I've had something of an obsession with bird photography this week, making good use of a long lens I bought for my mirrorless camera recently. I continued the theme today with a visit to a the Wetlands Centre at Arundel.
Once again the light was appallingly dreary, with heavy grey cloud and drizzle so my camera and lens were stretched to their limits. However, these challenges were worth it when I happened upon a tiny goldcrest flitting through the bushes. I first encountered these tiny creatures in Yorkshire in August but on that occasion they stayed tantalisingly out of reach of my lens. Today though my miniscule friend seemed completely unfazed by my presence so I must have spent half an hour watching and photographing and photographing her. She changed direction incredibly quickly so I wasn't sure I'd manage to capture a successful picture in the fading light. Imagine my amazement and delight when I found I had three sharp shots of this little one - the perfect early Christmas present!
The goldcrest is the smallest bird in the UK, at just a few centimetres long and a mere six grams in weight!
Elsewhere around the reserve I found plenty of wetland birds who weren't the least bit bothered by the drizzle - literally the perfect weather for ducks!
A Canada Goose having a preen
A quizzical look from one of the Trumpeter Swans
I also spent quite a while in the woodland hide, photographing the small garden birds. With a plentiful supply of food, provided in feeders by the volunteers, there were a multitude of birds to photograph so I was spoilt for choice!
Chaffinch
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Long Tailed Tit