December 2023 Viewfinder
There are low-flying kites and soaring spirits in this month's Opposite View Wildlife Photography newsletter.
You have probably heard the saying, “Red sky at night, shepherds’ delight...
"Red kite in the morning, Rhiannon becomes obsessive about getting out with her camera to capture images in decent light". No? Well, that was very much the case when we stayed with my family in Hertfordshire during Christmas.
Let me explain with a bit of backstory. I had only had the opportunity to photograph wild red kites once before - during a feeding session at Argaty Red Kites. Incidentally, I cannot recommend this highly enough for watching these birds in close proximity while hearing about their behaviour from the fantastic team at Argaty. That being said, my images from that day in July 2017 weren't usable. I lacked experience photographing birds in flight and hadn’t adapted my settings to account for the dark day.
Now, red kites aren't seen often in our neck of the woods, so opportunities to photograph them near Glasgow, apart from at Argaty, were always going to be few and far between. Down in Hertfordshire, however, red kites are seen daily. Following a successful reintroduction programme for the species to neighbouring Buckinghamshire in the 1980s, their numbers increased. Living in Hertford, my dad regularly saw them cruising at roof height from his bedroom window and would often talk about seeing them soaring above fields and roads on his daily drives.
I remember how excited he was to finally see one up close and personal when we took him to the Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre. While my dad marvelled at Max’s stunning plumage, I took the opportunity to capture portraits of this charismatic bird. I don't usually take much pleasure in photographing captive birds, but how could any photographer resist the allure of those eyes?
You may remember that I lost my beloved father at the end of August. While I sat in the crematorium - listening to lovely words about everything Graham Law meant to his family and friends - through my tears, I looked across the fields that rolled away from the windows. The red kites circled just a short distance from where we grieved for a man who always noticed them. Their presence brought me comfort somehow.
I hadn't brought my camera down to Hertfordshire for a long time, but I knew I had to have it with me on this Christmas trip. I felt the need to finally photograph the red kites we had seen on other visits - now, not just for me but for my dad. Red kites glide for hours looking for a meal, so I knew if I got out with the camera, there would probably be an opportunity. The question was, would I be able to make the most of it? Once we had to leave, I wouldn't get another chance for some time.
On a sunny morning between collecting ashes, clearing out my dad's home and the arrival of Christmas, we took a walk down memory lane in both the literal and figural sense. The red kites arrived as we ambled across a field where I used to ride my loaned pony as a teenager. We’d had plenty of sightings in appalling light since we arrived down south (“red kite, sh*te light”, was the saying my partner and I adopted), but this time the kites soared in the blue sky and sunlight, as did my spirits.
For now, I'll leave you with an image I captured on that walk just over a week ago. It is a photo of a red kite I wish I could have shared with my dad. Red kite in flight, Graham’s delight.
Best wishes for the last few hours of 2023 and happy 2024 when it arrives,
Rhiannon
Opposite View Wildlife Photography
Through my lens
Eclectic encounters and wildlife photography wonders - 2023 through my lens
It has been a good year for developing my wildlife photography. In March, I went mirrorless and haven't looked back - with the lighter setup and silent shutter of the OM1 helping me to capture images and video footage I would have struggled to get with my Nikon D500. My weekday walks have allowed me to get close to local wildlife while our wanders farther afield have thrown up some exciting encounters.
However, 2023 hasn't been without its photography problems. Many of the deer I spent so much time building relationships with last year have moved away (or passed away) since, and the prolonged spells of ridiculously wet and windy weather this year were restrictive at times. I also witnessed nest failures and other setbacks for our wildlife - nature had its problems too.
In this blog, I take a look back at my wildlife encounters and wildlife photography in 2023, and share some of my favourite images.
Species Spotlight
Whooper swan - the trumpeting traveller
As the winter chill descends upon the UK - or, more accurately, as the rain pours and the mud churns - a majestic migrant arrives in our landscapes. British waterways, from wild wetlands to urban lochs, are graced with this elegant visitor. Its soft trumpeting calls intermingled with the usual quacks and honks.
In this blog, find out why the whooper swan is a suitably enchanting species for any winter wonderland, listen to their calls and get tips on photographing them.
And finally…
Watch the video above for a not-at-all-subtle clue to the species featured in next month’s spotlight. There are also plenty of other videos available to view on my YouTube channel - including the waxwing footage and the top tips video I shared last month.
Please subscribe to my videos to keep up to date.
Keep in touch
Thanks for reading this! If you have any comments or questions, opportunities for photography or if you would like to use any of my images, please leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you.
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Love that shot. I’m not great at snapping birds in flight but have tried a time or two. Happy New Year!
Very moving Rhiannon your dad will be proud xx