Friday, 20 June 2014

Mirror Image.


A pair of friendly [Western] Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) spending a bit of quiet, quality time together. From a distance the untrained eye of the layman often thinks they are just a dark 'crow' but when you get up close you can appreciate their distinctive and contrasting head pattern plus their inquisitive grey-white eyes.  FAB.

Linking to Saturday's Critters hosted by Eileen and Camera Critters hosted by Misty.

Friday, 13 June 2014

Silver-washed Fritillary.


My first sighting of a Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) this year during a stroll around the woodland glades on Bookham Common. This male was constantly on the wing and only settled briefly on two or three occasions so I was pleased to capture a decent image with a single shot.  FAB.

Linking to Saturday's Critters.

Sunday, 8 June 2014

Reed Bunting.


One from the archives, a male Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoenichus) showing off its full breeding plumage in a coastal Kent reed-bed.

To bring things more up to date below are two shots taken last week of the same species but in a totally different habitat very much closer to home... open parkland with plenty of ferns to provide a song post.

In between singing sessions he dropped down into the lush vegetation but soon reappeared even after a brief rain shower that left everything else dripping.


 Linking to WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY (100th edition) hosted by Stewart.

Saturday, 7 June 2014

Red Doe.


A brief encounter with a Red Doe in Bushy Park last week. As expected she was inquisitive but also very wary so a very quiet approach was necessary. 
[Both images were shot at  f/10: 1/160; ISO 400 at 221-269mm and very slightly cropped] 


The session lasted just three minutes and then I backed off to allow her to quietly walk away.  FAB. 

Linking to Saturday's Critters.

Monday, 2 June 2014

Canada Goslings.


Canada goslings photographed during their daily feeding sessions around the Stew Pond on Epsom Common. The first image (above) was taken twelve days ago of one individual from a total brood of eight. The following two images were taken today and surprisingly all eight are still with us but there is a definite size difference between some of this family.



Linking to Our World Tuesday and Nature Notes