Friday 27 June 2014

Wild Red Fox amongst the rocks of the French Alps.

Red Fox vixen

I just love the sense of space in this photograph.

As soon as I saw the vixen climb up to this vantage point I thought about the composition and how well she blended into the natural colours of the rocks.

It doesn't need to be a close-up image although a few others follow.......

This rounded off a very successful annual IFWP congress in the French Alps.

My personal thanks to all at ASCPF in France for their hosting of the congress!


Red Fox vixen

Red Fox vixen 

Red Fox vixen 

Red Fox vixen

Thursday 12 June 2014

More Redstarts.... Bodmin Moor.


Male Redstart with Large Red Damselfly

I couldn't resist having another go with these fantastic Redstarts. I needed some better pictures of the male bird and I was in position and taking photos before 7 this morning.

The weather was great although by about 9:30 it was very hot in my old Daihatsu which I was using as a hide, even with all the windows open.

By then the light was getting a bit harsh so I called it a day at about 10 a.m.  Job done!

Saying that I would rather have had the bird perching on a more tasteful perch but this is as it was with this old fence support hanging just above the nest hole so I went with it and thought therefore it must be natural... if they chose it!

Oddly enough the female bird always used the foxglove stem on her way to the nest but the male never did.

There was also another male bird hanging around and making unwelcome advances on the female whenever our male was away foraging!


Male Redstart 

Male Redstart 

Female Redstart

Monday 9 June 2014

Redstarts on Bodmin Moor

Male Redstart

Had a couple of hours watching and photographing Redstarts on Bodmin Moor this afternoon.

Fascinating birds and a treat to sit and watch. Used the old Daihatsu as a hide and the birds just went about their business around me.

My thanks to Iain Stewart for the location and I hope to get there again in a few days time.

Male Redstart 

Female Redstart

Female Redstart

Female Redstart

Friday 6 June 2014

Dartmoor birds

Male Stonechat


A great day on Dartmoor yesterday with Iain Stewart & Adrian "Dibs" Davey.

We saw some good birds and the scenery was fantastic!

Here are a few, although the male Redstart still eludes me, but a good reason to go back again soon!

Male Pied Flycatcher


Female Pied Flycatcher

Lesser spotted Woodpecker

Female Redstart

Female Redstart 

Whinchat 


Willow warbler