Graeme Smart

Red deer calf and a young stag, with antlers in velvet, being bothered by flies. Scottish Highlands earlier this month. (Phonescoped)
#naturephotography #wildlifephotography #wildlifevideo #deer #phonescoping #ukwildlife

A Grey heron hunting on Loch Long, Kyle of Lochalsh.
Not sure what was on the menu (any fish experts out there able to ID the fish?)
#ukbirds #NEbirding #phonescoping

The Argument.
Hooded crows by Loch Long, Kyle of Lochalsh earlier this month.
("No, I’m not in a huff, you’re in a huff."
"Whatever. Bored now.")
#UKbirds #phonescoping #ornithology

These grumpy-looking Turnstones at Cresswell Pond this morning were definitely in "Team Lapwing" when it came to the weather.
#NEbirding #UKbirds #Phonescoping #Digiscoping #SuperSeabirdSunday

A rainy morning on the Northumberland Coast earlier today.
Lots of Gannets heading north past Church Point, Newbiggin.
This Lapwing at Cresswell seemed very unimpressed with the weather! The Knot, not so bothered by it.
#NEbirding #UKbirds #Phonescoping #Digiscoping

Curlew Sandpiper among the Dunlin at St Mary's, Whitley Bay in fading light las Friday was a very busy little bird. Never still!, which made phonescoping it "challenging"
#NEbirding #UKbirds #Phonescoping #Digiscoping

This beautifully patterned Curlew was chilling on the Aln Estuary yesterday. Moult underway? (Digiscoped)
#NEbirding #UKbirds #Digiscoping

And this Ruff was at Cresswell Pond yesterday at roughly the same time as the one at East Chevington. Digiscoped about 20 minutes after the East Chevington bird.
#NEbirding #UKbirds #Digiscoping

This Ruff was at East Chevington yesterday.
Digiscoped.
#NEbirding #UKbirds #Digiscoping

Nice views (even though brief, and distant) of a Long-eared owl hunting at Druridge Pools this morning. Digiscoped. (Bird found by others)
#NEbirding #UKbirds #Digiscoping

Could this be the most photographed bird in the North East at the moment?
The Black-crowned Night Heron at Marden Quarry showed well again yesterday afternoon.
I think those spiny fins tickled a bit on the way down. Digiscoped. #NEbirding #UKbirds #Digiscoping

The Spoonbills at Druridge Pools yesterday eventually obliged and came closer to Budge Hide, so less heat haze.
Nice birds! And lovely to watch them feeding. (Digiscoped)
#NEbirding #UKbirds #Digiscoping

The 2 Spoonbills at Druridge Pools eventually showed well (if a little distant and through heat haze) yesterday. Noticeable size difference between the two.
Digiscoped (No sound)
#NEBirding #UKBirds #Digiscoping

It may be distant, and it may be shaky. But its definitely a Garganey! (Tick)
Hedgeley Gravel Pits, Northumberland on Monday.
(Digiscoped)

#NEbirding #ukbirds #digiscoping

The drake Ring-necked duck at Hedgeley Gravel Pits, Northumberland on Monday.
Looking particularly handsome in the bright sunshine.
(Digiscoped)
#NEbirding #ukbirds #digiscoping

Had a good few days up in the Cairngorms last month with some (distant) but great views of a Raven mobbing a Golden eagle.
These two photos are from the same sequence with the birds close together but look at the apparent size difference a small movement or change of angle can make.
#ukbirds

Spring had definitely sprung for these Dippers last month!

(Sound muted because its a very noisy river)
#NEbirding #ukbirds

Close up of a Great Crested Grebe swimming towards the camera. He's just done washing himself, so he looks a bit wet and all crestfeathers are pointing up/

A pond without a #GreatCrestedGrebe is only half as attractive as when these beautiful #birds are there. Time flies watching these funny birds hunt, make court or fight each other. They're also quite photogenic.

#PodicepsCristatus #BirdsinLatin #Canon #Birding #Birdphotograpy #Wildlife

Lovely to see the Avocets back on the Northumberland coast. These were two of eight at Cresswell Pond on a warm morning on 20th March. (Digiscoped)
#NEbirding #UKbirds #digiscoping

Having a bit of a catch up on editing digiscope videos.
Dark-bellied Brent goose showing off his best side - all of them!
Backworth Flash 13/2/25.
Digiscoped (approx 150m)
Not sure I would have remembered that dark "seam" up the back of the neck from an ID book.

#NEbirding #UKbirds #Digiscoping

He came.
He stalked.
He struck.
He caught.
He dropped it.

He thought for a moment (cursing quietly under his breath) then decided that none of the above had ever happened.
We agreed to never speak of it again.

Grey heron, (windy) Northumberland (Digiscoped)
#NEbirding #Ukbirds #Digiscoping

A windy day at Snab Point, Cresswell today but really enjoyed the views of the two Black redstarts there. (Digiscoped). #NEbirding #UKbirds #Digiscoping

A Curlew. Putting that long bill to good use on the Blyth Estuary earlier this month. Digiscoped. (No sound) #NEbirding #UKbirds #digiscoping

Thanks to @leicesterllama.bsky.social for the ID correction. 😁. This is actually a female Pochard. Every day's a school day! (Will need to revisit and search for the Ring-necked duck reported to be there)

Thanks Andy. New to this birding game so always happy to be corrected on ID.😁 I knew there was one on the lake somewhere so I guess I've just jumped to the wrong conclusion when this bird cruised into view. Thanks as well for the explanation and tips. 👍

You know that feeling when you've got all the way into the room before you realise you're at the wrong meeting and try to quietly slip out again before anyone notices? Happens to Lapwings too.
#NEbirding #birds #digiscoping
(Cresswell Pond, Northumberland. Digiscoped. No Sound)

The female Ring-necked duck at Ladyburn Lake, Northumberland earlier this week. Dull, windy conditions but showing off the tri-coloured bill well. She could motor against the wind when she wanted to! (Digiscoped. No sound)
#NEbirding #birds #digiscoping

Petrol-tinged wings! Lapwings. Jostling for space and sorting out who stands where at a high-tide roost at Cresswell Pond, Northumberland. A brighter day last month. Redshanks in the background. Digiscoped. #NEbirding #birds #digiscoping

Good to meet you at Holywell today and thanks for the tips about Clumber Park. Did you manage to connect with the Water pipit later?

A dank, dreary, and windy day at Ladyburn Lake today but managed to connect with the male and female Scaup. (Pochard and Tufted duck in the background). (Digiscoped. No sound)
#NEbirding #UKbirds #Digiscoping #addBirder