Friday 19 July 2013

Friday Foray.

Another visit to Thursley Common on a lovely warm sunny morning but with a stronger breeze blowing so this initially meant that very few dragons and damsels were posing for their portraits. 

As I waited for the heat to build up I inadvertently disturbed a Common Snipe who was obviously enjoying the shade underneath the boardwalk and it jinked away to hide on the far side of the bog; a Hobby made a brief hunting foray high overhead; juvenile Green Woodpeckers were constantly calling from their hidden perch in a stunted pine tree and an adult  parent flew out of the grass to join them, probably with a tasty meal. A Goldfinch twittered as it flew overhead and a male Stonechat was on sentry duty. A single female Mallard was on the bog pool, a family of Canada Geese were feeding amongst the grass and Carrion Crows made brief appearances while Great Spotted Woodpeckers called from within the nearby woods plus a very distant view of a drifting Common Buzzard..

As the sun lifted the temperature under a cloudless sky eventually a Broad-bodied Chaser took a well earned rest.

A male Keeled Skimmer soaked up the sunshine on the boardwalk. This seemed to be the most prolific dragon on the wing today .... I stopped counting after I logged over 50 separate individuals.

In a sunlit space within Pine Island I spotted female Black Darter who entertained my memory card for nearly half an hour ... I'll share some other images fairly soon. Back out alongside the boardwalk I logged a few of the distinctive dark males but they were too busy chasing one another for any additional pics ... maybe next time!

Two species of large dragons, the Common Hawker and Emperor Dragonflies were highly visible as they toured their territories and as midday beckoned damselflies were also in abundance, including Common and Azure Blues, Small and Large Reds and a couple of Emeralds.

  Emerald Damselfly (Lestes sponsa) that always rests with open wings.

No opportunity again today for any Hobby photos but at least one of the resident Kestrels made a lower pass over the bog.

Plenty of colour from the Bog Asphodel.

Wishing everyone a glorious wildlife watching weekend, wherever you are.  FAB.

Linking to Camera Critters.

26 comments:

  1. Looks like a lovely visit, the Snipe is one of my favorites. Nice shots of the Darter, Damsel, Chaser and dragonfly. The flowers are pretty, lovely sightings. Have a happy weekend!

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    1. Thanks Eileen. I kicked myself that I didn't have the camera ready when the Snipe erupted beneath my feet!

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  2. Terrific post, FAB! Love your photos. What a great place for bird photography!

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  3. Hi Frank... I like reading what you write, your words flow so well, and of course your photo's are always great!
    My favorite is the female Black Darter!!
    Have a good weekend!!
    Grace

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    1. Hi Grace. Thank you very much. Yeah ... she kept me occupied for quite a while.

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  4. Looks like you had a wonderful time Frank With lots of 'odes' around just waiting to have their photographs taken! Can I expect to see some Hobby photos soon then?...[;o)

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    1. Trev, with my current luck (or lack of it) it may be some time before the lens locks on to one properly!

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  5. A fine selection of photos! Playing the waiting game is so rewarding when you get as many sightings as these. The Snipe and especially the Kestrel are lovely shots.

    Have a good weekend:)

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    1. Breathtaking. Thanks. I would have liked a shot of the Snipe but had to make do with a stationery Stonechat.

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  6. a lovely assortment of beautiful photographs Frank and those insects make for wonderful nature shots

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    1. Thanks Carole. Many of the birds aren't very visible during the summer so thank goodness nature always provides something else to keep me enthralled.

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  7. The Stonechat was a good spot Frank. Not a bird I see up here in Northern East Anglia very often.

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    1. Roy, it's always a delight to see and hear this Chat.

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  8. You have captured the critters beautifully in your trip.

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  9. All wonderful photos and very glad that you share them with us out here. Today I found the wings of the Broad-bodied Chaser fascinating. I love to watch birds but I also love to watch dragonflies. I can rarely get a good shot though and yours are impressive. Thanks Frank!

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    1. Thank you Denise. It does take a little practice, but worth the effort.

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  10. Wonderful! You were able to take pictures of birds and dragon flies! I enjoyed these picture so much. Flying bird looks almost transparent and so powerful! And two dragon flies are real beauties. Fantastic pictures!!!

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  11. It looks like a fun place to spend time. So many creatures come to you and your camera. Very nice!

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  12. I envy your Stonechat, I don't them often!
    And your Black darter is one dragonfly that doesn't occur where I live and that is a minimum of 4 hours drive to go look for them!!
    Well done, a lovely ballade
    Enjoy your sunday!!

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  13. Wonderful photos and story to go with them.

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I hope you enjoyed your visit and I always appreciate your comments and feedback.

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