A walk in the woods

dead branches

brambles

Siskins: male (top) and female

Dunnock

Chaffinch

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

It's that time of year

Beech leaves, beechmast and wasp

Sweet Chestnut

Oak skeleton

Red Admiral

Oak

Brambles

Green Woodpecker hole

Leaf litter

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

Hedgerow

Ox-eye daisies

Bumblebee in flight

Bramble blossom

Speckled Wood

Dog-rose

Azure Damselfly

Bee on Cow Parsley

Spider

Caterpillar 'floating' in mid-air, dangling on a line of silk

Leaves

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

Lodge gardens

The sun came out this lunchtime so I thought I'd better make the most of it while it lasted...

Crocuses

Daffodils

Honeysuckle

Bramble leaves...

Woodpecker hole

I think this (Great Spotted Woodpecker) hole must be quite recent. The edges look fairly fresh (there are even a few downy feathers snagged on the rough wood) and there's sap oozing from around the hole.

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

New era

I've been thinking about getting a proper camera for a long time, and I've finally done it. I served my digiscoping apprenticeship and decided it was about time I jumped on the DSLR bandwagon.

These are early days. I haven't got a clue of which settings to use; I just know I need to get close. It's not been hugely successful so far, but it's great fun - feels like the photographic equivalent of go-karting!

Now I just need to find some nice, cooperative birds.

And so, at The Lodge this morning...

Blue Tit. Some nestbox inspection going on


Robin preening

Frosty ivy berries



Dunnock singing

Bramble leaves

Wouldn't be complete without some sunlit leaves, would it?

And from yesterday...

Greylag Geese

Bullfinches munching on ash keys

photos taken with Canon EOS 30D, EF 300mm f/4L IS USM, Extender EF 1.4x II