Getting back to it! - 28 July 2011

Not fully fit yet, but I've started taking short walks and pictures when there's anything about.

Canon EOS 7d, EF100 - 400m L Lens
1/3200 @ 6.3, iso 800, 400mm 

This cygnet has been trained well by its parents, as soon as it saw us at the water's edge, it came across for some food.

Canon EOS 7d, EF100 - 400m L Lens
1/2000 @ 6.3, iso 800, 400mm 

This little monster decided to settle close to us, only another dragonfly could love that face

Canon EOS 7d, EF100 - 400m L Lens
1/800 @ 6.3, iso 800, 400mm 

Lots of butterflies about, this speckled wood was flitting about at great speed, but eventually set down for a rest.

Canon EOS 7d, EF100 - 400m L Lens
1/2000 @ 6.3, iso 800, 400mm 

and this Comma was sunning itself when we passed.

Canon EOS 7d, EF100 - 400m L Lens
1/2000 @ 6.3, iso 800, 400mm 

And a bit further round the same bush a common blue damselfly was doing the same.

Canon EOS 7d, EF100 - 400m L Lens
1/64 @ 6.3, iso 800, 400mm 

The waterlillies are starting to look at their best, but there wasn't much in the way of birds to see. Maybe they've gone on holiday.

something different - 16 July 2011

Canon EOS 7d, EF - s 60mm
1/800 @ 7.1, iso 1600, 60mm

I had to go to hospital on Thursday for a minor op, so it'll be a few days before I can get out with the camera again.

I decided to post this Ammonite to show I'm still about.

Butterflies and bugs - 7 July 2011

Canon EOS 7d, Ef 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/640 @ 6.3, iso 800, 400mm

This Speckled Wood butterfly took some keeping up with, it seemed hyper active, hopping from plant to plant and not stopping for more than  a couple of seconds on each. But eventually it settled and spread it wings in the sunshine, giving me a chance to get the picture.

Canon EOS 7d, Ef 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/1000 @ 6.3, iso 800, 400mm

While I was taking the picture of the Speckled Wood, this fly came and settled nearby so I took it's picture as well.

Canon EOS 7d, Ef 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/1328 @ 6.3, iso 800, 400mm

A bit further along and this female Orange Tipped White was too busy taking the nectar to care what I was doing with my camera.

Canon EOS 7d, Ef 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/320 @ 6.3, iso 800, 400mm

At Moorhen Marsh a coot parent was feeding its chick, looking at the head of the chick I suddenly realised where the saying "bald as a coot" comes from. It's remarkable to see such a belligerent bird as a coot, which will ague with anything in its area, being so tender when it feeds its chick.

Canon EOS 7d, Ef 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/500 @ 6.3, iso 800, 400mm

I took some pictures of Teasels and it wasn't until I was at home looking at the pictures on the computer that I noticed this little monster, it looks like something out of a kids monster comic. But in fact it is the Larva stage of a Seven Spot Ladybird, it seems strange that it is bigger than the adult form.

An unusual visitor - 3 July 2011

A walk at Watermead today and first thing was to check on the grebe nest. The mother seemed very settled and comfortable, so i would think the egg is safe under her.I think it's due to hatch towards the end of next week. The mother was very low and didn't look like a good picture, so we'll have to wait for some pictures.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

Walking on there wasn't much happening until I reached the Hole in the Wall hide and a glance through the gap showed this young Grey Heron. He seemed quite happy to pose and allowed me to take a lot of pics.

Then a flurry of white feathers announced an arrival, at first I thought it was a gull arriving. But it was soon obvious that it was a Little Egret.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/500 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

Not a common bird so far inland, they usually prefer coastal waters, but before long a second one arrived. Unfortunately it went behind the reeds and flew out again when the first one flew at it.