Summer at last??

A few lovely days weather and don't things feel different? Is summer finally here? Fingers crossed.

I've been out and about a little and got a few shots. The Red legged Partridge has become a challenge for me. I think it's an odd bird but in it's own way it's very beautiful.

This example was trotting around the roads in the area of Kings Caple.

Another bird that i'd love to get decent pictures of is the Yellowhammer.

This one was on the road side in Homme green near Ross, More of a record shot this one.

Back in the Forest the birds are feeding chicks like crazy.

The Redstarts and the Pied Flycatchers in particular.

I think i've said before that i love this time of year and it's true I do.

Another check on my local Little Owls produced some very distant shots, these are heavily cropped and again record shots really.

Hope they have managed to breed and have chicks, i haven't risked getting too close, I'd hate to be the cause of them deserting chicks.

On a different note, it looks like the Boar in the forest are to be culled. The recent article in the Forest review regarding a man being "bitten", continues to show the stance that the paper has adopted. My earlier prophecy, that the mindless and ill thought actions of humans wouldn't help would seem to have proved right, a child "Poked" the boar with a stick. Enough said.

Out and about again.

After such a horrible period of cloud and rain it was nice to be able to spend some time out and about.

With the exception of a trip into Powys during which I got the Meadow Pipit, the rest have all been taken locally.

Meadow Pipit

Red Legged Partridge

Redstart, Female above, male below.

A young Rabbit showing early signs of myxomatosis. The warren was virtually wiped out just recently by this horrible disease, looks like it is going to happen again.

Finally a Great Spotted Woodpecker chick at the entrance to the nest.

Some nice photos I think.

New beginnings.

Don't you just love this time of year? I know I do. Lots of chicks and babies and lush green surroundings.

These are the swans at Cannop ponds. I was a little concerned about this little beauty as he had managed to get out of the nest some how but was struggling to get back in.

These two little tykes were taken at different places whilst I was out and about yesterday.

It's a busy time for the adults, I spent a while with Dave Slater and Andy Purcell yesterday just prior to the thunder and rain snapping at a pair of willow warblers busily searching for insects etc, they don't stand still, hungry mouths to feed.

One other bit of good news is that the Little Owls that nested locally to me last year are back, I was beginning to worry that we wouldn't see them this year, especially as the farmer has cut their favourite tree down. However whilst driving along yesterday morning I saw this one in it's 2nd favourite place atop the telegraph pole. Record shot only this time.

It is truly great to be able to get out and about at tis time of year, I only hope that my back holds out long enough to enjoy my early retirement .

Not a lot going on recently, been busy getting house sorted for selling.














Speckled Yellow Moth,
















Pearl Bordered Fritillary














Wood White.

Finally these two shots of a young Siskin at my feeder today.


















I have also added a few shots to the galleries, mainly the mammal gallery.

A break from the paint.

What a difference, 4 stark bare walls to green, green countryside everywhere you look.

A trip to Derbyshire with Chris Grady produced some more interesting firsts.

My first female Blackcap pic.
















Some lovely Little Grebe shots.































Cracking Water vole shots.















Finally my first ever Grass Snake shots.


















Pity it had to end, but all good things do.