For the technically minded:
Early photos were taken with a Sony DSC F717 with telephoto lens attachment.
For digiscoping (mainly for movies), we use a Nikon Coolpix 4500 digital camera coupled with a Nikon Spotting Scope 80A body with a 20-60 zoom eyepiece lens.
From May 2008 we also have a Nikon D300 with two Sigma telephoto lenses; an 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 and a 150-500mm F5-6.3, both with optical stabilisation. We occasionally use a x1.4 teleconverter.
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We have a passion for birdwatching and photography.
Only recently have we been able to combine the two hobbies. After years when we could not adequately capture on (originally) film what we could see through our scope. The first major step was a digiscope arrangement which produced pretty decent results (especially video clips). However, in May 2008, we took a further step and bought a decent digital SLR with two high quality telephoto lens.
The photos and videos we reproduce here are of birds that we have photographed. Our aim ultimately is to get at least one good image of as many British birds as we can. When we get a good shot we aim to share it with you here whether it is a rareity or an everyday visitor to our garden.
Many photos are taken from our house in Portishead, Somerset, UK. We are lucky that we are the last house between urban development and the countryside. Birds that are comfortable in either environment stop in our garden before turning back! We also overlook the Bristol Channel and have even had an osprey (not phographed!) drawing breath before tackling the longish flight across the water.All of our photos are of wild birds. We have set a rule for ourselves that we will not use captive birds as our subjects. Far too easy!
Chew Lake, Clevedon harbour and various locations around Poole, Dorset also provide excellent opportunities to add to our collection.
Whilst we are enthusiasts, we are far from experts (in either birding or photograph) so if we you notice that what we claim is a golden eagle is actually a sparrow, please let us know!
e-mail us here