First Spring Migrant Sightings at Paxton

Two or three Chiffchaffs were in full song on Tuesday at Paxton Pits in the warm sunshine, while a Squirrel gorged itself on the catkins getting covered in yellow pollen. All the chaffinches that I saw had deformed feet - either  “tassel foot” (papillomatosis)  or “scaly foot” (cnemidocoptosis - small mites). The new Hayden hide is now open at Paxton - a metal construction replacing the wooden one which arsonists destroyed last year. There were lots of Reed Buntings and Tits feeding on the table outside the hide, plus a Wren and Robin. In the taller woods, Green and Greater Spotted Woodpeckers were very active yaffling and drumming.

Spring is Underway at Paxton Pits

I hoped to find a pair of Great Crested Grebe displaying but, although they were obviously paired up and seeing off intruders, no display today. However lots of breeding activity from the Cormorants etc although the tufted duck males are still going around in large rafts.There is a family of Golden Eye not yet left for northern parts. Male Gadwall and Teal are looking immaculate.

2015 Cambridge Sevens Rugby Day

On Wednesday I photographed a day of U18s 7-a-side Rugby at Cambridge Rugby Union Football club with teams competing from various schools some quite a distance from Cambridge. There was some great fast open play - this together with the misty conditions made exciting photography though a bit more light would have been welcome. Many more photos on Chris Fell's site

 http://www.chrisfellphotos.com/20150318cambridge7s/

Markers of Spring

As usual on March 21st I recorded what is blooming in the garden (well yesterday in the sun actually). A little bit behind last year (http://pin-sharp.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/markers-of-spring.html) with Coltsfoot, Primrose, Red nettle, Sweet violet, Blackthorn and Alkanet in flower, together with Japonica and Forsythia but the Ivy-leaved toadflax is not yet out.

Guildford Cathedral double Takes

I stayed  overnight after talking to Guildford Photographic Society yesterday, and decided to pay  a brief visit to Guildford Cathedral before driving home this morning. It is a modern building,designed by Edward Maufe and not consecrated til 1962. I liked the very light and sparse interior and spent a bit of time on double exposures with the Fuji. The first one is my favourite - a wall light added to an arch with a window. Unfortunately the whole of the nave ceiling has to be replaced due to the deterioration of the acoustic plaster on the ceiling vaults, which contains asbestos.  

Portraits from Crufts Dog Show

Just a selection of portraits from the Hounds and Terrier Day at Crufts