As has been the case for everyone, the Covid crisis lock-down changed many of my plans, and rightly so given the need to flatten the curve and which frankly I will happily accept in exchange for staying healthy. The factor that we should only drive when essential to avoid any kind of accident and impose on the NHS has led me to take no car journeys for photography - these are definitely not essential. No trips to the coast or to the New Forest. A cancelled trip to Scotland. I am definitely living the Think Far, Travel Near philosophy.
The whole nature of the crisis did for a while stop me wanting to go out and take photographs at all. I did not take my camera out for over a month and only ventured out with it again in the second half of April; Islay had taken the dogs onto the downs near our house and reported the beech in full youthful bloom. When there was a forecast for light rain one morning I thought it would add some atmosphere to the trees so took a soggy walk up the hill. The scene lacks a focal point and there was too much wind but it was good to be back out shooting and I saw noone until I got back close to the village.
A drizzly morning in the trees. A first shot back in the saddle…
Our neighbours have a very large ash tree in which nest several families (practically a flock) of rooks. They are annoyingly noisy, unless one wants to be woken up just before dawn in which case they are the perfect alarm. Over the last couple of weeks I have resisted the urge to roll over and go back to sleep (or at least try) a few times so have crept out of the house into glorious mornings. Without sounding smug, I am lucky enough to live in the countryside with a brother in law in the village who owns a farm. Thus I can escape into fields and photograph the wildlife. I have seen a surge in hares on his farm this year - I think due to the combination of pasture grass affording living space and arable providing plenty to eat. Anyway, I have been photographing these wonderful wild animals again. I have seen up to 8 hares at one time - often in groups of five or six chasing each other in the ‘playing tag’ way that they do. I saw one, very brief, boxing match. I have taken a lot of photos just because I can, many with the hares too small in the frame to be effective but it’s all good practice and just watching them through the lens helps to understand their behaviour. Sometimes the light has been lovely - subdued morning light or raking evening light.
Dusk on the farm. Small in the frame helps show the environment ;)
It got to about 20 yards away before scarpering
One morning there was some mist and I was heading out to find a tree to photograph and as I walked past the water meadow area there was a beautiful barn owl hunting. I spent a while taking shots, mainly of it flying far away, but some perching as well and even one flight straight towards me. I have tried to find it again since, but with no luck. I have more shots that I like so may well write a post just on the owl in the future. They are spectacular birds.
The graceful flight across the water meadow. Even eye contact.
I have seen much other wildlife in these dawn and dusk forays including a trio of roe deer that hang out on the farm a lot and plenty of calling pheasant and scuttling partridge who have survived the winter cull and are now replenishing their numbers. As yet no badger or fox - a couple to look out for.