Wasps would chew wood
There’s a wasp busily chewing the face off a wooden sign in the woodland. It’s making paper, which wasps have been doing …
An Osprey on the Teign
The River Teign in South Devon is beautiful shortly after dawn. There’s been a sequence of very high tides recently, and I …
Cuckoo!
I’ve taken some reasonable photographs of Cuckoos in the past, despite the dull weather on my days off. They’re so wary it’s …
Kingfisher on the Lemon
The Dippers are resting so I decide to wander upstream and experience the sound of the water, the bubble of fish squirming …
Blue Tit in Blackthorn blossom
Blue Tits are one of our most decorative birds. If only we could see them as they see each other. The males …
The Hall of Einar Sunday Recommendation #35
Hello and welcome to my Sunday Recommendation. Thanks for joining me. Every week I read great wildlife and nature books, stumble upon …
Early morning Song Thrush in the dew
I don’t usually do early mornings, but I find that not sleeping well helps. I’m up with the Thrush this morning; the …
A plant which is its own watering can
I love it when I spot a parasitic plant. There was the time I spotted Ghost Pipes in Virginia: And then found …
Sticks on a stack
There’s a Herring Gull on the wall of the River Lemon. They always look as if they’re wearing strange flesh-coloured tights to …
Nesting material
Someone appears to have brought their dog hair clippings to the park. Either that or there’s been a horrendous dog fight here. …
10 grammes of warbling attitude
There’s a Willow Warbler giving it everything it’s got on Yarner Heath. Look at that little mouth, so wide open: I love …
A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker treat
Since taking photographs of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers I’ve learned what a treat they are for many people to see. They’re tiny, rare, …
Pied Flycatchers
Most of my photography is taken ‘in passing’. It’s very rare that I go out with the intention of photographing a particular …
Swifts, Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins – how do you tell them apart?
They’re small, fast and easily confused. How do you tell Swifts, Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins apart? Firstly, Swallows, House Martins …
Collared
I don’t know why, but I’ve never got close to a Collared Dove. Not in Devon, not in Italy, not in Orkney. …
Return to Dipper beach
I was so delighted last time I visited my local Dippers on the River Lemon: I decided to pay them another visit, …
Sorry to intrude
I spent a large part of my childhood going on nature walks. You never knew what you were going to find, being …
Fence-sitter
I hate sharp fences. They’re there to make sure property is protected, but their defence often turns into attack when people tangle …
Recycling
There’s a pair of Jackdaws working diligently through the cardboard in the recycling boxes. You’re meant to leave your recycling out before …
Flight
This Woodpigeon made a fabulous shape as it flew quickly overhead. It’s a massive file and the level of detail in every …
One dog ball after another
Sit or stand at the edge of the river and something soon becomes clear. There are an awful lot of dogs missing …
Dippers: a bit of singing and dancing
I last saw Dippers in my home town over twenty years ago. I get the tip-off that they’re still here and decide …
I am calling
Carrion Crows are some of the most interesting birds to observe. I occasionally watch a man who walks across a local footbridge …
Patterns of life
I love the patterns in old wood. Whenever I’m out walking I’m looking for signs of nature and signs of growth, textures …
Jump-on-a-Pole
The Stonechat is named after its call; a sound like two stones being banged together. I’ve really enjoyed my time with them …
Recovery
Life has a habit of damaging you. People get bitter and angry and cynical as they get older. They just can’t help …
Domesticus
The chirping of flocks of House Sparrows is a joyous thing. They’re noisy, gregarious creatures and full of the joys of spring. …
On the trail
It’s a year since I bought a trail camera. It senses movement or heat and triggers still and video recording. It’s a …
Waterbed
Have you ever tried making love on a waterbed? Ask a swan what it’s like. Archimedes could have predicted the outcome; you …
Alert
Robins are either alert or they are no longer. Being alert is a life or death capability. This one has a straight-footed …