Sunday 19 April 2009

Up with the Lark!

This morning (Sunday 19th) I intended to rise early to revisit Bookham Common and check for returning Nightingales BUT I overslept! Never mind, I thought, I'll go anyway. It was not a fruitless visit as I 'heard' 4 separate individuals during a half hour sprint around the possible locations. Song Thrushes were also singing prominently and I also had another brief encounter with a pair of Lesser Whitethroats.
On the drive back towards Downside I spotted Skylarks perched on the roadside hedge and managed to get this image while using the car as a hide.

The next 4 hours were spent at RHS Gardens, Wisley where I was co-leading the 'Spring Bird Walk' but more of that in my next post......

23 comments:

  1. Hi Frank,
    I love the composition of this shot. It has a right angle and the effect is stunning. It is also a bird I did not know, we do not have it here and I think we also do not have it in France. Well done, I love this shot.

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  2. Hi Chris. Thanks, I will admit the final image was cropped & a few shots are in the 'bin'.
    I've seen Skylark at Platier d'Oye (Nr Calais) as well as Crested Lark.

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  3. Well done Frank. Skylarks are not the easiest of birds to photograph and that is a great shot. You will have to get up with the Lark more often.{:)

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  4. Roy. More luck than judgement. The more I worry about settings etc the less satisfied I become with the results so point press & hope!

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  5. That's a superb shot Frank. Great capture.

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  6. He looks sharp and beautiful among this softened blurred greenery! Great shot~!

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  7. Awww! What a beautiful shot!!

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  8. You found both my target species for today Frank! I found none of them!

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  9. Keith, Shelly & Ginny - Thanks.

    Warren - There's always another day & at least you got a pic of the Cuckoo..

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  10. Frank, that's a great photo! Love the branches in the foreground, and the foliage.

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  11. Montanagirl. Thanks, it seem that larks are very popular subjects at the moment. Loved your Horned Lark.

    P.S. Just seen the "Coat of many Colours" & this reminded me of when I saw 00's fly over Cape May some years ago. Lol FAB.

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  12. Gorgeous picture of the lark! Such a striking bird!

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  13. Frank- that is a perfectly GORGEOUS photo!!!

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  14. ...I love your Skylark photo with the feathers on his head puffed up. I would love to hear one. (Do you remember the Jazz song inspired by them?) You're lucky you have them. I can't wait to hear about your bird walk! I'm sure I would learn a lot if i were a participant.

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  15. Excellent shot Frank - well done!

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  16. Kim, Lynne & Tricia. Thank you.

    Kelly, I've e-mailed you with a link so you can listen to the Skylark. Hope you enjoy. Sorry, no recollection of the jazz melody. The post on the birdwalk may be words only as I didn't have time to take any pics, but I'm sure you will read it anyway. Lol FAB

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  17. Lovely photo of the Skylark Frank, thankfully we are seeing them in the same place here where they have been for years.
    So sad that they and so many of our other beautiful birds are on the red list.

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  18. Great clear and detailed photo of the lark. That's the kind I would like to take all the time - and it so seldom happens!

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  19. Frank, that's an amazing shot you got there of the Skylark, well done!!
    I would have loved to come on that Spring Bird Walk, sadly I was busy over in West Wittering :(. Hope you had a great walk, mabye next time!

    Billy

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  20. It's a great way to get close to birds, isn't it Frank, using the car as a hide, Great shot.

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  21. Jan I'm delighted you have them close by. I agree that declining no's of certaian species is disturbing but that's a discussion for another day.

    Mick. Thanks & I know how you feel.

    Billy, hopefully you can enjoy the walk via my next post. These walks are popular & get booked up very early in the year. Maybe we can join up sometime & I'll show you around RHS Wisley.

    Graham. I agree - If only all the birds would perch at the roadside it would make photography easy, but perhaps too easy!

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  22. your photographs are beautiful.
    nikonsniper

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  23. Stephen. Thanks for visiting & the appreciative comment is welcome.

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I hope you enjoyed your visit and I always appreciate your comments and feedback.

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