Buzzard(C)

Hi everyone. A buzzard basking in the afternoon sunshine. All C&C's welcome. I'm going to Carnforth next week, there are plenty of RSPB reserves around the area, does anyone have any experience of them, are there any good photographic opportunities to be had. Any info would be great. Many thanks,
Paul Rosser.

Canon EOS 7D
Canon EF 500mm f4
f4
1/640 sec
ISO 100
500mm plus crop factor
full frame
processed in CS5

The reserve at Carnforth is RSPB Leighton Moss and it is superb for wildlife. Nearest place on a map is Silverdale.

The coastal pools are good for waders, egrets, wildfowl etc although stuff is not always that close for photography. The main reserve is often better and some of the best shots I've seen from there are landscape style shots towards dusk - particularly those that include the Red Deer which are often very photogenic against the reedbed. Also at this time of year the starling roost may be starting to build so could be some good opps there.

Try Warton Crags for raptors and jackdaws and Gait Barrow NNR for woodland birds and limestone pavement. This latter site is excellent for butterflies - not sure what will be about now - might still be Scotch Argus I think but they would be a bit tatty by now..

Best bet - stop in at the Visitor Centre at Leighton Moss first, ask what is about and where and then get directions to the sites above and anywhere else they might mention.

Beautiful bit of countryside up there and one of my favourite RSPB reserves with incredibly friendly staff. You'll have a great time.

Matthew

Hi Paul,

Though not a fan of this type of photography, I really liked your Peregrine shots which looked very natural, but this one isn't quite working for me. Not sure if it's the wing position or the dominant perch, each to their own I guess.

Andy...

Gait Barrow NNR is worth a visit simply for the clint and gryke limestone pavement, which holds a range of rare plants. Unfortunately, like the butterflies, they are probably well past their best by now. I agree with Matthew that Leighton Moss is easily your best bet at this time of year, but you will probably need your most powerful lenses.

David

You did a good job of hiding the jesses Paul, this could well have been taken in the wild.
Looks fine to me, but then I'm easy to please
Well done mate.

Geoff.

Lol, Geoff, for once I didn't need to hide the Jesses mate, they couldn't be seen! Ha ha.
Thanks for you're honesty Andy, and thanks to Matthew for the info. All greatly recieved gents!
Regards,
Paul.