Black Squirrel

Soon I hope I shall be posting some images from my trip to Clevedon and Bath.  This morning I managed to take some photographs of a Black Squirrel without a pane of glass in between - an improvement on taking photographs through the window!   Yes, it does look as though she will have some young somewhere but I haven't spotted them yet.

In the Workshop

Robin had a very well equipped workshop (handtools and machines) for all the wood working he did.   On occasion Kevin makes use of some of his tools and on this occasion he was sharpening the blade from the lawn mower with a grinder!   I can't make up my mind whether I prefer the colour or monochrome 'grinding' image.

This morning I saw three Cormorants fishing in the same place and at the same time and imagined they were members of the same family.   It was a grab shot and record shot............

Bottisham Sluice

I hadn't seen the sluice gates open before but like most mechanical things I guess they do need to be checked they are still operating effectively once in a while.    Another first was to see the use of an out-board motor on the side of one of two sailing boats to get both boats down stream at a steady pace.   The Red Admiral butterfly was in very good condition for what I assume is towards the end of the season.

Punting on The Cam

There have been 40+ years between my first outing in a punt in Cambridge and the second - and I've lived in Cambridge all that time!   Today, as part of a birthday celebration (not mine), five of us were punting ourselves upstream of Silver Street towards Grantchester where we had a fulsome picnic.    The temperature was fine but we did get caught in some quite heavy rain and saw the most vibrant rainbow I've ever seen.    Sadly I didn't get any photographs of it.

The range of greens seen on the trip was magnificent and would have benefitted from a DSLR treatment, particularly with the reflections of the overhanging trees.   On a couple of occasions the pole got stuck in thick mud so the paddle was deployed to turn about and become reunited with the pole.

Swallows at Bottisham Lock

As I took a camera with me on this morning's dog walk, after a few days in Dorset, it's as easy to post these now and catch up not only with months of photographs but Dorset too.

I have been hoping to get a really decent photograph of a Swallow snatching a drink for a long while, and still keep trying!

Wagtails - 16 August

It isn't often one sees Yellow Wagtails so I was keen to visit the site where some had been seen recently on the Suffolk border.   In the event there were only Pied Wagtails - a couple of adults and a young one.   They are keeping the postings going..............

Water Lillies - 12 August

It wasn't until I settled on taking a number of photographs of Water Lillies that I noticed just how many insects are attracted to this flower.   Not to include insects meant being patient and/or adjusting the view point.   Is the flower more attractive when there's a reflection or is the large leaf an important inclusion?

Lazy Otter

There are not that many birds, butterflies or dragonflies to be seen on walks these mornings, but I think the walk alongside The Great Ouse has as much as any other destination for 'things on the wing'.

I remember when a flock of House Sparrows was seen often.   This flock was enjoying a veritable feast of wheat grain before flying off to pastures new.   I wonder if this pair of Crested Grebes is the same one as produced a brood earlier in the season and has successfully raised another three chicks.   Both 'families' have been found in the same waters.

Wicken Fen

It has been a long time since I was on Wicken Fen.   This morning I took my usual route - from the Upware end.   Predictably there wasn't much on the wing;  it was just lovely though to be there again and to see two young Common Terns from West Mere Hide after seeing a folk of Canada Geese.   The Small Tortishell butterfly sat on dry mud, the Sweet Rush was in the Lode and the pictures of Straw Bales were taken on the way home.

Worts Meadow - 11 August

Boo doesn't walk far these days as she is nearer 14 years than 13 so a gently walk through the woods keeps her moving and gives me opportunities to take photographs.   The dappled light was attractive, someone had left their jacket on a bench overnight and a Linnet launched the day.