What a lovely result ...........

A couple more images from my visit to Summer Leys LNR, Northamptonshire, last weekend.

The months surrounding the turn of the year are, in my opinion, the best time to photograph Bullfinches  whilst there is no foliage to get in the way, their contact calls also carry well on a windless day.

In my experience, if you see one Bullfinch the other members of the party will not be far away.as was the case here.

Whilst the male is a stunningly handsome bird I have to say that I find the subtle plumage of the female more to my liking.

Female Bullfinch

A very tidy looking bird.

Now is one of the best times in the year for photographing Bullfinches as they roam the trees and shrubs feeding, their contact calls are unmistakable and in many cases an early indication of their presence before they are seen.   
The Xeno-canto link below allows you to listen to variations of their calls. 

http://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Pyrrhula-pyrrhula

Bully for you ..........

With the season moving forward and the leaves falling these guys are becoming easier to see and photograph.

This image is of a fine example of the female of the species.

Ears then Eyes

At Titchmarsh LNR we are blessed to have a good population of Bullfinches, these are best seen in the colder months when  the leaves have fallen.

On walking around the reserve I heard a family of Bullfinch contact calling ( link to Xeno Canto below - ref XC167992 ) so I shrank back into a nearby overhanging hedge and waited, the calls came nearer and eventually I was rewarded with some good sightings and was able to get images of both males and females.

Because they both have fairly glossy black heads and black eyes I find it is difficult to get good eye definition.  

http://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Pyrrhula-pyrrhula

I will digress at this point.

If you ever visit the reserve and see a guy wandering around with a camera wearing green gloves, no matter what the season is, its likely to be me.

I firmly believe that many opportunities are either lost or reduced by the sudden movement of your hands when raising the camera for the shot, two white flashes being a visual warning of your presence. 

Also, whilst I don't walk around trying to look like a tree I do try and wear clothes that blend in with the surroundings.

                                                                Male

                                                                     Female