On a walk in my local patch, I passed the scots pines as I usually do. I very nearly didn’t see this Great Spotted Woodpecker, sat very still and very low on the tree trunk. I almost mistook it for a sculpted model! While I kept my distance so as not to disturb it, the woodpecker remained on its vertical perch for quite sometime. A fantastic view of a brilliant bird!
During November I managed to spot a favourite perch for two local buzzards, a telegraph pole in a wide open field. A fantastic view of these stunning birds-of-prey and a great opportunity to take photographs. I took a lot of photographs, and this is my favourite, I hope you like it too!
Here is my photographs for September and October. A little late but I hope that you enjoy them!
September
A moody, grey September day was prefect for a wild walk. All the hallmarks of autumn could be seen, felt and smelt. Trees laden with berries, but bare of leaves. Mushrooms pushing up through the fallen foliage. Birds everywhere, taking advantage of the time of plenty.
I saw this crow strutting across the ground, before picking a higher vantage point in the bare branches of a birch tree. So picture perfect I lifted my camera and this was the result!
October
Another autumnal day, this time the air was crisp and cold but the light was warm and golden. A great day to visit the park and watch the cheeky squirrels squabble over conkers and berries.
I watched one run down a yew tree trunk, completely oblivious to me. I managed to catch the very moment the squirrel noticed me!
I didn’t have a photo for August until the very last day of the month.
On a short walk in my neighbourhood, I saw some Swallows flying low over the a field. They would swoop low over the grass and then fly up to a branch in the hedgerow that lined the pasture. Waiting impatiently were 5 fledglings, eager to be fed!
I was thrilled to catch a photo of an adult mid-feed while the other hungry offspring continued to call for attention. These may well be the last Swallows of summer!
A little catch up on my photographs for the last two months.
May
May’s photograph was an easy choice, on a daily exercise I had the good fortune to see three foxes hunting in an open field. I was able to stand and watch them for a long 15 minutes before I was noticed. Incredible opportunity to see such beautiful animals on the hunt!
June
With June being the month of the Wildlife Trust’s #30DaysWild, I had so many wild moments and photographs to choose from. It was a hard to pick just one photo. I settled on a family photo of the Peregrine Falcons of Worcester Cathedral!
Today I took a trip out to Morecambe, I had never been before and I was very excited to be by the sea!
The weather was wild! The wind was so strong I am amazed to still be on my feet! The sand blew up off the beach and was drifting on the sea front, it was like walking through sand paper! Once clear of the sand, I had the chance to look around the tidal area, the mudflats looked desolate, moody, awe-inspiring! A perfect place for sea birds.
The occasional bird struggled to fly against the wind, or whipped passed in the opposite direction! A few had given up and had just sat down in the seaweed and mud! I saw Herring Gulls, Lesser Black-Backed Gulls, Black-Headed Gulls, Crows, Magpies, Pigeons, Starlings, House Sparrows, Pied Wagtails, 2 Terns and 2 Oystercatchers.
One thing that really impressed me was how the town had embraced the bird life that visited the bay. The was sculptures and art in honour of many different species; some were individual pieces, other decorated bollards or fence lines.
I’m home now and feeling rather wind swept, happy and exhausted from my thrilling day by the sea!
You may have noticed from my Twitter account or here on my blog, I have a special place in my heart for Peregrine Falcons. None more so than the ones in Worcester.
It was a rather special treat yesterday to be able to spend several hours watching the falcon family that reside on the Cathedral. I admired them as they rested on the tower, perched ever looking the powerful predator. There was a successful hunt too, a Wood Pigeon was the meal of choice. As the feathers were plucked and floated away, the demanding juvenile screeched in expectation!
Worcester Cathedral is an impressive building and landmark, it is made even more special to me by the Peregrines that have made it their home!
Today I watched a Buzzard skilfully surf the air currents of a stormy sky.
When I looked out of the window this morning I was disappointed to see the clouds and rain. Even though it wasn’t the hot sunny day I had hoped for, I resolved that I would still go out for a walk.
I stayed local, walking along the canal near to me. It was a very peaceful, I watched the ripples on the surface of the water while listening to raindrops on the leaves above me. The ducks also seemed to be enjoying the weather!
I was pleasantly surprised to a fair amount of insects. Most perched on the reeds that lined the water way.
It was a worth while walk, even if I returned home more than a little damp!
I took a slow meander along the canal local to me. I took my time and watched the swallows glide just above the surface of the water avoiding the cute fluffy ducklings following their mum down stream. I listened to the blackbirds, wrens and chiffchaffs. Further along I saw 2 herons flying in the distance,while a flock a long-tailed tits passed on long the hedgerow beside me.
I caught some of this as a video and as photographs, so I could share my blissful wild walk with you here.
lulovelock 