Arctic Terns Display

In the afternoon on Tuesday, we transferred to Inner Farne to photograph mainly the Terns. It was still raining a bit and very dull conditions so not ideal light but I still enjoyed capturing the Arctic Tern displays as they fended off visitors too close to their nests.

Farne Island Puffins in the Rain

We had mixed weather on a day trip to the Farnes yesterday. The Puffins certainly looked a bit miserable in the heavy showers. I loved watching them take off - amazing those little wings give so much lift. The obligatory images of Puffins with sand eels - certainly didn't seem to be any shortage. Finally a couple of portraits.

Northumbrian Miscellany

 A few images from the first two days exploring Bamburgh beaches and Warkworth Castle and Church. A few more castles to follow as we go in search of Princesses with the imagination of 2 and 4year old girls.

Northumberland Not Majorca

We had booked to take the girls to Majorca this week for a beach holiday but the firm we booked with went out of business two weeks ago so Northumberland was a hasty replacement. Hopefully as the firm issued an ATOL certificate we should get our money back. This evening it was still and sunny - not as warm as Majorca but pleasant enough for the girls to have a paddle.

Infrared at Wimpole

I gave the infrared an outing today and was pleased with the results taken in the gardens. The water lilly leaves are actually floating on a covering of blanket weed that looks the same colour as the weed so the colour difference is very surprising. I also like the near natural colour achieved for the flower pots.

Macro Insects

 Went to Burwash Manor pools to see what Dragonflies were about - the answer was none but some valiant flies and bees were feeding on the flowers despite the wind and cold. There seems to be a plague of Alder Leaf beetles this year. These were taken in Salford at the weekend.

Twycross Birds and Butterflies

 The best part of Twycross for me is the walk-through aviary with a large colony of Cattle Egrets all nest building and scabbling at the moment with each other and the Pied Cormorants and Night Heron. The flamingos looked very happy filter feeding in deepish water while the Pelican definitely was having a bad hair day. They also have a brand new Butterfly House - a large area not yet fully stocked but looking good.

Twycross Zoo

 We decided to visit Twycross Zoo on the way back from Manchester - it has a good write up as regards its conservation and breeding work. Certainly there were several babies or young animals around including Orang-utang, Meercats, Black-tailed Prairie Dog, Coati and bush dog. (Birds to follow) Most of the enclosures are large and with plenty for the animals to do but the monkey enclosures are cramped and very uninteresting - hopefully this will be their next expansion. It was difficult to photograph with dull light and rain yet again!!