2023 Earliest Sunrise

 Today (June 17th), the sun rose at 4.37am and continues at this time until June 21st when it will rise at 4.38am and then progressively later  till December!. I caught it just as it came over the horizon and then above the treeline. I was rewarded for an early start by a group of Hares at close range though not for long! and a very vocal Whitethroat. On our pond, a Southern Hawker was emerging.

Starlings Leave Roost (Brighton 20th January )

Still catching up on images from trip to Brighton. This was my last morning when my planned walk from Brighton along towards Shoreham was a bit delayed by the wonderful spectacle, first of the starlings leaving the old West Pier and flying off over Hove and then by the colours of the sunrise.

 

Brighton Sunrise

Very colourful sunrise yesterday morning - just enough cloud to give interest to the sky and some good pools to reflect it in. Several groups of swimmers braved the water while the air temperature was well below freezing

This Year's Marbled Whites

 Since we first recorded marbled Whites in Toft Wood in 2012, they have roosted in the clearing in large numbers (35-40 counted this year). They are at least a week earlier than previous years (we were away when they were first observed around 16th June. Here a variety of early morning shots with dew still on the butterflies as they climbed to the tops of plants to warm up in the sun. 

Dorset 15 Early Morning Contrasts

One of the joys of staying at Higher Kingcombe is the opportunity to photograph early in the morning either in the meadows above the Lodge to get the first rays of sunshine or around the lakes below to catch the insects covered in due. Here some comparisons of shots during the week. Most are 'if only' shots so plenty of reason to return.