Lovely little Lady Blackcap.

At this time of year with all of the Shrubbery heavily foliaged getting an opportunity to capture images of these little characters are few and far between.

Sadly the light quality was not helpful but the image is worthy of posting.

Black capped Blackcap ........

At the reserve we have numerous Blackcap territories, last winter at least one was occupied throughout the year.

The black '' skull cap '' of the male perfectly sets off the silvery / beige colours of the remainder of its upper and lower parts creating a stunning visual impact.

For a Warbler it can be quite brave and tolerant of humans particularly when displaying.

For me It is a pleasure to get opportunity  to photograph this species, particularly the male. 

                       Having said that the female of the species is not without her charms.

One of my Bogy birds - we all have them !.

The Blackcap is present in some numbers at my local reserve but I have never been happy with the images that I have been able to capture of them. They always seem to perch with twigs and/or foliage in front of them or fly off before I have had time to focus on them.

I am sure that many of you who are into photography can identify with this feeling.

So I have shots that I refer to as '' bankers ''. i.e. they will do until new opportunities and better results are available, they really are gorgeous looking birds.

Maybe I am too critical of my work, there is no such thing as the perfect shot, it doesn't exist.

                                                                             The Female

                                                                             The Male