BRET CHARMAN WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
  • Home
  • Bret's Blog
  • Portfolio
  • Galleries
    • British Wildlife
    • Australia
    • Africa
    • Europe
    • Colombia
    • Iceland's Arctic Foxes
  • About Me
    • Awards
    • Talks
    • Partners
  • Workshops & Tours
  • Prints
  • Contact

Blog

Deer of the New Forest

2/3/2021

0 Comments

 
With Covid-19 restrictions still in place across the world during the late autumn, there was only one thing to do - explore the ancient landscapes of the New Forest in search of deer. This former royal hunting ground is home to wild herds of red and fallow deer (as well as sika around the Bealieu area) and if you know where to look you can capture some stunning imagery. 

Deer are notoriously skittish and it is essential to keep your distance and let the deer come to you. If you try and follow deer, you will only spook them. 

​Most of these images were taken when I was on my own, but a couple were taken while leading workshops for Wildlife Worldwide. 
Red deer stag, New Forest National Park by Bret Charman
PictureRed deer stag in pines, New Forest National Park by Bret Charman
Red deer stag in heather, New Forest National Park by Bret Charman
Red deer stag on a heath, New Forest National Park by Bret Charman
There are only around 150 red deer in the New Forest and their population is strictly controlled by the national park authority, so it is always worth keeping your eyes peeled for the fallow deer if the reds manage to elude you. 
Leucistic fallow deer with young, New Forest National Park by Bret Charman
Red deer in the depths of the forest, New Forest National Park by Bret Charman
Red deer stag on a frosty heath, New Forest National Park by Bret Charman
If you would like to join me on a dedicated deer photography workshop in 2021, please contact me for more information.
0 Comments

Roe Deer 2020

3/9/2020

1 Comment

 
Well who expected 2020 to be like it has? It has been a year of change, uncertainty and anxiety for many, but the natural world goes on and I have tried to spend as much time as possible out photographing the roe deer once again. 

I may have not been able to lead my overseas photography tours for Wildlife Worldwide, but I just love being in the field with wildlife and capturing images. I hope you enjoy looking through this year's imagery of my beloved roe deer.
Roe deer female in spring grasses, Hampshire (Bret Charman)
Roe deer in sunlit grasses, Hampshire (Bret Charman)
This year I struggled to find any males to start with, instead focusing on a number of different females who had hidden their young around the estate I photograph on. 
Female roe deer in field of barley, Hampshire (Bret Charman)
Roe deer portrait in field of barley, Hampshire (Bret Charman)
Young roe deer in field of wheat, Hampshire (Bret Charman)
As summer intensified and the crops turned to the golden browns, the roe deer rut was in full swing and allowed me the opportunity to photograph roe bucks in their prime. 
Roe deer buck in golden barley, Hampshire (Bret Charman)
Roe deer buck in a field of barley, Hampshire (Bret Charman)
Roe deer buck in arable field margin, Hampshire (Bret Charman)
I am looking forward to 2021 to hopefully spend some time with the roe deer once again. They have become a big part of my life and probably what I am best known for within the UK.
1 Comment

Rural Fox Cubs

21/7/2020

2 Comments

 
For many years I have struggled to find a family of rural foxes which I was able to photograph. Most rural foxes, and rightly so, are very wary of people and I usually don't want to disturb them. This year though, I stuck gold when out cycling, I cam across a family of foxes sunbathing on a rural lane, so I decided to head back to photograph them. 

Upon arriving at the site I couldn't see anything, but I decided to stick it out and I was richly rewarded ... 
Fox cubs, Hampshire by Bret Charman
Fox cub portrait by Bret Charman
Fox cubs enjoying the evening sun by Bret Charman
Fox cub sleeping in the road
Fox cubs watching the photographer in road by Bret Charman
Fox cub in the rural road by Bret Charman
Fox cub resting in road in front of car by Bret Charman
As you can see, even a rural road gets traffic. Each time a car appeared, all of the cubs jumped into the hedgerow, taking cover in their earth and keeping out of trouble. Sadly, only a few days after I took the photo above, I found the body of this cub hidden in the hedge. It had been hit by a car and purposefully placed out of sight, it was a devastating blow and I was unable to photograph the family again - rightly so, the remaining cubs were very wary. It just goes to show the fragility of the natural world and the massive negative impact humanity has on the natural world. 
2 Comments

Summer Roe Deer

27/7/2019

0 Comments

 
As those of you that follow my work regularly will know I spend my summers photographing a number of different species, but one I always return to is the roe deer. This species of deer (native to the UK) are particularly elusive, but are surely the most beautiful of species found here in the UK. I have spent many years perfecting my stalking and am very proud of the images I have been able to capture in the past.

This year I really feel that my work with the deer as at another level and I am really pleased with the results. The only downside is that after an incident I have been unable to run any workshops – my sincerest apologies to those that wanted to join me this year.

​Anyway, I will now just let the images do the talking – I hope you enjoy them … 
Roe deer buck, Hampshire, South Downs National Park (Bret Charman)
Roe deer, Hampshire, South Downs National Park (Bret Charman)
Roe deer buck in field of oats, Hampshire, South Downs National Park (Bret Charman)
Roe deer buck in field of oats, Hampshire, South Downs National Park (Bret Charman)
Roe deer buck in barley, Hampshire, South Downs National Park (Bret Charman)
Roe deer buck, Hampshire, South Downs National Park (Bret Charman)
Roe deer in field of oats, Hampshire, South Downs National Park (Bret Charman)
Roe deer buck on edge of oil seed rape, Hampshire, South Downs National Park (Bret Charman)
Roe deer buck backlit at sunset, Hampshire, South Downs National Park (Bret Charman)
Roe deer buck backlit at sunset, Hampshire, South Downs National Park (Bret Charman)
I hope you enjoyed looking through the above, I just wish I hadn't been driven away from the site for a period of time. Hopefully in 2020 I can offer the opportunity to come out with me once again.
0 Comments

Red Fox Cubs

1/6/2019

0 Comments

 
I explore an area of the South Downs National Park which is rich in wildlife, with a wide variety of species. However, red fox are a species which are particularly hard to photograph in rural areas and here it is no different. I have been trying to find a fox den for years, but without any luck.
 
At the start of May I was walking down a track which is rarely used. The grass was already high and bending over the tyre marks, but there some fifty yards away was a fox cub. At first I thought the poor thing must have passed away, but as I crept up to where it was, I noticed it was breathing. I sat back and watched it shuffle a couple of times, trying to get comfortable and so I slowly made my approach.
 
To my astonishment, the fox cub stayed fast asleep, the ears didn’t even twitch as I crept ever closer. Eventually I was probably ten yards away and I just sat there watching. What an incredible privilege, what joy I had over the next fifteen moments or so. 
o edit.
Red fox cub sleeping, South Downs National Park, Hampshire, UK
Sleepy red fox cub, Hampshire, UK
​Eventually the cub woke up, realised I was a potential threat and trotted off into the woods. I knew at this age the cub couldn’t be far from the den so I headed up into the woods and within minutes I had found the earth. I sat and waited by a nearby tree and was then treated to the following close encounter. I will never fully be able to comprehend the close approach of one of four fox cubs that evening, but it was an encounter that will stick with me for a long time. 
Red fox cub by earth, Hampshire, UK
Red fox cub portrait, South Downs National Park, UK
0 Comments

Office Owls

6/8/2018

0 Comments

 
I am really proud to work and lead trips for Wildlife Worldwide, one of the UK’s largest specialists in wildlife travel. What I particularly enjoy is that the office is set within an old barn in the charming village of Bishop’s Sutton, what’s more is we have a resident pair of barn owls.
​
Earlier on in the summer I spent a bit of time trying to photograph the owls. They are really easy to spot, but not so easy to photograph, particularly as there are quite a few buildings around. Anyway, here is a little taster of what I have been privileged enough to watch after finishing work in the evenings.
Barn owl hunting over meadow in Hampshire
Barn owl flying across a meadow at sunset
Barn owl backlit by the setting sun in Hampshire
0 Comments

The Roe and the Oilseed

20/5/2018

0 Comments

 
As many of you will know, I live on the edge of the South Downs National Park. This is the UK’s newest national park, a range of stunning hills and rolling farmland, and is home to staggering number of roe deer.

I have become pretty good at photographing roe deer and luckily for me, I can often see them right behind my own house. In mid-May I noticed a handsome buck as I arrived home from the office and spent around 40 minutes trying to work out my approach. The wind had been swirling and it was nearly impossible to get close enough as there was a real lack of cover.

​Eventually, I was able to get within 20 yards and the deer ended up approaching me – the perfect scenario. 
Roe deer buck
To start with the male deer was actually too close to photograph, his inquisitive nature meant he approached to within only a few yards. I stayed perfectly still, the deer alert to my presence watched me, but never tried to run. It slowly moved away and into the dense crop of oilseed. 
Roe deer in crop field
Roe deer buck in yellow oilseed crop
Roe deer in yellow crop
As you can see, I was blessed with a very cooperative buck, standing beautifully in the yellow flowers of the oilseed crop. It wasn't the longest photography session, as the deer decided to slowly move away into the deepest part of the field, but I managed to capture some beautiful imagery in the short time I was there. 

All of the images were taken on my 500mm lens, which is usually perfect for photographing roe deer.
0 Comments

Ropley Roe Buck

9/6/2016

0 Comments

 
Since the start of spring I have been out trying to photograph my local population of Roe Deer. I have heaps of practice with this lovely species but they can still be a tricky subject to photograph. They have truly incredible hearing and a superb sense of smell ... you only have to make the slightest mistake and the opportunity will have passed.

Recently I haven't had much luck as my valley has been having a swirling wind pattern. This means I have been unable to keep down wind of the deer and they smell me coming from a long way off. 

Finally the long, warm evenings have given me the perfect opportunity to get out and about to search for the local buck. I know the field that he likes to rest during the day but the challenge is to get close enough and stay down wind. 

After a few attempts I finally succeeded and had one of the best, and particularly close, encounters with this magnificent Roe Deer Buck.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
It was a truly wonderful encounter and what made it all the better, was that the buck wasn't at all startled and when I was done, I was able to slip off and leave him in peace. 

I will be turning a couple of these images into high-quality prints which will be available in my online store. Please let me know if you have a favourite.
0 Comments

Red Deer Rut - The New Forest

20/11/2015

6 Comments

 
I am always astounded at the lack of knowledge regarding local wildlife, this really hit me during the annual deer rut when I said I was going to the New Forest to photograph Red Deer. People didn't believe me, saying that there aren't any wild  Red Deer in the south of the UK except for on Exmoor. 

Well I was determined to show them that there are in fact Red Deer only a stones throw from Southampton and Bournemouth. I spent a couple of weekends searching for this native deer species and was in luck. 

As I reached my usual patch for the Fallow Deer, I heard a deer barking, but this was no Fallow Deer buck. This was an altogether deeper sound that resonated through the trees. I headed to the edge of the woodland, where the sound came from, and to my delight there were two large stags strutting their stuff. 
Red Deer stag, New Forest
This was the scene I was presented with (above) and then spent the next two hours stalking the larger of the two stags and his group of females. I had to work hard and a constantly changing wind direction made life particularly difficult.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
The Red Deer of the New Forest are quite transient but are only found in the South Western side of the forest, sadly their population is controlled to stop interbreeding with the introduced Sika Deer found near Beaulieu. I was extremely lucky to get this close to such large wild mammals in the UK but I would like to stress this series of images took over 3 hours to capture, with long periods of stalking required. 

If you see any deer in the New Forest, please don't walk straight towards them, instead make sure the wind is in your favour and keep yourself hidden. It is usually best to let the wildlife come to you, be patient and above all just enjoy what you see.
6 Comments

Back in the UK - Deer

28/9/2015

2 Comments

 
As I am sure many of you are well aware, I am now back at home in the UK ... it all seems pretty surreal to be back in the real world! Not to fear, I hope to be travelling again soon and taking plenty of exciting images for you all. 

Whilst I have been looking for work, I have of course been out and about with the camera. I thought I would head out and see any of the locals, who are they I hear you ask? No more wombats, kangaroos or even a Platypus, not in this neck of the woods anyway! Nothing too exciting you might think, well if you like deer then it is exciting enough. Roe Deer are always close by to my Hampshire home and so I went to one of my favourite spots to see if I could find any of my old subjects.

I didn't manage any shots of my trusty local doe but I did find a handsome young male ...
Roe Deer, Hampshire by Bret Charman
Roe Deer
Roe Deer, Hampshire by Bret Charman
Roe Deer
Sadly, the weather hasn't been overly cooperative since my return. In fact, it has been pretty terrible and it really hasn't given me the opportunity to make the most of the longer evenings. 

In the last week I have changed my subject choice slightly, I am still photographing deer but I have to travel slightly further afield to the New Forest and Petworth Park. The Fallow Deer is actually an introduced species to the UK, thought to have been brought over from mainland Europe by the Normans. I personally think they are a welcome addition, a beautiful and rather majestic deer that loves the woodland habitats across the New Forest and elsewhere in the UK.
Fallow Deer, Petworth Park by Bret Charman
Fallow Deer
The image above is the only one taken in Petworth Park, sadly due to the area being popular with dog walkers the deer are constantly disturbed and rarely left in peace. I decided that I didn't want to add any further stress upon the large deer population and I haven't returned since. 

All of the following images are taken of wild Fallow Deer which are in know way tame or habituated to people. I have spent around 16 hours collecting this mini-portfolio and I am looking to spend more time photographing the rut later in the year.
Fallow Deer, New Forest by Bret Charman
Fallow Deer
Fallow Deer, New Forest by Bret Charman
Fallow Deer
Fallow Deer, New Forest by Bret Charman
Fallow Deer
Fallow Deer, New Forest by Bret Charman
Fallow Deer
Fallow Deer, New Forest by Bret Charman
White Fallow Deer
Fallow Deer, New Forest by Bret Charman
Fallow Deer
It is incredibly hard to get close to these amazing creatures, I have to be constantly paying attention to the wind direction, always ensuring that my scent is being blown away from the deer. As well as this I have to be aware of my silhouette, if you walk through the forest the deer will simply run, you must make sure that you move slowly and keep a low profile at all times. With a bit of luck, practice, behavioural knowledge and a lot of patience you can also get some lovely portraits. 
Fallow Deer, New Forest by Bret Charman
Fallow Deer, New Forest by Bret Charman
Finally, here is my favourite image so far, I just love the composition as it shows the animal in its proper habitat, I even like the fact it is being pestered by a buzz of flies ... 
Fallow Deer, New Forest by Bret Charman
My favourite
I will be continuing to build a portfolio of images of both Fallow and Roe Deer over the coming months so keep an eye on the blog for any developments.
2 Comments

The Brown Rat

27/6/2014

0 Comments

 
Now I know that the Brown Rat is not everyone's favourite animal but personally I think they have a bit of a bad reputation. Yes I realise they can carry disease and the last thing you want is a rat in your home but outside I think these rodents are characterful and extremely intelligent.

Recently, I have been photographing a family of Brown Rats and I have been mesmerised by their cheeky nature and their adaptability. They are opportunistic and make the most of any situation that goes their way and for that I admire them.

Anyway I hope the following images don't make you cringe but instead give a you a greater appreciation for this very successful little mammal.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
The images above feature a youngster that was particularly brave and not particularly afraid of me. The rest of the images in this gallery feature the rat I believe is the mother ...
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
As you can see I got pretty close and they were really rather relaxed. I am now tempted to actually do a project on these fascinating rodents. So, stay tuned and see if I carry on following this unusual photographic subject.
0 Comments

A Pregnant Roe

16/5/2014

0 Comments

 
The female Roe Deer that has been around over the last few weeks was definitely pregnant ... and you can see the images below as to how I know. It seems she is much more alert now then she was and I am wary about getting too close and spooking her. I would love to carry on photographing her and her fawn(s) over the summer, let's hope she sticks around allows me to her share her summer life.

I have also had a few rabbits around as I always do but they are never easy to photograph being particularly skittish. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
So you can see that she had quite an impressive belly and that has certainly disappeared now. She looks sleek and actually much more healthy, she has shed her winter coat and now looks fine in her shorter summer coat.
Picture
Picture
The Rabbits are always close by and if you sit still for long enough, you are usually within twenty yards or so of a cute individual.
Picture
I will keep trying to photograph the Roe Deer for the next few months but for the moment she is proving to be rather elusive.
0 Comments

Spring Roe Deer

24/4/2014

0 Comments

 
For the last few weeks there has been a lot of deer activity around my house and in particular the field behind my house has been a hub of activity. In fact, I have been trying to photograph the deer for a few weeks but haven't had much luck. 

This unlucky streak really proved itself when one afternoon I crept up on a group of three different Roe Deer and I was all set up to get some great images. I had been laying in wait for around an hour, the deer were resting on the ground and I was anticipating that they would kick into activity as dusk approached. However it really wasn't to be as suddenly the three deer came leaping by me and I knew that was that! To my surprise I turned to see two men standing, around ten yards away, and when they spotted me they screamed for me to put up my hands. They were two armed response officers pointing their pistols at me as someone had called 999 reporting an armed man in the middle of a field. After discussing with Hampshire's finest Police Officers that I was merely photographing some deer, they let me return the 100 yards home. 

Anyway after a bit of persistence and some very good sneaking around the same field I have finally managed to get some shots which I am pretty happy with. I got absolutely soaked and it really wasn't a warm day but it was worth every moment. I was only around 10 yards away from this Roe buck and he was completely at ease with me, in fact as I type this he is still feeding behind my house. 

Enjoy the pictures!

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

0 Comments

Sorry for a complete lack of images!

2/4/2014

0 Comments

 
So, first off I have to say sorry for being off the radar for the last few months. I have had a completely manic few months but could have a few really exciting things lined up for the future and particularly regarding my photography. Also the weather for 2 months or so was absolutely diabolical with a lot of flooding and real lack of photographic opportunities. 

So where do I even begin ... well first off I got an image in to the final round of Wildlife Photographer of the Year! Sounds great, and it was but a complete nightmare followed ... I ended up having a catastrophic hard drive failure and that one image alone was one of about 50 images that were not back up. I know it is completely my fault and it is definitely a lesson learnt.

Now I know exactly what I need to do for next year and I can't wait to get cracking on some projects.

Anyway here is a random selection of images from the last few months when I have been able to go out with the camera.
Picture
Your typical garden Bluetit
Picture
Kestrel
Picture
Slow Worm
Picture
Wren
0 Comments

A Lively Sunday Evening - Part 2

8/7/2013

0 Comments

 
So after a busy evening already photographing the Fox cubs, the Roe Deer that turned up at the Fox den decided to hang around for a wee while and I photographed it for a few minutes before it moved off. I decided to head up the hill towards the local footpath and then back home. When I got to the top of the hill I noticed a young Roe Buck as well as a Doe. The wind was in my favour and I was able to get incredibly close, which of course meant I managed to get some images.

I spent around 10 minutes getting closer and closer until the wind changed and the Doe got spooked, moments later the Buck moved off too.

So a really productive evening again, Ropley is really providing the goods right now.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

A lively Sunday Evening - Part 1

1/7/2013

3 Comments

 
After a lovely warm weekend I decided I had to make the most of the warm light on offer, as the sun started to set I headed out with my camera. I planned to go for a short walk and see what was about more than anything but I was in for quite an evening.

I set off across the seemingly endless, rolling crop fields, the wheat and the barley gently swaying in the breeze. The golden light creating the long shadows of a summer's evening and Yellowhammers singing from each and every part of the hedgerow. The odd Skylark singing its delightful song overhead and Swallows skimming across the crops as I made my way towards the hill top and the woods that lay upon it. It was there I startled a Roe Deer with an accidental snap of a twig beneath my boot, a big Buck that went bounding off into the distance. I moved down to the field boundary to then notice some movement upon a hay bale, to my amazment there were three Fox cubs, no more than 10 yards away! They weren't afraid of me as such but they did slink off.

So then I did my best to find them again, after nearly half an hour I thought that the opportunity had passed, and perhaps it was time to head back home. Then I saw that tell tale red coat and there they were, three Red Fox cubs (all nearly fully grown) all sat in a line.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
So having been spoilt rotten with the foxes, even if it was at a bit of a distance, I then got an opportunity to photograph Roe Deer as two came down the field boundary straight towards me. But for now I will just leave you with one of the more simplistic shots as she munched on her preferred vegetation. Part 2 to this blog post will be up soon ... 
Picture
3 Comments

Village Ducklings

19/6/2013

0 Comments

 
A village just down the road from my company's office, a small and quaint little place called Cheriton, has a lovely village green which is currently occupied by 3 Mallard Duck families. One mother has 6 chicks, another has 5 but one seems to have around 20 ducklings. Truly amazing!!

So anyway, after work the other day I decided to head down there and see if I could get any shots of these cute little critters. I parked up, and headed towards the village green, within moments I was flat on my stomach with a duck family only a few metres away.

Before I knew it I had spent over an hour photographing them both in and out of the water as they fed, slept and explored. Anything this cute in nature, definitely deserves to be photographed.
0 Comments

Barn Owl and a Fox Cub

13/5/2013

1 Comment

 
Two sets of images for you this week. To start with the Barn Owl was out hunting again, over the water meadows at work. It is an amazing sight but slightly worrying seeing it out in the daylight again. On the Sunday I went round to see a friend and with the camera on standby I went to see whether I would have any luck photographing some Fox Cubs. Luckily for me one of the little devils was cooperative and rather inquisitive.

A lovely set of sightings for one weekend and I hope you like the photos ...
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
1 Comment

Let it snow!

16/2/2013

0 Comments

 
So the UK has been through a cold spell. The rest of the northern Europe would not even bat an eyelid but of course this is England and everything ground to a halt. I didn't really mind all that much, although I was snowed in I had my camera so out I went into the sub-zero temperatures.

The only downside was that I was actually dog sitting so I couldn't go out all day. I instead made do and just photographed the garden birds, and there were lots of them.

In fact at one point there were over 50 individuals, ranging from the Wood Pigeon and the Great-spotted Woodpecker to the tiny Wren.
Picture
Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis
Picture
Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs
Picture
Robin, Erithacus rubecula
Picture
Greenfinch, Carduelis chloris
Picture
Robin, Erithacus rubecula
I just thought I would share a few of these images with you, I could post lots of similar ones of the same species but I thought these would give you all a taste of the couple of hours I spent in the cold. Actually it was -4, so it was a little nippy.

Anyway some more images will be coming soon, hopefully of some Barn Owls.
0 Comments

Watercress Wagtails

3/12/2012

0 Comments

 
On an extremely cold winters day, with the air temperature barely above zero, I headed off into the countryside around where I live. I had no aim or target species, it was more of a "let's see what is about".  So I went to a few spots in search of a few species that I really want to photograph at some point, those are Kingfisher, Water Rail & Water Vole again.

After a couple of hours I did find Kingfisher, but at distance and I also found Water Rail, but alas I could only hear it, there was absolutrly no sign of the Water Vole though ...

I decided to head into the small town of Alresford so I could check out the watercress beds that surround the town, and when I arrived there were a whole host of different species feeding amongst the crop. The most common of all the bird species was the Grey Wagtail with 4-5 individuals, but there were also Pied Wagtails, Robin, Blackbird, Wren, and Long-tailed Tits in the trees above.

To start with, the birds were a good 25 yards away and with a 300mm lens it is pretty tricky to get a subject that small sharp. I got a few that I thought worked quite well. This Grey Wagtail was full of character and watching them "wag" their way around the cress beds was intriguing. They were feeding quite frenetically but more often than not they seemed to be successful.
Picture
Grey Wagtail, Motacilla cinerea
The image below, really sums up the personality of the Grey Wagtail for me. The pose shows their cheeky and inquisitive nature and you can see the scale of the feeding area compared to such a tiny creature. There are only a few beds here but I think they must provide an important feeding area for the local population of insectivorous birds.
Picture
Grey Wagtail, Motacilla cinerea
I sat down on the edge of the beds, with my camera resting on my knees. I watched this individual for nearly half an hour firing off around 50 shots, being selective with the pose and the lighting. Eventually my patience was rewarded and the small, colourful character headed straight towards me. It was making its way across the Watercress when a dog walker came down the path, the bird stopped feeding and stood in this striking pose (below), alert to what could have been "a dangerous encounter". My little feathered friend was not deterred and it continued its wagging search straight towards me.
Picture
Grey Wagtail, Motacilla cinerea
Whilst they are looking for food, as it isn't always immediately obvious, they occasionally upturn the leaves of the cress, hoping to find a tasty morsel of food. As I was photographing this, the shutter noise seemed to become apparent to the bird and it was then that I caught this pose, moments before it moved a few stems of the cress.
Picture
Grey Wagtail, Motacilla cinerea
My favourite photo (below) was one of the last, the individual had come closer still and was continuing its advance until another dog walker came by. It then quickly made its exit, flying in its tell tale "sound wave" pattern, with a rise and a fall, before finding another feeding spot a hundred yards away.
Picture
Grey Wagtail, Motacilla cinerea
The winter sun provided the perfect lighting, bringing out the bird's colours and giving its surroundings that rich healthy hue. The Watercress itself grows throughout the year with the waterflow constant and lightweight covers offer protection from the coldest night's frost. The unattended beds, such as this, provide one of the few insect rich feeding areas throughout the winter. I hope to go back their soon and find another position where I can get a lower point of view. What a beautiful winters day it was and I hope to see many more like it in the coming few months.
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Author

    Bret Charman

    Archives

    January 2023
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    April 2022
    October 2021
    March 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    October 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    January 2017
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    August 2011
    June 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011

    Categories

    All
    Africa
    African Wild Dog
    Amazon
    Amboseli
    Amphibians
    Andes
    Angola
    Ani
    Antelope
    Antpitta
    Arctic
    Arctic Fox
    Arctic Skua
    Arctic Tern
    Asia
    Asian Elephant
    Asiatic Wild Dog
    Assam
    Atlantic
    Australia
    Australian Fur Seal
    Australian Sea Lion
    Auto-focus Failure
    Autumn
    Azur Hind Express
    Baboon
    Badger
    Baining
    Barn Owl
    Bar-tailed Godwit
    BBC Dynasties
    Beach
    Beachmere
    Beach Stone-curlew
    Bear
    Bearded Seal
    Bears
    Bee
    Big Cat
    Birds
    Black-eared Wheatear
    Black Guillemot
    Black Headed Gull
    Black-headed Gull
    Black Kite
    Black Swan
    Blakiston's Fish Owl
    Blue-faced Honeyeater
    Blue Mountains
    Blue Whale
    Boreal
    Bret Charman
    British Wildlife
    Brown Bear
    Brown Fish Owl
    Brown Hare
    Brown Rat
    Brunnich's Guillemot
    Brush-tailed Possum
    Buffalo
    Byron Bay
    Cairngorm
    Canoe Safari
    Canon 7d
    Canon Eos 5d Mkiii
    Capuchin
    Carnarvon Gorge
    Caves
    Cetaceans
    Chacalaca
    Chaffinch
    Cheetah
    Cheriton
    Chital
    Cockatoo
    Coffs Harbour
    Colombia
    Common Langur
    Common Lizard
    Cormorant
    CPS
    Crag Martin
    Crested Tern
    Crocodile
    Cuckoo
    Culture
    Damselfly
    Dance
    Danube Delta
    Dartford Warbler
    Deer
    Demoiselle
    Dhole
    Dinaric Mountains
    Dingo
    Dolphin
    Dorrigo NP
    Dorset
    Ducks
    Eagle
    Eastern Grey Kangaroo
    Ecuador
    Egyptian Vulture
    Eider Duck
    Elephant
    Emerald Beach
    Emu
    Estuary
    Eungella National Park
    Europe
    Fallow Deer
    Federal
    Finland
    Fire
    Firecrest
    Fish
    Flamingos
    Flowers
    Forest
    Fox
    Fox Cubs
    Fraser Island
    Frog
    Frogmouth
    Fuglesongen
    Fulmar
    Galah
    Gan Gan Lookout
    Garden
    Gecko
    Geese
    Gigrin Farm
    Giraffe
    Glacier
    Glaucous Gull
    Golden Jackal
    Golden Langur
    Golden Plover
    Gorillas
    Great Apes
    Greater Adjutant Stork
    Great Grey Owl
    Greenfinch
    Grey Phalarope
    Grey Wolf
    Guillemot
    Guwahati
    Hampshire
    Harbour Seal
    Harp Seal
    Heather
    Heron
    Hindu Monk
    Hoatzin
    Hobby
    Hog Badger
    Hog Deer
    Hokkaido
    Hoolock Gibbon
    Hornbill
    Hornstrandir Nature Reserve
    Hover Fly
    Hummingbird
    Hyena
    Iceland
    India
    Insects
    Invertebrates
    Island
    Ivory Gull
    Jackal
    Japan
    Japanese Macaque
    Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker
    Joey
    Kalandula
    Kamakhya Temple
    Kangaroo
    Kangaroo Island
    Kangaroo Valley
    Katoomba
    Kaziranga
    Kenya
    Kew Gardens
    Kilimanjaro
    King Eider
    Kingfishers
    Koala
    Kokopo
    Kolkata
    Kookaburra
    Lake Naivasha
    Landscapes
    Leopard
    Lighthouse
    Limestone Karst
    Lion
    Lion Cub
    Little Auk
    Little Tern
    London
    Long-tailed Skua
    Lorikeet
    Luambe National Park
    Maasai Mara
    Macro
    Magpie
    Mammals
    Mana Pools
    Manizales
    Marsupial
    Masked Lapwing
    Mishing People
    Monkey
    Monotremes
    Moreton Bay
    Mountain
    Mouse
    Multi-coloured Tanager
    Murray River
    M/V Ortelius
    Nagarhole
    Nagpur
    Nameri
    Narooma
    Nature
    New Britain
    New Forest
    New South Wales
    New Zealand Fur Seal
    Nightingale
    Night Monkey
    Norway
    Ny Alesund
    Ny London
    One-horned Rhino
    One-horned Rhino
    Orang
    Orinoco
    Oropendola
    Osprey
    Otters
    Oystercatcher
    Pacific
    Pack Ice
    Painted Wolf
    Panoramic
    Papua New Guinea
    Parrots
    Peacock
    Peacock Island
    Pelican
    Pench National Park
    Pheasant
    Photography
    Pied Wagtail
    Platypus
    Plover
    Polar Bear
    Portrait
    Port Stephens
    Possum
    Predator
    Primates
    Puffin
    Purple Sandpiper
    Pygmy Marmoset
    Pyrenees
    Python
    Queensland
    Rainbow Lorikeet
    Rainforest
    Raven
    Razorbill
    Red-crowned Cranes
    Red Deer
    Red Fox
    Red Kangaroo
    Red Kite
    Red Squirrel
    Remarkable Rocks
    Repair
    Reptiles
    Rhesus Macaque
    Richmond Park
    Rift Valley
    River
    River Dolphin
    Robin
    Rodents
    Roe Deer
    Romania
    Sacha Lodge
    Safari
    Sambar
    Scotland
    Scottish Highlands
    Seabirds
    Seal
    Seal Rocks
    Shorebirds
    Short-beaked Echidna
    Short Eared Owl
    Short-eared Owl
    Skomer
    Slovenia
    Slow Worm
    Snow Monkey
    Sooty Oystercatcher
    South America
    South Australia
    South Downs National Park
    South Luangwa
    South Luangwa National Park
    Spitsbergen
    Spring
    Squirrel
    Squirrel Monkey
    Stag
    Steller's Sea Eagle
    Summer
    Sunrise
    Sunset
    Svalbard
    Svalbard Reindeer
    Swans
    Tadoba Tiger Reserve
    Taiga
    Tamarin
    Tammar Wallaby
    The Highlands
    Tiger
    Toad
    Tobago
    Toorbul
    Topi
    Toucan
    Travel
    Tree Frog
    Tribe
    Tropics
    Uganda
    UK
    United Kingdom
    Ural Owl
    Urban Wildlife
    Urunga
    Victoria
    Waders
    Wagtail
    Wales
    Wallaby
    Walrus
    Water Buffalo
    Watercress
    Waterfall
    Water Vole
    Weasel
    Western Grey Kangaroo
    Whistling Kite
    White-faced Heron
    White Stork
    White Tailed Eagle
    White-tailed Eagle
    Whitethroat
    Wild Boar
    Wild Dog
    Wild Eye
    Wild Flowers
    Wildlife
    Wildlife Photography
    Wildlife Worldwide
    Willie Wagtail
    Winter
    Wolf
    Wolverine
    Wombat
    Working Holiday
    Wren
    Yellowhammer
    Zambezi
    Zambia
    Zebra
    Zimbabwe


No portion of this website may be reproduced without the prior written consent of Bret Charman. All rights reserved.
​© Bret Charman Photography 2023
  • Home
  • Bret's Blog
  • Portfolio
  • Galleries
    • British Wildlife
    • Australia
    • Africa
    • Europe
    • Colombia
    • Iceland's Arctic Foxes
  • About Me
    • Awards
    • Talks
    • Partners
  • Workshops & Tours
  • Prints
  • Contact