Winter sun for Ladybirds

I can see you, hiding on the south-facing side of the fenceposts...

Scarce Chaser? Too right...

Made my annual pilgrimage to Roxton today in search of Scarce Chasers, but they were nowhere to be seen (despite being out and about at Woodwalton Fen, not that far away)!

Banded Demoiselles

Red-eyed Damselfly (I think)

Seven-spot Ladybird

the River Great Ouse

Hawthorn and Ash

photos taken with Canon EOS 30D, EF 300mm f/4L IS USM or Canon Powershot A640

Spring green

Spring is here. Let's celebrate.

Seven-spot Ladybirds

Primroses

Robins threatening to punch each others' lights out (it ended peacefully when one walked away)

Brimstone slurping on hyacinths

Tulip

Celandine

photos taken with Canon EOS 30D

Good evening garden

Soldier Beetles mating


Ladybird: The Movie




The Barn Owl was thrilling. Some Swallow alarm calls alerted me to its presence, hunting over the field at the back of the garden. I watched it floating to and fro - and heard it dive into the grass - before deciding that I really should be outside with my camera.

Next, I watched it from the kitchen and saw it fly along next-door's garden fence. I ran to the front door and opened it as quietly as I could - just in time to watch the owl cross our garden about 10 feet away!

The sun had nearly disappeared over the horizon. Pointlessly, I crept outside, trying not to rustle. Pointless, I suppose, because it could probably hear my stomach digesting my dinner from half a mile away, never mind me trudging over the lawn.

I didn't have to wait long before the Barn Owl flew towards my position in the garden. Closer and closer and closer... It's amazing how they seem not to spot you until you do something like press a button and the camera makes a great big noisy clicking sound... It veered off across the field.


photos and video taken with Canon Powershot A640
owl photo taken with Canon EOS 30D, EF 300mm f/4L IS USM

After the rain

Flagstones shining with rain


Gatekeeper hiding in the flowerbed (this one had a crinkled hindwing - presumably something happened while it was metamorphosing)


The ladybirds I've seen this year have mostly been native Seven-spots!


This Common Darter hadn't long emerged when it was grounded by the shower
photos taken with Canon EOS 30D, EF 300mm f/4L IS USM

Norfolk/Suffolk

Today we spent the day around the Brecks.

Great to see plenty of butterflies on the wing (Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma, Brimstone, white sp.)

At Santon Downham we heard a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker drumming, but Did Not See It


At Mayday Farm, we Did Not See a Goshawk (or much else)


At Lakenheath Fen, we Did Not See a lot either. There are 70 pairs of Bearded Tits in there. We heard only two. Still, it was a pleasant walk, and we did see three Garganey, so mustn't grumble

Stunt Ladybird 'showing well' on a daisy

photos taken with Canon EOS 30D + EF 300mm f/4L IS USM or Canon Powershot A640