Alcester Nature Photography

Cormorants

2011-12-13T16:02:00.007Z

These pics were taken about a week ago, but I have not had chance to post them until now. They were taken at Salford Priors gravel pits, which are about six miles from Alcester. On arriving I could not believe how many Cormorants there were. I counted twenty four in one tree alone. No wonder the local anglers are up in arms. Also around were a couple of Herons, and best of all a little Egret. It was the first time I have seen one these, managing to get a really good view in the binoculars, but not close enough to photograph it.

Cold Comfort Wood

2011-11-20T18:18:00.013Z

Cold Comfort Wood is a mainly Oak & Hazel wood, situated on the outskirts of Alcester. Passing through Cold Comfort Wood, is part of the Monarchs Way, a 615 mile, long distance footpath, which is supposed to closely follow the route of Charles the second's escape after his defeat at the battle of Worcester in 1651.

I spent a couple of hours looking around, mainly for opportunities to photograph fungi. I came across what I believe to be Shaggy Parasol Fungi (macrolepiota procera), although I may be wrong as there are several lookalikes. I photographed one specimen close up, and then another trying to show it in it's environment. On the way back to the car I noticed a clump of Fairy inkcap ( I Think) on a stump in the middle of the footpath. Again I took a close up and then an environmental shot. Once again if anybody disagrees with my fungi ID's I am happy to get feedback.

What A Cracking Day!

2011-11-13T12:20:00.005Z

Went for a walk this morning along the River Arrow from Alcester towards Kings Coughton, it was a cracking morning, unbelievably warm for a November day. About a mile into the walk I spotted a flash of blue as a kingfisher flew from a branch. Thinking I might be lucky I set the camera up on a tripod and pre-focussed on the branch, I hid in the trees and hoped it would return. About half an hour later the Kingfisher did indeed return, I pressed the shutter release and absolutely nothing happened, the batteries had depleted, AAAgh!!!. I changed the batteries convinced I had blown my chance, but decided to wait a bit longer. I dont know how long I was waiting for when a Goldcrest appeared, feeding on the Lichen covered trees where I was hiding.I watched it for quite a while it seemed oblivious of me being there even though it was only inches away. Sometimes as it moved from branch to branch it almost hovered like a humming bird, of course my camera was down the bank on a tripod, with me thinking this is good I am not going to get a picture of anything. Then all of a sudden a flash of blue and the Kingfisher had returned and this time everything functioned as it should and I managed to get three or four shots,making my day!.

Alcester Farmland

2011-11-06T20:23:00.005Z

Took this today while taking the dogs for a walk on the outskirts of Alcester, It is four shots stitched together in Photoshop to make a panoramic picture of Alcester farmland. It is my first attempt at doing one of these and is hand held, so it is probably a little bit soft. quite enjoyed doing this though so I will have another go sometime, with a tripod etc. The pic appears very small on the Blog, but does look a bit better when you click on it The field I am stood in is used by Skylarks for nesting, and is valuable hunting territory for Kestrels being a sort of corridor between the industrial estate and the arable land. Unfortunately at the moment it is in the process of planning and it looks likely that it will soon disappear to become a housing estate.

Enthusiasm or lack of it

2011-11-01T18:11:00.013Z

I haven't posted anything for a little while , I have been struggling to find enthusiasm for photography down at the nature reserve lately. So to rekindle my interest I have taken a little break and been concentrating on other things. I have had a go at Band photography for a friend's rock band, and have covered a couple of their gigs. Also I have been playing around with some black & white portraiture. I have really enjoyed doing something different, but have felt the need to start posting on here again. Today I took a walk up Oversley Wood just out side Alcester and found these pics, I am not totally sure of the ID on the Fungi but I think it is Beefsteak Fungi. If any one knows I would be grateful. Also I came across this unseasonable Foxglove obviously confused by this warm weather. UPDATE I have just looked at the Fungi ID websites and now think that this one could be Blushing Bracket (Daedaleopsis confragosa)

Stacking (waiting to land)

2011-07-12T12:12:00.004+01:00

A couple of images from the other day, yet another Green Veined White and a Large Skipper. I had not realized until I reviewed the images on the computer screen that a hoverfly was also on the image

Butterflies and Demoiselles

2011-06-29T08:15:00.004+01:00

Just some pics taken at the fields I was describing in my last post. quite a few Butterflies showing, plus loads of Demoiselles. The first pic of the Ringlet was taken looking through the long grasses, trying to achieve something a little different.

Slightly Different

2011-06-26T09:14:00.005+01:00

Went for a walk along the River Arrow towards Studley yesterday, I saw a couple of kingfishers but not close enough to attempt taking any photos. A bit further along I came to a couple of fields that look as though they have been set aside, allowing them to become like meadows I suppose. Lots of butterflies and Damselflies were showing, but after looking at Jodie Randalls website again (see link on right of page ) I thought I would attempt some slightly different pics of plants with blurred backgrounds or foregrounds. So here are some of my attempts, I know what I am trying to achieve and I am not even close yet, but I will have fun trying.

Warm Weather

2011-06-04T14:07:00.011+01:00

This recent warm weather has seen all the Fish in the River Arrow move up into the higher layers, or onto the shallows making them much more visible. The majority of the fish are either Chub And Dace, but I did manage to find some Perch yesterday unfortunately I was unable to get any decent pics, mainly due to a lack of polarizing filter for the lens I was using. Did manage this pic of a Chub, that was high in the water. On reaching the wildlife reserve pond, I was in for a surprise with this small Common Carp basking in the edge, I had no idea there was anything like this in the pond. The other pics of the Banded Demoiselle, and the Campion were taken around the edge of the pond. It looks like I am going to have to buy a polarizing filter for my lens if I am going to get some better pics of the fish

Another Fine Weekend

2011-04-17T15:07:00.011+01:00

Another fine weekend with the chance to photograph some of the Butterflies, that are showing really well at the moment. Also took a couple of plant pics, I am not very good with plant identification, but I believe they were Cowslips and Willow catkins.

Swimming Grass Snake

2011-04-10T18:22:00.011+01:00

I went down to the nature reserve today, not really expecting to see much as I was sure there would have been a lot of disturbance. but another couple out wildlife watching told me they had seen a Grass Snake swimming out in the pond. We were discussing this when it turned up again and we managed to get a few shots. It made my day, and it just goes to show that you can never be sure of what you will see.

Grey Heron

2011-03-19T23:28:00.005Z

This was taken a few minutes after the pic on my last post about Grey Herons. it was taken just at the moment when it spooked, and flew off.

Black-Headed Gull

2011-02-20T18:05:00.005Z

These Black-Headed Gulls were photographed in Stratford-Upon-Avon on the River Avon close to the Royal Shakespeare theater. They are showing their adult winter plumage where their hood, which is actually brown not black is absent. As you can see from the state of the rocks, this is a regular resting place.

Heron

2011-02-08T13:04:00.005Z

This was taken at the pond in Alcester's nature reserve. I usually manage to spook any Herons before getting a pic, but this time I was already there before the Heron arrived. He was stalking all around the far edge of the pond & I just had to be patient waiting for him to move into the patch of sunlight.

Collared Dove

2011-02-02T21:48:00.003Z

A pair of Collared Doves photographed in a tree at the bottom of my garden. they were waiting for our dogs to disappear before swooping down to feed on seed that had fallen to the ground under the feeders.

Happy Christmas

2010-12-23T22:15:00.003Z

Cheers everyone!

Goldfinch

2010-12-21T21:42:00.006Z

Lots of Goldfinches have been visiting a tree in our next door neighbours garden and I can just about photograph them from one of our back bedroom windows. They do not usually visit this tree to my knowledge, but I suppose this extreme cold weather has meant that they have to feed on whatever they can find, not what they would prefer. as you can see from the pics the tree has some kind of catkin type seed head from which they are extracting the little seeds

Out and about in the snow

2010-12-19T17:51:00.008Z

Had a good afternoon wandering around the nature reserve after our snowfall yesterday. You can always rely on the Robin to show up. Anyway here are some of the pics that I managed to get

Backlit Robin

2010-11-13T16:52:00.003Z

Anybody who knows Alcester nature reserve, will know where this is, it is the old railway bridge that used to carry the branchline from Alcester to Great Alne and beyond. The old rivet heads are quite visible in this shot. It is always a good place to have a look for birds & Squirrels as some of the dog walkers put down bird seed etc.

Kingfisher flight

2010-10-29T16:43:00.006+01:00

Well this should be interesting, I will be intrigued to hear peoples views on this pic, but first off all I will explain how it came about. I have had a few days off so I managed to get out with the camera a bit, nothing much was happening on the reserve, but while on the way back home I heard the high pitched peep of a Kingfisher as it shot past me downstream. So I waited there hoping it would come back the other way, sure enough after a little while it flashed past again. This was the resulting shot, as I just could not pan fast enough to keep up with it. At first I just disregarded this shot as rubbish, but after looking at it again on the computer and boosting the contrast a little I began to think again,as this was actually just as I saw it, a vibrant flash of blue. So I thought I would post it and see if people liked it or loathed it.

House Sparrows

2010-10-24T16:36:00.009+01:00

I have been looking through some old files on my computer, trying to organise my pics a little better, and I came across this file which for some reason I had not used. I think the image is good enough to show, so have decided to include it. I know it is a only a pic of House Sparrows, but according to the R.S.P.B.they are becoming much less common, Some research suggests that there has been as much as a 50 per cent decline since 1990. So we should enjoy them while we can!.

Swan

2010-09-11T10:54:00.003+01:00

First post for ages, due to job moving to another branch, plus having wisdom teeth removed (not to be recommended) Lol. So just to get things moving again a quick pic taken of a Swan on the River Arrow just outside Alcester.

Dragons & Damsels

2010-07-09T23:38:00.008+01:00

A bit further afield today visiting my mates fishing lake the other side of Stratford upon Avon.

loads of dragonflies and Damselflies about. Managed to get a couple of pics, but will definitely be back to try and get some better shots. The top one I believe is a Ruddy Darter but if anybody thinks differently please let me know.

At last

2010-05-22T17:05:00.009+01:00

At last I managed to get down to the nature reserve, all be it only for about an hour, but it was just great to be there. it has been a scorching hot day here in the Midlands, and I managed to forget my hat, so I am now sporting a very red head Lol. I only managed a few grab shots but I have posted them anyway. The first is just a scenic shot in bright light, then there is one I am not quite sure of, I thought they were Bluebells, but now I am not sure , they maybe some cultivated species, if anyone knows, please let me know. Then lastly there is a shot of Wild Garlic flower in dappled light, plenty of these about at the moment with their pungent aroma. I must get around to try and use these in cooking sometime.

Not enough time

2010-05-02T21:40:00.003+01:00

I am sure everybody has the problem of lack of time, but I am really struggling to get out with the camera at the moment. I am having to work out of a different depot at the moment which is adding about two hours on to each day, it looks like this is going to go on for about twelve weeks.

So I am going to have to try and get a couple of hours at the weekends, hopefully!.

In the meantime here is a pic from last Autumn just to get something posted

Squirrels plus Wren

2010-03-09T14:22:00.012Z

I managed to get down to the reserve for a couple of hours this morning, once again a beautiful morning after a frosty start. lots of squirrels about today, I managed to get several shots in nice light, so I was pleased with that. Also found another Wren busy hunting insects in the dry grasses.

I got slightly closer than on my last attempt at photographing them, but I would still like to get closer still. maybe next time.

Wren

2010-03-02T14:29:00.004Z

Had the day off today so went to spend some time at the nature reserve, it turned out to be a lovely day after a frosty start. Their seemed to be definite signs of spring, with the Rooks and Jackdaws busy with bits of twigs for nest building. Also their was a lot of these Wrens about, singing their hearts out, not sure if this is to attract others, or to keep other males away from their territory. ( Dont forget to click on pic for a larger view).

Snowdrops

2010-02-21T16:27:00.008Z

Some pics of Snowdrops taken today at Kinwarton, near St Mary the Virgin church. Kinwarton is a little Hamlet, just on the edge of Alcester. Probably best known for its 14th century dovecote which is owned by the national trust.

Coot.

2010-02-16T09:25:00.003Z

Pic of a Coot on the River Avon at Stratford upon Avon. More of a record shot really, as I prefer shots showing more of the environment, but the light was quite nice for recording some detail in the black feathers.

Pigeon post

2010-02-01T21:19:00.005Z

Or a post about a pigeon!. This Wood pigeon was actually photographed the same day as the Squirrels in the last post, but I have been unsure whether to post this or not. The thing is there wasn't anything remotely challenging about taking this pic, in fact I could have probably have reached out and touched this Pigeon, it was being so docile. But having looked at them again I do like the colouring, especially the iridescent green on the neck. Maybe it is too easy to overlook the commonplace, instead of fully appreciating what we are seeing.

Bookends!

2010-01-26T17:20:00.004Z

Had the day off today, so I managed to get to nature reserve for a little while. I spooked a Buzzard before I had chance to photograph it. But I did see plenty of these Grey squirrels about, this pair just reminded me of a bookends sitting on a shelf!

Robin

2010-01-24T18:35:00.006Z

At last a little bit of sunshine, so I quickly took advantage and made my way to the nature reserve. Unfortunately for me everyman and his dog were also out enjoying the sun. But at least you can always rely on these little chaps to provide a photo opportunity. This one followed me around for quite awhile, before eventually leaving to see off another male Robin trying to get on his patch.

Snow at the nature reserve

2010-01-19T11:09:00.009Z

Just a few photos of Alcester nature reserve in the snow, not really much to say about them except I hope you enjoy them. The close up pic is, I believe Small Teasel (Dipsacus pilosus) which is apparently rare locally, and is one of the reasons the nature reserve exists.

Boxing day Starling

2009-12-26T17:09:00.004Z

Just a humble Starling that has taken a liking for the fatballs in the feeder by our kitchen window. I had just done the washing up, after our Boxing day dinner when I noticed the light behind this Starling. The orange background was the bright sunlight lighting up the brickwork on the houses behind us, with the movement of the bushes and shrubs making the whole background softer. Using a wide aperture, handheld and shot through the kitchen window, has helped soften the background as well.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-22T22:26:00.004Z

Had a bit of fun with this pic on photoshop. I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas & Happy New year, and also to thank everyone who has followed my blog, and taken the time to leave encouraging comments. I look forward to posting more pics in the new year.

Goldfinch

2009-12-06T13:27:00.006Z

I didn't get the chance to get out this weekend, so had to content myself by trying to take pics of the Goldfinches on our back garden feeders. I think the Goldfinch is probably my favourite garden bird because of the colouring. It took quite awhile to actually get them to visit the garden, but now they regularly visit, sometimes up to 8 or 9 at a time.

Funnily enough they are very tolerant of attempts to photograph them, rarely spooking off, when fumbling about focusing and adjusting settings. this pic was actually shot through the glass of our conservatory, so I was quite pleased with the result.

Another Magpie Inkcap

2009-11-27T23:29:00.005Z

I found this really good specimen of Magpie Inkcap at Oversley Wood yesterday, I was going to give the Fungi pics a miss for awhile, so not to bore people, but I could not resist this one. If you look at my earlier posting of a Magpie Inkcap it shows a younger one, as it emerges from the ground, while this one is full size and in the process of opening up and then auto dissolving. It was actually dripping away as I took the pics

More Fungi from Oversley Wood

2009-11-19T21:08:00.004Z

More Fungi from Oversley Wood, not really sure on the IDs so any help would be appreciated The Fungi in the bottom pic was interesting, it was extremely delicate and only an inch or so high. There was quite a carpet of them. I don't think the pic really does justice to them

Patterns & Textures.

2009-11-08T21:33:00.006Z

I have always liked photos showing patterns & textures, and the small details. so here are some taken at Oversley Wood. I suppose they will not be everyones cup of tea, in fact I am sure some people will think I must have been short of subjects LOL. But here goes anyway.

Golden brown, texture like sun.

2009-11-05T13:34:00.012Z

Title with apologies to the Stranglers LOL, It was an absolutely beautiful morning at Oversley wood today, and as soon as I walked in, with the sun streaming through the trees, I started to sing that Stranglers song to myself. So that was it, my mind was made up, and the subject for today's post was set. Hope you like the pics. Dont forget to click on pics to get a bigger picture.

Fungi in Oversley Wood

2009-10-31T20:04:00.018Z

Oversley Wood is one mile south of Alcester, and was once part of the southern end of the Forest of Arden. I spent some time up there this morning taking pics of Fungi. I was particularly looking for Fly Agarics, but did not come across any. Maybe it is the wrong time of year?. I did manage to find these, I am really not sure of the IDs so any help would be really appreciated, but this is what I think they are. The top two pics are possibly False Chanterelle (Hygrophoropsis Durartiaca), the next one I think is Fairy Inkcap (Coprinus disseminatus) and the last two I am pretty sure are Magpie Inkcap (Coprinospsis Picacea).

Chaffinch

2009-10-25T19:24:00.004Z

Have not had much time lately, with one thing and another, but I did manage to get out today. I was quite pleased with this pic of a Chaffinch, I liked the colours in the background. A very blustery day today, making photography difficult, but I did get some nice views of Mallards in flight as night fell.

Mallards

2009-09-26T17:04:00.004+01:00

I was taking the dogs for a walk along the River, when these Mallards took off and flew around in a circle a couple of times. not really sure why they were doing it as they eventually landed almost where they had taken of from.

Anyway because they flew around twice I managed to grab a few flight shots.

Swan in flight

2009-09-16T13:47:00.006+01:00

Had a day of work today, part of the credit crunch as we are all being rostered off two extra days a month, but at least I have still got a job which is more than a lot of people have, according to the news today.
Anyway I decided to try and make the most of it and went out with the camera to see what I could find. first stop was a look around the nature reserve, where I managed to spook a Heron ,but did manage to get a shot of one of the Moorhens.

Not much else happening so I thought I would take a look at the River Arrow on the other side of town towards Oversley Green. The River is wider this side of the town, because the River Alne converges with the River Arrow at Oversley. While walking the river I came across a pair of Swans and managed to capture the pic of one of them flapping its wings. Later on when I was on the way back towards town, I heard the unmistakable sound of a Swan in flight and just managed to get few shots as it went overhead, with the one posted probably the best of the bunch.

Brief encounter

2009-09-12T21:44:00.007+01:00

I was obviously a bit premature on my last post, thinking that summer was over, as this last week has been absolutely glorious, with today being no exception, it has a been beautiful day here in Alcester.

I went down to the reserve this afternoon, but it was far to busy with dog walkers & kids to be any good for nature photography. So I decided to walk along the River Arrow in the opposite direction towards Studley. It was much better, with only one other person seen in a couple of miles of walking.

Because of the warm weather there was still the odd butterfly showing, and I managed to get a couple of decent shots of a Green Veined White.

Whilst I was sat near the waters edge enjoying the peace & quiet, I heard a rustling in the Balsam on the opposite bank and thought that a Moorhen would be responsible, but to my surprise an old dog Fox appeared and laid down on the pebbles near the waters edge obviously sunning himself. I managed to get a couple of shots by turning the autofocus off so as not to spook him. But unfortunately he was nearly obscured by vegetation, so I decided to stand up slowly and get a shot, but unfortunately this spooked him and he was off.

It was a shame I did not get a decent pic,but I was extremely chuffed with a brief, but memorable encounter.

Season of mellow fruitfulness

2009-09-05T18:22:00.012+01:00

Out and about today and the signs of Autumn are everywhere, all the trees and bushes are overflowing with fruit and berries. Also the leaves are starting to change colour.

To me there is a distinct feeling of summer being over. I found loads of Rosehips, Blackberries & Elderberries etc, also I found an old Apple tree growing amongst all the Brambles & Hawthorn which was overflowing with Apples. I will have to watch some of the old Hugh Fearnley Whassisname programmes and come up with some good recipes to try out.

Snail shells

2009-08-29T00:59:00.004+01:00

Been very busy with work and a family wedding to go to so things have been a bit quiet on here lately. I thought I would post these pics of Snail shells from a couple of weekends ago. As I have said before I really like photographing these, I like the colours & patterns, almost like porcelain.

Gatekeeper

2009-08-18T20:52:00.005+01:00

I am sat at the computer loading some pics, whilst drinking coffee and eating some of my wifes homemade flapjack, what could be better?. Anyway I thought I would post this shot of a Gatekeeper taken yesterday at the nature reserve, shame about the chunk missing out of the right hand side wing. As far as I can make out this particular pattern on the wings means that it is a female.

River Arrow

2009-08-16T18:36:00.009+01:00

I was down at the nature reserve this morning and I was struck by how much Himalayan Balsam there was this year.( I hope I have the I.D. correct, I am not very good on plants)..There seems to be masses of pink all over the River Arrow at the moment, which whilst looking nice, I believe it is an invasive foreign introduction. although I do not know whether it does much harm.

I have posted some pics of the River Arrow bordering the nature reserve showing some of the

Himalayan Balsam, also a close up pic. I hope I have the I.D. correct or I will have to rewrite this post LOL please click on the pics for a larger image. Also I apologise about the type jumping all over the place, for some reason I cannot get the type to justify properly.

Common Blue damselfly

2009-08-09T11:34:00.004+01:00

Back to work tomorrow after two weeks off, how depressing is that!. Still we have had a good two weeks, and I am off down the nature reserve this afternoon to see what is about. I am hoping to get some more Dragonfly & Damselfly pics like the one above, so fingers crossed.

Painted Lady

2009-07-31T21:47:00.004+01:00

I went to the nature reserve for a couple of hours yesterday, trying to get some good pics, once again I ended up kicking myself for spooking a Grass snake before I had chance to lift the camera.

There was quite a few butterflies about and I also saw one of the Kingfishers. This Painted Lady was probably the best pic of the day.

New Forest

2009-07-26T17:54:00.005+01:00

I have been to busy to get out with the camera just lately, we drove down to Lymington yesterday to pick up some friends from the Isle of Wight who are going to be stopping with us for a few days. On the way we drove through part of the New Forest, which looks a great place to explore. So I am definitely going to spend some more time there as soon as possible.
In the meantime here is a pic of one of our the local Moorhens, caught in the early morning light.

Bonking Beetle!

2009-07-20T21:17:00.003+01:00

Absolutely loads of these beetles about. I am sure I read somewhere that these were also known as Bonking Beetles, which seems very apt as that is exactly what most of them seem to be doing!.

Its raining Again

2009-07-17T21:42:00.004+01:00

Well it's raining again in the Midlands, although not as bad as the Northeast seems to be getting it. At least the dampness brings the Snails out. I always think they are very photogenic, and at least they don't move very quickly Lol.

I think I have the I.D. right on this one, but if anybody disagrees please let me know.

Looking back

2009-07-14T21:16:00.005+01:00

I was looking back at some of the pics I took last winter, I thought they might be of interest. The Kingfisher seems to move off the river onto the nature reserve pond in the winter, presumably

there is more food available. They also do this in the summer when the river is in flood.

There is always quite a few Long Tail Tits around in the winter as well. I don't know what others think, but this pic seems to almost have a Japanese print feel to it.

Nature reserve

2009-07-12T15:25:00.007+01:00

I went down to the nature reserve yesterday afternoon for a couple of hours, the only spare time I had this weekend, and actually saw quite a lot. There was a fleeting glimpse of one of the Kingfishers, three different Green Woodpeckers, Dabchick with chick, Moorhen with chick, usual assorted butterflies & one grass snake which disappeared before I had time to photograph it

The nature reserve is run by the wildlife trust and consists of a couple of meadows, a pond and a wooded walk, all bordering the River Arrow. although small It always surprises me how much there is to see. Sometimes it can be to busy with dog walkers or kids, but that is all part of where it is located.

Anyway here is a couple of pics taken there.

House Martins

2009-07-09T21:55:00.006+01:00

This pic shows one of the House Martins nesting on the back of our house with a good beak full of insects. It is the 5th year that the nest has been used, I am pretty sure that this is the second brood of the year.

There appears to be a good population of House Martins around our estate, as the sky is always full of them.

It is always fascinating to watch them feed and to listen to the soft chirruping from the chicks.

Good news / Bad news.

2009-07-08T21:42:00.004+01:00

First the good news, we have been doing well with Goldfinches visiting the feeders in our garden.

It seemed to take ages to attract them onto the Nyjer seed but eventually they took to arriving

on a regular basis, in fact it became more unusual not to see them. One pair has definitely had one brood with two or three youngsters. Today when I was making breakfast I looked out to see at least four adults and three or four youngsters which is the most I have seen in the garden at one time, so I went to work quite pleased with the way things were going.

Later on in the morning I rang my wife to see whether the post I had been waiting for had arrived, only to be told that one of our dogs had caught a bird in the garden and that by the time she had got it off the dog, it was already dead. She told me she thought it was one of the young Goldfinches but was not sure, so she kept it for me to identify. Unfortunately it was one of the youngsters so that was the bad news for the day. I was surprised the dog had managed to catch it, I said to my wife we will have to put a bell on him like a cat collar!.

Grass Snake.

2009-07-07T21:00:00.007+01:00

( Image best viewed large )

This pic was taken about two weeks ago, again I have found it very hard to get any really good shots as the head always seems to be hidden in the undergrowth. Just lately they seem to have done a disappearing act, I have not seen one since this pic was taken, despite the heatwave where I thought I might find some basking. Perhaps there has been too much disturbance lately, moving them elsewhere?.

Small Tortoiseshell

2009-07-06T13:50:00.001+01:00

A couple of pics of Small Tortoiseshell butterflies also taken at Alcester nature reserve yesterday. It was very hot and quite windy which made it challenging to get any good pics.

First post

2009-07-06T13:15:00.001+01:00

First post!. This should be interesting as I have never done one of these before.
I spent a couple of hours down Alcester's nature reserve yesterday looking for grass snakes to
photograph, did not find any so I had to be content with pics of butterflies. Plenty of Ringlets,
Meadow Browns & some Small Tortoiseshell's.