arhphotographic

Having newly moved to the north west of England, I am slowly working through my bucket list of places to visit with the family.

This bank holiday weekend, with the prospect for good weather, saw us traveling 60 miles east to the RSPB reserve of St Aidan’s near Leeds. I decided to take along one of my favourite cameras/lens combinations the Nikon F4 and Nikon 500mm reflex. I loaded some superman 200. I also took along a F3 and a 80-200mm Nikkor with was loaded with some expired diamond everyday colour film from Jessops.

The reserve is a good example, and there are many in the area, of how nature has reclaimed the landscape after years of industrial activity.

Evidence of the area’s industrial past is present. A pair of Kestrels nest in the machines lifting gears at the top.

I was particularly looking forward to the prospect of hearing and possibly getting a brief glimpse of the elusive Bittern. However there was much initial excitement over a infrequent visitor, in the area, of a Great Northern Diver, pictured below. Lovely 😀

Reed buntings could be seen out in force on the day. The one below decided it would turn its head at the decisive moment I took my picture.

A Black Headed Gull taking a rest and a moment to contemplate .

One of the reasons I like the Nikkor 500mm reflex lens is its distinctive doughnut bokeh, particularly when its defocussed as in the two images below.

A Great Crested Grebe

A Tufted Duck

After a couple of hours a finally got to hear the distinctive ‘boom’ of a Bittern. Finally one broke cover from the reed bed.

The Bittern is the bird on the far left of the image. It may not be great but it was the first time I have seen and heard a Bittern and I have an image to remind me🙂

A couple of Lapwings

In addition to those I got pictures of, we saw Buzzards, Heron, Greylag geese and a Cettis Warbler to mention a few.

If ever you get an opportunity to visit the area do make sure you include a visit to St Aidan’s. Even if your not into watching birds, it’s just a nice place to rest up a while.

I want to say a big THANK YOU to Peggy Marsh for taking the time to show us around and benefit from her local knowledge. Looking forward to the next time.😁