I went to Painshill as I needed some exercise and it's big enough for a goodish walk. Also a steep hill in the wooded area which got the blood pumping round the system.
In terms of birds, there wasn't much about. A Nuthatch and Green Woodpecker kept taunting me with their calls, and a wren was "tick ticking" in the shrubbery. None of them deigned to grace me with their presence!
Most of the flying activity was by the "wee folk". The colour yellow seems to be the attractant for some of the wee beasties!
This, I think (because it's only got one spot) is a Meadow Brown
On the lake, "boatmen" abounded - I've never seen so many in one place at the same time. Here are a "couple" ;)
Black-tailed Skimmers were everywhere...
and a fair smattering of Red-eyed Damselflies..
Banded Demoiselles were still evident and, if you look below the "arc", there seems to be a dragonfly flying through!
and this beauty was the only one of its kind that I saw. I think it's a small blue (although an Adonis Blue would be lovely - but unlikely).
And these are the only two views I had of it before it flew off again..
EDIT: I now believe this to be a Common Blue
Thanks to Steve, Pete, and Keith for their input and help
A Black-headed Gull flew passed and initially dropped this fish in the lake. It then flew back again and collected it!
As I watched I became aware of a Great Crested Grebe. An inital glance and I got excited thinking it was a youngster (although no sign of surviving eggs had been seen recently). But, on reflection, it was rather large so I've decided it's an adult going into winter plumage.
EDIT: And I'm still undecided as to whether its a Juvenile or an adult losing its summer plumage
Another "conductor" - this time a Greylag Goose. The Canada Geese (there were about 50 of them!) were totally disinterested!
Two Egyptian Geese "crash landed" on the lake nearby
These two young mallards ducklings are the offspring of..
a rather pretty Mum.
Three (of the seven cygnets) had been dozing but decided to wake up
A bit of preening and it's always good when one of your siblings gives a helping hand.
So off to the supermarket for some vital supplies and off home!
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28 comments:
Lovely photos of all the 'wee folks' - but for me the 'conductor' is special and also the two geese about to land. Do you carry a different lens for such different photography?
Hi Mick and thanks.
All these were taken with the same lens (100-400mm). I do carry two other lenses all the time (Landscape and Macro) What is attached to the camera when I set off is largely determined by what I'm intending to photograph. Mostly it's wildlife so it's the 100-400.
Lovely wee beasties. The birds are wonderful as well.
Great set as always Tricia.
Now, I think your 'small blue' is an Adonis, male. I think.
And the Grebe certainly looks like a youngster to me.
OC - thanks. There were so many about but they fly so quickly! Just wish I was quicker on the camera button! :D
Keith - Thanks. I did wonder about Adonis and another suggestion is that it's a Common blue.
My first reaction was a young Grebe as it seemed slimmer than an adult. But my reasoning was that no-one had seen a successful nest and it seemed too large to be that recent. No sign of any other GC Grebes around i.e. parents.
I would like it to be a youngster if for no reason the parents had been successful!! Lol
looks Like a good day, I noticed your comment about the Green Woodpeckers we have them around here as well but they are very shy. I usually just get a glimpse of them disappearing, but I did get quite a good view of a juvenile through the binoculars at the weekend. Made my day.
I still reckon the Adonis, looking at the underwing.
And a young Grebe lol
Hi again Keith. Sorry, but I'm going with Common Blue. Adonis (though I did find one last year) is normally on chalk (which is where the one I found was). No chalky areas anywhere near where Painshill is. But I see where you're coming from however :D
I sought advice from a friend and he's confirmed Common Blue because (and I quote) "The 'purpley-blue' is a giveaway, not 'sky-blue' like Adonis, nor darker like a Small."
And I'll go back to my first impression and say Young Grebe!
Really enjoyed your walk.The butterflies look beautiful and I like your capture of the Black-headed Gull with the fish.Thanks fro sharing.
some nice pics Trish
NatureStop - thank you; it was being in the right place at the right time with the BH Gull!
Pete - Thanks.
Truly wonderful shots yet again Tricia, I particularly liked the youngsters just waking!!!
Jayne
I think we can safely say your camera trigger finger got the needed exercise anyway. :) Lovely varied collection of shots and description as ever Tricia. Dragons still AWOL here, though there is another month to go. I guess all the wet weather is partly the cause.
Another packed post Tricia. Nice to see all the insect life, I think the boatman are ''water measurers''
Common Blue, definitely. And I feel your "Meadow Browns are actually the Ringlet Butterfly.
Love the BHG.
Great pics of the weebies,
The youngsters (including the Grebe, lol!) are absolutely lovely.
Thanks for taking us on your walk.
Great photos!
Thank you! :-)
Jayne - thank you. The "youngsters" were being rather obliging in terms of having their pictures taken.
John - yep; finger well exercised now :D I do hope your dragons visit very soon!
Warren - I think "boatmen" and "waater measurers" seem to have several names?
Yoke - I shall have a look at the flutters again. Thank you for your suggestion.
Hi BrainWorker and thanks for visiting and your kind comment. Hope to see you here again.
Lovely pics Tricia! I really love the ducklings with the pretty mum!! And the 'blue' butterfly is stunning. Like the babies waking too! A wonderful set of shots once again! Really wish someone could show me how to get the best of my camera, i only use intelligent auto, as i have no knowledge of all the different settings x
Another fantastic series of captures.. I liked your butterfly captures.. beautiful..
My blogs today show a Gypsy Waggon and a Weather Vane
Glad you had a free day to yourself, amazing pictures as always, you get such detail in all you take wonderful :D
Lovely Website Tricia,
The photos are something else. What is the Macro Lense you use, just that I am thinking of investing in one.
Well done.
John
Karen - Thank you. It's worth getting a book if you can, about exposure, aperture etc. and then experimenting. That's the beauty of digital - you can try out various settings without any developing costs!
J - Thank you; perhaps sometime I concentrate too much on the detail and miss the bigger picture :)
John - Hi and good to see you here. Thanks for the comment and glad you like the "blog".
I use the Tamron SP AF90mm F/2.8 Di 1:1 Macro lens. This is a prime lens which means you need to be very close to your subject. If I was starting again, I'd go for a zoom lens (and probably something bigger) so I could get nearer without frightening the subject away! Suggest you try out various lenses in a reputable photographic shop before you buy!
great photo as usual. I'd have said the grebe was a juvenile too, but I find it hard to tell sometimes too
Lovely photos Tricia, I liked the cygnet siblings preening and I know I'm late but yes I agree with Common Blue, I think it is a really beautiful butterfly. I also loved your Cormorant conducting the orchestra on the previous post, very well caught!
Hi Tom and thank you again for your kind comments. I shall be popping over to "yours" in due course :)
Neil - I'd really like it to be a juvenile...
Jan - Thank you. The cygnets were very content that afternoon. I love this time of the year for the flutters - so much about. The Cormorant was, I'm sure, posing for the camera!
A great set of photos, Tricia.
Hi Dean and thanks :)
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