A Bugs Life

While most of us might not like to acknowledge it, insects & invertebrates are all around us. The sheer range of size, hue & shape makes them so interesting to me. I have to admit that even with this curiosity i overlooked them as subjects to capture with my camera, much to the relief of some my friends.

A pair of large White butterflies  Pieris brassicae

Looking on line showed the folly of this & was inspired by some of the shots which put me to shame.

Moorland or Common Hawker      Aeshna juncea

Moorland Hawker

They can be quite difficult to capture, watching dragonflies swoop with the agility close to that of birds was very disheartening as i walked along the woodland edge, i was certain i would not be shooting any of them. however i had duties in the area & on one of the many trips through this area one of them helped out by landing behind me.

A Meadow Brown    Maniola jurtina

Large White

There was many butterflies on this path too.

Common Green Grasshopper     Omocestus virdulus

I found grasshopper's in the fields where my journeys ended.

These horses were the reason for my travels, i was looking after them while their owners were on holidays.



Thank you for visiting,
niall

Down the Hatch

  Miss blackbird having a snack, with all the talk of alternative food do you think you could handle this?

Turdus Merula

Have a good week & thank you for visiting.
  Niall

Hide & Seek

Playing hide & seek with one of the locals

phasianus colchicus 

Blackbirds

A few shots from a few years ago with my old D50. The morning after a wedding, with all my memory cards full. i stumbled upon this battle for territory. So engrosed in the fight they did not notice me. I was able to deleate a few raw files & switch over to jepg. I also switched lens, thankfull i had lugged around a long lens with me the day previous, i didn't think i would need it, but you never know!! My monopod had spent the night in the car, so i had to shoot unsupported, which explains why they are a little soft.

The girl with me begged me repeatedly to intervene & while uncomfortable about doing so, it was the direction we were heading. When i stepped between them one moved back slightly while his opponent charged stright at my black shoes. The red mist had decended, not to be outdone number two did likewise. I was informed they were still fighting two days later.

Just wondering how other people feel about intervening with wildlife in such situations, or if like me thinking that while nature can be cruel, it is best to leave it be.

Just a reminder to keep your camera near by, you never know what is around the next corner.

Thank you for visiting.


  niall

The Neighbours

This started out when i was ill a few weeks ago, i turned into something of a spectator in the lives of my neighbours.

These young red polls were using the dog pen as a climbing frame.

Ravens & magpies who woke me up quite earlier.

A juvenile pied wagtail, who is still missing some of its plumage.

A juvenile starling with its rather dapper colouring.

A pheasant who is a regular.

Swallows who always feature here, but this time on the ground.

A male blackbird.

Thank you for visiting.