www.stefmcelwee.com

Bird Photography

I am first and foremost a birder with a growing interest in photographing the birds I travel to see both locally and further afield.

I am a keen patch worker and along with Jimmy Steele spend much of my time at Newbiggin, Northumberland. Between us we have managed to 'dig out' such gems as Black-faced Bunting, Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler, Blyth's Reed Warbler, Western Bonelli's, Greenish and Hume's warbler, Short-toed Lark and Pallid Swift. New birds for the patch this year include Franklin's gull, Pacific Golden Plover, Greenish warbler and Nuthatch. Come along and give us a hand if you are passing, there are plenty more to be found.

I have been birding for over 25 years but really cut my teeth as a warden on the fabulous Farnes and Blakeney Point in the early 1990s.

The Fea's Petrel that flew past me in June 1997 still rates as one of my most exciting birding memories on one of my favourite birding locations. I enjoy a twitch and go for new birds whenever possible, particularly out of peek migration periods. The Belted Kingfisher twitch cost me the Newbiggin Franklin's gull so the balance is a delicate one….

Watching birds abroad is a major interest and I have enjoyed recent trips to Costa Rica, New Zealand, Gambia, Kenya, Estonia and Cyprus.

I have been photographing birds for about 6 years with varying amounts of success. All the photographs on this site are taken using Canon equipment. I use a 500mm EF IS USM lens for most shots but revert to the old FD 600 and 800mm on occasions. I am a huge fan of the Canon 20D and this is my camera of choice.

I hope you enjoy the images and that they bring back happy memories of some fantastic birds and places.

Good birding
Stef