Festival of Flight at the Shuttleworth Collection 01
Aviation Photography of a DH88 Comet from the Shuttleworh Festival of Flight Air Show in Bedfordshire
The DH.88 Comet was built during the period between the World Wars where the aircraft industry and the public were focussing on racing. The Comet was built in 1934 for the England to Australia MacRobertson Air Race. The development of the Comet was seen as a prestige project as it incorporated most of the then modern technologies.
DH.88 G-ACSS Comet taking off at the Shuttleworth Collection
The aircraft went under rapid development as the maiden flight was only six weeks before the race. Something that would not be achievable in modern times. Three aircraft were produced and purchased by private buyers for the race. Comet G-ACSS Grosvenor House won the race. After the race another two Comets were produced.
The Shuttleworth Collection acquired the Comet in 1965 after it had been used for static display. In 1972 the Shuttleworth Collection re-registered the plan in the original registration, G-ACSS, for retotqrtion to flying condition, which was achieved in 1987.
The first time I saw an American Dipper was in November 2014. I was on a Bald Eagle workshop with Moose Peterson in Haines, Alaska.
It was a very dull and dark day and I saw this tiny (compared to Bald Eagles) quickly working along the river bank. I asked what it was and Moose said an American Dipper. Of course the light was so poor I couldn’t get a good image. Unfortunately, I did not see it during the rest of the workshop.
So whenever I am shooting near a balling brook or an active stream I am hoping to see an American Dipper – but it did not happen until this May.
Having visited Valles Caldera in New Mexico and picked up some new birds for me, we took a drive to a small village called Jemez Springs. While taking landscape images of an unusual Soda Dam, a friend pointed out an American Dipper flitting about. So after a quick lens change I just captured it as it flew under the Soda Dam. Believing that ti was visiting the stream above the Soda Dam waterfall, we hiked round and watched the Dipper for fifteen to twenty minutes, as it flitted around the stream.
An American Dipper enjoying a snack.
I really love it when I can get a photograph of a bird enjoying a meal.
An American Dipper dipping
Another thing I always admire is when the plumage just blends in with the landscape.
There are three types of “Black-throated” Warblers: Green, Blue and Gray. The colour in the name refers to the colour of the plumage on the top of the head and down the back.
The Black-throated Green Warbler is olive-green, white below, with yellow faces and black on the front. Adult males are stunning, with a bright yellow face and extensive black on the throat turning to black streaks on the flanks. Two bright white wingbars are a distinguishing mark amongst Warblers.
Their migration is usually around the Gulf of Mexico (although some fly straight across the Gulf) from the southern tip of Florida, central Carribean countries, the North of South America and Mexico. They migrate through the southern and central states to summer in the north-eastern states and the southern parts of the Canadian Provinces, except British Columbia
Male Black-throated Green Warbler during spring migration.Black-throated Green Warbler in Magee Marsh in Ohio.The “Green” of a Black-throated Green Warbler clearly visible.
Gear: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S, Nikkon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.66 VR S, Nikkon Z TC-1.4*, RRS Monopod and Head.
The Black-and-White Warbler is easily distinguished from other warblers by the way it moves on the limbs and branches of trees. It scurries, climbs up and descends along the branches looking for insects to eat. Very often they can be seen hanging upside down on a branch in their search for nourishment. It is also distinctively marked with black and white stripes all over its body and head.
They winter in Florida, Columbia through Central America and the Carribean Islands and are some of the first warblers to migrate and the migrate through the south of the southern states and the central states in America to summer in most of the eastern states and Canadian Provinces, except British Columbia.
I first saw Black-and-White Warblers during a migration fallout caused by severe weather in Fort de Soto in Florida many years ago and it was great watching them gathering bugs from the tree bark again.
Black-and-White Warbler in Magee Marsh in OhioBlack-and-White Warbler searching for bugs in Magee Marsh in OhioBlack-and-White Warbler in Magee Marsh in Ohio
Gear: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S, Nikkor Z Tc-1.4*
The Cape May Warbler, while being one of the species passing through Magee Marsh, was the most evasive. There was very limited visibility of the male Cape May Warbler, dodging around non-stop making it extremely hard to get a picture (but, of course that is his job!). However, on my penultimate day a female Cape May Warbler treated me to a fairly good session involving lots of poses and a good period of pruning.
The Cape May Warbler migration passes through most of the states on the Eastern side of America to spend the summer in the lower half of the Canadian Provinces, except in the west. Here they nest for breeding before returning to the West Indies for winter.
The name refers to Cape May in New Jersey, where it was originally spotted by George Odd, but then not recorded for the next 100 years.
The very obliging female Cape May WarblerA glimpse of the elusive male Cape May WarblerThe male Cape May Warbler posing for the cameras
Gear: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S, Nikkor Z 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VR S, Nikkor Z TC-1.4*, RRS Monopod and head.
Links to my other posts for the Spring Bird Migration are below
The Magnolia Warbler has a distinctive black neckband with black streaks that radiate from the neckband giving the impression of a jeweled necklace. The Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) is often confused with the Magnolia as it also has the jeweled necklace, but the Magnolia has other black streaks along its body and white wing bars and head marks, whereas the Canada has a blue head, back and wings.
Photograph of a Magnolia Warbler in Magee Marsh in OhioPhotograph of a Magnolia Warbler in Magee Marsh in Ohio
Gear: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S, RRS Monopod and head.
This visit to Maggee Marsh Wildlife Area in Ohio is the first time that I have seen the Prothonotary Warbler. It is quite different from most other Warblers to look at as it does not have a distinctive cap or stripes along the body. Yes it does have a distinctive shade of yellow, as do many warblers. In fact the name is because the plumage represents the yellow of robes once worn by papal clerks.
It was often seen on the ground, which is quite muddy, flipping over leaves looking for that tasty bug to eat.
The Prothonotary warbler migrates from South America from mangrove to the central and eastern states for the summer, to find a partner and breed, usually in hardwood swamps.
Photograph of a male Prothonotary Warbler in Magee Marsh in OhioPhotograph of a male Prothonotary Warbler in Magee Marsh in Ohio
I posted this on Instagram the other day hoping it would also post here and on Facebook. No such luck!
A first visit to the marshes on the southern side of Lake Erie in northern Ohio. The mission is to photograph the migration of warblers as they rest a little after their northward migration in order to get ready to fly across the water. The first day was a visit to Magee Marsh Wildlife Area and Ottawa National Wildlife Reserve. This image was captured in Ottawa NWR. The first time I saw a Yellow Warbler was in Churchill, Manitoba on a trip to photograph shorebirds in their brilliant mating plumage.
Photograph of a Yellow Warbler in Ottawa NWR in Ohio
Gear: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S, Nikkor Z TC-1.4*
As the week at the Marshes on the Southern Shore of Lake Erie in Ohio progresses, this very distinctive bird call was teasing me. The call was from a Warbling Vireo, I could get a sense of direction, but could not find it. The trees are in full leaf and I think the birds use this to hide from the mass of birders walking around Maggie Marsh Wildlife Area. This being the “Biggest Week for Birding” in America, and Maggee Marsh is the centre of attraction for the migration of the Warblers, and other birds.
Photograph of a Warbling Vireo in Magee Marsh in Ohio
Planning the first visit in 2016, the received wisdom was “you will want to go back!”. Too true. However, it was not to be as soon as wished, but we are there at last.
The journey has been a long one spread over a couple of months. Leaving Tucson on the 15th March and arriving in Haines on the 12th May. (5215 Miles)
When planning the trip, which should last into autumn, it was expected to be a final trip. But making the last leg from Chilliwak, BC, on day three I said to myself “this is not the last time I make this magnificent drive. The Frazer valley, then the Frazer Gorge, the mountains through British Columbia and then The Yukon Territory are just stunning.
The roads in BC were fairly good to drive on and the Alaska Highway from Mile 0 was really good, but of course it would not last!
As yet the climate was still quite chilly with lots of frozen lakes and snow on the mountains. The water in Muncho Lake is famous for being a turquoise colour and it was wonderful to see the ice was the same colour as the water.
Frozen Muncho Lake and Mountains, BC
But as you approach Haines Junction, YT you get a first glimpse of the Kluane Mountain Range, you know you must com back to the land of snow capped mountains everywhere.
Well worth the journey and yet just a beginning.
However, I must share my bias as I really love black and white photography….
The Kluane Range from The Alaska Highway
Then taking the Haines Highway from Haines Junction, YT to Haines, AK you drive for 150 miles through the mountains, often the mountains are right up to the road on both sides.
Snow Covered Mountains of the Kluane Range
Gear: Nikon Z 6 II, Nikkor Z 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 VR S, Sony Digital Film, Nik 6 Silver Efex
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