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!

Quy Fen

Took the dogs to Quy Fen this morning.    There was low light and not that much to photograph, but as I want to keep the blog going, I'm including what I did see, plus a couple of photographs of Yellowhammers feeding in our garden.

Skylark in flight

Female Reed Bunting enjoying the Oilseed Rape

A male and female Yellowhammer have been frequenting our bird feeder this year.   I imagine their nest is in one of the arable fields next to us.

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Thetford Forest

Last weekend we took the van for an outing to see how our 'new' dog, Leo would cope not only with traveling in the van but also sleeping in it overnight.  In the event he was untroubled by the whole venture.   Encouraging for the summer I hope.

We stayed on a campsite with immediate access to Thetford Forest which the dogs and I enjoyed at each end of the day.

On the first evening I saw two deer which thankfully neither dog saw!   The one on the left is a Muntjac Deer and I think the lower one is a Roe Deer.
 

First thing in the morning the sun was shining and throwing shafts of light through the trees - calming and atmospheric.

 

I really enjoyed hearing and seeing some more Blackcaps, and in different vegetation.

 
















On our way home we stopped at Lakenheath Fen and I was delighted to have heard a Bittern for the first time, but didn't see it to photograph.    Hobbies were about and although I don't have enough pixels in this image, I think it does capture what Hobbies do, namely catch insects in their talons and eat them on the wing.

Worts Meadow

There is an orchid in the wood which I have not seen before called a Twayblade orchid.   I'm told it is one of four different orchids in this wood, but the others appear not to be in bloom yet.

Although not a good photograph I enjoyed listening to, and trying to photograph, this Song Thrush, so appropriately named.

In the moat is this plant which I don't know the name of yet.   Will have to do some investigating!








In the pond are numerous tadpoles - so reminiscent of childhood summers.

Ipswich Waterfront 9 May

For a while I had been wanting to visit the new Waterfront at Ipswich.   The weather didn't contribute much to the experience as it was pretty overcast most of the day, and not in a way which added atmosphere.

I was a student in the town between 1975-1977 and remember old wharfs and storage buildings, some of which remain today as the development of the area was clearly halted abruptly in 2008 and the economic downturn.

When ambling along the front it was easy to forget one was in Ipswich - one could have been in any European city.

Street art picking up the colouring of the flats behind.

Of particular interest was to see the transformation of what had been Civic College to the seat of learning called University College Suffolk (UCS).   The building appearing below is new and additional to the site which had been Civic College and is now part of UCS.   Clever use of a question mark as a statue outside!

Some cameos which again could appear anywhere, well nearly anywhere!

Birds alongside The Cam

I hesitate to say I shall turn over a new leaf, but it is a new year for me and I should like to capture it with images.

I hadn't expected to see that much bird life alongside The Cam this morning as it was overcast (not unusual) and windy.   Was delighted to watch a Grey Wagtail feeding young close to the path at Baits Bite Lock.

I also saw a Black Cap - the first of the summer for me.

Although Robin and Wren are more common birds, it is always a pleasure to enjoy their song.

To round off the morning, I saw a Goldfinch and was amazed to see just how much speed the bird generated in its first leap off a twig.   Yes, I know, the bird isn't in focus!