My blog is mostly about wildlife, particularly birds, walking, days out, all growing things and anything else that comes to mind.
To view pictures in larger format, just click on any picture for the picture gallery....

Monday 22 September 2008

Not bad for a Monday

Today I met Hugh at the London Wetland Centre. It started off quite cloudy and chilly but eventually the sun came out for a bit.

We were surprised by the lack of birds on the water - lots of Gadwalls and the usual culprits - Moorhens, Coots etc. but nothing particularly noteworthy.

On our way in we were advised (by one of the volunteers) that there were Lizards normally found in the wooden wall of one of the hides. We duly trotted over not expecting to see them as the sun wasn't out - but hey - there were six of them.

Later on we were entertained by several Long Tailed Tits. I don't know if it was the same flock following us or different birds in different locations. Apparently several have been seen flying through and also flocks of Chiffchaffs too - but we dipped on those.

Dragonflies were about and I managed to get some OK shots of those.

I pleasant way to spend a Monday and in good company.

Common Lizards (I believe!)




Long-tailed Tit



Common Darter

Emperor (?) Dragonfly
Edited: with a bit of help, I'd now say this is a Migrant Hawker.

Little Grebe

Great Crested Grebe

Chiloe Wigeon (collection bird)

I like these pink grass seed heads - I believe it's a Miscanthus of some sort.

9 comments:

The Quacks of Life said...

some nice photos. jealous of the lizards.

not an emperor (try again :D )

Anonymous said...

I'd say a Hawker!

And don't you ask me how I know that!
Because ... then I would have to admit that I've seen one the other day - at Pete's blog. LOL

The LTT's are very photogenic and stunningly captured.

Anonymous said...

Sun? You had sun? Been a total change to the weekend weather up here. Cloudy and drizzly all day.

Lovely LTTs and those lizards are amazing.

Tricia Ryder said...

Pete - ta for ID help
Carin - thanks
Digi - thanks - only a little sun but we were spared your drizzle!

oldcrow61 said...

Wow, you have lizards there! How wonderful, I love them. Nothing like that around here. Pictures are great.

Yoke, said...

Lovely pictures. I adore your Lizards. Their structure and way they move is incredible.

Wish those LTT's here had posed for a picture when I'm up at their home. No chance though.

Grassess could be either Miscanthus or a Hairy or Smooth Fingergrass, I believe.
Great capture of it.

Anna Simpson said...

Fantastic photographs you have got here Tricia, I love the photos of the Long Tailed Tits - they're one of my favourite birds.

I'll let you know when I have made my video.

Anna

Tricia Ryder said...

OC, thanks - first time I've seen the lizards in all the time I've been visiting - sooo pleased to see them.

Yoke and Anna, thanks - the LTTs didn't sit still for very long - I "binned" so many pics on this occasion.

Tricia Ryder said...

OC, thanks - first time I've seen the lizards in all the time I've been visiting - sooo pleased to see them.

Yoke and Anna, thanks - the LTTs didn't sit still for very long - I "binned" so many pics on this occasion.

Related Posts with Thumbnails