More fluttering at Wisley

I decided to have another crack at some flutter pictures at RHS Wisley yesterday; I now have a replacement tripod although it's not one of the easiest to use!

I'd kept the camera and macro lens warm in the car and "hugged" them to me as I made a dash to the Glasshouse. It paid off as I didn't have to wait too long for the lens to demist!

The sky was cloudy and little sun - this is an advantage as the flutters tend not to fly about too much without the sun.

These are so amazing in their markings. A complicated pattern of browns/reds and creams on the underwing and..

iridescent blue on the outer wing... very metallic and shiny when the sun is on them.

This marbled presented quite a photographic challenge..

This one was hard to capture as it wouldn't stay still but kept fluttering its wings to keep it close to the flower to feed... in a similar way that the Humming birds does.

and I just couldn't get the focusing right on this fascinating flutter. Its wings, in the main, were as transparent as glass and its body so tiny that you could easily miss seeing it.

In the glasshouse, the flowers too were blooming and colourful

and finally, outside, the dwarf irises were uplifting to see.

After that I went along to the birdhide... which was locked!! I came back and asked a very helpful lady in the Library and Information Centre, why was it locked and was it going to be open. She made some phone calls.... it was lunchtime and the relevant person not available. I headed off for a bite to eat and, as suggested, came back. I was advised that it was an oversight and it would be unlocked at/by 1.00 p.m. It was.....

I sat on my own ( :D ) watching and was rewarded with the sight of not one, but 2 Kingfishers - they were over the other side from the hide it was great just to sit there and watch them fishing. Definitely worth pursuing gaining entry to the hide.

And my thanks to the kind lady in the Library who really pulled out the stops to get some answers for me.

A reflective walk Bushy & Painshill Parks

I was meeting a friend for a cuppa in Bushy Park so, as the sun was really warm and shiny, I got there a little early and had a quick walk around the pond.

Mute swans, many of them, were flying up and down but this one was content just to snooze!

A Black-headed Gull had a yawn... it was silent with its beak open!!

And then I watched these two male Mallards for about 15 minutes whilst battle royal ensued. One of them had a battle scar at the back of its neck from where its adversary had had its beak clamped tightly!

Later on, I had to go food shopping so I nipped into Painshill Park

11 Goosanders still there, of which, only 1 was a male!

And I couldn't resist the reflections in the very still water.

The sun had been oh so warm and with no wind, you could think it was really a Spring Day. And just as I was walking back, I'm sure I saw something akin to a butterfly fly across in front of me.

A good walk again.

Tawny Owl? No.......

I went to the tip and the charity shop this morning - I've been having a clear out; I feel very noble!!

But at about 2 pm I noticed the sun was peeping through the grey. So I headed off for a brief visit to Bushy Park. As I entered the Park, there must have been a couple of hundred black-headed gulls in and around the Diana Fountain pond.. never seen so many.

Egyptian Geese are so noisy now and obviously in pairs.

Did I see the Tawny Owl? No - I didn't! It was very windy though and the birds were scudding across the sky as fast as the clouds.

In the Pheasantry Garden, the Mandarin Ducks are back - in all four males and one female. These two seemed to be a pair and stuck close to each other. The other 3 males were off to the other side of the pond.

In the woods, Blue, Long-tailed and Great Tits were everywhere and the bird song generally is getting much more noticeable now - lovely!

I walked on through the woods; the trees providing shelter from the strong winds. I followed this female Great Spotted Woodpecker on her journey up the tree managing to get a shot before she disappeared altogether!

And not far on, another great visitor - Goldcrest!! Pity I missed focusing on the bird and managed the sky instead! They always look so grumpy!!

A Grey Heron presented itself as a model as it watched for a meal.

And Herons can have a "bad hair" day in the wind too!

And the Mohonia; although on its way out now, gave a golden glow as I left for home.

Not bad for a quick walk about... and perhaps one day I might get the Tawny :D

Pas de Deux at London Wetland Centre

The sky was grey - it must be the weekend!!

Yesterday I went in search of a roosting Tawny Owl in Bushy Park.... I dipped!

There were signs of Spring though which was a cheery sight.

Today I headed off for Barnes (LWC)... very little about in terms of Waterfowl. But out on the Marsh were a pair of Peregrine Falcons just standing on the grass. Far too far away for a picture but lovely to see them nonetheless!

The twittering in the trees gave a clue to the small flock of Siskins going through. They are very clever at hiding so I was very lucky to get these shots through all the twiggy branches!

But walking back to the visitor centre for a cuppa, it was a pair of mute swans that were the star turn of the day. We stood there for some time whilst the happy couple dipped and bathed....

Apparently the Bittern was showing reasonably well, but it escaped my attention.

And, oh joy, the road over Barnes bridge is only one-way whilst essential maintenance is carried out so had to sit in a queue of traffic to get back on the usual route. Nice!

Painshill Park and Goosanders are still about

It was Monday and the last day of January.

The sun came out and the sky was blue! I headed off for Painshill on my way to the supermarket.

The Mallards were shining brilliantly in the sunlight.

As I approached the lake, 3 male Goosanders flew off - typical! They know I'm coming I'm sure. Around the other side, however were seven females. Well given I'd hoped for some sun and the birds to be nearer for pictures, I at least got the sun!

The warmth seemed to be having an effect on most of the waterfowl. This Greylag came into land.

The snowdrops are now beginning to open.... lovely to have the first flowers of spring.

And, I couldn't believe my eyes! A daisy - in January?

Around by the yew trees and standing in one spot, I was amazed to see 1 Nuthatch, a flock of about 8 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Goldcrests and...

2 Treecreepers.

There's something about this particular spot that the birds like. It was here that I saw the Redwings and Fieldfares at the end of last year.

A large percentage of the water had a thin coat of ice... seems to have the sun we have the cold as well... but applause for the sun!

And sun and ice gave some lovely views!

A rewarding walk altogether!