Life Continues

I find it somehow comforting that, although this massive old oak has fallen and is slowly decaying, its place is taken, the canopy has closed over and life continues around it.

Wren and Whitethroat Show

It was certainly Wren and Whitethroats centre stage along Bourn Brook on Saturday morning. I counted 2 trilling Wrens and 5 singing Whitethroat males - at least one had attracted a female in a short stretch. Robin and Chiffchaff made guest appearances.

Barn Owl at Dawn

I encountered this Barn Owl on my early morning walk on Saturday. It was still quite dark especially with the tall hedges where it was hunting but still a great joy to see. It came very close at times but I wasn't able to focus on it. 

World Pinhole Day

 Today is World Pinhole Day - everyone who owns or has made a pinhole camera is asked to take an image today. A gallery of all the images will be displayed on the World Pinhole website later. I decided to try a better and more centrally placed hole. Very pleased with the results - much better than previous one - our bungalow and views from Toft Village Green.

Frosty Morning Walk

We have had a series of frosty mornings in Cambridgeshire. A few images from an early morning walk yesterday catching the dawn light on the vegetation.

Local Birds

Some of the birds from my morning walk to Harwick Wood including very confiding Wrens and Willow Warbler. Very surprised to see a fully fledged Robin youngster when the Blackcap and Nuthatch are only just beginning their breeding. Red Kite and Linnet just for the colours!!

Insects in flight

Now we have lots of insects in the garden, I am returning to last year's project of getting insects in flight. The female Hairy Footed Flower Bee in the first image is in a perfect position with diffuse background (green bin!!) but has not extended its tongue forwards for the characteristic pose of this species distinguishing it often from the Early Bumblebee in the second image. Various shutterspeeds from 1000th upwards - the Beefly in the penultimate image was a 6,400th of a second and still not completely stopped the wing movement. The final image used flash to freeze the motion.