Portraits

A selection of images from recent portrait sessions undertaken in my large outdoor studio.

And finally an appeal for information from the public.

Have you seen this individual? It is thought that he or she uses various names including “Ducky” “Duckduck” or “Ducks” and is being sought after allegations have been made that he or she, on numerous occasions, wilfully stole bread (donated by members of the public including sometimes small children) from less agile companions in various locations around local lakes near you. If you know the whereabouts of Ducky, Duckduck or Ducks please inform the authorities in your area.

Thank You.

Butts, cats and ladybirds

A selection of images taken on my recent outings over the last week or so.

Taken on 19/4/11 in King's Wood Bedfordshire (Stockgrove C.P.)

Green-veined White on Cuckoo Flower or Lady's Smock

Green-veined White (coupled pair)

 

 

 There were swarms of these small moths flying around in all the sunny spots, they were very difficult to photograph as they didn't stay still for very long.

Micro-moth  adela reaumurella

 

They shine bright gold and iredecent blue in the sun.

                                                       ooOOOoo

Taken on 21/4/2011 at Willen Lake, Buckinghamshire. 

 

These are the Caterpillars of the Small Eggar Moth (eriogaster lanestris)
and they live communally in large silken tents, usually on Blackthorn or Hawthorn bushes and when the sun shines they come out to sunbathe! 

                                                       ooOOOoo

Taken on 22/4/11 at RSPB The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire.

Speckled Wood

 

 

 

                                                       
                                                       ooOOOoo

These next two images were taken in my back garden on 25/4/11

I was sitting in the garden enjoying the sunshine and a cup of coffee when I saw this Holly Blue plop into the birdbath, I rescued it from the water and placed it on an Azalea bush to dry out. After about 20 mins. it flew away seemingly none the worse for wear.

                                                       ooOOOoo


Taken on 25/4/11 at Marston Vale CP Bedfordshire.

The Green Hairstreak., notice the varying amount of spots that make up 'the streak'

This 'coupled pair' were being harried by up to five of what I can only assume were males trying to get to the female, lucky girl! 

And finally, taken on 19/4/11 in King's Wood Bedfordshire, a couple of 7 Spot Ladybirds doing what 7 Spot ladybirds do, only ......

....... I'm guessing that one of them is not really a lady!!

Bluebell Time

Yesterday afternoon (in bright sunshine and 21*C.) I went to the Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire to see the Bluebells (hyacinthoides non-scripta) which are at their best about now. As soon as I opened the car door I was hit by the heady scent that seemed to fill the whole area and the sight of a vast carpet of blue covering the woodland floor was just amazing. With hindsight perhaps I should have visited earlier in the day because it was crowded, and getting a photograph without lots of people in was rather difficult but with a little perseverance I did manage to get a few shots worth keeping! 

Catching up time - part 2

Continuing with the theme from my last post here are a few more images from recent outings.

 Taken on Beacon Hill Buckinghamshire on April 1st.

Meadow Pipit

 Taken at College Lake Buckinghamshire on April 6th.

Canada Goose defending his territory

Images taken at Caldecotte Lake Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire on April 7th.

Barnacle Goose

Canada Goose

Images taken at Marston Vale C.P. Bedfordshire on April 11th.

Willow Warbler

And finally taken form my patio door on April 6th.

A woodpigeon getting prepared for new arrivals!

Catching up time - part 1

I find it much easier to go out and take the photographs than I do sitting at the computer processing and sorting them, especially when we have decent weather like we`ve had recently (I guess I`m not the only one!), but at last I’ve managed to find some time to catch up and process some images of my recent outings.

Images taken on and around Beacon Hill in Buckinghamshire on 28th  March. 

Pitstone Mill

Gorse (ulex eurupaeus)

Male Chaffinch in full song

Meadow Pipit

Male Linnet

A proud mum

Images taken at College Lake Buckinghamshire on April 6th

Redshank

Snipe

 Images taken at Caldecotte Lake Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire on April 7th

Two images of Keith`s Bramblings. Sorry Keith, this is the best I could do, the birds were very skittish due to the numerous dogs and joggers!!

(Keith, could you please do a little pruning before my next visit,Thanks).

And finally my first Brimstone photograph of the year, this Female settled just long enough for me to get a couple of quick shots.

 Part two of Catching up time to follow later!

First Flutters of the Year

A belated post of my first Butterfly sightings of the year. Taken at Marston Vale Country Park Bedfordshire on 23rd. March.

Comma (polygonia c-album)

Small Tortoiseshell (aglais uricae)

Also seen but alas no photographs -
Peacock (inachis io) and Brimstone (gonepteryx rhamni)


And three days earlier I took this photograph in my garden

Early Grey Moth (xylocampa areola)

You'll notice that the rear of the wings are out of focus, this could be down to my poor photography but, in my defence the moth was vibrating it's wings very fast at times. I don't know if this was some kind of defence mechanism or it was just warming up it's wings prior to taking flight?