Banded Demoiselle.

Another sign of Spring is the emergence of the Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens). The metallic sheen of the blue-green body and the formation of its distinctive blue-black wing band glistened as  this male soaked up the filtered sunshine. Taken during a visit to Stodmarsh, Kent today.  FAB.

Flying Godwit.

Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) captured from below as it noisily displayed over a coastal pool last week. In the winter they are just a drab plain grey but as the breeding season progresses the adults aquire a rich rusty orange-red to the head, neck and upper breast with the barred flanks. The black tail band is far more distinctive in flight than when they are feeding or sleeping on the ground plus the much long legs than the Bar-tailed version projecting beyond the tail .... all good visual aids when you are trying to compare the two species we regularly see in the UK.   FAB.

[ f/6.3; 1/2000; ISO 320 @ 300mm and cropped]   

Absolute Concentration.

A little bit of treading softly, softly (otherwise known as FAB in stealth mode) enabled the watcher to creep up on a Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) earlier this week probably helped by the fact that it was totally immersed in hunting for its dinner.     FAB.

Shoveler and Tufted Up Close.

Male Shoveler (Anas clypeata).

[ F/18; 1/80; ISO 400 @ 95mm ]

Female Tufted (Anthya fuligula).

[ F/13; 1/200; ISO 400 @ 190mm ]

Common Snipe.

Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) photographed at Barnes WWT in January. 

For more images and information on this species please check out the post entitled 'Cryptic Plumage' for World Bird Wednesday on my main blog.  [F10; 1/125; ISO 800 @ 300mm and cropped] FAB.