Its been an interesting few months. I've continued to focus on bird photography of late. The bird hides I've been using in the north of Belgium have proved to be a very fruitful experience not just in the diversity of species but in terms of continuing to learn the boundaries photographically of bird photography. If you've been a regular reader of my blog you will have read my opinion that of all the disciplines in wildlife photography, I maintain bird photography is the most challenging. If you get good at bird photography, you'll get good at all wildlife photography. So I make no apologies for sharing another bird hide experience. 

Great Tit

This was a session at the end of June and as it was the middle of our supposed summer that meant that there were many common species active around the hide. I was hoping for some species I hadn't photographed in Belgium notably kingfishers and reed warblers. Alas it wasn't to be my day, neither of those birds were active around the hide. But I was gifted a lot of greater spotted woodpecker activity and a greenfinch (new to me). 

I took the time to film a vlog of the experience which you can watch here:

All of the shots in the video were taken with the Panasonic GH4 and the 100-400mm lens. This combination is proving itself more and more each time I use it. The incredible focal length just lends itself so well to bird photography. I've been really impressed with the level of detail I've been seeing in the images too. Here's a selection of my favourites from the day:

Wren

Robbin

Chaffinch

Great Tit

Greater Spotted Woodpecker

It is going to be interesting to see what these hides will deliver during the seasonal migration. They are very popular with local photographers and often booked months ahead in advance. I plan on returning as there are 8 different hides to choose from with different settings which deliver different species and of course with migration I suspect this will increase the diversity.

Until next time.

Jon