A Quiet Sunday Sojurn

As the year rolls on I thought it was about time to have a wander the other side of the A303 to see if the indifferent weather had brought in any Short-eared Owls. It hadn't as of yet, but I did have a lovely hour and a half walk alongside the Woods surrounding Bransbury Common and then out on to the Common itself, an attempt to cross the River Dever failed miserably as the usually crossable ford soon came up an above my wellies. Giving me a rather wet leg.

This wasn't the only occasion either as certain parts of the meadow next to it, traipsed around by cattle appeared to be just a muddy patch but soon found me knee deep in mud. Wildlife appeared to be enjoying a lazy sunday too, I could hear Red-legged Partridge calling from the next field and they came into view enjoying the sunshine in their covey underneath the shelter of the nearby hedge. I also suspect they were in hiding from the raptor fest above. 7 Buzzard, 1 Red Kite & 2 Sparrowhawk circled high above enjoying the warm conditions. None really coming close enough for a picture.

Quite a few Butterflies still floated about, all be it quite late in the year. Brimstone & Comma both seen alongside the track. Overall quite a pleasant walk and a nice way to spend a couple of hours outdoors.

Moonlight Bank

Comma

Buzzard

http://www.facebook.com/MartinClayPhotography Up to date pictures and sightings, prior to me getting around to writing these blog posts, Look out for a free give away soon as well.

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Late Summer Insects

Having only really been photographing Damselflies and Butterflies all summer its been nice in the past couple of weeks to get some shots of some other insect life. And a chance to use the Macro lens as well as the Telephoto. The first newbie for me was this Garden Spider placed perfectly in the middle of its web in some beautiful sunshine right outside the driveway.

Garden Spider

Garden Spider

Garden Spider

Although a lot of the Butterflies seem to have disappeared the numbers of Comma, Red Admiral and Speckled Wood seem abundant along side the river at the moment, although all a little flighty meaning no up close macro shots, but quite handy for the telephoto.

Comma

Comma

Speckled Wood

Comma

Red Admiral

I've been moaning all summer about not having any Dragonflies to take pictures of, as the River really seems to be absent of them, I guess its to do with the fast flowing water, as when visiting the RPSB reserves at Radipole Lake and Lodmoor, both Migrant Hawkers & Common Darters where everywhere on the still stagnant marshland. Which did however allow for some photography. I just love the colours!

Migrant Hawker

Migrant Hawker

Migrant Hawkers in Mating Wheel

Migrant Hawker

Common Darter

http://www.facebook.com/MartinClayPhotography Up to date pictures and sightings, prior to me getting around to writing these blog posts, Look out for a free give away soon as well.

I would be more than grateful for any 'Likes' or Comments on my FB Photography Page too so feel free to comment or criticise about anything.

Riverbank Butterflies - August 2012

We had a week back in the early middle of August that the River became alive with various different species of butterfly, Large Skipper, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Large White, Small White, Green Veined White, Gatekeeper & Brimstone all showing up on one particular circuit along the banks. Below are a selection of shots taken with 500mm in some pretty good light conditions. Nice to see such a variety just outside the back door.

Large Skipper

Comma

Green Veined White 

Red Admiral 

Red Admiral

Small White 

http://www.facebook.com/MartinClayPhotography Up to date pictures and sightings, prior to me getting around to writing these blog posts, Look out for a free give away soon as well.

I would be more than grateful for any 'Likes' or Comments on my FB Photography Page too so feel free to comment or criticise about anything.