Three Shires Head

I recently visited Three Shires Head, a picturesque spot where the counties of Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire meet. The River Dane flows underneath a pack horse bridge and down a series of waterfalls at this point. By standing in the centre of the spot you can hear a background sound similar to that of a jet engine as the various waterfalls echo around the rocks.

Three Shires Head © Shared Earth Photography

Despite the promise of a good weather forecast it was a very misty morning and so the majority of my photos were close ups of the various waterfalls. I was therefore able to keep the flat and uninspiring sky out of most of my shots.

Close up of the River Dane 

© Shared Earth Photography

Winter migrants

At this time of year many species of bird will migrate to Britain from Scandinavia, Greenland, Iceland, and eastern Europe to avoid the harsh winters of these territories. Winter migrants are attracted to Britain by our mild winters which bring more opportunities to find food. Although our last two winters have been particularly severe it still pays to make the journey because the weather from where they have travelled will be even worse.

 Male goldeneye © Shared Earth Photography

There are many species of wildfowl which are winter migrants and so a trip to your local lake at this time of year can reward you with sights of more unusual birds. I spent yesterday afternoon doing just that and arrived to find the majority of the lake was frozen. These conditions had forced all the wildfowl towards the busy end of the lake where people feed the ducks and I was rewarded with some close views of winter migrants. Amongst the mallards and other regulars were goldeneye and a wigeon, a species of duck which I've never seen at this lake before. There were also more unusual species of seagull which had been drawn inland such as a lesser black backed gull that dwarfed the resident black headed gulls.

 Female goldeneye © Shared Earth Photography

So the next time you visit your local lake or pond to feed the ducks keep an eye out for any unfamiliar birds because the chances are that they are a migrant.

Happy New Year

Sun obscured by storm clouds © Shared Earth Photography

 

Shared Earth Photography would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year. I would like to thank all the people who have done business with us and I look forward to working with new clients in 2011 and beyond.

 

Throughout the past 12 months I have enjoyed the challenge of expanding into new areas of photography such as social events and portraiture. It's always a pleasure to see the reaction of a happy client when they see a photograph of themselves and are pleased with how I've portrayed them.

Wildlife photography continues to give me thrills when I manage to capture an image of the subject which I've been striving for. The last 12 months have enabled me to take photographs of many species which are new to me and I look forward to the opportunities which 2011 has in store.

I'd like to end this post by thanking everyone who follows and supports Shared Earth Photography. All the best for 2011!

Mike Batty