Nightjar

Nightjar

 

I know they are awful pictures but the thrill of seeing 2 nightjars very close was immense.

One was flying all around us before another started churring in the distance. It then gave us a "fly past" before both birds either left the area to feed or went to ground.

I'd not been watching them for maybe 20 years and to have them buzzing around my ears was fantastic.

It was virtually dark and I did try one shot with flash and I show the results as an example of "how not to do it", the flash illuminated the huge eye of the bird. It was not a major problem to the bird as I was shooting from a distance with a 500mm lens and at 1600 ISO.

A privilege to watch these amazing summer visitors to our heathland areas!

Nightjar

 

Nightjar