A very nice surprise.

A day spent in the Forest of Dean had been pretty unproductive until I was making my way home.

Just off the side of one of the forest roads were a group of Boar. Two sows and 8 or more piglets. I managed to stop and grab the camera to get a few shots, they turned out pretty good.























This shot was both moving and amusing, moving because of the closeness between the sow and Piglet and amusing because she has a piece of bracken on her forehead.



















I love this shot of two of the Piglets.




















A chance encounter and one that I will remember for a long time. At one point the sow and the piglet in picture 3 were only 6 feet away from me. I couldnt get them in the frame on my 70-200 lens.

As usual click on the pics to see larger version.

Home for a spell.

I have been up to Chester to House and Dog sit for my mother whilst she went to visit my brother. Its given me the opportunity to see a few different things. I have also seen some regulars. The Chiffchaffs are here in numbers too.

There are quite a few Blackcaps too.

I took a visit to Inner Marsh Farm, RSPB reserve. I was pleased to see lots of the usual birds, Coots, Mallards and Teal.

But there were some less common species there too. There were a number of Avocets.

And a very distant Spoonbill, this is a huge crop, but you can see what it is.

I also saw, but didnt photograph, Reed Bunting, Willow Warbler, Spotted Redshank, Redshank, Black Headed Gull, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Pintail, Shelduck, Little Egret, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Heron, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Dunnock, Rook, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Swallows and Black Tailed Godwit.

I've also had chance to cover some of my old stomping grounds and I've also seen, Weasel, Bank Vole, Grey Squirrel, Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, Long tailed Tit, Starling, House Sparrow and Orange tip, Speckled wood, Comma, Peacock, and Small White butterflies too. All in all a very enjoyable spring weekend. I'm Loving it.