With all this summers superb weather I have spent many hours watching Long Eared Owls as they hunt, hoping for one to capture prey when I was within photographic distance. It finally happened on a wet evening , with wet grass and a wet bird! Nevertheless I was able to capture several photos of the Owl taking off with the vole in his mouth ready for presentation directly to one of his young.
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With wildlife filming it is always the unexpected event that gives you most satisfaction and none more so than last week when I was filming my local Sand Martins I was deeply engrossed in their comings and goings when there was a sudden movement in the lowest hole. It was a Weasel and in less than a second I had two photos to add to my wildlife collection.It was a first for me in more than sixty years of wildlife filming and the good news was that the Weasel failed to capture any of the Sand Martins.
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There is no doubt that the ultimate challenge for any wildlife photographer in the Pennines is to find and photograph the Nightjar.In more than 60 years of searching I have only seen three nests but last week I was able to add a fourth to the list. Even more challenging was the fact that the female Nightjar was brooding a young that was almost her size and equally as camouflaged. I was able to approach them both for photos and now realise why it is years since I was in this privileged position which I might never experience again. www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife
No trip to Islay is complete without time spent searching out and filming its Hen Harriers.They are without doubt one of Britain’s most magnificent raptors, even on Islay they are sometimes illusive to find. We went several days without seeing any hunting males but then we saw four different ones before mid-day.It helps to make every day on Islay an exciting adventure.
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The Sound of Islay is one of the best places in Scotland to see Black Guillemots and last week was no exception. As they are one of the latest birds to breed each year,there was plenty of action. Pairs were formed and copulation took place. A visit in July would be required tosee them feeding their young.
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One of those birds that you look to photograph when you visit Islay is the Chough. Normally your photo opportunities are restricted to birds feeding in the coastal dunes. However, last week I was in for a treat when I came across four recently fledged young Chough in an old barn on a friend’s farm. The lighting conditions were appalling but with care I was able to obtain some photos of the adult Chough as they fed their offspring.
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