A guide to what to photography in March

If you haven’t looked out of the window lately, take a look now. Spring is well on it’s way. The days are getting longer and by the end of the month the clocks will be reverting to British summer time once more. (27th). Sunrise becomes later again, but it will only last a few weeks before you need to get up in the middle of the night to catch it. The open nature of the woodlands will start to close in as the trees start bursting into life, filtering the sunlight more and more. But while the forests get darker, so the shadows get shorter as the sun rises higher off the horizon each day.

Animals and Birds
The birdlife in March is in transit. The early summer visitors, such as the Sand-martin, will be starting to arrive whilst the over-wintering fowl including Shovellers and Teal will still be in residence. It won’t be long before they depart for their breeding grounds in Northern Europe, but they will now be sporting their full breeding plumage and spending a good deal of the time feeding up for the long flight. The odd squabble will already be taking place amongst the Coots and Moorhens as they establish pair bonds and territories for the breeding ahead. One of the more spectacular displays that is put on at this time is that of the Great Crested Grebe whose pair bonding includes a ritual dance that is well worth seeing if you can get some time at one of the many lakes that support these fascinating birds.
Another bird whose numbers increase through migrancy during March is the Red Kite with a number of birds crossing the North Sea from Scandinavia and Germany.
As the days increase in length, so the small mammals become more active and their numbers increase, providing more available prey for the larger mammals and birds that prey on them. Larger mammals are still relatively easy to see, as foliage has not reached anywhere near full cover yet and food is still has to be looked hard for.

Landscapes and Habitat
Landscape work in March may well require the type of tripod that you can sling your camera bag beneath to help hold it down as the last of the winter tries to blow it’s way through you! Though the daffodils are now in full bloom, catching them on a still day sometimes seems impossible. The last of the winter snowdrops are just as difficult and a length of garden wire is a handy thing to carry in your bag. The buds on the trees, about to burst into leaf, are probably a stiffer proposition. Pick a local one and you can photograph it daily in a form of time lapse as it opens.
It is about this time of year that the woodlands start to get a carpet of Bluebells and a trip out in the country lanes can be well worthwhile.

Dismal Evenings
Easter is early this year, falling on the last weekend of this month, so why not take the opportunity to have a go at making your own cards. Kits are available from good stationers I you don’t feel you can do it from scratch with a pack of A4 card and B5 envelopes.
The BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2010 competition is still open. Entries must be in by March 8th so hurry!'
And don’t forget this month's ePHOTOzine Competitions with some more great prizes.

If your are interested in taking part in an exhibition by ePHOTOziners, then take a look at this thread to get involved.

Around and about
Festivities around Easter should be checked out in your local events calendar.

For Dog lovers, one of the major events during March is the Crufts dog show from 11th to 14th March at the NEC, Birmingham

ePHOTOzine Meetings
There does not seem to have been much forward planning going on recently, although the meeting at Focus is still on at the beginning of the month. 

All the ePHOTOzine meetings are open to everyone, are great fun and wonderful learning opportunities for young and old alike. Check the threads for any updates.

Aerial Photography on a cold morning. (Mike Taylor. Canon 10D)

With the foliage not yet fully covering the glades, bluebells will be out in force. (Mike Taylor, Nikon 4500)

The last of the snowdrops will be replaced in the woodland glades by the Bluebells.

Cold mornings are still possible in March

Cold mornings are still possible in March

ePHOTOzine meetings are a great way to learn from others.

  (Mike Taylor 10D)