As a wildlife photographer, I am always on the lookout for new and interesting subjects to photograph. On this particular day, I decided to head to Rossall Beach in Fleetwood to try and capture some images of the elusive snow bunting. Photographing Snow Buntings had been on my list for a while and it was a great way to end 2022.
The weather was far from ideal, with a steady rain falling and a cold wind whipping off the sea. But I knew that the snow bunting would be used to such conditions, as they migrate to the shores of the UK each winter in search of food.
I arrived at the beach mid-afternoon, hoping to catch the snow buntings as they came in to feed. As I approached the long grasses that line the shore, I could see a group of about five of the birds darting about, picking at the seeds and scraps that had been left behind by the previous tide.
I crouched down low, trying to get as close as possible to the birds without disturbing them. It was important to get as low as possible, as I wanted to capture the snow buntings in their natural habitat, with the beach and the sea as the backdrop.
The snow buntings were surprisingly tame, and I was able to get quite close to them as they went about their business. I set up my camera, adjusting the settings to get a nice, low depth of field with a reasonably fast shutter speed. I wanted to freeze the action of the birds as they moved about, while still having a nice, soft background to the images.
As I watched the snow buntings, I couldn’t help but be struck by their beauty. Despite their small size, they were incredibly elegant, with their black, brown, and cream/buff plumage and delicate, beak-like bills. I snapped away, trying to capture as many different angles and poses as I could.
After a while, the snow buntings started to move off, flying back further down the coast in search of more food. I packed up my gear and headed back to my car, feeling satisfied with the images I had captured.
The experience of photographing snow buntings on Rossall Beach was one that I will never forget. Despite the cold and wet conditions, I was able to get some truly beautiful shots of these amazing birds. And I learned that, no matter what the weather, there is always the chance to capture something truly special if you are willing to put in the time and effort. So, it was a great day for me as a wildlife photographer.