Best images of 2008

Looking through other blogs online, it occurred to me that it might be a good idea to summarise some of my best images of the year. All photos are personal and aspects appeal to some and maybe not others. All of them though, bring back fond memories of the day and the build up to capturing the images. A few shots are repeats already shown on this blog but others are previously unseen.

The images below were taken on the August Scillonian Pelagic. The image of Martin Elliott chumming the bait is a key part of the annual event. The Gannets following the boat, close Great Shearwaters and hundreds of tiny Storm Petrels were the main highlights.






Fishermen at St Ives being shadowed by Bottlenose Dolphins on the approach to the harbour.

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Black-throated Divers looking on enviously as a Great Northern tackles a flat fish at Rosevine. My tripod was about six inches into the surf to obtain this shot.



Surfing Brent Geese off Marazion Beach. A total of nine spent the autumn and winter here, sometimes very close inshore.




Three Black-winged Stilts were an unexpected find at Wiindmill Farm on the Lizard in April. I waited all evening to eventually compose three feeding together.



The Buff-breasted Sandpiper shots are one of my overall favourites of the year. Stunning September light and a very confiding bird. Two were present but never close enough together.




Black-tailed Godwit at Bowling Green Marsh in December.



Sanderling at Portscatho beach completely oblivious to my presence. I spent about two hours with this individual in December.





Female Red-footed Falcon in April, perched and fed in tall grass about 20 yards from the main road in Cyprus.



Common Buzzard at Stithians Dam in December.



Lapwing taken in very dull light late on an October evening. Adobe CS3 corrections make the image appear to be taken in full day light!



The bird of the year for me in December and one that I never dreamt of seeing in Cornwall.



A delightful image in early April, pre sunrise light, catching a lovely reddish glow.



An unbelievablely close and confiding Corncrake, utterly oblivious to our presence. It was completely confident with its own camouflage in its own environment.



The commonest shrike on Cyprus in April with over 30 individuals in the immediate area! The images below were taken from the car window.




Isabelline Shrike posed for the camera in April.



Great Spotted Woodpecker shows no fear as it fed on a dead willow tree alongside the hide at Stithians Reservoir this autumn.



Arguably the best composed, focussed and exposed shot of the year. The Dutch birders loved it and gave it six nominations (Birdpix.nl). I was pleased as well, especially as it was a pure fluke that these Goldfinches landed in front of me and fed for about a minute on the seed heads.




The image of Starling below, in good light can produce stunning pictures...this was taken early in the morning at Little London beach, Mounts Bay in December.



Black Redstart at Marazion also taken early in the morning at Little London beach, Mounts Bay in December.



Winter thrushes feeding without concern are always a delight in winter. This stunning Redwing was no exception.



St Gothians in July was the best place to see close up Sand Martins. About 40 pairs breed here. Swallows are also attracted by the activity. I liked the image below not only because flight shots are difficult, but this one captured its own shadow on the post...fluke or what?





Common Whitehtroat at Pendeen in September presented itself whilst waiting for the illusive Greenish Warbler.



One of my favourite images of the year because the April backlight does something special to the firs around the Spotted Flycatcher.



One of Cornwall's most photogenic residents. Stonechats vary considerably in differing light conditions, such as below.





Whilst a common bird, the Chaffinch still retains great character and is quite difficult to photograph. Needless to say, this shot was taken from a hide at about five yards range.