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Posts by darrentshaw: |
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darrentshaw Member Joined: 30 Aug 2005 No. of posts: 8  View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 30 Aug 2005
Topic: Native Crickets & Grasshoppers.
Mick, We've got a Roesel's bush cricket near our house in Weldon, Northants. I've also found them near Fineshades Wood (also Northants). This summer we have a small colony of around 5-7 possibly grey bush crickets (or dark bush crickets) on our close. The past two years we've also had an oak bush cricket make an appearance (but not this year). I do have photos and video of the Roesel's BC. |
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darrentshaw Member Joined: 30 Aug 2005 No. of posts: 8 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 30 Aug 2005
Topic: Grass Snake breeding sites
Mick, I am a keen adder spotter and have a lovely site in Northants where I am almost guaranteed to see at least one snake every visit. I've been living on the mainland (used to live in N.Ireland) now for 5 years, and in all that time I've yet to see a grass snake. I don't expect you to give away a habitat, but would you have any advice on the ideal type of site, time of day etc to spot a grass snake. They are definately a lot more elusive that adders! Thanks. |
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darrentshaw Member Joined: 30 Aug 2005 No. of posts: 8 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 31 Aug 2005
Topic: Grass Snake breeding sites
Mick. My spot is actually the edge of a field beside a lay-by on the A43. I've also seen a slow worm there, a few common lizards and a Roesel's bush cricket. I have been told that around Thrapston lakes there are plenty of grass snakes but usually there are lots of walkers about with dogs that probably scares them off. I think you might be right about Oxfordshire. My mate has just moved there and saw one in Banbury! I'll have to pay him a visit. Check the adder photo section soon, I'll post some of my pics. |
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darrentshaw Member Joined: 30 Aug 2005 No. of posts: 8 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 02 Apr 2006
Topic: Lenses
Could someone give me some advice. I've got a canon eos350d and my most photographed subject would be adders. I have the standard 18-55mm lens and I need something to get closer, before I get bitten. I'm fairly new to slr photography and the terminology,but I'm learning slowly. I'm confused about lenses. I understand that with zoom lenses the larger the figures the further it can zoom. I was thinking of getting a lens with a max zoom of around 200 or 300mm? Where I get confused is whe the term 'macro' gets involved. I always thought that macro was close-up? Can a telephoto lens also be macro? Sorry if I'm being silly. I have found this lens Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Lens at http://www.onestop-digital.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPat h=24_28&products_id=115 Would this be a good lens for getting closer to adders?
Cheers! |
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darrentshaw Member Joined: 30 Aug 2005 No. of posts: 8 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 02 Apr 2006
Topic: Lenses
Thanks Vicar. Unfortunately a lens with f/2.8 would probably be out of my price range. |
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darrentshaw Member Joined: 30 Aug 2005 No. of posts: 8 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 04 Apr 2006
Topic: Lenses
Thanks everyone. I'll go for the Sigma or the equivalent Tamron and I'll post my results. Here's one taken a week ago with the standard 18-55mm lens.  |
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darrentshaw Member Joined: 30 Aug 2005 No. of posts: 8 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 12 Jun 2006
Topic: moving newts
A week ago I found approx 32 newts in an old quarry. After this week's hot weather the water has dried up and the newt numbers have dropped drastically. Would this be caused by the heat/loss of water? Would it be wise to recue and relocate the remaining newts to a pond? |
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darrentshaw Member Joined: 30 Aug 2005 No. of posts: 8 View other posts in this topic |
Posted: 13 Mar 2007
Topic: Adders
First adder of the year in Northants on 11th March.  |
- Posts by darrentshaw |