First go at birds in my garden.

[Gary Kinghorn]

Although I've photographed birds a number of times at the Hawk Conservancy - just down the road, I've never set myself up to shoot in the garden. Lockdown and a period of furlough has given me plenty of time on my hands and a body that still wakes up at my normal work time, so I thought what the heck, let's have a go.

To set the scene with regards to me garden it's pretty blooming small and I have a whacking great big 12 foot hedge at the end of it. Hard work with regards to keeping it neat, but from time to time the local birds can and sit on the top for a sing song. In addition the neighbours have a couple of trees at about 15 metres away that seem to be on the early morning circuit too. So I sit on the patio outside the kitchen window with the tripod and gimbal and see what turns up. I'm very fortunate that I own a 1dx mk2 and a 200-400 F4, so can't have any excuses from a gear perspective. I did however forget to turn the IS off on each occasion I shot, dohhhhh.

And now for the images (happy to hear comments and advice by the way.)


1. Starling
Back garden (lockdown pics) by Gary Kinghorn, on Flickr


2. Dunnock with his eye on the prize
Any closer and you're mine by Gary Kinghorn, on Flickr


3. Long tailed tit
Back garden birds by Gary Kinghorn, on Flickr


4. Robin
Robin by Gary Kinghorn, on Flickr


5. And out on a morning walk at the local lakes - a Wren?
Wren by Gary Kinghorn, on Flickr