A day of differences.

Warm but not so sunny but a huge improvement on yesterday.

An early start and a number of trips to the recycling tip before I could pick up a camera. Met up with Chris Grady and together we partook of the delightful grub at the Gavellers Cafe at the Beechenhurst lodge.

A number of targets were planned but unfortunately we were not too lucky. However a few things did present themselves.

This little squirrel was at the arboretum.

Cheeky little chappie.

I have said before that I don't do plants, but again this isn't a shot that's about the detail, Its a shot about a plant on it's own. In a forest alive with Bluebells this one was on its own. Quite poignant I thought.

This one below is unusual, I can't recall having seen a white Bluebell before, It was in a different location and amongst other Bluebells.



I presume it is a bluebell, I'm no botanist.

Apparently there has been an influx, in large numbers, of Painted lady butterflies. Highest numbers since 1996 I believe. Well in an hour or two this afternoon we certainly saw a very high number of them passing through an area in the forest. Some were taking a break amongst the bluebells and other plants.

A rarity in the forest is the Small Pearl bordered Fritillery, this one was looking mighty fine in the afternoon sun.

As I started by saying a day of differences, not a bird picture to be found. I look forward to a weekend of sunshine and opportunity.

Up to Chester again.

Have been up to Chester to see my mum and make sure my inheritance is still secured. Had some opportunities on Sat to get in a bit of photography. I have strayed from my norm a little to include these first three shots.

I don't normally do Plants, these are not really plant shots. Guilden sutton, the village where I was born, is surrounded with fields of gold, just as the Forest has Bluebells, they have buttercups and king buttercups, in fact the Primary school that I attended has the King cup as its motif. Guilden, I'm led to believe, used to mean Golden back in the day.

These shots were taken with my 300mm and are meant only to show a small section of the fields. Had I had a wide angle with me you would have seen the true picture which is quite stunning.

Okay, I couldn't resist a little stab at nostalgia, when I was a wee small child I spent a great deal of my time with my family walking around the countryside and fishing. Dandelion heads were always a favourite, blowing the seeds away. Seeing this sent me back in time and brought a tear to my eye, as it is now, remembering my dear old Dad.

Anyway, to move rapidly on. Another much visited place was Christleton Pit. Feeding the ducks and swans. I've featured Christleton on here before, you may remember the Cormorant pics from a while ago.

This time it was chicks. Mute swan and Coot. Do you think that they are as different as chalk and cheese. One is cute and fluffy the other is ugly and downright noisy, you choose which is which.

Did you choose the above as the ugly one? Perhaps this will sway you.

Go on tell me it's not beautiful.

All together, aaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!

Oh just to mention quickly, whilst you here in the forest were having it sunny and warm saturday, it wasn't until late in the afternoon that we saw sun up there. Enjoy.

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.