Kestrels, Hawks & Owls with CJ Birds of Prey

A friend & I took a short jaunt southwest, to Westmill Farm near Ware, Hertfordshire for a bird of prey experience. A four hour session with a professional falconer giving us the opportunity to not only see beautiful winged creatures such as a Kestrel, a Harris Hawk, a Siberian Eagle Owl and an Asian Brown Wood Owl at close quarters but also to fly some of them short distances.
These types of things are dependent on weather conditions. Rain fell as we approached Stevenage so we prepared ourselves for a reduced programme and on our arrival we were indeed informed that the day would be spent not in the fields as we expected, but in a recently constructed shelter in the farm complex. This, although a little disappointing was better than not getting to handle these amazing creatures at all. We'd managed to get the experience at a reduced cost anyway so I think we still got good value for money. I would be interested to return in more favourable weather.

Firstly, we were told some facts about birds. Specifically, how a difference in a bird's weight as small as a couple of ounces either side of optimum can determine whether a bird will fly or not. Basically explained, it's a waste of energy for the bird to fly if it's already full of food. A bird will hunt if it needs to. If it doesn't, it won't. especially if its raining!

Bird #1: a male Kestrel called Tio (flown on a tether due to his inexperience in enclosed spaces) 
Bird #2: a male Harris Hawk named Bud.
Bird #3: a Siberian Eagle Owl (not flown)
Bird #4: an Asian Brown Wood Owl called Sakie (not flown but very vocal)

#cjsbirdsofprey #birds #wildlife #falconry #owl #harris #hawk #eagle #siberian #brown #wood #kestrel #kez #pauljacksonphotography #photographer #canon #60d #photos #photographs #new #blog #fourwheelfools #hertfordshire #ware #flight #wings #talons #beaks 

Dawn By The Orwell

Here are a few shots taken on an early excursion to Ipswich a week or so ago.

#dawn #light #photography #pauljacksonphotography #colour #flight #photographer #early #new  #orwell #suffolk #bridge #ipswich #estuary #wildlife #landscape #river

Majorca 2014

These have been sitting on a drive since September. 

A weeks holiday on Majorca. Hot, bright and full of English charm.

From my garden and abroad

Here are some photos of insects and a couple of other things.

The first four Hexapoda were spotted in my back garden. 

Dragonfly - Possibly a Southern Hawker?

One of the largest hoverflies I have come across. Approx. length: 30mm 

This Oak Bush Cricket had just one rear leg

These next ones were taken in a small place just outside Great Leighs in Essex. The Phyllis Currie reserve is a volunteer maintained walk through moist deciduous woodland leading to raised wooden causeways around and across a section of a small lake filled with very active orange finned Roach which one particular lady we met at the lakes edge told us she fed "daily dear...". It is located at the end of Dumney Lane, CM3 1PE near Braintree, Essex.  

Common Blue Damselfly 

Dragonfly - Common Darter #1 

Dragonfly - Common Darter #2

#wildlife #uk #photography #outdoors #outdoor