The final push

Day 26 of the 100 push-ups per day challenge for Cancer Research UK, and the final push is on. 2,550 gone as of this morning, 450 to go.

I had no idea how the donation side of things would go, but I am really grateful to everyone who has donated. To date it`s £710 plus gift aid. Thank you so much.

This time last year we were at Dad`s beside in his care home while he was quietly tolerating the discomfort and pain from his skin cancer during his palliative care. How quickly that time has gone.

All the money raised from everyone taking part in this challenge will help Patients benefit from the investment in cancer research. For that reason i`ll paste a final link to my donation page if anyone else would like to give to Cancer Research UK:

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/.../russs-giving...

Thank you all again.

Some old outtakes and mistakes

 

Having a look through some of those side-lined shots that could have been okay, but were a bit `out` on that split second.

This is a classic moment where things could have all come together to make a good shot, but my depth of field was just too shallow. This image needed a slightly greater depth of field (only a smidgin`) just to get the eyes sharp as well as the bill. I was, believe it or not, aiming for that head-on shot, got bang on with the bill and gape, but blew the shot with the eyes not being perfectly sharp. 

It`s not so obvious at this size, but not good when seen at a larger resolution.

I always work manually on exposure, and I was probably trying not to blow the whites, for example the facial whites can become almost soft grey at an angle. Therefore I try and control my ISO, but on this occasion I ended up selecting a slightly narrower aperture than I should have used, so very tricky to balance off exposure.

Very often on a Puffin you also get unequal brightness of the whites on the bird, so again in this case I got it right for the `face portrait`, but the whites on the front of the bird (a nightmare in summer sun) where `blown`, so this shot - along with some others - got put to one side!

It happens to us all at some time or another. The shot could have been a good one, but ended up being allocated to the shots that might have been binned.

Cancer challenge update

 

Thank you so much for everyone who has donated so far towards my 100 push-ups a day to raise money for Cancer Research UK during April. Such a great response - thank you! 

If you haven`t read "My Story" on the Giving page, I am not only ding it for Cancer Research generally, but in memory of our Dad, who passed away last June. Dad had an aggressive skin cancer along with a number of other health issues, but it was that that eventually took him, and it was very sad to witness his final week in particular.

Due to having a full radial nerve rebuild in my left arm following removal of a nerve-sheath tumour, I am doing the "wall push-outs", which are painful enough, but I am doing them in two blocks of 50 each day.

Spread the word, because if anyone else can give towards Cancer Research that would be really appreciated.

Thank you

Rare Puffin photographed

 

I feel privileged to have caught this extremely rare and candid shot of a special returning Puffin that has landed back for breeding showing bioluminescence picked up from the South Wales surf.

The Puffin variant, with the scientific name `Stultus Aprilis`, might be the only image taken before it heads into the burrows for breeding.

Puffin return to land to breed this time of the year after spending the winter out at sea. They come in their thousands to Skomer Island along with a few other places like it`s neighbour Skokholm, but some birds wander around the coast to other locations too.

At this time of year, the warming currents can bring in bioluminescent plankton, creatures in the sea that can emit light when disturbed by the motion of surf. I happened to catch this Puffin at an undisclosed location showing evidence of bobbing in the surf the night before.

Their behaviour, which can affect the colouration of their bill, has given them their own scientific name.

This very rare photo of the variant Puffin.

A true one-off!

Happy Easter

 

It`s Easter Sunday morning, and would just like to wish you a happy Easter day. 

It`s been a week or so more or less away from the camera, my only venture out being yesterday down to Ginst, which turned out to be just a few hours, and then, very very quiet.

So back at WWT, what have I missed? The single Great Crested Grebe is still hoping it`s mate will turn up, bless it. Time is ticking on a bit now. Let`s hope it will settle for breeding soon. 

Other things have been Kingfisher pairs finding their territories, the Pallid Harrier being occasionally seen still from the British Steel hide, the otters showing on occasions, and more recently a Little Gull being viewed from the Boardwalk hide. Lots more too, so plenty happening.

I`m looking forward to the next Walk, having missed the last one. It is due to take place on Saturday 20th April, but keep an eye on their website just in case there are any changes.

Happy Easter Day to you all.

Maundy Thursday

 

Had a powerful and evocative service for Maundy Thursday last night at St.Gwynogs, reminding us all of the significance of the lead-up to the crucifixion.

Maundy Thursday often gets "lost" in the Easter weekend, so it was good to have time to reflect on the full picture of the Easter story.

Thanks to the Rev.Capt. Rob Lowe for all the preparation involved and the vision to pull everything together - the pop-up Garden of Gethsemane, the organisation of the meal of cawl and bread for sharing together, all the music, lighting, and just about everything else. 

Thanks Rob.

Work due at WWT Llanelli

 

Just a reminder to keep an eye on the WWT Llanelli website for the latest information about work on the Reserve.

Currently on the Deep water lake area there are a pair of Kingfisher setting up home on a mud bank close to the Heron`s Wing hide. There`s also a Great Crested Grebe waiting for it`s mate to arrive, and has already built an initial nest. Med Gull are also on the rocky island, hidden amongst the Black Headed gull.

If you are fortunate, there is a reasonable chance of seeing up to three Otter swim through from the Peter Scott hide area, particularly from mid to late morning. (They can roam throughout the waterways of the Reserve, and I had fresh Otter prints close to the reedbeds on my checks last weekend).

A few Sand Martin and the first Swallows have just arrived, and you can now hear Chiffchaff, Cetti`s, Reed Bunting etc singing and calling across the Reserve. Spring is beginning to bring things to life.

See you back there soon.

Palm Sunday - and looking back on the week

 

After spending most of the last week gloss-painting around the house (it has to be done), it was good to spend just a short time on Friday catching up with some Short Eared Owls again before they head off soon. With a wet week ahead forecast, it might have been my last chance to see them until next winter, who knows. 

The SEOs will be heading off to Scandinavia and the Low Countries, with some maybe heading for the moorland of North of Britain. You never know, the odd one may stay `local` and head for Skomer.

It was good to be back at WWT Llanelli yesterday, and bumped in to many visitors I know from previous occasions. BTW, the Heron`s Wing bridge & hide and the Peter Scott hide remain open until after Easter, the contracting work having been delayed. 

During the last week, i`ve been doing more `push-ups` practice ready for April, albeit the less strenuous versions (knee and wall ones) to prevent damage to my arm. So far i`ve stuck to the discipline of doing 2 x 50. I am so grateful for all the donations received so far - thank you.

We had a make a tough decision early in the week. We were looking into adopting another rescue cat to fill the big paws of Oreo, who passed away in January. A lovely tabby and white who would have fitted in really well, but he had an unfortunate medical history that, more likely than not, would require ongoing treatment on and off possibly for the rest of his life. With insurance not covering pre-existing conditions, it was so sad to make the decision of being unable to take him on. Hopefully his "forever home" is out there, and he will settle into a loving home soon.

Last Wednesday we had another busy night at the Soup kitchen, around 30 people, and as usual we are very grateful for all the donations of non-perishable food we receive. It`s only by that ongoing support that the work can continue long term.

It`s Palm Sunday as I blog this today, the start of an important and significant week in the Christian calendar. I`m looking forward to the additional services at St.Gs this week for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday - but I promise i`ll still be squeezing in the practice for the fundraising in April! I must start one of my New Year`s resolutions too, losing that weight which i`ve been promising myself for over a year now. (just one of a number of resolutions "carried forward" from the previous year!)

It`s nearly 7am, i`ve been up again since 04.30am, so time for the first bit of exercise in a minute to blow away those cobwebs.

Have a good one, and Happy Easter everyone for next weekend.

Hen Harrier talk last night

Great talk by Keith Offord via the Gower Ornithological Society zoom presentation last night, following for fortunes of the Hen Harrier population, particularly in his area in North Wales.

Good to hear someone with sensible views, taking care as much as possible to minimise disturbance when studying these wonderful birds. I`m with him on his opinions on ringing, but I think it`s here to stay.

-----------

On a separate note,  just a further THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed so far to donating towards my 100 push-ups a day for Cancer Research UK in April. I`m really taken aback by the response so far, and the practicing continues!

Thank you so much.

Work has begun

Work has commenced at WWT Llanelli to repair the main bridge to the Heron`s Wing hide and on to the  Reserve. A temporary alternative route is in place:

https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/llanelli/news/essential-work-to-secure-access-to-the-nature-reserve-begins

Looking forward to getting back there soon as i`ve been tied this week on the dreaded gloss painting at home (part 4 or 5 I think) - i`d rather be out there. Spring is beginning 

WWT Walk today - and some important Centre news

 

It`s Saturday 16th March 2024, and just letting you know that the Walk with the Warden has been CANCELLED today.

IMPORTANT CENTRE NEWS:

WWT Llanelli will soon be carrying out essential work to the footbridge that leads on to the Reserve in the Millennium Wetlands. This will mean that there will be no access across the bridge for approximately four weeks, and both the Heron`s Wing hide and the Peter Scott hide WILL BE CLOSED during this period. 

It is hoped that access arrangements to the Reserve will be made available via the gate by the farm (yet to be confirmed), so that the rest of the Reserve can be visited and enjoyed, with toilets opening by the Canoe station. 

Any walk to the Black Poplar wood area (the Northern Loop) will stop short of the path to the Peter Scott hide, which will be needed for contractors, so there will be no access allowed along that path.

The work to the main bridge is essential, and must be carried out for the long term access to the Reserve and hides, so the cooperation of all visitors, including regular bird watchers, is essential.

The WWT team will also be posting details of this essential work on their website soon (start date to be confirmed at the time of this posting), but I have been asked to make you aware of this impending work as i`m out and about on the Reserve, and a number of people know me.

Everyone`s cooperation is essential, and of course appreciated.

Thank you.

THANKYOU

Thank you so much to everyone who has responded so far to my `100 push-ups` challenge in April to raise money for Cancer Research UK. I am truly taken aback by the generosity.

To read the background to this, please go to my `Pinned Post` on my facebook page here: 

https://facebook.com/russmyners

To donate directly, my Giving Page is here:

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/russs-giving-page-22?urn=787664917&utm_team=FPPushUpsApril_In-Series_2024_March_Email_Welcome2

Again, thankyou so much.

Skomer booked

 

I was a bit late off the mark this year, but have finally booked my annual visit to Skomer Island off Pembrokeshire. With many of the peak dates gone when Puffins are at their most active bringing in Sandeels for their Pufflings, my usual alternative choice, in the latter part of May, should see the island carpeted with millions of bluebells, particularly in the North Valley.

Alongside Puffin, the island is also home to large groups of Guillemot, Razorbill, and other seabirds, and of course there`s that on-going "target" of mine - capturing a Short Eared Owl in the area of the bluebells. It hasn`t happened yet, and i`ve previously been jinxed by blustery winds (keeping any owls on the ground), but you never know. I live in hope.

The island is also the magnet, and home, of the highest concentration of Manx Shearwater in the world. These live in burrows underground, in the same way as Puffin nest underground in burrows, and are active at night.

Access to Skomer is dependant on the strength and direction of the wind, which create high waves or swells. In certain conditions sailings can be cancelled, always disappointing, and sometimes this can be last minute if there is a change of forecast for the day. Everyone is made aware of this on booking, but it is a shame when it happens, and it has happened a few times to me before now. The problem then is trying to find a remaining alternative date to reschedule, but (fingers crossed) let`s hope it all goes to plan t start with.

Only just over a couple of months to go .......  can`t wait.

 

 

A patient week

 

Bags of patience needed over the last week, waiting for some owl shots in certain lighting conditions. Some strong winds on a couple of days didn`t help (they won`t show), but as they`ll be off again soon until next winter, the clock has been ticking.

Although there is still a particular angle of shot I would like to try and capture, you can`t and mustn`t encroach in any way - you just have to be still, hidden if possible,  and patient sometimes for hours and hours.

(Location withheld)

I`ll be back at WWT this forthcoming week, starting some data collection on a certain project. Hope I might be lucky to have another Otter encounter along the way.

Fingers crossed.

The next monthly walk

 

The next monthly Walk with the Warden at WWT Llanelli will take place on Saturday 16th March, but unfortunately I will not be able to attend myself.

I look forward to being back on the April walk.

Thanks.

Social media - do I, don`t I?

 

I`ve toyed with this question before, maybe a year or two ago, wondering whether to pull the plug on my social media. 

Twitter, or `X` as it`s now known, is all over the place these days, and there seems to be a surge in being tagged in to posts from dodgy accounts. I`ve spent more time blocking people than actually posting, and i`m not sure whether some posts even get seen.

Facebook on the other hand I still find useful at times, so have still continued with it so far, but I really don`t know.  And as for LinkedIN, the "professionals" network where I continue to post occasionally, I find it has become a bit of a back-patting arena - bordering on the typical posts of "influencers". Again, i`m in one of my "mulling over" times when i`m not sure whether to continue.

The current benefits to me of social media is that it has (potentially) the biggest reach audience-wise compared to running a website, and of course they are free. They are of course a great way of communicating news straight to peoples` phones, tablets etc wherever they might be, so it looks as though to Pros and Cons arguments I have with myself leave me with the thinking it`s best to carry on with them - yet again! 

So with that in mind, I might look at my as yet un-started New Years resolutions / projects list and plan some time to achieve them - of course, posting updates on social media, now that i`ve convinced myself yet again to plod on.

So in the meantime Facebook, Elon`s X and LinkedIN look likely to stay. 😐. 

Happy St.David`s Day folks. 👍

Otter activity

 

Good to see two of the three Otter at WWT Llanelli this morning, showing quite well for a few minutes from the Peter Scott hide.

The Otter have now been seen quite frequently, although you still have to be in the right place at the right time! For once, I happened to fluke it. Look out for unusual wakes, movement around the side of reeds, and also air bubbles for clues of Otter activity. They are being seen more frequently from the Peter Scott and Heron`s Wing hides, sometimes the ponds, plus the Lily pond. I`ve also had tracks in the mud by the reedbeds.

Keep a low profile as much as possible, and this will increase your chances of seeing them without them slipping away.

from the archive

 

It was a year ago that I had some photos of the UK`s fastest declining resident bird species, the Willow Tit. Looking very similar to a Marsh Tit, these wonderful little birds bred successfully at WWT Llanelli as well as other sites, and were ringed for future observation records.

Hoping that they will be successful again this year.

the last few days

 

Thank you to those people who turned up for the monthly Walk with the Warden at WWT Llanelli yesterday. A hint of drizzle was in the air, but we managed to finish before the very heavy rain came in in the afternoon. Birds are gradually singing and calling more and more, with Wren, Song thrush, Great Tit and Cetti`s warbler all belting it out.

No sign of the Otter whilst we were there, but a Kingfisher flashed past the Heron`s Wing hide at the end.

The last week started with a lucky / fluked sighting of a Barn Owl, and ended on Friday with Short eared owl. A mild calamity struck when I found that at least half of the contents of my flask had leaked out inside my rucksack, possibly a good half a litre. This meant everything had to be rung out ( the inside is going to be damp for weeks!). The crunching, tinkling sound of the broken mirror lining inside the flask told me that this one - flask number six - was now for the bin!

Walk on Saturday

This Saturday will be the next `Walk with the warden` at WWT Llanelli, but unfortunately the weather isn`t looking too special. We`re used to it by now though, and it could be that this time we might just strike it lucky and see the Otters? Who knows, but fingers crossed.

The Pallid Harrier still remains in the area, and has been seen a couple of times over the Reserve. You never know whether this very rare, Asian bird of prey might show up, but there should be other things to see and hear that will lift our spirits on the damp day that`s been forecast.

On these walks I always remind people that we have a Dawn Chorus walk, well it will be good to confirm to everyone there that this year we have two walks on consecutive days - 5th and 6th May. It`s an early start, but well worth it.

So here`s to Saturday ......... I hope you can come and join us, 11.30am in the Centre.

Happy Valentine's Day

 

If you're celebrating Valentine's Day today, have a great day. If you're not, you can also have a great day too!

Mr and Mrs Kingfisher sending you their best wishes for whatever you're doing today.

See you soon. 

Bookings open

 

Just a reminder that bookings are now being taken for the Dawn Chorus walks at WWT Llanelli on Sunday 5th and Bank holiday Monday 6th May 2024, available online HERE>>> 

For the first time, we are doing two mornings instead of one for this annual event, and full details are available via the website or by calling the office. We meet around 5.45am to go out on the Reserve at 6am.

These walks are suitable for beginners, and if you have binoculars bring them along.

Come prepared for Welsh-weather, and good footwear is essential. 

Thanks

 

Otters

 

An early start volunteering at WWT Llanelli this morning to beat this afternoon`s weather.  Whilst in the water in chest-waders, I had the experience of seeing the three Otters that have been reported before, coming to perhaps 15 metres from me.

Two were definitely juveniles, and 90% sure the other one was too. A really good sign.

World Wetlands Day - 2nd February 2024

 

On the day of this post it`s World Wetlands Day - something to be celebrated and reminded about, as wetlands are essential for the health of this planet.

Here in my small corner of the globe, I volunteer for the WWT as part of what I consider as `giving back` for all that I enjoy from nature at my local wetland centre. I`m involved in the Reserve count, data correlation, Centre photography, specific projects (including Kingfisher), visitor engagement, Warden walks and WWT events.

I would like to encourage anybody who has not spent time with nature visiting wetland areas to do so, stop, listen and watch, and soak up the atmosphere - it`s really good for both physical and mental health.

I`ve been a volunteer for 19 years this year, and a wetland centre member for coming up to 33 years, and all I can say is that it`s been a privilege.

Early morning `Dawn Chorus` walks

 

Happy to confirm that there will be two `Dawn Chorus` walks at WWT Llanelli this year, to be held on Sunday 5th and Bank Holiday Monday 6th May 2024. WWT Llanelli is where I volunteer on the Reserve, and it`s good that there will be two mornings to choose from this year.

I`ll be going along for both days, and look forward to hearing all that bird song again that I miss in the winter months. Fingers crossed for some fine weather for both days.

Full details and booking information for these will be advertised on the WWT Llanelli website soon, so keep an eye on their What`s On / Events page.

The charge includes a light breakfast. Please let the staff know of any dietary issues at the time of booking so that it can be catered for.

More details soon.

 

*Please come dressed for the weather, and good footwear essential.

A break in the weather

 

Yesterday was a rare, decent day. With the recent two storms gone, and a dry couple of days forecast, I headed out with the camera in what was some good light as there was a break in the weather (back to light rain next week). 

I managed to capture a Short Eared Owl on and off, along with a Hen Harrier, throughout the morning, so worth the effort.

Over the next few weeks, i`ll be working on an area readying some new perches for Kingfisher before the courting / breeding season starts. I also have a lot of photography catch up to do so, so just hoping for some favourable conditions.

I`m a bit late updating this, but thanks to all those who came on the walk last Saturday at WWT Llanelli. It was good to have so many support it (26 this time), and although it turned into typical walk weather, it was good to have time together again. We did however see some Spotted Redshank in a brief 10 minute visit to the British Steel hide.

The next walk will be on Saturday 17th February * .

This last week the weather has been pretty awful, so looking forward to one or two breaks in the conditions to do some photography again. The bag hide will be back out again soon.

Unfortunately I was unable to do my "storm photography" for both storms Isha and Jocelyn (I normally head to Porthcawl), but hoping to track down some specific winter birds over the next few days before they move again before spring.

I mentioned briefly before that I might be selling some equipment soon. I haven`t got around to listing or photographing things yet, but I would intend to sell `locally` in order to prevent the risk of anything happening while being shipped, and of course keep those additional costs off any selling price. Keep watching if interested.

Thanks

* Keep an eye on the WWT Llanelli website and this blog to confirm closer to the date.

Back at WWT Llanelli

 

 

It was good to get some mind-clearing space at WWT Llanelli today, a day which started bright and cold (frost and ice), but changed to being dull and overcast by the afternoon. 

A glimpse at last of the rare Pallid Harrier in the morning (no photo i`m afraid), but then later some lovely light when one of the Spotted Redshank came in.

I`ll be back on the monthly Walk with the Warden next Saturday, and it looks like it`s going to change from a snow forecast to a rain forecast. Still, it will be good to meet with some hardy visitors who want to get out and about! 

 

11.30am on Saturday 20th January 2024, weatherproof clothing a good footwear / boots recommended.

Making plans

 

2023 was a bit of a difficult year, and a lot less photography took place than what I had hoped to have done. So it is time to make some plans, scratch away at some projects, and generally put together some positive goals for 2024.

Very soon I will be selling some speedlites, umbrellas, stands, AA recharge units, etc (locally, to avoid postage costs) - if interested, keep an eye on here in the new future.

Somebody asked me about the next Walk on New Year`s Day - it is fixed for Saturday 20th January, and I hope to be there as usual.

 

I use `Remember the milk` for my To Do / Tasks list, already `full` from the stuff I didn`t strt in 2023. New sections have been created for my `definately to do` things (whether I will or not is yet to be seen). 

Within those rolling goals is my yet to be started return to watercolour painting, and - if I could find a venue - a return to life drawing too. 

Also a possible new venture into drones, more video work, landscape photography, new web design ......... it goes on.

Watch this space.

The same old weather

 

It was good to meet a number of people on the WWT`s new year `tick and twitch` event yesterday. I think everyoneo made the most of the dry and calmer weather in the morning.

Being Wales, it didn`t take long for the more familiar drizzle to sweep in on a strengthening wind, later turning to heavy rain. However, it was a nice start to the new year, with a chance to catch up with a few visitors who have been on walks etc before, and some people visiting for the first time.

The next few days look very wet and windy, so a chance to plan some projects (and some resolutions) for the coming year.

 

Happy New Year! 2024 has begun

Here we are, a new year, and it looks just the same outside! 

Still it`s a fresh start, and let`s hope its a good one for you all, wherever you are.

HNY. See you soon.