Adrian Dancy
D20A3845 Stonechat (female) (Saxicola rubicola), Holcombe Moor, Bury, Greater Manchester)
Stonechat (Full frame)
1600.3.12.24.
I think some may have noticed my reduced postings on Flickr and Facebook over the last year. I had quite severe cateract and did not feel confident processing images. It also made watching birds problematic because my vision was substantially compromised. To make matters worse I was continually getting eye infections which could be painful and very problematic. The fact that I usually work with birds close up was a help because I could at least identify them and see where they were. I also had an operation on my throat so healthwise I have not been greatly motivated except looking after my Black Redstarts breeding in Manchester and a pair of Stonechats breeding north of Bury. Along the country path, which is about a mile long, there were 5 Stonechat pairs but only the pair I photographed were successful in breeding ( according to my observations). In time I was able to obtain the trust of the female seen in the image wheras before, getting within 30 yards was impossible. In terms of effort photographing two breeding species every day that were 12 miles apart involved a lot of travelling on public transport then a lot of walking and climbing carrying heavy gear plus being out for 12-15hrs a day. At the end of the season I was exhausted but I have never been more satisfied with anything I have done in my life.
D20A3845 Stonechat (female) (Saxicola rubicola), Holcombe Moor, Bury, Greater Manchester)
Stonechat (Full frame)
1600.3.12.24.
I think some may have noticed my reduced postings on Flickr and Facebook over the last year. I had quite severe cateract and did not feel confident processing images. It also made watching birds problematic because my vision was substantially compromised. To make matters worse I was continually getting eye infections which could be painful and very problematic. The fact that I usually work with birds close up was a help because I could at least identify them and see where they were. I also had an operation on my throat so healthwise I have not been greatly motivated except looking after my Black Redstarts breeding in Manchester and a pair of Stonechats breeding north of Bury. Along the country path, which is about a mile long, there were 5 Stonechat pairs but only the pair I photographed were successful in breeding ( according to my observations). In time I was able to obtain the trust of the female seen in the image wheras before, getting within 30 yards was impossible. In terms of effort photographing two breeding species every day that were 12 miles apart involved a lot of travelling on public transport then a lot of walking and climbing carrying heavy gear plus being out for 12-15hrs a day. At the end of the season I was exhausted but I have never been more satisfied with anything I have done in my life.