MICHAEL NORFOLK

As mentioned previously, it's only in recent years that I have taken a greater interest in birds as subjects for photography but as typical youngsters back in the day, we could identify most of the birds to be seen around us as well as their eggs. We had a house with open eaves where Swifts, Sparrows and Starlings could easily gain entry to construct their nests and although we weren't allowed to, it wasn't unknown for us to sneak up there to take a look when there were no adults around.

I was standing around this morning watching birds flitting about when I noticed a thrush-like bird land on top of a bush to my left. I almost disregarded it but I raised the camera and noticed it had a distinctive white collar so I took a few photos before it promptly flew off. I immediately thought of a 'Ring Ouzel' but I had to check the images to confirm and yes, I am sure that's what it was. It has to be at least 50 years since I last encountered a Ring Ouzel.

Canon R5, Rf200-800mm & Rf1.4x extender, 1/1000sec, f13.0, ISO 500.

A Ring Ouzel, 27th March 2025

Red-legged Partridge, 27th March 2025

The harsh sunshine made taking photographs tricky but it was actually a very good morning for getting photos as there were several species seemingly intent on posing for the camera including Long-tailed Tit, Goldfinch and a hovering Kestrel. However, it wasn't until we were about to get back in the car after our short walk that a pair of Red-legged Partridge flew across the road with one of them settling in the undergrowth beneath some metal railings. It didn't appear troubled by our presence so I took some photos, crouching down on the footpath in an effort to avoid also including the railings.

The photos actually turned out quite well despite the fact that I had the shutter speed set at 1/4000th sec and still had the Rf1.4x extender on the camera!

Canon R5, Rf200-800mm & Rf1.4x extender, 1/4000sec, f11.0, ISO 2500.

I have become accustomed to taking photographs in manual mode with auto ISO but I often get carried away and find myself using it in a 'point and shoot' fashion. I am desperately trying to ensure that I have my camera settings correct before pressing the shutter button because I have missed out on so many photos due to my apparent inability to think first.

Fortunately, in the case of the Red-legged Partridge, it hasn't meant I've wasted my time but I'm sure I could have dropped that shutter speed just a little bit. I would have been gutted to miss out, especially after seeing some of the resulting images.

Canon R5, Rf200-800mm & Rf1.4x extender, 1/4000sec, f10.0, ISO 2500.

Red-legged Partridge, 27th March 2025