Crab apples make a good backdrop.

I was given some branches complete with Crab Apples by Terry recently and when I placed them in front of the hide I could immediately see what a good "prop" they would make, and so it proved.  With the start of some colder weather now, the birds are coming in to feed almost constantly, especially in the morning. I used some strong artificial light to try and pick out the detail and until the lamp starts to fade, it's provin to be very effective.  It makes the pictures look as though they are lit by low bright sunlight and to my eyes they look so much better than flash.

A Coal Tit, one of several that visit regularly throughout the day.

 

I was pleased when suddenly a Wren landed on the log, obviously attracted by the presence of the other birds. 

After a few seconds it went down to the water just beneath it and became the first bird that I have seen drinking there, although I wasn't able to capture that unfortunately.

Eventually the lamplight started to fade and I decided to set up the flash guns.

I am not sure that I like the effect of flash but with multiple flash guns and with a good deal of luck you can feeze the action of these small birds in flight.

I had quite a degree of frustration with the Buzzards today.  I disturbed one just as it flew in to the Rabbit carcase. I must remember to always check before I leave the concealment of the hide.  It's very disappointing when you have been waiting for weeks (it's 18 days since I last had one of  the Buzzards feeding in front of me,)  and then carelessly I disturbed it simply because I hadn't doubly made sure that there wasn't a Buzzard around.