Big Boletes
To find wild mushrooms at their peak you really need to visit a likely spot for them every three days. As they’re …
The oaks have tongues
We’re on an organised fungus foray with the Devon Fungus Group when our leader spots a Beefsteak Fungus, Fistulina hepatica, on a …
The Monks of Basle – a poem by Colonel John Hay
One of my favourite poets isn’t known today, and, when people do recognise his name, it’s not as a poet. Colonel John …
Woolly Milkcaps with fantastically fuzzy edges
There’s a beautiful pinkish-white mushroom on the floor in this Birch woodland. It’s got a marvellous fuzzy-jumper top. Gorgeous, isn’t it? It’s …
Chanterelles
When life gives you apricot-scented fungi, you’ve found Chanterelles.
Raven
Have you ever looked at a photograph and seen something in it which you didn’t see at the time you took it? …
Lovely Linnets in the garden
Each year at Einar, the Linnets build their nests and raise their chicks. It takes two weeks from laying to hatching and …
Yet more Puffins
I took so many photographs of Puffins this summer that I’ve not published even a fraction of my favourites, so here are …
Puffins chased by Arctic Skuas
A Puffin’s dinner is an Arctic Skua’s dinner. Arctic Skuas are hunting Puffins for their fish on Westray and they’re having intermittent …
Black Guillemots
Black Guillemots remind me of pigeons in their attitude and body shape. Maybe it’s the position of their wings? Maybe it’s the …
Teewhuppos
There’s an adult Lapwing calling near the farm track as we bobble along it. That’s odd because they normally just fly away. …
Mallimack life
Fulmars are my favourite birds to watch flying. They have an effortless confidence on the wind, and glide with stiff wings as …
One Arctic Skua evening
Arctic Skuas are one of my favourite birds. Their swept-back wings, hooked beaks and pointed tail feathers make a distinctive silhouette. I …
Pool Frog
There’s a Pool Frog in this reflection pool. I’m trying to take photographs of birds here, but this frog has diverted me …
More Puffins
I took more photographs of Puffins this summer than I can possibly post. So here are some of my unseen favourites. I …
Crested Tit
I’ve not seen a Crested Tit before. They live in pine forests in Scotland and that’s a habitat I’ve not spent a …
A Pied Flycatcher in the woods
There’s a Pied Flycatcher here: What a stunning bird. The Pied Flycatcher’s scientific name is Ficedula hypoleuca. The RSPB estimates there are …
A juvenile Song Thrush passes by
We’re obviously in a great spot here, in this bird hide in Slovenia. The species count is incredible and we’ve seen many …
Greenfinches
Adult Greenfinches are stunning birds. The intensity of their plumage in beautiful dappled light has to be experienced to be believed. Their …
Marsh Tit
There’s a beautiful Marsh Tit close by: Lovely, isn’t it? And such gorgeous light. It was a pleasure to have a few …
Jays at the pool
It’s always a thrill to see Jays. They are, however, difficult to see. The most likely reason for that is human persecution. …
Goldfinches
We have Goldfinch visitors to the reflection pool, here in Slovenia. They are alert to any danger and approach cautiously. Drinking makes …
The white-tipped tail
There’s a Red Fox, Vulpes vulpes, in the forest. At first I can only see its tail, held aloft, with its distinctive …
Juvenile Robin and adult bath time
Robins are one of my favourite birds. I don’t care about seeing rarities, or collecting a large list of species, like other …
Cattle Egret
I’ve seen Cattle Egrets, Bubulcus ibis, before, on a trip to Italy. That was in the summer. Here’s my experience: I’m in …
A Violet Dropwing dragonfly stops by
We’ve gone for a walk around a volcano. Don’t worry, it’s been extinct for so long that its crater has become a …
The most delicious taste for a creature of one mouthful
It’s always a delight to see a Wheatear. They’re quite incredible in their capacity to migrate. They can travel many thousands of …
Fledgling Rock Pipit
I’m climbing down the shallow cliffs to the sea to take photographs of Puffins in flight when I hear the usual pipping …
Tracing the outlines
I’m tracing the outlines of a barnacle city on the rocks of Westray’s shore. The outlines remind me of looking down on …
National Ragwort Day
Ragwort is a national treasure and should be celebrated. It’s a gloriously cheerful plant of the most intense yellow and green. It’s …