Dippers; Tyresö Nyfors; 20th Febuary 2009.

Dipper Portrait

Actively feeding in the falls....

Resting...


Took a mind to head to Tyresö Nyfors today, within the boundaries of Tyresö National Park. A really nice surprise came at the falls where I found 4 Dippers feeding in a small area at the falls, the birds concentrated in the area by the freezing weather and lack of unfrozen river. Spent a few minutes taking some photos, this time had not brought the tripod, so photos were taken handheld. Very pleased with the results, this will allow me to travel light if need be in the future...

The birds themselves were great to watch as they fed actively in the waterfall between the lakes. A lot of interaction between the birds as they jostled for the best areas to feed, with much chasing and harrasment going on between them. As I was a little pushed for time, may pop back at a later date a spend a few hours here given the excellent opportunities to get photos of the species here....

Kingfisher; Trehörningen; 18th Febuary 2009

Out early today to try get some photos of Kingfisher, not for the first time. Kingfisher is a rather scarce bird in these parts, though in cold weather location becomes easier as the birds are forced to find open water, which is rare around Stockholm. This bird, a cracking adult male has been in residence at a small ditch stream beside Trehörningen Lake in Huddinge. After a couple of hours I finally managed to locate this bird and get some photos, my first images of a species which has persistently avoided my camera lens on a number of occasions to date. A stunning bird, all the better for a backdrop of winter snow. Watched it catch some fish from a respectful distance before leaving it to feed undisturbed....

Trehörningen; 18th Febuary 2009

Mealy Redpoll

Mealy Redpoll

Mealy Redpoll

Blue Tit


After spending the morning locating the Kingfisher, I then decided to do a little relaxed birding and take a few snaps with the camera. Hawfinches were a big feature of the morning, with at least 25 birds noted, though these were rather shy and remained out of camera range, despite a stakeout at a bird feeding station! Mealy Redpolls were much more cooperative, a flock of 28 provided ample photo opportunities whilst I sifted through them in the hope of an Arctic Redpoll, alas, no joy. Did manage a few nice shots though of the Mealies, also a nice shot of a Blue Tit. Starting to love my new camera already!

Black Throated Thrush; Vallentuna; 17th Febuary 2009

The days best image...

Returning constantly to feed on laid out apples...

Looking right down the lens at me...

On the apple table....

Feeding on seed...


Decided to head to Vallentuna today to try and get some images of the Black Throated Thrush with my new Nikon D90. The bird proved incredibly obliging and I was delighted to get a number of sharp images at various ranges, feeding on the apples laid out for it, on the groung and perched in the trees in the garden. The new camera looks like it will be hugely enjoyable to work with. This was my first day out looking for some serious images and I was delighted with the results. So many images came through that I have put a slideshow together which I will add in the blog margin...

There is also a videomode on the camere and I have posted a link to a couple of minutes footage of the bird below...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juU5w9ZSoJs

Bullfinch; Vallentuna; 17th Febuary 2009

Male Bullfinch

This stunner dropped in at the feeding station today whilst I was intently photographing the Black Throated Thrush. Just could not be ignored and managed to get a few snaps off before it departed, wonderfully coloured birds they are too...

Stockholm Strömmen, 4th Febuary 2009

Mute Swan


Black Headed Gull

Canada Geese

Coots

Wildfowl at Strommen...


A poor morning out birding led me back to Stockholm city centre for a visit to Strommen, which is basically where the huge lake Malaren flows into the Baltic Sea. The flow of water means that in periods of very cold weather the area is one of open water and in severely cold conditions this can lead to a large build up of wildfowl. Principle species include Mute Swan, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye and Goosander. Pochard are regular and scarcer visitors include Scaup, Scoters, Eider, Long Tailed Duck and Smew. Gulls are present in the area to add interest, as well as raptors, White Tailed Eagles and Goshawk most regularily in winter.

My first day out with my new DSLR camera, a Nikon D90, though I am still waiting on a longer lens. these shots today taken on a Nikkor 18-105mm lens. A very dark winters day is not ideal for photography, I did however enjoy using the camera and considering the conditions and short lens the results were fine. Hugely looking forward to using this camera over the coming year, a large learning curve lies ahead...

Black Throated Thrush; 1st Febuary 2009

Jusy to start the month off, some more sketches of the Black Throated Thrush from this morning....