|
Oxon Bird Pics: Autumn/Winter 2025/26
|
 |
Teal, West Oxon
14 January 2026
The lake was mostly frozen over this morning with only a few ice
free patches, one of which was very close by. At one point these
two Teal flew in to join others which allowed this fleeting photo
to be taken.
Here the female is leading with the male
close behind.
For the rest of this session only the distant
ice free areas were had birds so there were no more photo opps. |
 |
Teal, West Oxon
21 November 2025
A crop from a photo of a passing Teal in nice light.
|
 |
Goldeneye, West Oxon
21 November 2025
A quite distant bird but on colourful water due to the reflections
of the autumnal colours in the vegetation behind.
Click to enlarge |
 |
Kingfisher, Letcombe Brook, Oxon
19 November 2025
The female back again and on a better perch.
Click to enlarge |
 |
Great White Egret, Standlake Pit 60, Oxon
24 October 2025
Arriving at just around dawn, there was this impressive but
relatively distant tight grouping of Great White Egrets for which
the collective noun is apparently a congregation!
This
photo was taken just as the first rays of sun reached these birds,
giving a great contrast. Thereafter they quickly dispersed round
the pit.
Click to enlarge |
 |
Kingfisher, Letcombe Brook, Oxon
22 October 2025
Much brighter conditions this morning than the amazing session on
14 October (see below). Just one brief visit and one departure
today but this was enough to obtain this photo.
Click to enlarge |
 |
Kingfisher, Letcombe Brook, Oxon
14 October 2025
An amazing session with this adult female Kingfisher, despite the
lack of light!
The bird was present on and off for around 2
hours during which time it made plenty of sorties from its perch
either in level flight or diving for tiny fish at varying angles.
All
these departure shots were obtained using pre-capture and a
shutter speed up to 1/8000 and ISOs up to 25,600.
Click to enlarge |
 |
Kingfisher, Letcombe Brook, Oxon
14 October 2025
Diving caught with its wings outstretched.
Click to enlarge |
 |
Kingfisher, Letcombe Brook, Oxon
14 October 2025
Another diving photo with a lower ISO as it had brightened up a
little at this point (didn't last!).
Click to enlarge |
 |
Kingfisher, Letcombe Brook, Oxon
14 October 2025
I've included this image as I liked the shot of the tiny fish just
before it was swallowed. However with the shutter speed left on
1/8000 the ISO for this photo was a crazy 51,200. So not the best
quality but it is remarkable that DXO PureRaw has been able to
clean the image up pretty well.
Click to enlarge |
 |
Kingfisher, Letcombe Brook, Oxon
14 October 2025
Eventually this bird went on the perch I was hoping it would use
but only briefly.
Click to enlarge |
 |
Kingfisher, Letcombe Brook, Oxon
14 October 2025
Perched on a lower branch after eating a tiny fish.
Click to enlarge |
 |
Kingfisher, Letcombe Brook, Oxon
30 September 2025
The same bird as below flying off, using pre-capture to get
this photo.
Click to enlarge |
 |
Kingfisher, Letcombe Brook, Oxon
30 September 2025
There was strong sun on the background that was glowing with
autumnal colours. This juvenile Kingfisher was unfortunately in
deep shade, requiring a fair amount of "Photoshopping" to improve
its appearance.
Click to enlarge |
 |
Little Egret, Letcombe Brook, Oxon
30 September 2025
A photo notable for the dark background, the reasonable reflection
and the autumnal colour in the brighter area of water which was
due to the bird's movements, I think.
Click to enlarge |
© All
pictures copyright Stephen Burch |
