of prey (more of this latter) It all started  so well nice weather and scenery, I  must have done roughly  two miles and I hit a dilemma, a crossroads in badly signed footpaths, I had a map, but obviously did not need it, ..use your head and instinct I said out loud, after all the right-hand path was still running almost parallel with the river in my mind...I'll let you guess the outcome of this decision!

Boy had I got it wrong, I was so far out it was untrue, it took me a long while of walking to find my bearings, however, this mistake turned into a blessing earlier on I watched for a while a pair of Buzzards riding the thermals, unfortunately, they were never in Camera range.

I was walking through a very tree-lined area that also had a few houses around, I came around a corner and came across this view...     I was, to be taken by surprise, I had fractions of a second to adjust the camera settings and I got a few photos, 

The Problem was we were both taken by surprise, he took flight instantly, however, I did manage a few images, but this could all have been so much better, but it is what it is...next time! 

after this great little event, I had regained my bearings, and was roughly Two and a half miles out of where I intended to be!

I began the Trek back towards the Sussex Ouse, I spotted a Jay in a perfect situation, although very bright sunshine I snapped a couple of Photo's only to have totally overexposed the finished product!... Aaahhhh!! now I was getting annoyed, however, things were to change for the better! 

I decided after about a mile to stop for lunch, I always like to pick a spot with a few bushes around in the hope some Birdlife shows up and in between a sandwich these birds popped into view..  Caught obviously in flight a Skylark, a first for me..very quick flyer!

and five minutes later a Common WhiteThroat gave me a great view of himself. 

I carried on my trek to attempt to get back on my original intended path but realised all might take a fair bit longer when I saw this view.. The Chalky bit in the distant centre is Severn Sisters, a view I had not intended to see!

Anyway I finally made the river and I hoped to spot perhaps some wading birds and some Mullet or Bass feeding, and possibly a Heron doing what herons do!

This part of the river is very tidal, and to be honest very exposed to the elements, in my opinion, there are more scenic parts, but places like this attract various birds and wildlife so I still find it very interesting.

I ended up in a spot I had not planned to be due to that wrong turning on the footpath but again another surprise was to confront me ! .....A Little Egret ! He was a way off to get any decent photos at this point but on the opposite Bank he gave me a good opportunity to get in a far better position to get some decent pictures, this I managed, however the moment I was in a great position, he decided very quickly to get airborne and go and land exactly opposite where I had first spotted the Egret!

I made my way back with as much haste keeping my profile low and hoping he would not up sticks again before I could get a good photo, however all went well. 

After this, It was time to make my way back to the car, still a bit of a walk, but due to getting it wrong I managed to get a few very pleasing Photos!

It was early evening, Id took the Dog for a walk and a plan was hatching, perfect light conditions, I decided a few hours with the Camera down to the Resivour in the hope of a Barn Owl ..this was the sort of evening I could get lucky again!

I felt worn out but you don't Catch good fish, and you certainly won't get photos of birds if you're not at the venue in the first place!

Anyway got myself in a nice secluded position and bingo after roughly one hour and a half I spotted in the distance the unmistakable shape and colour of a Barn Owl coming my way, my first thought "please don't spot me!

Anyway as he got closer I had got a little shaky ..seriously this is exciting stuff if you are behind the camera!

on several Occassions I lost sight of the Owl he had "gone down", obviously on a hopeful kill, this was only building the excitement!

Anyway, all went well, and I got these..... 

        ....There is something about seeing an Owl that is so exciting, Its a truly special moment, I never tire of being in their presence!

Well, What a Day!!!...If only life could be so self-fulfilling on a Daily Basis, however, let get this all in perspective, up at Three O'clock am for a five O'clock am start in a few hours!

  

                               

Well I've not done any fishing for a while or Cycling, to be honest, I've been getting stuck into the Photography since the purchase of the Nikon D500 and the 200-500mm Telephoto Lens, seriously it been a game changer in the quest for decent Photos of wildlife, and I can honestly say that
the combination is a Joy to use! (and utterly addictive!)
Anyway on the Cycling and fishing front watch this space..I need to get my finger out!!
Been out wandering around Weir Wood Reservoir quite a lot recently, its a very beautiful place, and you never know what Birds or Mammals will show up, I recently went for an early morning walk on the back of the South Bank, never really paid attention to that area much...big mistake, I shall be getting up there a lot more..!
Anyway a couple of photos   

.....It was early morning and not a breath of breeze, a lovely atmosphere could be felt.

Mornings like this puts life in perspective, we all feel hard done buy at times, but while standing taking these photos, I realised how privileged and lucky I was to be standing where I was at that moment!

   
I carried on walking for a while and came across a ploughed field there were the Usual Crows strutting around but a lot closer to me was a Pied Wagtail (female) having a good root around. Quickly got a good Image of this young lady and all of sudden from nowhere came a dozen or so Swallows, swopping in every direction, and this one landed very close to where the wagtail had been, so not to miss the chance I snapped away..  

They also landed on the Telephone lines above me, the sleek lines of these speed machines are clear to see!!

As fast as they came they were gone again, so I was pleased to capture these two shots, I love seeing them, as far as I'm concerned when they arrive after their long Journey from Africa, it must mean summer has Arrived!

After walking a little further and not seeing but hearing an incredible amount of songbirds I was on a bit of a timetable to be home. I saw in the distant corner of a field that had a view of the expanse of the Reservoir a few Canada Geese, I was slightly surprised the moment I came across them they took to flight, after all the distance between us was a lot, this however gave me a chance to get these shots, the second one shows them heading down to the Water.

I carried on making my way back to the car, when I got to the destination, even though I was on time I decided to quickly go to the Dam, and I'm very glad I did as I was witness to a hatch of mayflies, I've fished the Reservoir countless times and never seen this spectacle before so was glad I made the decision to grab a little more time in this special place!

  Its not a great life being a Mayfly, Its a bit all or nothing, your whole purpose is to hatch, breed and Die, your lifespan is at best (very best!) Twenty Four hours,..most don't even make that, for most I would say a couple of hours is their lot! 

...Wish every morning was as satisfying as this!!   

Ah...I remember days like these, running and playing around with my mates without a care in the world!

Talk about Luck, was in my car the other evening, on the way to attempt getting some pics of an elusive Owl that I've seen Once, and driving slowly in a small lane out of the corner of my eye spotted these guys playing at the edge of a field, a quick stop to seize the moment, and this is some of the results!
I watched/Photographed them for roughly Ten mins, very enjoyable, brought a smile to my face, the natural world at its best!! 
  

....Well, what happened?
For some reason, I've allowed this to slide away!
It seems a waste so I'm going to start it up again, I intend to just add those little adventures that mean nothing to most, but I seem to have little events that for me mean the world is still a great place, if you go out looking for it..here's a couple of examples taken a few evenings ago...

Goldfinch...I never tire of them.

Barn Owl,...so Exciting, found a perfect area for Owl's to hunt and first go at staking the area out ...Boom!!!

Since writing the last few posts I've got into a bit of Road Cycling, as well as enjoying going out on the Mountain Bike, I've upgraded a lot of my Camera Gear towards wildlife Photography, and wow, has technology moved on from my Canon 350d!..I own several Cameras but the Nikon D500 is just something else!
I go out Dog walking almost daily, and the Camera and a Nikon 200-500mm lens nearly always comes along when out in the fields and forests in my area, Its a slightly frustrating way to catch decent Photos as you are always on the move (I prefer either static approach or a slow walk!)...but hey end of the day Millie the dog needs a walk, so I can live with it!
I'm planning on putting up photos taken by myself of as many birds as I can find, all the common ones and hopefully not so common, however in some circumstances I'm afraid to protect the Wildlife, exact locations will be omitted, due to simply their protection...and to start this off here's a Robin with Breakfast, taken while out on an early morning walk at Amberly RSPB site came round a corner in the undergrowth and this little fella was just sitting there contemplating life..cute eh! 
   

......Strange sort of Day Yesterday, arranged to meet up with a good friend ..Kev (also known as Gruff in other circles)
on a Piking trip.
I got up very early, well before first light, to be greeted by the sound of heavy rain and wind battering the windows....not good!
spent an hour eating breakfast and the rain never relented...so went back to bed!!.....I felt really tired, oh the joys of shift work (I arrived home just after midnight after a 12hour shift)
I got up a few hours later to go and meet Kev but decided to not take any tackle with me so I could have a natter with him and not be disturbed by Pike while we chat!!
Had a great couple of hours chatting and laughing, I just love spending time in great company, quality moments that just cannot be brought!
Kev even had a couple of dropped takes ....I have a feeling "Chub" are the culprits...kevs not convinced, we beg to differ, and time will tell when kev makes contact with one of these "snatch" takes.
Anyway he did not blank a 4.8-5iber graced the bank and gave a great show in its attempt to shake the hook, if we had not landed him we both would have assumed a much bigger specimen.

His Talents did not end here, we packed up around 3'oclock as my water heater had packed up and trust me in that situation look no further then Gruff!
...Thanks mate you have saved me from more moaning from the good lady wife!

Haven't posted for a while, or for that matter been fishing or been out riding my mountain bike due to a frozen muscle in my back, I've been suffering with it for at least three months, but it really has got bad last couple of weeks and to be honest hobbies are supposed to be fun....try picking up a rod holdall/rucksack or riding a muddy path and ask yourself if you are enjoying yourself!
I suffered a few Angling trips, but it really did get to much and decided to do lots of exercise and attend Physiotherapy which has involved acupuncture and much pushing and massaging at various points around my back....I have been told that some people find this stuff relaxing....I feel that I am slowly getting beaten up!

Anyway I am slowly on the mend and just on my way out with a hope of a Carp or two!
Going to the same place as yesterday with Gruff...lets see the Outcome!!    

A Problem Solved

Well, nothing to get excited about, but a stressful week with a second car I have owned far too long,, and held onto it for a friend that has wanted to buy it, but he has just never got round to it!
Stupidly I have hung onto it, got it serviced, MOT'ed, an even Taxed it for him!
My reason's are simple he been a good mate for more years than I care to remember and the poor guy is going through a divorce and to be honest his Life has been turned upside down by this, and I have found myself being his "Agony Aunt" and it's just been my way of giving him a clean ride, which he does not seem to be getting much of nowadays, everything he touches is always hard work it seems!
I have even told him to pay me when he's ready...but made it clear this offer is not open-ended!
.......The problem for me has been I just thought the MOT ran out on 19th Dec (god knows why!)
but when I checked couple of days ago it ran out on the 19th of bloodyOct!!!!!!!!!
Much stress was suddenly felt on my shoulders to sort out yet another problem , and surprisingly solved without a hitch.
But after obtaining the needed paperwork for another year I decided no more waiting to sort out this" is he having it or not dilemma"
I phoned him and made it clear ..."Pick it up now or it on the open Market"
.....Well its nice to see an empty space outside my house, and a weight of my shoulders,
I'm a softie when it comes down to helping my mates out                                                                          but there is certainly a morale to this post,
I'll let the reader work it out!