Wild boar

Wild boar have always been very hard to see in the Forest of Dean, but on the last two visits I have been able to photograph a small group quite well. The first day was far too sunny and the light in the woodland contrasty. So I returned a few days later when it was more overcast. All taken with the Olympus EM1 Mk2 and the 40-150mm lens.

Wild boar, Sus scrofa, by roadside, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, February 2018

Wild boar, Sus scrofa, single animal running, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, February 2018

Wild boar, Sus scrofa, single animal, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, February 2018

Wild boar, Sus scrofa, single animal, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, February 2018

Wild boar, Sus scrofa, single animal, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, February 2018

Wild boar, Sus scrofa, single animal, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, February 2018

Wild boar, Sus scrofa, single animal, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, February 2018

Long-tailed tit

I have sold all my Canon camera bodies, but hung onto the lenses for now in the hope that Canon announce a top of the range mirrorless system in the spring. I do not want to use a DSLR every again. I have got too used to the wonderful advantages of a mirrorless camera. The Pro-capture feature is my favourite and I keep looking for the opportunity to use it. I have it set so it takes 14 pictures before I press the button and only 1 after. I get 15 pictures each time. This helps to reduce the editing time that would otherwise be very high at 60 frames per second.

I do like the Olympus for being small and light, but it is not the biggest draw for me. I can still cope with the heavier Canon gear and would like to see a full chipped mirrorless Canon body.

This long-tailed tit is flying towards a feeder and the camera manually prefocused in the flight path.

Long-tailed tit, Aegithalos caudatus, single bird in flight, Warwickshire, February 2018. Olympus EM1 MK2. 40-150mm lens. 1/8000th f7.1. 3200 iso. Using the pro-capture at 60 fps.

Hawfinch

There have been a lot in the country this year and several have been seen on the estate where I do most of my photography. This is the first one to pose in front of a hide at a feeding station.

Hawfinch, Coccothraustes coccothraustes, single bird on branch, Warwickshire, February 2018. Olympus EM1 MK2. 300mm lens with 1.4 extender. 1/800th at f5.6. 3200 iso.