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Hello and welcome
I have always had a keen interest in wildlife and the great outdoors;
I was an Angler for over 30 years but gave it up a few years ago to
concentrate on photographing wildlife. I lived in Runcorn; Cheshire a
short distance from the M56 that gave me great access to the Wirral,
Northwales and Lancashire, with some great countryside on my doorstep
I didn't have to travel too far in search of wildlife and photographic
opportunities.
Some of my wildlife photographs range from as far afield as Cuba,
Antigua, Saint Martin, Saint Lucia, Dominican Republic, Tuscany ,
Corfu, Turkey, Spain, Portugal.
I now live in the Charente area of western France.
The Kingfisher and the Damselfly
I was amazed to see this kingfisher catching and eating Damselflies.
Preening Kingfisher
The Kingfisher decided to have a preening session today
More in the folder
Gone fishing
The Kingfishers are successful on most of their dives catching small sticklebacks
On the odd occasion they do come up empty handed.
Halcyon days number four
It’s not often you get a chance to observe and photograph kingfishers every day.
We are fortunate, but we know it will not last for long. With three Kingfishers on the lake they can be seen chasing each other around the lake most days and stopping to fish within camera range.
Something to shout about
Feeling Blue
More in the folder
Starting to get some better shots of the Kingfishers
Kingfishers Still showing on the sticks
The King & I
I am making the most of the Kingfishers as they continue to visit the area, it will not be long before they become unattainable.
More in the folder
Halcyon Days
Not the best light to photograph Kingfishers but what a day to see them catching fish.
The Kingfisher dived in and emerged with an unfortunate stickleback; dispatched it against the branch
before swallowing it.
I have so many images of the kingfisher now that I have decided to include them in my blogs until I have displayed them all.
Check the folder for updates
Spotted Flycatcher
Giving the Foxes a rest today I set off in pursuit of Spotted Flycatchers.
RSPB at Burton Marsh is the place they have been reported several times. On arrival I had word with the warden for information on their location, he directed me to the fence line on the woods and I set off. Not long after I detected the family of Spotted Flycatchers but at some distance, too far for a photograph.
So I decided to try my luck in the woods, as I walked down the path I came across them feeding in a oak tree but getting a shot proved a bit difficult, I'm happy with the results under the circumstances.
The Vixen puts on a show
The Vixen showed up to put on a show, sitting just feet away from me.
Using a 300m lens was too close most of the time, so close that I couldn’t get the shots I wanted.
What a fantastic and problematic position to be in.
She just walked towards me with not a care in the world
More in the Fox folder.
Close encounters with the Vixen
With the hide set up it’s just a matter of time before the Foxes show up (that said I have failed in the past to get any shots).
Lady luck and the Foxes have smiled on me today.
The Vixen decided to sit out in the open.
Even coming too close at times.
As for the Dog fox he wasn’t having any of it and kept his distance.
Being able to photograph Foxes this close is unusual, and a privilege, even better if I could Photograph the cubs.
I think this may come to fruition soon.
More in the Fox folder
Predator and Prey
In the evening light Rabbits emerge from their burrows to feed ever watchful for their nemesis the Red Fox.
Safety in numbers is a good defence with many eyes and ears constantly monitoring for any signs of danger.
The Fox too is looking for any opportunity to feed scanning the fields so it can snatch any unwary prey.
It can be a matter of life or death for both. The odds of catching a rabbit are not good when they are so close to the safety of their burrows.
But with young to feed he will have a go. As he charges down the bank to catch one all the rabbits bolt down their holes.
He is unsuccessful this time and looks around to see if any stragglers can be found.
He spent some time loitering around before finally disappearing into the undergrowth
He will return later to try again
Back for another try
More photographs in the Fox folder