Some weeks, like last week, there is plenty to video. Others there is nothing until the last minute, like this week. Until midday yesterday I had no new video clips when I spotted a Red Admiral butterfly on some Ivy near the bottom of the garden. I needed a camcorder with a powerful zoom so I dug out the Panasonic with its 70x optical zoom and, even though it hadn't been used for nearly a year, found the battery was still fully charged. I started filming trough the kitchen window and then gradually moved closer. Fortunately the flutter stayed for quite a long while. The only problem with the 70x zoom is some purple colour fringing round high contrast areas otherwise it does a decent job. The camera was tripod mounted so movement is the result of a breezy day.
I missed another opportunity to snap the Grey Heron this morning. Spotted it cautiously making its way to the garden pond but it noticed me and when I got it nicely framed as it took off - the camera refused to take the shot! Such are the frustrations of nature photography.
Have a great weekend observing the wildlife around you wherever you are.
A very accommodating Red Admiral. Beautiful video. Herons are frustrating. Why they are so wary Is beyond me.
ReplyDeleteHello again John, its good you have the option to get a closer zoom and your video camera didn’t let you down. Cost wise, I chose HD over zoom but it was a hard decision as I have slightly less zoom than I had with my last video camera.
ReplyDeleteShame on the Heron shot. Not done much gardenwatching recently to know who’s visiting my garden just now. Pretty major stuff going on here. Do know that there are still House Martins in the nest above my front door – they are sounding very argumentative in there. Guessing excited that they’ll be on on their hols very soon :-D
Thank you Adrian. The heron is probably used to being chased from most garden ponds.
ReplyDeleteHello Shirl. I found it really frustrating and disappointing when searching for a camcorder which does what I want. All the HD and 3CCD types seem to have very meagre zoom facilities, at least the ones which are in my price bracket.
ReplyDeleteMy ideal would be one with 3CCD, a hard drive and at least 50x optical zoom but I don't think there is such a beast available.
And I saw one yesterday on my strawberries. Perhaps they prefer late Summer. Lovely film of yours.
ReplyDeleteWonderful to see the Red Admiral in action ~ can really see its proboscis at work! What kind of a plant did it land on?
ReplyDeleteOops! My apology, I missed the "Ivy" part of the title, and therefore please ignore the question on my last comment. Silly me!
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot here at the moment Matron, all newly emerged.
ReplyDeleteHello Glo. It is nice to get a close up view occasionally and see just how creatures behave.
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