Insects in Toft Meadow

 It was lovely to see several sorts of butterfly this afternoon, particularly Marble White Butterflies which Ann hadn't seen in Toft before.   The conditions must have been perfect for them.

The Common Blue Butterfly was not easy to capture, but well worth attempting!

There were a number of 6 spotted Burnet Moths.   I don't know what made one of them look so much paler.

My ability to photograph smaller insects and identify them is proving that much more difficult.

Soldier Beetles, I think

Scorpion Fly

Quy Fen - Cuckoo heard x 3, seen x 2, photographed x 0!

The song of the cuckoo was as strong as it is in April/May.   Heard it several times, saw it a couple of times and failed altogether to photograph it!   Still, there were a few other things to capture.

Morning light

Morning light

Purple Loosestrife I think

Immature Broad-bodied Chaser

Goldfinch singing

Paxton Pits

Although it is always a joy to go to Paxton Pits, there weren't that many birds wanting to be photographed.   A collection of what was seen is below, but I can't identify the beetle and the damselfly - it may have just emerged as its colouring isn't typical.

Black Headed Gull

Common Tern - aerodynamic

Great Crested Grebes taking off

Juvenile Black Headed Gull chirping

Cormorant juggling something it had found.   Looks more like some wood than a fish.

Aggressive swans - The Lake

I felt like a photo journalist taking these images.   It was gruesome watching this Mute Swan attack a Greylag gosling without any provocation.   Thankfully I think the gosling got away but not until its parent entered the fray.

Worts Meadow - macro

Yesterday I took a macro lens with me and was amazed at how many different examples of natural history there were to photograph.   Many of these species I haven't yet identified, but someone might just help?!

Pyramid Orchid

Sweet Rush

Bee Orchid

Dog Rose

Eye level with a frog

The Cam

There was very little around alongside The Cam this morning, and the light wasn't that special either.   Another chance to have a go at something creative.   The only lens I had with me was the 100mm - 400mm which I used rather like a trombone.   There are options too, to start with the lens on 100mm or 400mm;  to move the lens over the full range of focal length or just part.   And so it goes on!   The first few images are of the landscape of The Cam, including some sheep on the other side of the river.   The fourth image suggests we have hills in the Fens!   All an optical illusion!

The two images which attract me the most are those of a family of Mute Swans, with just the one cygnet.   The lower image includes two dogs on the opposite bank with dogs barking and swans and swans hissing at dogs.

To complete the range of images attempted, here are some of the dogs, a tree stump with fungus on it, and the wheel of a car parked at Baits Bite Lock.

Clayhithe

During this morning's walk it began to dawn on me that many young birds must have fledged - they aren't around either!   Settled on recording the activity of a Great Crested Grebe preening, and the spinning that goes on to try and stay in the same place.   The third image captures the big shake which concluded the activity.

It is always pleasing to see a bee collecting nectar.

 

For me the colours of these flowers don't sit comfortably together.  However, it was fun creating some different images of poppies which are looking good still.

Wicken Fen, Upware

Where did the last month go!   I have so many photographs I should have submitted - and perhaps retrospectively I will.   For now, here is some of the wild life seen this morning - a windy but warm start to the day.

I was particularly pleased with the warbler image and I expect it is a Reed Warbler, but will need to check.   This was about the only dragon/damselfly to be seen this morning!

 I imagine this is a Marsh Harrier but it was rather too far away to be certain.

 I don't recall seeing a Roe Deer on the Fen before.   What a shame they always run away from the camera!