White-Tailed Sea Eagle
We’re on a cruise in Poole Harbour with Birds of Poole Harbour. We’re hoping to see one of the White-Tailed Eagles which …
Cattle Egret
I have a habit of shooting first and asking ID questions later. It’s a good habit to have. This is a classic …
Distal rhynchokinesis
Two Black-Tailed Godwits are interacting at Seaton Wetlands. It’s fascinating. The one on the left is the male. He’s dominant, flying and …
Pochard
The Pochard, Aythya ferina, has been called Pochard since the mid 1500s but the origin of its name is lost in etymological …
Life within life
Lichen is hardy. The salt spray, the desiccating sun, and the bitter wind don’t discourage it at all. They simply slow its …
Pineapple Weed
After finding an endless supply of Pineapple Weed on Westray last summer I’m now very keen on making some Pineapple Weed Posset. …
The River Exe – Dunlin
Dunlin are one of the commonest shorebirds found around the UK’s coastline. They form glorious flocks which twist this way and that …
The River Exe – Grey Plover
We call the Grey Plover, Pluvialis squatarola, the Grey Plover in the UK because they are, most definitely, grey. They’re a beautiful, …
The River Exe – Spotted Redshank
Spotted Redshank, Tringa erythopus, are such elegant birds. I love their long necks, precision bills and patterned plumage. It was a thrill …
The River Exe – Red-Breasted Mergansers
Red-Breasted Mergansers are saw-billed diving ducks. They’re spectacular in flight. We’re on a River Exe Cruise with Stuart Line Cruises. It’s sold …
Angelica
There are two species of Angelica on Westray. There is Wild Angelica, Angelica sylvestris, known as Caiko, which is a native species …
Alpine Swifts
Here’s an entertaining shot I forgot to post when I took it back in April 2023. The word went out that a …
“As daft as a Coot”
I always thought that the common idiom was “As bald as a Coot”, so when my dad said “As daft as a …
Bluebells and Woodpeckers
For some reason I never did post this photograph in May last year. That’s odd, because it’s one of my favourites. A …
Return to Bass
Whenever I take a large quantity of photographs there’s an even larger amount of selecting, importing, editing, exporting, selecting and uploading before …
Chiaroscuro
The interplay of light and dark with strong contrast obsessed many painters. Caravaggio was one of them. The drama of intense lighting, …
Rose-Ringed Parakeet in The Regent’s Park
Many of the parks in London are busy with a naturalised species of Parrot. The Rose-Ringed Parakeet is so successful that it …
Hello down there
Ever felt glad you’re not a fish? This Northern Gannet was so close I felt I could reach out and touch it.
Another introduced species
The Egyptian Goose, Alopochen aegyptiaca, is another species introduced into to the UK to the estates and parklands of stately homes by …
A tracery of droplets
A visit to Chard Reservoir is always a welcome trip. I’m here because my son and his partner are using it as …
Long neck, long bill and long tail
The Northern Pintail, Anas acuta, has a long, elegant neck, a long beautifully curved beak, and a long pointed tail. It also …
An Arctic Tern colony
There’s an Arctic Tern colony on Westray which is next to a road with a couple of parking spaces. It’s possible to …
Wigeon
I love how beautiful Wigeon are close-up. Their patterns and colours are a delight. Many come to the UK from Iceland, Scandinavia …
Smew two
The Smew in The Regent’s Park in London are a thrill to get close to, even if they are in shadow: Here’s …
Finally, a Little Owl
It’s been a dream of mine to see a Little Owl again, ever since I looked after a juvenile one when I …
An Arctic Tern with a Lumpfish
Lumpfish grow to be large fish, sometimes washed up on the beaches of Westray. To see them as tiny fish, brought in …
Signs of life
There are signs of life everywhere on Westray. In this case it’s signs of life from 380 million years ago from species …
Fresh white feathers over turbulent turquoise seas
The rich eggy-yellow heads of Gannets are a constant delight as they sweep past the cliffs of Noup Head. The crisp white …
Fish on parade
The Arctic Terns which breed on Westray come back with a constant procession of fish and then parade them up and down …
Giant nocturnal woodlice
Sea Slaters are giant nocturnal woodlice. They are common in crevices and rock pools and under stones along the coast of Westray. …