A Parkland Picnic Table

1/800 at f5.6. 50mm. ISO400. (EF 50mm 1.4 lens)

The Classic Swan Heart

Although I wasn't in the best position I was able to capture the classic Mute Swan "heart shape" they make with their necks together. This was just after copulation and I have heard about this before, but never seen it.

The Long-tailed Tit - A Composition

Many peoples favourite little bird, the Long-tailed Tit can be found in all of Europe apart from the very far North and Iceland.

A very common bird it is present throughout the year in UK and breeds from April to June. It produces one brood of 8 to 12 eggs. The nest is an amazing ball shaped structure coated with lichen and actually expands as the young get bigger.

Apart from the initial breeding time, if you at first see one bird you will then most likely see a small family group in summer moving through the trees. This increases to larger flocks during winter. They eat small spiders, insects and some seeds.









I was fortunate to be able to take a lot of images of a pair in the same location. From what I observed they are likely to be constructing a nest. They frequently flew to a nearby tree, subsequently disappearing into a dense low bramble bush situated in an adjacent location.

If you look at the very poor image below you can see one of the pair collecting lichen which will be used to coat the external area of the nest. This is the first time I have actually witnessed this activity.
I shall have to keep a look out for the young when they fly.

Scenes from a Cycle Ride (Part 2)

The concluding post in this series.



The latest fashion styles for the Spring season created by Cavallo.

The "Twin set - Hers and Hers".


The "Trench Coat" look.


The "High Collar" number.


The "Torn Leisure" style


Prepared and sown ground, probably Barley.


Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria)
I found a small patch of these on the side of the road.


I was only able to get a distant shot of this Yellowhammer before it flew away again. (I was only using a 70-200mm lens.) This was one of a pair flying about from one hedgerow to another.


However even though the good light was going, I was more fortunate with this Long-tailed Tit who didn't mind my presence.

Scenes from a Cycle Ride (Part 1)

The first of a two part post about my latest cycle ride.

The last time I went out for a ride the daffodils below (located in a local village) were just in bud. Now they are all out in flower probably due to the warmer and sunnier weather we have experienced over the last week.



You can observe from these images below of the tractor rolling down the soil, that we are getting drier weather because the dust is blowing about.




Another lonely tree.


The Bluebell leaves are showing well above ground now.


More Ladybirds. I observed these two on a wooden fence.

A Brief Study of Flying Pochards and Tufted Duck

1/1600 at 5.6. EF 100-400mm lens at 235mm. ISO 400


1/2000 at f5.6. EF 100-400mm lens at 235mm. ISO 400.


1/1600 at f5.6. EF 100-400mm lens at 235mm. ISO 400.


1/1250 at f5.6. EF 100-400mm lens at 260mm, ISO400.


All the below are:
1/1250 at f4.5. EF 70-200mm lens at 200mm, ISO400.

A Windy Walk

A very windy walk, but at least the sun was shining and at the start of my route I walked by this big old Oak tree.


This Magpie has obviously been digging away with his beak.


Observed high up in a tall Silver Birch tree a small group of Goldfinch were busily feeding away on the catkins and buds.


Due to the windy conditions the water on the three lakes was quite choppy. The rolling clouds in the sky were moving at a fast pace as well.


A Seven Spot Ladybird making its way across a path.


This little Wren just didn't want to be seen by me and moved amongst the twigs low to the ground.


This female Chaffinch was no more helpful than the Wren.


However, the Robin and the Great Tit didn't mind posing at all.


Another choppy scene with a Mute Swan riding the waves.


"Did anybody say nuts."