Lakeland Red

Found the Lake District closed when I went on my hols this week. Police had closed the roads from the south and had to sneak in via flooded roads in the north. It was worth it though to get photos of Red Squirrels playing chase in the trees. They allowed me and my camera very near and even posed for a portrait.

Make Hay

This friendly Nuthatch must have taken and hidden a huge amount of sunflower seeds during the course of the two hours I watched it. It came every 30 seconds or so, filled up and shoomed off. Make hay while the sun shines!!!

The local kingfisher also put in an appearance so I took its portrait as well.

A Dull Day Brightened

Twas a dull, dull day. One of those drizzly, overcast and windy days you get in autumn. Poor light for photographers.

Then along came a party of Long-Tailed Tits to the feeders in the garden and out came my long lens. Fill-flash did not bother them, they were too busy fighting the Blue Tits for a place at the fatball. Managed to get a portrait of one of them despite the weather. They made my day.

Egret Time

4 Little Egrets at Old Moor now, they went up to 13 last year! This individual liked catching sticklebacks and was very good at it.

Hard Work

The birds were not in a co-operative mood today. Dull and overcast with a horrid scum on the water, I don't blame them. Got an interesting pic of the Kingfisher and another of an obliging juvenile Little Grebe.

Deli Wrap

Doing the garden, I noticed a female Garden spider really getting it on with local fly population, so out came the macro gear. She was spoilt for choice in takeway food. She caught and wrapped a wasp and then went on to catch and feed on a hapless housefly.

The pics were taken at 60th sec at F22 on a Nikon D2Xs and 105mm macro VR lens with balanced fill flash - if you're interested.

Shanks for the memory

Not a lot about at Blacktoft RSPB near Goole. Another dull day with occasional highlights, such as this Redshank. Fill flash had to be used but waders are never bothered by it and the bird continued to feed ravenously.