Tuesday 23 June 2015

Thursley Common N.N.R.

During a recent visit to Thursley Common on another windy day I was surprised to locate a pair of (Eurasian) Teal, feeding and paddling just yards from the boardwalk, and totally oblivious to my presence.
 
Usually I would expect them to immediately take flight at the slightest hint of any human presence so close by so I took this opportunity to gather a few shots, mainly of the male with his very distinctive head pattern, as his partner managed to keep out of view beneath the overhanging vegetation.


Unfortunately this quiet encounter didn't last very long as the pair sensed the intrusion of some noisy walkers approaching from upwind and they promptly took flight. My attention then turned to seeking out a Four Spotted Chaser (Libellula quadrimaculata) taking a rest below my feet in the watery shadows.


I had seen very few dragonflies or damselflies, probably due to the slightly cooler but windy conditions, so I was delighted to spot a Hobby dashing low across the pools and then land in a distant tree.

I waited for quite some time before this individual took flight to seek out more food and it was eventually joined by three more Hobby but attempting to get any quality images of this very fast flying species with my zoom lens (fully extended) was certainly a challenge. I've no doubt the other two photographers on the boardwalk with their very expensive gear had much more success.



After about ten minutes the Hobbies disappeared and on my reverse route I stopped to take a few more shots of the basking Common Lizards (images saved for a future post) and then spotted a resting Large Red Damselfly (Phrrhosoma nymphula) amoungst the heather.


Linking to Nature Notes, Wordless (on Tuesday), and Wild Bird Wednesday.

21 comments:

  1. wonderful teal shots. glad they stayed for you for a moment. :)

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  2. Great photos. The Teal is beautifully colored and I like the in-flight Hobby. I also liked the composite photos of Thursley Common. I always like to know the environment in which the birds are found and here in Australia we don't have "commons" !

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  3. You did well to get the Hobby Frank. Looks like a really good area for nature.

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  4. I do love seeing waterfowl and the odes. Here it has been windy and rainy and I have not been able to get any decent shots of them but I do see both in the yard near the pond. I fixed the link Frank and I am sorry. I made several mistakes and I should have done the post prior to spending the weekend staying awake at night with my grandbaby. I am really tired now.. lol ... Thank you for linking in.... Michelle

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  5. Wonderful shots of the Teal!

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  6. That was a nice surprise Frank, to find those Teal...and they hung around for a photo shoot too!
    Well done with the Hobby flight shots..I'm happy if I get the 'whole' bird in the frame!...[;o)

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  7. Great to get so close to the Teal, but even better to have the Hobbys come in too. Love your flight shots and that iconic shape.

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  8. I cannot believe you got to see 4 Hobby! Brilliant adn get to get any shots of them frank. Love the Dragonflies shot.

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  9. Birds and insects, great photos of both!

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  10. Wat een prachtige serie hier kan ik enorm van genieten.

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  11. Pretty spot for birding! Great captures of the Teal. Is the Hobby a Falcon? Awesome captures. Enjoy your day!

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  12. The Eurasian Teal are beautiful.

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  13. While I was volunteering at Sacramento NWR in California, we had a couple of Eurasian teal visit. From a distance, they look just like green-winged teal except they don't have the white longitudinal line at the shoulder. I looked and looked, but never found them. So thanks for the good views of them.

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  14. Really great shots! Glad you had the Eurasian teal sighting.

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  15. What a wonderful variety of critters! They are always so interesting to find.

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  16. These are all wonderful Frank and happy they let you get close enough to snag these brilliant images before taking flight~

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  17. Hi Frank,
    Knowing how quick hobbies are in flight those are pretty good shots. I know where I shall be heading at the first opportunity.

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  18. I've never seen a Eurasian Teal--perhaps that's because I live in Texas! Love the damselfly.

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

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