My day started early on Wednesday morning with my alarm clock ringing at 4.30 a.m. which enabled me to drive and arrive at Bookham Common well before sunrise to listen to the Dawn Chorus.
With a thin slice of the moon suspended just above the dark silhouette of the woodland boundary I was greeted by a cacophony of sounds. Whilst difficult to unravel all the component parts of this orchestral delight the main voices were typically the Blackbirds, Song and Mistle Thrushes, Dunnocks, Wrens and Robins. At this early hour my sound receptors failed to pick out a returning migrant Nightingale so I strode purposefully to the far side of the common.
With a thin slice of the moon suspended just above the dark silhouette of the woodland boundary I was greeted by a cacophony of sounds. Whilst difficult to unravel all the component parts of this orchestral delight the main voices were typically the Blackbirds, Song and Mistle Thrushes, Dunnocks, Wrens and Robins. At this early hour my sound receptors failed to pick out a returning migrant Nightingale so I strode purposefully to the far side of the common.
With the sun just beginning the shine through the tree tops a thin blanket of mist hovering at ground level obscured part of my view over the field at Banks Common and enabled two Roe Deer to quickly hide from the lens. Behind me a hidden Blackcap sang out and a Common Buzzard called from a nearby wood.
With the lightening sky the bird song diminished drastically so before
retracing my steps I took a few shots of the boundary fences. Linking to Good Fences hosted by Theresa.
A male Pheasant stands guard over his partner hidden in the grass in one of the many horse paddocks erected around Chasemore Farm.
After crossing one of the many bridges that span the various streams I finally heard the briefest of songs of a Nightingale while photographing a very obliging Dunnock in full voice.
I was also pleased to find three Willow Warblers and captured a few images of other songsters which I'll share in a forthcoming post. FAB.
oh, lovely early dawn shots! and some fine fences, too. :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite shot is the Nightingale singing his song.
ReplyDeleteA very atmospheric start to your day, Frank!
ReplyDeleteGood to get up early to hear the dawn chorus and well done on hearing the Nightingale. Lovely shots. frank.
ReplyDeleteheerlijk om s,morgens zo in de mist te lopen Frank altijd een prachtige sfeer hoe je dan de natuur ziet ontwaken.
ReplyDeleteThe Dunnock has a surprisingly pretty song.
ReplyDeleteI love dawn but at this time of the year, being a nocturnal creature, the only time I'd hear the dawn chorus would be coming back from a late pub lock in!
ReplyDeleteI don't think blackbirds are singing as much as usual this year.
Wow - so pretty!
ReplyDeleteYour finely captured photos are so worth getting up early for. What commanding beauty in them all.
ReplyDeleteMy you get up early...I'm still snoozing away at 4:30 in the morning.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely sight though with that early morning mist/fog. The fences are great here. I enjoyed all your wonderful photos.
that's the best time you're alone and can wake up the day literally hear ...
ReplyDeleteregards Frank
I love the beautiful sunrise thru the trees. And the pheasant is a cool sighting.. Great post and photos.. Have a happy day!
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness, Frank, you've done such a beautiful job capturing my favorite time of day.
ReplyDeleteNice atmospheric pictures - really like the first one.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne