winter frosts

The extreme winter weather we are currently experiencing has led to many birds turning up in unexpected places, i had a wander through my local park yesterday and came across a Green Sandpiper feeding in a shallow stream, Four Waxwings flew over and a Green Woodpecker was searching for food near to a children's play area.
The best photo opportunity was of a Heron standing sentinel like on the grass against a frosty backdrop, so braving the freezing ground i crawled as close as i could to get a few pics. The Heron is one of the main reasons i became interested in wildlife many years ago and i still love them and they always remind me of our ancient past creatures the dinosaurs.
I took Indie for a walk into the local woodland and it was like stepping through the wardrobe and into Narnia, the hoar frost turning the woods and surrounding landscape into a magical wonderland.

London

My favourite city in the world is London where there is enough of intrest to fill several lifetimes, i never get tired of visiting and have many places there that are very close to my heart this is just one looking down towards Ludgate circus with the iconic shape of St Pauls rising into the dusk sky. Inside St Pauls cathedral is Holman Hunts painting called 'The Light Of the World' one of my favourite paintings,i recently sat admiring it for an hour lost in its exquisite beauty so if you ever get to visit St Pauls find a few minuets to see this wonderful piece of British art.

Waxwings

Exciting news we are expecting an influx of WAxwings to arrive in Britain for the winter,some of these beautiful birds visit most years and can be fairly elusive but this year hopefully many thousands will make the journey down from scandinavia and provide much excitement and happiness to many birders and members of the general public alike. Its been three years since my last sighting which was at dusk just near to where i live in Bourne but alas they moved on the next morning before i could photograph them. This picture was taken in Stamford a few years ago the birds were very obliging for a couple of weeks. Keep on checking berry bushes as they can turn up almost anywhere and there have already been a few sightings of birds flying over the Bourne area.

Red Kites

After a few weeks of photographic inactivity I've at last been out and about with my camera again,last Saturday dawned bright and clear and had a touch of the chilly winds of the coming winter about it.
I was out as soon as possible into an area that is a particular favourite of mine the light was perfect and i was lucky enough to come across a couple of Red Kites that were enjoying the sharp breeze and performing their spectacular aerial manoeuvres after a while i was able to get into a good position for a few photos.

Hare watching

August arrives and as the harvest begins i like to get out to my favourite Hare watching areas to see whats going on, its a good month to see action as you still have the chance to see boxing taking place and the viewing is easier as the landscape takes on a more autumnal appearence as crops are gatherd.
Ive been for a couple of walks with Indie this week and seen several Hares including some beautiful young ones as they explore the hedgerows and fields where they live.

Astronomy pics

Spent yesterday afternoon revisiting an old friend Comet Hale-Bopp, ive lots of happy memories of nights out in the Lincolnshire countryside finding good dark locations to attempt to photograph this spectacular visitor to our solar system,the one ive posted was taken in Bourne Woods. I will be adding more photos of the comet and some other astronomy pics to my website www.tonybates-outside-in.co.uk shortly.

Poppy pics

Out bright and early today with Indie before the heat of the day set in walked along the side of the river Glen whose banks were thick with poppies in places which are also known as thundercups !
Indie who has his own section on my web site had a great time in the cool morning air while i took a few pics.

Devil Screacher

Last night spent a wonderfull couple of hours watching one of my favourite birds The Swift as they chased and screamed, all to soon these birds will be heading south again, so im hoping to get some pics to add to my web site and to put into one of my slide shows that feature these birds that are steeped in folklore and superstition.

Barn owl hovering

A recent evening visit to a local meadow near Bourne Lincolnshire resulted in great views of a hunting Barn owl.

For more owl pics see my web site

Welcome to my Blog

Welcome to my new blog site for Outside In.

Here you will find information about me, Tony Bates, and my photographic work.

Through my skill and patience I hope to capture exciting images that will bring our wonderful world into your home.