Glynn Hobbs - imageweaver

One of the largest seabirds of the North Atlantic, the gannet is spectacular as it plunges into the sea in pursuit of fish. All images taken with my Nikon D500 and Nikon 200-500 f5.6 lens. Point of impact! The gannet is the largest seabird in the North Sea region. When it spreads its wings, it measures up to 1.5 meters in width. Gannets live up to 35 years and swim and fly almost their entire life in and above the sea, only coming on land to nest. In order to take flight, they need to catch a good wind under their wings. On land that would mean a running start, but gannets are too clumsy on land. That’s why they nest high up on steep coasts, where the strong seawind is forced upward against the rocky wall. All they need to do to take off is to spread their wings. Gannets nest in colonies. The gannet colonies on the Scottish Bass Rock and Ailsa Craig have been around for centuries. The female first starts laying eggs at five years old. Both parents ta...

I'm a keen amateur nature photographer who NEVER leaves home without my camera and at least a couple of lenses. My hatred of zoo's and 'staged' photographs means that ALL of my images are taken 'in the field'. This approach does limit me to what subjects are available to me, but ensures that all of my images are 'natural'. Much of my enjoyment and satisfaction of getting a great shot, comes from the knowledge that I have had to work hard to achieve it. This can include trekking for many miles, in all weathers and spending many hours either in my portable hide, or stealthily getting as close as possible to my subject. One of the most common questions that I am asked, is what gear do I use and why did I choose it?  I have been meaning to answer that question in a blog for quite a while now, but never seem to get the time. Anyway, today has dawned very cold, wet, miserable and misty, so I guess now is a good time to give you my answers and hopef...

There has been a serious, countrywide, decline in the numbers of many birds, including many well known and loved species such as the song thrush, skylark, starlings, blackbirds and house sparrow. Their numbers have fallen by an alarming 85% in just 30 years and they have now become a rare sight in our gardens. Once common in our gardens, the Dunnock is now a very rare sight! This decline has been gradual in some species, but simply alarming in others. Most of the declining species are farmland birds. On the other hand, most woodland species such as the blue tit, nuthatch and great spotted woodpecker are still doing alright. However, declines may have started in woodland habitat also, with lesser spotted woodpecker and willow tit now red-listed because of their severe declines. Extensive research has shown that these declines are caused primarily by changes in agriculture. Although the actual factors that cause the decline are similar to most species, the e...