Toby Houlton Photography

I have to admit that I would be the first to overlook photography opportunities in a local park, preferring to be out in the middle of nowhere. However they can often be a great source of subjects which are often habituated to people and are an excellent way to practice techniques on subjects that aren’t going to be really flighty. The added bonus and the main draw for me is the heronry in the middle of the lake, one which has been used year after year and yet I’ve never actually made the short trip to see them.

The weather hasn’t been too kind up to easter so when the forecast for easter sunday was for a glimpse of sun I jumped at the chance to get out with the camera and an early trip to the park was planned.

The potential is instantly obvious – corvids all over the place and far from shy, plenty of wildfowl on the lake and always doing something interesting and the herons of course. On this morning there was one busy bird that was gathering material for the nest.

Starting with the corvids – I just had to make the most of being able to get some close up details

Rook (Corvus frugilegus) – Nikon D300 with Nikon 500mm, 1/800, F5, ISO 400, VR ON

Whenever you see these birds in the countryside they always seem really timid, not surprising when you realise they are often shot as pests. It’s also easy to think that they are “just” black birds whereas when you have a chance to study them in the sun amazing blues and purples come through too. I’ve always been fascinated by that beak so had to get a shot of that frightening tool –

Rook (Corvus frugilegus) – Nikon D300 with Nikon 500mm, 1/800, F5, ISO 400, VR ON

It’s clear to see the differences between a crow and a rook with these two images.

Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) – Nikon D300 with Nikon 500mm, 1/800, f4.5, ISO400, VR ON

Finally for some reason the Jackdaws were playing hard to get – here’s an image for comparison –

Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) – Nikon D300 with Nikon 500mm f4, 1/800s, F5, ISO400, VR ON

The main draw of the park for me was the heronry. Often quite skittish birds when seen in open countryside, this was an opportunity to get some flight shots and behaviour I hadn’t previously seen.

Start with a preen and cleen