Well, November wasn't a bad month for Crossbill sightings eh?
November 27th gave me my next encounter.
Going through these after, this is January 2024, reminds me that we had some glorious weather last year, here's hoping for more of the same but, not too hot!
Not a lot ...
... to work with
As I've said before, sometimes you don't get a lot to photograph, patience and a bit of leg work often sorts that out, sometimes the birds do it for you.
When I look back through these images I think they must have sat for ages but, this male sat for just under a minute, it's the number of images the camera allows me to take in that time that is misleading.
Spotting the birds is just one part of all of this, getting yourself and the bird in a good position to get the shots is another thing altogether.
Male out of focus
In the shot above, the sharp focus is on the twig in front of the bird so the bird is actually out of focus. I was going to throw it away but thought it was useful to show the whole process of getting a good shot.
Munching male
I've also eventually learned that if I keep reasonably still, make no sudden movements, especially when they are eating, then they allow me that close. I've got a pair of thin but warm b lack gloves that mask the movement of my hands (and keep them warm)
Munching female
Male with a snack
Male getting ripped into lunch, literally
Young bird in the wind
Windy up there?
So, I'd had a good November for close contact with the Crossbills but as I've said before, it's not always that way, I often don't see any at all.
November 28th
Sometimes a distant view then nothing.
The lookout is ignoring me
That's definitely an "I'm ignoring you" look
I can't see you!
Last one, got quite a few in October / November
