Saturday 29 October 2011

WWT Photography Competition - votes please!!

I have recently entered a photograph in the WWT competition. The photograph was taken on my recent visit to Hungary and has been approved and entered into the "World Wetland" catergory of the competition. If you hover over the "more" link under the photograph title (Early Risers) there is a little piece of information explaining what the photo depicts which was a prerequisite when I sent it in. The photograph has been compressed on the site but can assure you that the original, larger photo is much better!! If anyone likes the shot and is kind enough to vote on my photo then that would be greatly appreciated :)
I shall be entering more photographs in later heats too!

The link is as follows - http://photo.wwt.org.uk/gallery/gallery/single/7982/

Normanby Hall CP 28-10-11

Enjoyed an autumnal jolly around the park in glorious sunny weather :) We had visited specifically to watch and photograph any Red Deer rutting but only found 2 Stags who showed no rutting behaviour and were relaxed, eating and laying down mostly! Still nice to see though. Lots of photos on my photography website (http://mandywest.zenfolio.com/) and on my Flickr site (http://www.flickr.com/photos/51013318@N06/)

Treecreepers, Jays, GS Woodpeckers, Jackdaws and Pied Wagtails were noted on our visit. The colours of Autumn were a joy to behold and many pictures on this on my Zenfolio site.

Monday 24 October 2011

Humber Skua sp


Very bad record shots of a Skua (Arctic?) seen on the Humber this evening, one of 3 Skua sp. seen at the same time. 2 of these flying more or less together and one larger one seen over near the North Bank and no photos as far too distant. Any comments/thoughts most welcome, I have little experience of Skuas having not done a great deal of sea watching etc. They were all viewed from the viewpoint behind the VC at Waters Edge CP

Sunday 2 October 2011

Lake Velence - Hungary

I have just returned from a wonderful trip to Hungary. I  was participating on an Eco Press Trip and  a guest of the Hungarian Tourist Board - working on behalf, and representing, David Lindo (The Urban Birder). The hospitality of the Hungarian people was out of this world, I was so well looked after and the cuisine was some of the best I have experienced on my travels :) The tourist board showcased their delights of the Velence area, all the food was locally sourced and produced and I enjoyed it all so much. I had Grey Cattle beef, Wild Boar, Catfish from the lake etc and lots and lots of Palinka (Hungarian Brandy)!!!! On one of the days a Eco Conference was held with in excess of 100 participants. My group consisted of 8 representatives from both the media and travel sector and we all got on like a house on fire :) We were shown the ecological and bio-diversity of the area with a very hectic schedule, we only had 20 mins or so between trips out and meal times and it was thoroughly exhausting but wonderful too! The  hotel we stayed in was fantastic, and we all had a balcony overlooking Lake Velence - just stunning! http://www.hotelnautis.hu/
The bird life was minimal as most birds have migrated and the ones that remained were nearly always distant but I did get some photos which I have yet to complete working on. I will post some at a later date. The habitats are just brilliant and Im sure in the Spring/Summer the birdlife will be awesome. I had some lifers, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Penduline Tit, Lesser Spotted Eagle to name a few.

The most difficult part of the trip for me was the travel to London and back by myself with over 30kg of luggage and gear! I had to negotiate 2 trains and 3 buses both ways (staying in a hotel before flying out and on my return) - and as I had no downtime at all in Hungary by the time I got home I was exhausted! But it was worth all the blood, sweat and tears as it was such a memorable trip! I wouldnt hesitate in doing it again :)
Like I mentioned earlier I will post some photographs in due course.