First of all before I start, I am really glad to tell you that the Oppose the Badger Cull Petition has now reached more than 100000 which means that the government by their own law, has to debate the issue in parliament. This is a real success and lets see what happens now. Surely if people keep signing they cant ignore this opposition.
I wasn't sure what I would find when I got to the caravan and the pit this early afternoon. It's been wet and wild, how was that going to affect things A decent amount of water had tidied things up a bit, the grass is regrowing nicely. The dead rabbit that I had left wired to the log was just a head and a spine, picked almost clean, surely the work of a buzzard which was pleasing. Access to the hide was a mess. It was wet through but not too bad really. I have had a heavy weekend away with my band and friends so I was feeling lethargic to say the least. It was pleasant sat waiting though, I had manufactured a screen from a hessian sack which was working brilliantly and I will have to use more of them. You can still see through the loose weave of the sack but I am absolutely certain that no bird...... or fox...... could see through from the outside. I cut an eye size hole to peer through and another larger flap to poke the lens out of. I can't recollect how long I was waiting but I suddenly became aware of a shadow and there was a buzzard again on the log right next to a new frozen rabbit. Before I could react, the rabbit was lifted and dropped behind the log where the buzzard tried to feed but I could hardly see it let alone get a photo. The rabbit was frozen so it was probably impossible for him to get to the flesh. With my camera readied and armed with a smaller lens, I waited, quite certain that he would eventually come back up to the log to rest. That's exactly what happened and I was ready to snap away as he entered the viewfinder.This picture has really pleased me because it didn't just happen by accident. Back in May when I was first invited in to the wood by Terry, I have been thinking of a way to photogrph the resident buzzards, I know that there are three at the moment, probably a breeding pair and their one successfully reared youngster although I am only guessing. Gradually as I got to know them and their movements a plan formed and at first it didn't work particularly well. I have tried to establish a feeding station by constantly supplying a rabbit carcase and it has taken since those first days in my for plan to work. We have dug a pit hide which is at ground level and covered with earth and turf from the hole. The birds are absolutely oblivious to the hide and come and go as though it isn't there. At first they only ocassionally came down but in the last week they have been very interested and while not there constantly, if I wait long enough, eventually they have paid a visit. So, the photo isn't the product of a chance encounter and has taken 4 months of effort. It is just going to get better and better I am sure.
But back to this particular photo....... I had the smaller 200mm lens on the camera as I have said, this is because I wanted to be able to get the wings in the shot which is much more difficult with a 500 lens. It obviously paid off as far as that was concerned but after I had rattled off loads of shots with the smaller lens I moved the camera back in to the hide and swopped with the 500. Now all I had to do was wait for the bird to get distracted and try and poke the larger lens out the the flap. It didn't work! The bird was gone in an instant, probably just a tiny bit of movement was enough to distract him. After 20 minutes I assumed it was all over and I packed up and climbed out, there was the buzzard sat on th fence just watching and waiting, that was very annoying. But, the birds reaction was very interesting. Instead of flying away from me it again flew accross my front and in to the wood behind me. It seemsa as though I am being tolerated and associated with these 'freebies" that keep appearing on the log here. Then just minutes later, two more buzzards were circling not too far above me. Its going to be good when more than one comes down to feed and there is a bit of a scuffle.
This pictures a bit soft but I have included it because it shows the difference in plumage from last Monday's bird. This one is different, it is much lighter on the belly unlike the previous one which was darker all over particularly on the lower belly. Still an impressive bird though. I haven't any idea about sex or age. Perhaps when it gets cooler and there is a feeding frenzie I may be able to see some dominant behaviour.
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