In between showers.

Guess with the weather being the way it is you have to take the chances as they arise. So today I went into the forest to make best of the bright weather. Very difficult to get things with the sun on them.

But I saw quite a bit including a lovely fox in great condition. Didn't get a shot of it, I was chatting with an attractive lady. I have always liked an attractive lady, missed one fox whilst talking to another.

I did see this Pied Flycatcher, he was singing his head off, I watched him for a while but couldn't see any sign of a mate, nor was he visiting any potential nest.

He stayed high in the treetops, I could not get him to come near me. I think they are a beautiful little bird.

A Willow Warbler was in a slightly different location and was also in full song, again high in the canopy.

Again, no sign of a mate.

The best shots of the day were these shots of a Treecreeper, it was making a nest.

It was entering the tiniest little hole you could imagine with twigs almost too big for it to carry.

In addition to the aforementioned lady, I also met two other groups of people and we shared a few moments together discussing how the forest was so lovely at this time. It's true, but as my departure date fast approaches I can't help thinking that the forest at any time of the year has such wonderful things to offer. I will miss living here, but will return.

A first for me.

The Whitethroat, a beautiful bird, a member of the warbler family. I had never seen one before this month and now I have pictures to boot.

I went to Lydney to look for something quite different but this was a really nice surprise.

There were two males flying around but I believe that this is the same bird.

I hope you will agree that it is a truly beautiful bird.

Another bird to add to this years list which is now over 80 in number.

Distant shores.

Apologies for not having posted for a while, I have been extremely busy moving my son to his new flat and also enjoying a four day break in Italy.

The trip to Certaldo in Italy came first, I had a really lovely few days with a few opportunities for photography.

My first ever Bee Eater was amongst the birds I saw.

Indeed there wasn't just one, there were a number of them at a vineyard just outside of Certaldo.

Unfortunately I did not have my big lens with me so these are cropped

Funny isn't it, we spend weeks looking for Redstart in the Forest about this time every year, this one was on the walls of Certaldo Alto, came across it quite by chance.

My apartment was on the first floor and the washing line directly beneath the next door apartments windows was a resting place for a pair of swallows.

Beautiful little birds, very timid though.

In addition to the birds Certaldo has a high number of butterflies. I did not see any of the Swallow tails that I saw last time I was there but I saw some nice one's all the same.

This is a painted lady.

This is a Green Hairstreak.

These common Blues were looking gorgeous.

Again not taken with the correct lens for this type of species, it seemed that whichever lens I took with me the subject matter was not condusive to it.

This Wall brown was my first. I can't recall seeing one before.

All in all, a very enjoyable long weekend, the beer, wine and food was very welcomed but the warmth and the relaxation were much more appreciated.

Not so much, needle in haystack!

More can't see the bird for the trees.

Spent a great deal of time today trying to capture Blackcap. They are a very common species in the forest, but my are they hard to photograph. I joined Chris G on the lower part of the Nagshead reserve, he had already got some cracking shots which no doubt will appear on his site (see links).

I think Chris would agree that we gave it a good go, indeed I can honestly say that my back and legs are killing me now. However the best shots didn't come my way. Here is my best effort.

Not great I know. Have you ever listened to one of these little beauties in full song, very similar to the Robin but so much more melodious.

We also spent time trying to crack another common but difficult bird the Wren. Spending so much time in amongst the bracken and brambles rather than high in tree branches makes this even more difficult to get a good shot of than the Blackcap. Here's my best effort of the day.

Good job it's not all about good shots on this blog, but also about how and where. We couldn't get close, not without a hide and patience.

A nice shot though was this of the Dunnock, or as I like to call it, the Hedge Sparrow.

A hard and tiring day, with little to show for it. The weather was beautiful though wasn't it?

Please Sir i want more.

Went back to look at the yellowhammers briefly. I just love them.

They are just so friendly and obliging.

Once they get used to you being there they just go about their business.

Think that these were a pair, as they never were far away from each other.

Also present was a willow warbler, another little brown job (LBJ) with a beautiful song.

This little character was catching insects and flies in the air, couldn't manage to capture that though

The butterflys are out in force now, these are two I've captured over the last few days, sorry about the quality but they were taken with my 600mm lens, not ideal for the job.

This first one is a male orange tip.

This is a Peacock.


This time of year is great isn't it?