September 2008

Weather not been great so far this month (or should I say year) so spent some time in the

studio doing some work with Brians birds.

I know that moon again!

August 2008

Good start to this month I got hold of 4 captive breed Harvest mice 3 females and one male I will breed from these to stock up my rough grass areas also get a few images. I must admit I do like the Harvest mice they are real friendly little things and seem to enjoy the photography as much as me.

I have set up a small pool for the mice to try and get some reflection shots but have not had

great success as to yet

Also been trying to get drinking shots at Teasel and had much more luck with this

Brian's been around the last couple of weeks getting his Birds ready for the photography

workshops so I have been lending a hand and sneaking in a few shots!

Brian is know ready to start the workshops the price will be

£200.00 per day for a group of up to 5 people that's £40.00

each , he will have a website going up shortly but if interested

drop me a line and I will forward it on. The workshops at the

moment will be run on weekends.

July 2008

Well July has started quite well been doing a bit of wide angle work something I have not done a lot of so a bit of a learning curve but have quite enjoyed it, I started off   trying a few of my squirrel's and look forward to doing more of these later in the year.

I have also been doing a bit of work with my friend who is getting his birds ready to do some workshop's the birds are coming on well. I will let you know when the workshops start.

Had the Moth trap on only a couple of times this year numbers are down again but have re-done a few of the nicer ones like this Common Emerald

Also had a go at a Glow worm again, quite like the images I got of this the ones I had before would not keep still but this one was quite a star

Had some Swallows feeding young for a couple of days outside on the electric wires so I spent some time on these I wish they had stayed around a bit longer but that's Wildlife!

Spent some time up at Sandy hills trying for some shots of the Bee Killer wasp quite

pleased with a few maybe go back and try for some in flight.

Well that's July, this year seems to be flying by, nights are starting to pull in now slow

but sure.

June 2008

June has started quite well and I have found a very confiding Corn Bunting and have bagged some very nice images to date.

May do a few more if it keeps coming just can't resist

One of my friends who keeps Birds and plans to do some Photographic workshops later in the year (watch out for details) brought round his Young Barn owl and 2 young Jackdaws so we had a go at these down near my feeding station, he has these birds very confiding so when the workshops start it will be a great opportunity he also has Buzzard,Tawney owl, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Magpie at present but plans to get more if things work out OK.

I think how he has these birds trained the workshops should be very good and well worth the money!

Oh almost forgot while doing the Corn Bunting a confiding Lapwing also came in so will have a go at this   when I get time

Also done a few close ups this month and had a nice couple of hours with some Wolf spiders on an old log down at the feeding station.

I have a few Bullfinches coming to my small pond at present and have put in a new low level hide which I plan to work on for the next couple of weeks so watch this space as they say.

When waiting for Bullfinches I spent my time photographing the Squirrels these have bred this year and I have 3 young ones about which are fun to watch.

Had the 1.4 converter off all day, just put it on and !!!!!!!! just managed to squeeze him in

I plan to try some wide angle shots of these so hopefully should have some to post next month

May 2008

Had a look around Gamlingay wood today to look at the Bluebells and anything else that was about, overcast and no wind good conditions for this type of photography

Called in at Ashwell today as a few Hares were running about on a freshly drilled field but not much luck but did get a few shots of some Wagtails

Found a Hornet in house today so I done its passport photo before sending it on its way

Had some time in the low level hide today after the Turtle dove got a couple of images but I think I can get better while I was there my mate the squirrel came along so took a few shots of him as well

Shame he did not come over a bit more to get a nicer background, NEXT TIME!

I have some Great tits in my glass backed box and the eggs hatched the other day so I did a few images to get the used to me being there.

Made me laugh a bit the adult   gave this caterpillar to three different young before it found   one that could swallow it and on the next trip did the same with a beetle

Set my background and flashes up today for a few test shots to bright really and I have got some ghosting so I will need to do these on a dull day but quite pleased with the setup

Had a trip up to Bempton today, had a good day and was pleased with what i got

This one is a comp of 2 images just playing around (hands up)

April 2008

Well all in all quite a good month as to yet I kept with the hares for the first part and managed to get some good images.

I call this one "First Kiss" I   know I know

Nice to get these on a ridge and have the sky as background not often possible so you have to make the most of it

Its such a hard life being a Hare! I sat with this one for around an hour and this is all it did

I like this one the sun has just caught the Hares head and makes it stand out, nice eye as well

Had one day with some snow well a morning with some snow bit dull but managed a few frame's quite pleased with this one running

Had a group of Fallow deer through one day weather was misty but I like this group

Had a couple of wet days so spent some time in the studio with this small frog

Put in a low level hide down at the feeding station and spent a few days in there

Oh also while over Threrfield I managed a few images of Red Legged Partridge dust bathing

Well we are still getting quite a few showers and dull weather so I thought I would make the best of it and try a few "Rainy" shots not very successful but I kept a few

Played about with this probably my favorite

Another dull day today so I was clearing a space on the patio to make room to set up and try some high speed flash on birds coming to the feeders not to sure how it will go but it will be a bit of fun. I made a 4ft x 4ft cloth background which I will place about 5ft behind feeders, not sure if I will set a hide up or do it by remote from inside the house will have to see how things work out. When doing the work I came across this Tawny Mining Bee so she was my first close up of the year,

Had a look down Paxton pits tonight to try for the Nightingales but only got some distant shots will give it another go when we have a nice morning.

March 2008

Good start to this month with a few Hare pictures from up at Therfield so lets hope the month continues like this.

I done quite a bit on these Hares as they used a form not to far from the farm track, I would like to put a wide angle out on remote but not sure if the will use the form again, maybe give it a go when we get another good day.

Got a few boxing shots but I would like to get them on the ridge with a nice clean background, MUST TRY HARDER as my school report used to say.

Once the male Hare gets on the trail of a female he becomes oblivious of anything else this one came right up to the car with me firing away and moving about with excitement.

Spent about an hour with this pair of Grey Partridges who in the end came quite close only to be put up by the Farmer who came speeding by in his truck I don't think he saw the birds.

The weather is not so good now so I have had a few days in the studio doing some more Wood mice and Short Tailed Voles, must admit I quite enjoyed this. It is the first time I have done then outside a glass tank, I did not expect to have much luck with the Wood mouse but he was a star!

Got myself a Black background and been playing around in Photoshop, I know a bit cheesy!

Had the idea today to try my set near some water to get reflections, well its different!

It gives snow for Easter so maybe get a chance at the Hares again they do look good in the snow as does most things it would be nice to get a few snowy days each winter.

February 2008

A few nice days this month so I spent some time at St Albans photographing Herons which performed very well

Also had some time at the feeding station trying for Siskins but no luck so far

I had a day down in Norfolk after Barn owls I never got any real close but quite pleased with some that I took over the day

Captive bird taken at the British wildlife centre

St Albans

Had a day down the British wildlife centre this month as they had some Stoats in ermine got a few shots but nothing very special.

Scottish Wildcat

Magpie collecting sticks at St Albans

Had a look over Therfield today not many Hares about but managed to get a couple of shot's we could really do with some hard frosty and snowy weather for a few days to get them going.

January 2008

Well another year gone and a new one to look forward to. The weather up to yet has not been good, got a bit done but not as much as I would have liked. I have run a few high ISO test shots on my new 1DS MK111 and have been pleased with the results this will open up new opportunities for early and late shooting and also getting the shot you want in bad condition's here's a couple I have taken down at the feeding station.

ISO 800 no noise reduction in camera

ISO 1600 noise reduction on in camera (just found it)

Found a couple of Stonechats that allowed me to approach quite close in the car, nice day as well for a change.

Had a look down Norfolk today the geese at Holkham did not perform very well

Went on and tried for Snow and Lapland bunting I will try to get back and have another go at these when there are less people about and the weather is better.

December 2007

Well after a good month in November things have gone very slow the only birds I have

coming to my pond hide now are Magpies and Pheasants. Even my feeders have gone very quiet hope things pick up soon.

Had a look over Welney today very slow as well never got a shot worth taking I will try again in a couple of weeks.

Had a go at some puff balls puffing today   things are getting desperate.

Nice and frosty this morning so I went over to Therfield to check up on the Hares no pictures but the Hares were around also the right crops were in the right fields so it looks like it may be good for after Christmas, On one of the farm tracks I found a Short Tailed vole hunched up I got out of the car and picked it up it hardly moved so I   wrapped it in my hanky to warm it up, by the time I got home he had livened up a bit and by the morning he was fine so I got him to do some modeling for me in return for a big lump of apple which he soon demolished.

November 2007

The end of last month I put up or should I say dug in a new hide looking out over the pond. Spent 8 hours the first day and did not press the shutter once not a good start, day 2 was a bit better day 3 better, day 4 best so far but day 5 only took 1 shot of a robin which must have only been made up of about 6 pixels! mind you I had added a couple of extra props and I think these spooked the birds again. I think all things considered the first week has been quite good and will get better as the birds become accustomed to the changes.

Day 6 took no shots at all, day 7 foggy start was going to give it a miss but as I had gone down to feed up I thought I would give it an hour and see if anything turned up, well after about 15 minutes to my surprise a Kingfisher turned up, still very misty but took quite a few as I thought it would go but in the end it stayed for 2 hours and got about 30 small fish and I got a few nice shots.

When the Kingfisher went a Green woodpecker turned up for a drink not the best place but a good start

The Green woodpecker flew off just as a Heron walked in from one side only managed a couple of shots and could only get the head in. The best day yet! more like this I hope.

Day 8 went down with high hopes but nothing!

Been down so long forgot which day it is but had the Kingfisher back today for an hour or so this time I had a close perch for him to use and use it he did!

The next day had a treat the male Sparrowhawk came in nice and close

I also had the Female come in close to

Also I have 4 or 5 Bullfinches 6 Redwings and some Fieldfares visiting but only managed grab shots so far so I look forward to getting more on these I have also put a new perch for the Kingfisher so I hope he turns up again soon.

Birds seemed to have tailed off over the past week I have had a visit by the Mallards for a couple of days and had a Kingfisher turn up one morning but that's about it. Also the feeding station has gone very slow as well so fingers crossed it picks up again in December

Well that's November over I may have a break for a couple of weeks and get down Norfolk for a few days

and see whats about, also have a look in at Welney for the Swans.

October 07

Had another couple of days down Norfolk and came away with quite a few nice shots.

This Little Stint came to close to focus on in the end but this is the image I like the best

Also took a load more of the Dunlin a nice smart little bird

Another first for me this month was a Hedgehog I have missed opportunities in the past so made the most of

this encounter

Had a few Green finches down at the feeding station this week so I had a go at some action shots I

quite enjoyed this and I am looking forward to another good day

Had a look over Therfield today no Hares but I got a few shots of this Wood pigeon Drinking

Had my yearly trip down to Richmond park this weekend

This was taken on arrival at 15th sec I wish now I had taken a few

more as I quite like the results

These Parakeets are now becoming very common and fly around

in flocks of 10 or more, this is the first time I have managed to get

a decent shot so very pleased with this.

Had a day at Gigrin farm today in the new tall hide, took far to many images

but had a great day

Called in at Richmond again today nice and frosty with nice mist but the rut was all

but over, but still managed to get a few nice shots

The weather forecast gave the same conditions for today so I went down to Paxton pits

to try and photograph Swans in the fog. The adult birds were not in the right place so

I made do with these young birds, not as close as I would have liked but when they

came up on the screen I was pleased, must give this another go.

September 2007

Had a look down the feeding station today as the food was going down fast and guess who's back!

I don't mind him but at one point I had 3 coming and they do get through some food, they also chew the cheap feeders up to get at it so it looks like I need to invest in some stronger ones.

We have had a young Robin around the garden this year that has become quite tame so I thought I would take a few of it now its looking good.

Had a look down Norfolk today and got a few nice shots, must try and get back down soon

Took quite a few of this confiding Ringed Plover

Called in at Titchwell  took a few from the hides but most were to far away

Took a ride over to Therfield today, not a great deal happening but did get a shot of a Hare sitting in the stubble which I quite  like

Had a go at some Fire Bugs today that had been found at a local site, these are real smart bugs!

Spent a couple more days down Norfolk with the waders and quite pleased with what I got

This Juv Ringed plover was very nice and quite lucky to get as it turned up close just as I was about to go

Had six Turnstones about all one day

Also had plenty of Sanderlings searching the beach, these birds never seem to stand still!

Also had Dunlin in a small pool

Plenty of Knot on Titchwell beach

Stayed on at Titchwell until dark, as the sun set the sea seemed to boil very inviting

Back home my Swallowtail larvae were about to change to pupa so I set one up for a sequence shot

Also I have been getting a few more shots of the Common Lizards around the garden

Well after all the rain we had early in the season we are now quite dry so hopefully we will get some

soon to bring the Fungi on. I know never happy!

August 2007

Weather has improved now with some nice days and some warm nights but still not getting a lot in my Moth trap also not finding many Ladybirds or other interesting insects seems its not going to be a very productive year on this front, still I am quite pleased with my Tern images. I made a couple more visits at the beginning of the month but things are not as good now.

Had a look in Maulden wood today to see how the Wood ants are getting on, the nest I visit has gone down quite a bit but another has started near by and is doing very well.

Its quite amazing how strong these Ants are and the distance the will carry food and nest material.

Been trying a few shots showing them squirting formic acid but as to yet no luck.

Back to the Summer again wet and dull roll on the Winter! I found an Asparagus beetle today and very nice it was to

On my way over to Therfield today I saw some starlings feeding on one of the farm muck heaps, so I spent some time with these the yellow in the straw from the heap and the surrounding cut wheat made the pictures look almost sepia, at first I didn't like them but they have seemed to grow on me.

July 2007

Well June is over and although the weather has not been good I was quite pleased with some of my results. lets hope the weather picks up a bit this month. I will start the month off with a couple of shots of Spotted Flycatchers  and Great Crested Grebes which were taken on the last couple of days in June.

It was quite interesting watching these birds catch the Wasps, they held them just where the sting comes out and knocked them a few times on the branch to kill them before tacking them off to the nest.

This pair of Great Crested Grebes had a nest on the Finger lakes at Priory park in Bedford although they had 4 chicks and I could not see any more eggs they never left the nest with the chicks on their backs the days I was there, if we get a decent spell in the next couple of days I will have another look. Called in at the farmyard where the Spotted flycatchers are but no luck some visits not even seeing a bird I will keep trying for a few more days in the hope of getting some more shots. After a wet weekend I called in on the Grebes they had left the nest and sat over the back of the lake much to far away to get any images. I decided to sit and wait in the chance they would come over, but the only bird about was this duck who seemed to keep swimming by laughing at me!

Well after about an hour the Grebes came over and posed for about 10 minutes before swimming back I think they must have felt sorry for me.

Called in on the Flycatchers today and found one young bird on the perch with the parent managed about 3 shots before they flew off into the trees not to be seen again, still quite pleased with this shot just a shame the parent had not got a beak full of flies! 

Been spending a bit of time over at Priory park in Bedford photographing the Common Terns I have taken far to many but it seems to have got a bit addictive trying to get that full frame shot of one catching a fish still good fun!

Also my mate the Mallard came to see what was going on

This is the one I like the best to date

Rain Rain Rain Rain AND MORE rain when is it going to stop, a lot of the wildlife is having a hard time this summer my Hornet I was so looking forward to photographing has disappeared and I think this project is now over lets hope I can get another one started next year. Nice surprise today though, I bought some English Swallowtail larvae some time back to breed through and I had my first butterfly out today so I had a nice dry studio day.

Had some more time over at the Terns trying to get some more with fish, here's a couple I like

Here's an arty one

This one I like as the water looks good

June 07 2007

Well so far we have had a mixed bag weather wise cold hot wet dry with a bit of luck July will be better but don't hold your breath. Had a chance to photograph some Stag Beetles this month and very nice they were too.

On one of the wet days I set my Aquarium up and had a go at some Three-spined sticklebacks I had in my pond

Also I had my Silver washed fritillarys hatch so I spent some time on these and got a few shots that I was quite pleased with

While I was doing these I also found a newly emerged Yellow shell moth and could not resist getting a couple of shots, this moth is one of my favorites.

Not much happening at the feeding station but I have got some nice young robins about which I could not resist also I have a pair of Bullfinches coming again but not managed to get a nice shot of these yet.

My friend has a nest of Saxon wasps in his garage so I have been having a go at these, I also have a Hornet building in my box so hopefully next moth I can spend a bit of time on getting some in flight shots of these.

I had a look in at a local spot which has a lot of Bee Orchids growing this year most were not really out when I went and as to yet I have not got back but I did get a few shots that I like

I have also had some Broad-bodied Chaser's egg laying around my pond and one male seemed quite approachable, I think these are real smart and count myself lucky.

May 2007

Started the month off with some more time spent with the Wheatear and very pleased

with some of these images

I now have a gang of Starlings coming to my feeding station looking for food with which to feed their young

so I have been spending quite a bit of time with these.

Two weeks on I now have the young Starlings visiting so I have spent a few more days on these one day I had about 60 birds coming in but its now settled down to about 20 or so. in about 4 days they got through 3 large loafs of bread  1 large bag of suet sprinkles 10 cans of dog food  £13.00 worth of dried Meal worms 8 fat blocks 2 feeders full of Sunflower seeds and about 15 fat balls I think that week their food bill was more than mine! The day I had 60 birds was like a scene out of the film birds and when I went to bed at night I could still hear the noise they made in my head.

I have not run the moth trap much this year as to yet  but put it on last night and had an Orange Footman a moth I have not had before but seems to be on the up across the county

Also had my first Hawk moth of the year which was a Pine Hawk, these seemed to do very well last year, we found many larva on the pine trees also found them on the Norway spruce. I have photographed these many times before but my friend dropped a nice chunk of pine bark in some time ago so I took a picture of it on this

Well we have about 5 days left in May and as normal for a bank holiday the weather has changed with rain and wind. One disappointment this month is that I have Fox cubs in the back of the garden but have not managed to get any images as the seem to keep under the bushes and in a bramble patch, still I will look forward to when they get bigger as we  put food out and other years the cubs have became quite trusting and taken food from my hand so may be More to tell on this next moth.

April 2007

Very busy month with lots about to photograph not a lot of time to do it. Started off the month with a common shrew and managed to get some nice images, must have another go at these and try for a Pygmy shrew and make use of my English nature license

Also made a visit to Therfield heath to have a look at the Pasque flower, these seem to have had a very good year with a good showing.

I have spent quite a bit of time photographing some local Wheatear's one of which seems very approachable took way to many images but you know what its like

I have also spent a bit of time with a family of rabbits up at Therfield and got some quite pleasing images

I also managed to get hold of 4 Goat moth cocoons which all came out so I have some imagies of these. Three years ago I had some larva which I kept for 2 years but never had any luck so this brings to an end a long term project.

Another bit of luck was an encounter with a very approachable Corn bunting I have tried many times but no luck so I am quite pleased, again took far to many but it just kept performing

I had a surprise today one of my Emperor moth cocoons which did not come out a couple of years back produced a nice female which I got paired up and now have some fresh eggs so I can have another bash at the larva

To bring an end to the month I spent a morning yesterday with a Song Thrush collecting mud from one of my small ponds for its nest, nice to see a few more of these around

March 2007

Had a play about with some Moon shots tonight, nice clear sky and quite mild made it quite enjoyable.

Yes I know fake stars but it breaks the black up. I started with an exposure of iso 100 80th sec f11 for the full moon going down to iso 800 1sec f4 for the eclipsed moon with varying exposures in between I also had to burn in the shadow areas using layers in Photoshop quite a nice little exercise makes you think and use tools you do not use very often.

Had some tame Mallards coming to the new pond so spent some time with these trying my new Skimmer ground pod

Spent some more time at my feeding station I have quite a few Yellowhammers coming in now in nice condition so could no resist taking a few more of these

Also in the dry period I had a ride up to Therfield to see what the Hares were doing managed to grab this shot of a nicely marked one, some activity going on but this year seems to have been very quiet and to wet to get to the best places.

February 2007

Well this month has started quite well, the Brambling is coming to the feeding station every day and I also had  a Siskin call in for half a day  not seen again as to yet though have to keep my fingers crossed.

I now have a Grey Squirrel coming once a day I put some nuts and acorns out for him I now have to shout at him to get his attention, unlike the one I had coming last year this one leaves the feeders alone so its nice to see him.

We had a couple of frosts so I was trying to get birds with frosty leaves not to much luck on this but I did get a couple I was pleased with

Had some snow overnight and during the day so I tried some snowy shots and quite pleased with some of them.

I think I have compressed these to much have to look at this later.

Had a look over Salcey forest again  and took a few MORE tit pictures

Also been trying again to get birds in flight near the feeders I have taken a lot of pics but very very few keepers, the one I most like is this Greenfinch better luck next month?

January 2007   

                                                                                                                                                                  Well up to yet January has not been very kind with the weather being dull, rainy or windy. One good day was last Sunday so I got up early and went to Norfolk to have a go at the geese or anything else that might present its self, well got to Lady Anne's drive about 7.30 it was still quite windy here and set up (on my visit last year I had action going on all through the day and filled plenty of flash cards) and waited, well plenty of geese there but very few came my way and what did due to the wind had got up very high by the time they got to me so I mainly got flocks taking off.

Hung around for a couple of hours but no luck so I decided to go on to Titchwell again no luck so I thought I would go on to Welney and see if any Short Eared Owls were about again had a couple of hours here and nothing, what a waste of a good day!

Have spent the odd good periods down my feeding station I have got a nice selection coming in and must get to grips with the Yellowhammers I have about 14 coming in now so I think they will be my next project.

Had quite a nice day today so I went over to Salcy Forest to try for a Nuthatch, I only got this one shot but I am quite pleased with it also got some nice Marsh tit and Coal tit images

Have had a couple of frosty days now so I spent some time at my feeding station here's a couple I quite like

To my delight I had 4 Bramblings turn up for a couple of days, light not great but managed to get a couple of shots that I quite like

On one of the frosty mornings I found the Sparrowhawk on the ice covered pond and sat and watched her for about 20 minutes also managed a couple of shots this bird has now seemed to have accepted me and the car as part of the furniture.

Well that about wraps up January what will next month bring?

December 2006

First time down the feeding station this month and found the Sparrowhawk in the pond having a bath, it watched me as I drove up in the car opened the window, put the beanbag out and point my lens at it, trouble was it was in deep shade so I had to bump up to 400 ISO and open the lens up still only getting about 40th second at 5.6. Its a shame really because it carried on and had a good old wash for about 10 minutes and if I had some good light I could have got some good action shots, Still I am quite pleased with this and a couple more that I took. From the pond it flew of and perched on the lower branches of the Larch trees and spread its wings to dry and started preening, again it let me drive up but I couldn't get a clean shot without other branches in front of it, I then just sat for about 20 minutes watching it before she flew away, not a bad start to December!

Weather not been to good these last weeks, I popped down to Welney early one morning that was sort of ok to try and get some swans against early morning sky but it was hard work, not to many swans flying around and those that were never seemed to be in a good position so only grabbed a few shots. Saw one Barn owl but no luck with that either.

Did not get to Donna Nook may give it a try in January if the weather improves, but I went through last years again and picked one out that I like.

Well that's 2006 over so lets all hope for a good 2007. Just looking at that sand its rather like snow now that's the bad weather I wouldn't mind!

November 2006

Started setting up my winter feeding station this week. Had a couple of hours there today and quite pleased with this Blue Tit picture

Had a look in Gamlingay wood in the afternoon and found this nice stand of Puffballs.

Also found these Myceana which I thought looked nice.

I spent some more time at my feeding station this week getting the birds accustomed to the car which I am using as a mobile hide this seems to be working very well with most of the birds especially with the Dunnocks.

I also have a Stoat around, I have seen him now 4 times from my setups 2 of which he was chasing a Rabbit I hope he may come where I can photograph him! I may try putting out some roadkill to try and tempt him in the right place.

Three taken today which I thought might make good cover pictures I quite enjoyed doing these makes a nice change from filling the frame with the subject must do some more of this!

Set up for the Stoat today but no luck but did manage a few more tit pictures! Try again tomorrow if the weathers not to bad. Soon be time for a trip up to Donna Nook don't seem another year gone already. My old mate Dave turned up this afternoon with a nice length of tree trunk about 11ft long by about 2ft round we stood this upright hoping to get the Woodpeckers interested and keep them from destroying the Kestrel and bat boxes I have put up

I moved the feeders around today to give an Autumnal background with some Larch trees behind I really love this one he is almost 3D and I think will make a lovely print ( I must stop Photographing Blue Tits! ) I had some luck today as the Green woodpecker put in an appearance, he was nearly in front of the car, I had to rest the lens on the wing mirror and the last few shots I took I couldn't get my eye to the viewfinder so I pressed the shutter button and hoped for the best, must be my lucky day!

I like this one with his bill stuck in the ground with the eye visible between the grass blades.

October 2006

Had a quick look in Richmond park today and the rut is well under way, I spoke to one photographer who said last weekend seemed the best for fighting and action shots. I always seem to pick the wrong week to go!

August 2006

Its the last week in August now and after a long dry spell we are now getting some rain, this has made for a good flush of early fungi. I went over to the Ashridge estate the other day and there was quite a good showing, if I had been a week earlier it would not have mattered as quite a few nice ones were already going over. After I left the Comb area I called in at another spot and was thrilled to find a good condition Magpie ink cap (Coprinus picaceus) standing in amongst Beech leaves which made my day.

September 2006

Had 3 Coal tits (Parus ater) in the garden today occasionally coming to the feeders with the other birds hopefully they will keep around and I can get some nice images of them, I managed to grab a couple of shots this morning, quite pleased but hopefully can do better.

Had a look up Potton wood today to see if much fungi was coming up, fair bit about but nothing that caught my eye. On the way back down the main ride I saw plenty of Hornets (Vespa crabro). I managed to catch one of these and spent half an hour or so trying to get some close up shots.

Quite misty this morning first thing so I went out looking for some cobweb shots and found this Small White (Pieris rapae) resting on a grass stem covered in dew.

In the afternoon I went over to Willington gravel pits to try and get some Migrant hawkers (Aeshna mixta) in flight, got a few nice shots.

Set up a new feeding station the other day ready for the winter so I spent some time there today to see what was coming in. Plenty of Tits and Chaffinch, took 1 shot of the Coal tit (Parus ater)

I also took 1 of a Great Tit (parus major) sitting in the Larch trees and decided this was a good candidate for selecting out and desaturating the background, I must admit I do like the results.

After spending a bit of time here I had a walk about, quite near the feeder I have a big lump of Beech trunk which in the summer cracked down the middle, each time I go by I put my stick in to try and prize it open, well today it opened up and to my surprise I found around 200 Grass snake eggs some of which had just hatched, 5 small snakes and about 10 shed skins. This rotting wood seems the ideal habitat for these with plenty of small insects etc for them to feed on, they probably also hibernate in here too. I replaced the wood and hopefully next year will have some more eggs

Had the moth trap on tonight not a big catch but a nice selection most of which I have photographed. I had three Blair's Shoulder-Knot (Lithophane leautieri hesperica) this makes five this year so far plus I found a caterpillar earlier on in the year, so it seems a good year for this moth.