Met the usual crew of acquaintances there and we were all fascinated by the group of 5 magpies who were feeding of carrion!
Several Teal about and a few Gadwall. All the usual suspects but nothing moving around much.
But before that, I'd stopped at the usual "Lizard" spot. It was just warming up and the sun was in and out; therefore the lizards were out sunning themselves and warming up for the day ahead.
A group of 5 magpies were feasting and arguing!
Out on the water, Mum and child Little Grebes were much more in harmony!
Whilst another bird decided to take off for pastures new...
A Kestrel hovered overhead - by now the sky was grey and overcast!
On my way back to the visitor centre, some considerate birders pointed out three
Wasp Spiders! Apparently the numbers are vastly reduced this year (at least at the LWC)
The underside of the spider
And, after very carefully parting some of the grasses - the right side...
(I'd been there for a bit before I was, very politely, reminded by one of the WWT volunteers that I had transgressed by straying off the path. Duly chastised, I move on!
Flutters and bees seemed to be in abundance..
Painted lady
Bees
And, although the sky was dull and grey for most of the remaining time, this was a cheery note to leave on!
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23 comments:
jealous of the lizard!!
Another Jam packed post Tricia! I love that Lizard series of photo's
I so much want to see a lizard!
That fourth shot down, just the head, is a cracker!
Noisy Magpies; I love 'em. lol I get a few vocal ones in the garden. Great characters.
Lovely display in the last.
Hi Tricia,
Awesome! So many good pictures! The little grebes are wonderful, and getting the mom and chicks of this kind of bird is my dream. Beautiful as always!!
brilliant shots especially love the third shot of the lizard.When enlarged it has such a lovely face
Made my day to visit your blog! The Bumblebee in flight and the head shots of the lizard are just fantastic! But then so are the grebes and the butterflies ...
Can't pick a favorite out of this fine set!
Brilliant shots of the lizard Tricia. Have never seen one in the wild, only in zoos and such like.
Not heard Magpies squabble but I find the chuntering sound they make when they are resting in my large Leylandii amusing. It always sounds as though they are talking quietly to themselves.
Terrific shots of the spiders - worth being chastised :)
Wonderful shots of the Dabchicks Tricia.
Pete - there were three off them sunning themselves; in the usual spot!
Warren - thanks - I took so many pics of the lizards, and had to whittle it down to just a few! Otherwise everyone would have got very bored!
Keith - Thank you. Come down one day and I'll show you where they are. Only problem - no guarantee they'll be there though!
The magpies were getting quite viscious!
Chris - thank you! Little Grebes are such endearing birds - fingers crossed you'll get your dream!
Sheila - thank you. They are such lovely little creatures..
John - Thank you - if you're ever "down my way" I could introduce you to them...
I was quite rightly chastised and she did it so very diplomatically :)
Roy - thanks. It was just by chance I spotted them.
Lovely set of pictures Tricia :-)
Loving the Lizard Tricia!
Cool shots of the lizards! That last shot (black eyed susan?) has great texture.
Looks like you had a fabulous day. Excellent shots of the lizard and the big bumbles landing on the flowers!! Wonderful
Thanks Lynmiranda :)
Liz - think the Lizards stole the show for me too!
Janine - thanks. Not Black(-eyed-Susan but a huge drift of (something like) echinacea or coneflower)?
Nature As Is - Thank you. It was a good wander about. It's a great place for a good variety of wildlife.
Great photos, especially the lizard and gadwall taking off. Wasp spiders are down in number in a lot of places I hear
I liked all your captures here today... moreso the Magpies at play...
Tom
Lovely photos of the Lizards Tricia, what beautiful little creatures they are! I love the photo of the duck taking off too.
I was so fascinated by the Wasp Spider (I don't think I had heard of it before) that I looked it up and thought you might find this link (it is from 2007 but obviously still relevant) as interesting as I did, please forgive me if you already know all this :)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-479750/Exotic-wasp-spider-bites-swarming-England.html
Send me over a half dozen or so of those lizards would you,lol. I just love them. Your pictures are amazing.
Naughty, naughty! Wandering off the path.
I'm not one for spiders, but that one is a beauty. Don't want to meet one though! I also love the lizard series, but that last image is lovely.
Another fabulous set of pictures Tricia! Love the lizards, and the magpies! Lovely x
Neil - thank you; and thanks for the Gadwall ID - I'd forgotten that I needed to check that!
Tom - thank you - they were a bit aggressive however, fighting over food!
Jan - thank you. I will have a look at your link - I know very little about spiders!
OC - Thank you. I only found three lizards but any more and I'll put them in a package :D
Digi - Thank you. Not the first time I've been ticked off; I remember a mutual friend ticking Malcolm B and me off some time ago for the very same thing! Amazing colours on the spider!
Karen - thank you. I had some good subjects!
Great post, Tricia! Ans wonderful pictures.
How lucky are you with the Lizard. And the Zebra spider to boot!
Hi Yoke and thank you. First time I've seen a Wasp Spider so was delighted that I also managed some pictures!
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