Common Darter

A glorious morning with little wind so it was no surprise to find some dragonflies about.   This is of a female Common Darter in the hedgerow around the Research Park.   Rarely does one get to see a dragonfly with an uncluttered background, unless of course, it is in flight.   Only those which hover are worth even contemplating photographing.

Sea cliff climbing in Pembrokeshire

In May I had a week in South Wales and did some exciting sea cliff climbing near Bosherston with friends.   I'm putting together a book of photographs to capture the time there and on the Gower Peninsula.   I've just sent the friends some photographs of them climbing so thought I might as well post them here too.

The first two photographs are of Nigel at the beginning of "Stennis Arete" which involved abseiling down towards the water, traversing round the corner before climbing up, out of sight of these photographs.   The middle images are of Barbara leading on "Rear Wind" which was a fantastic climb at the edge of my capability.

The last photograph is of climbers unknown who were engaged on a serious climb and the person belaying is caught in a shaft of sun light to add to the drama.

Boo's great, great grandpuppies

Boo is nearly 13 now and we can't expect her to be with us that much longer.   However, it is lovely photographing another litter of 10 of her descendants, even if they are 'ahh' photographs.  These photographs were taken on the day most of them learnt to lap milk from a bowl - a messy business in the main!   A life of eat, sleep and play at present..............

Titchwell continued...........

Although not special photographs, here is a posting of Ruff, Golden Plover, Little Stint and Crane.   These were the species which were attracting the attention of the Wardens and Volunteers, and those of us who were around to join in.

Titchwell - May 2016

Having just got round to producing a book of photographs of a day I spent with a couple of friends at the RSPB reserve at Titchwell on the last day of my seventieth year, I thought I could also post some of the photographs here.   The weather was glorious - sunny and not hot.   There were several less than common species to be seen too which made it exciting, but they will be posted on the subsequent posting.

This sets the scene............

Avocets were quite plentiful.

 It was good to see Reed Bunting and Linnet

On one part of the beach were many Starfish

Grasses at Bottisham Lock

Lovely to see two Kingfishers this morning, flying at high speed low over the water.   Didn't get to photograph them though.    Instead some monochrome captures of reeds in the water - more manageable!   Would like to display them as a panel with the first two photographs being the 'book ends' and the lower three much as they are, but I don't think I can do that display with this blog.

Treecreeper

I hadn't seen a Treecreeper for a long while and was thrilled to spot one this morning in Milton Country Park.    The lighting conditions were dreadful, but worth trying anyway.

Milton Country Park

There are a couple of fenced off areas in which wildflowers have been sown and they in turn attract insects.   Pollen may not weigh much but these bees are carrying enormous pollen sacks.   I think the middle insect is a hoverfly, also interested in landing on a poppy.

Bottisham Lock - Swallows

These Swallows are probably this year's young in that they appeared to be getting some flying and landing practice in before they flew south. 

Bottisham Lock - Swallows and Butterflies

Last Friday at Bottisham Lock there were many more photographs to take than has happened for a while.   On a buddleia were several different Butterflies, all obligingly staying still for long enough to find a decent focal plane.   A following post will include some Swallows.   The Butterflies are Peacock, Red Admiral (plus detail of proboscis), Cabbage White and Comma.

Dog at MCP

This dog was playful and clearly enjoying being a dog - until enough was enough!

Sweetcorn in Mono

This is more than the first attempt to post these images - still I think they are going to stay this time!

The Sweetcorn flowers will soon produce seeds and I expect they will be used for cattle feed rather than find their way onto our plates via markets or supermarkets.   They are the crop in the field where I'd seen hares several weeks ago but no chance of seeing hares again until the harvesting is over.   How exciting it would be to see hares crouching down on the stubble.   Will have to keep visiting the Research Park!