A pictorial diary of my walks around the parks and wild areas of Leicestershire, and occasionally farther afield.

If you're new to my blog, you might like to have a look at the pictures in the older post as well (click on button at the bottom of the page).

I am also a writer, using the pen-name John Gwynant, and I'll occasionally announce my latest book release on the blog.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Flies United - 20 June 2014

Watermead park was quiet, I don't know where all the interesting wildlife disappears to at his time of year. I know some of the birds return to Africa and elsewhere, but the non-migratory birds seem to go into hiding.

Anyway the  Damselflies were making up for it in the heat of the day, I just caught a flash of blue but with my current eye problem I couldn't focus on it properly and had to rely on the camera to do the work.  I was really pleased when I realised I'd got the female as well.

1/1000 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

1/1600 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm
There were some of the more common varieties about like this juvenile coot.
1/400 @ f6.3, iso 400, 275mm
And this Mallard
1/1328 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm


All taken on Canon EOS7d, EF 100 - 400mm L series lens

Monday, June 16, 2014

Coot Fight

A couple of belligerent coots decided to have a set-to just as we arrived  at  the top pool at Sence Valley country park near Ibstock.














All taken on Canon EOS7d with EF 100 - 400mm L series lens
1/2565 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm