Milton Country Park

This morning's few photographs, but there are more to come................!   There is always delight in seeing a young Great Crested Grebe watching a parent fishing and then loudly demanding for the fish to be passed on.  

Different walk around Research Park

Venturing round a different part of the Park did bring some different images this morning.

I have no idea what this water beetle might be but there were lots of them around and they were like twinkling lights on the surface of the water.   Certainly the first Chalkhill Blue Butterflies I've seen this year and not near chalk!   The reflections were strong and graphic - they are of new buildings which have been commissioned this year.

Random images from Research Park

Nothing of note to record from this morning's walk really, but don't want to get out of the habit of posting!   The field where I saw a couple of hares the other day has been planted with sweetcorn I think, and these smalls plants standing in water were more graphic with reflections.   Recent sightings of Kestrel have not led to a pounce on an unsuspecting rodent, just a hover.   And I can't resist the Daisies.........

Grain Crop - 6 June

Used a shallow depth of focus and allowed the movement generated by the gentle breeze to have an affect on the images.

Hare at Research Park

About four or five weeks ago I watched bewitched as three Hares raced about a grain crop.   I haven't posted those photographs yet, but I shall!   Yesterday on an adjacent field, without much of a crop showing yet, I saw two Hares and am left wondering what the chances are that they might be the same Hares.   What a running action they have!

Marguerite Daisies at Research Park

There is a bank of these Daisies near the hide and I just love them!   Have yet to be satisfied with photographs I've taken as I find it difficult to capture the freshness and profusion of them.

Barn Owl at Worts Meadow

This was the first Barn Owl I had seen here and the sighting has enhanced my day.

 I think the orchid is an Early Purple and it is always a joy to see a Whitethroat.

Lazy Otter

This morning's walk is evidence of just how wildlife is maturing since I last posted from this place.   The first image captures the watery nature of the walk and the misty weather earlier in the day.   Had not expected this boat to have a light on, but perhaps its journey had started in more misty conditions.   I enjoyed the light reflected in the water and was what I noticed first.

 The water lilies  are about to burst into full flower and the Great Crested Grebe had made a nest near by.   Although this Grebe's posture fooled me into thinking a mate might be close by, a second Grebe did appear after this adult had left the 'nest' and both seemed to go off independently.  I'm never sure why adult and juvenile Grebes hand a leg out the back at times.

   There were plenty of Whitethroats about, sometimes calling and sometimes quiet.   The lower two birds I think are Reed Warblers.

 I enjoy capturing Coot and Moorhen taking off - this is a Coot.

 An unusual poppy to find here, so perhaps it had been a seed from a garden poppy at some stage.

 This West Highland Terrier was enjoying 'being a dog' as it bounced its way towards us.........

Wagtails at Bottisham Lock

I was hoping to capture some Swallows but they were not much in evidence, so at this point I don't know whether the numbers are down or whether the wet and windy weathers recently have disturbed the breeding routine.   There is obviously a Pied Wagtail nest very near the Sluice with plenty of dragonflies or damselflies for the taking.   I've seen Grey Wagtails near the lock in previous years so reassuring to see one recently.

So, what happened to May postings?

Well, I am still here and have lots of postings to catch up with.  I'm now 70, have some exciting photographs to post, have had a break away and Robin has been in hospital a couple of times.  However, I think our life is returning to a new normality at home, so I shall get posting tonight.

These photographs were taken in Milton Country Park this morning and I noticed just how much of the flora at present is white or pink.   My maternal grandfather diligently picked the first dog rose he saw each year to give to my grandmother and those thoughts were with me this morning.   Although not raining on the walk, we have had a huge amounts of rain and wind recently and the roses in particular showed evidence of the un-June like weather.