Sunday 11 September 2011

Autumn on the Somerset Levels

A warm and partially sunny day in Somerset and as Autumn starts the highlights are the dragonflies and the changing birds.  At this time of year dragonflies are everywhere on the Levels.

Rear end of a barn owl
Kestrel
As usual I continued to try the almost impossible - to get a pin sharp image of a flying dragonfly.  These are my best efforts:





There are still a number of flowering plants on the wet margins.  However this iris seed pod struck me as being particularly attractive.


The darters are particularly accomodating and are quite happy to rest on your hand, if you are in the right place.  They often alighted on my head or shoulder while I was trying to take pictures.




Some large and small (as below) toadstools have started to spring up.


A juvenile great crested grebe seemed to be determined to annoy this mute swan




Grass snakes and adders were in their usual places.  There is a female adder with particularly red colouration who always basks in the same patch of grass...but I never see her before its too late and she is making a quick escape.

Grass snake

A few dozen swallows were gathered on wires - maybe thinking about their next destination...


 A great day all round...shortened only by the need to watch the rugby first!

Saturday 3 September 2011

Which is your favorite?

Wild snake's-head fritillaries
Summer garden
West coast beach, Scotland
Six-spot burnet
Summer orchids
Creek
Darter dragonflies
Emperor dragonflies
Orchid amongst bluebells
June foxgloves
Scottish sunset
Old olive tree
Loved dog
Poppies
Poisson
Roman temple columns
Rainforest leaves
Shaking dog
Speckled Wood
New Zealand
Panama beach
Coffee beans
Shaggy-ink-cap

Lambs
Swans
Toad
Please tell which you like the most...

P.S. I know that they are not all wildlife, hope that you'll forgive me this time...