Blue tit

by Simon Knight

Along with everything else going on in the world, I was beginning to find the recent dull weather slightly depressing. I have also found it frustrating from a photography point of view, as I only like to take pictures in good light, and you don’t get good light without the sun! The recent dullness has been especially frustrating as I have had a new lens to test which needs good light for me to be able to get the best out of it. 

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It was with much happiness and excitement when I woke on Sunday morning (10th January) to see that although there was a heavy fog, it was clear that the sun was there waiting to pierce through the thick blanket that was hiding the landscape. Even though I wasn’t completely happy with the light – the fog and some cloud did filter it out somewhat – it was just great to see the sun and feel its warming rays. And more importantly, the sun meant that I could test my new lens at the Country Park.

The birds in the park also seemed to appreciate the sun on this lovely morning. There was a good amount of activity, with plenty of redwings searching for any remaining red berries in the trees and the resident blue tits, great tits, wrens, dunnocks, robins and the odd coal tit all busily feeding to keep their winter fuel levels up. 

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I was focused on only one species, the blue tit – I simply love seeing the splash of colour that these birds add to a winter scene. I also couldn’t help to get a shot of a robin. Winter isn’t complete without a picture of a robin! I left the park very happy, knowing that I had a couple of images that I really liked, and I was thankful for getting to spend some time with some wildlife that was made even better by a short spell of sunshine.

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