Why?

Apart from being a great bird photographer, I wanted to tap into Kev's in-depth knowledge of the 'must visit by any bird photographer' site - Gigrin Farm.

Kev Joynes

Day Job?

Thankfully, I am now retired, after a lifetime teaching. I can now choose the good weather to photograph birds-theoretically- in practice its amazing how much cloud pursues me around the country! My long-suffering wife is in the same position, i.e. retired, so she does most of the navigating on distant forays. The job did teach me about patience, as Matt mentions, it is an absolute must .I have only started photographing birds since2005.Previously we went all over the British Isles photographing orchids-much cheaper! I am therefore on a very steep learning curve at an age when learning is a very slow process.

Gear?

I use a Nikon D200 and a D80-hopefully soon moving on to the 300. The workhorse lens is a Sigma 500-when forced ,I add a 1.4 converter, though this is very unsatisfactory: I had to doctor it to get auto-focus, so I am not happy with the results, especially when I see what others do with their Canon gear! I also use a Sigma 300 2.8 which is fine on those rather rare occasions when birds are very close e.g. at Gigrin. Usually the common problem is distance: we all want to get closer. Hence the dreadful  behaviour  of some “pros” at twitches-I have to say this can be infuriating. However, see below for my answer, under “lottery”. My Gitzo tripod is an essential luxury-pity I can hardly stagger along with all my gear!!

RB follow up question – I’ve often wondered about the Sigma 300mm f2.8, can it take a x2 teleconverter in terms of auto focus & image quality?

Yes,it will take a 2x and retain auto focus, but I would stick with a 1.4x. I much prefer to avoid the 2x, though I see superb results from Canon teleconverters.

Fieldfare - A striking image of this beautiful winter visitor 

Style?

 I really think I am too much of an amateur as yet, and perhaps other people are better situated to judge, still,  I do try for a clean ,uncluttered image-keeping it as simple as poss. Usually , the tele lens and shallow depth of field do this for you. I also like “balanced “ images- its good to have the bird looking INTO the pic, but not too much – the good old rule of “thirds “ is a very helpful guide. Bless those Greeks! I would add that until I saw your pics , stationary birds were  the goal. Now I am greatly enlightened and try for flight shots whenever possible. Lastly I do like a bit of humour occasionally, as with the woodpecker, or owl.

P.S. As I can't give you credit, can I just say that Chris Grady of Hereford fame (RB - See my link to his site at the end of this article) has been a great influence-it was one of his Kite pics that really spurred me on to reach for better things!

(Greater-spotted Woodpecker)

(Long=eared Owl)

Where?

I take lots of pics in our garden-especially in winter. We are quite lucky with a range of birds coming to feeders. I spend some time renewing perches around the feeders : any nice old weathered wood or mossy branches etc. I no longer like any thing “unnatural “ if I can help it-even if my perches are “manufactured! I do have to take a lot through the double-glazing ,but if I can I use a “Dome” hide or a  “pop- up” .

(Redpoll)

(Sparrowhawk - accomplished garden bird predators)

RB follow up question – What’s the most memorable bird you’ve had in your garden & why?

I was pretty impressed by the chap above: so close ,I couldn’t get him all in! (Yep..that's superb Kev!!) It’s very hard otherwise, but I have to mention the Kingfisher on my neighbour’s duck pond .

(Kingfisher - This Male was so well captured by Kev..check out those tiny little feet...Great work!!) 

I had tried all over the country and failed,  then he turned up on the doorstep!! No fish in there-just dragonfly nymphs and caddis larvae. In the pic above ,I had switched to getting Swallows on the washing line, but not to be outdone, he muscled in again. Folk seeing Birdguides must have wondered how I got Swallows and a Kingfisher on the same perch!

Further afield ,  I do travel if an interesting bird turns up. Not many locally, but the Elan Valley is good for limited species: obviously the Red Kite figures largely here and Gigrin Farm is known to all. Some turn up their nose at these “captive” birds-personally, I find this attitude a  nonsense. Gigrin  is a brilliant opportunity to get incredible pics which would be virtually impossible otherwise. So a special “Thanks” to Eithel Powell, now sadly passed on and his lovely family-I used to teach the younger ones!! They are doing a fantastic job.

 (P.s.Gigrin now has a superb photographers hide-ABOVE the others, affording outstanding views and a half roof allowing great flight shots. Nearer to Aberystwyth  is Nant yr Arian-another Kite feeding station-this one is free and has a good café right alongside the main A44).OS map 135 REF: 720 814

RB follow up question – Can you give us any other tips for Gigrin Farm, such as best time of year to visit, or which hides are best?

Go for the photographers’ hides. The best one is restricted to 5 & bumps the entry fee upto £15,but it is well worth it. Get there early. Week days are best to avoid crowds. You can book in advance. I would advise Nov- March:the light is low & behind you. Don’t go in the moult: birds look messy –it’s bad enough avoiding wing tags, never mind missing plumage. High summer= less birds as most are away nesting, though you can still have fun.

As for Redstarts & dippers the Elan Visitors Centre is a good place to start; you can’t ensure success, but last year a Redstart nested successfully in the  Car Park wall& a stroll downstream usually produces Dippers. Also  the wood around have Pied Flycatchers & Wood warblers. Of course, the Peregrines nest up above & are admired by all in the Car Park though they gave it a miss last year.

Otherwise I love going to Norfolk-Titchwell and Cley provide great opportunities : recently I enjoyed dinner whilst watching a Red Phalarope pottering in front of the superb new centre. I also adore the Highlands and Islands-Aviemore is a great place to go for a wide range of species impossible to get down here.

(Dotterel - very special images by Kev)

RB follow up question – I need Dotterel for my image bank, where & when Kev?

I go to Garreg Lwyd. Os Map 160. Ref.740 180. Or Tair Carn Isaf. OS Map 159. Ref. 683 168. Timing is tricky either the last week in April or the first in May: watch Bird Guides for precise reports.

BUT Photographers PLEASE remember: the birds come first & are tired on migration- they do not want to be chased all over the mountain .BE PATIENT.

Your Favourite photo? & Why?

I  can’t really choose  just one, but my latest fav. can be the diving Kite, as I am trying to get decent flight pics which are sharp and uncluttered-I love getting blue skies, as you might notice!

 You've won £10,000 quid on The Lottery...Spend it!

  Easy : give me the new Nikon 600mm.V.R.+ 1.4,1.7 +2x extenders, a D3 and a D300 so that I can start competing with all the Canon users who have had it their own way all these years!!!I am dying to tell Richard one day that the Canon 500mm. isn’t the best lens ever!! Sorry Richard.

My Favourite Kev Joynes  Photos

RB - I found a Roller in May 1994 at Rame, Cornwall along with birding buddy John Holmes - My best bird find!!

RB - Exquisite - These Red Kite images are brilliant...I emailed Kev at the time he posted some of them on Birdguides.

RB Question – Boy Kev, what stunning images. HOW ON EARTH did you manage to get them?

Luck & huge amounts of patience: I spend ages in the Elan Valley & the Claerwen & this young bird had got used to visitors; for a while he would come within 60 feet or so at times.

RB - Dartford Warbler caught superbly

RB - WOW..WOW!!

RB question – What’s the story behind this image, it’s fantastic?

I hasten to explain that this was on a field course run by Mark Sisson –great guy. The bird is tame & on a “road kill”-the February weather did the rest……..& I nearly got stuck in the snow all night!!

The only reservation I have with such pics is when folk try to pass them off as wild shots. Thus you will not see any of mine on Bird Guides. This also applies to the owl above.

RB - Kev's inspirational photographer - Chris Grady

RB - Checkout his superb site by clicking on the link above

MY NEXT INTERVIEW - IT'S CONFIRMED, LEE FULLER - THE SHAPE OF BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY TO COME!!

In the meantime, much thanks to Kev (who isn't Welsh, I now know) for all his patience and tolerance during the whole process. A very worthy recipient of My Essential Interview No. 2.