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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 Blues
The kingfisher’s visits are not what they use to be and the light is starting to be problematic.
You are lucky if the Kingfisher turns up now and even luckier if you can get a shot.
Sadly it’s time to call it a day and turn my attention to other photographic opportunities.
I have plans to photograph Mammals and wading birds in the coming weeks plus Owls in winter.
More Kingfisher images in ther folder.
Fallow Deer Stag
Fallow Deer Stag surveying its rutting area
Some subordinate males group together, keeping their distance from the dominant stags
More in the folder
Along came a Spider
Garden Spider Araneus diadematus
With summer on the wane Garden Spiders can be found spinning their webs between shrubs and any structure that can support them.
During the night the spider spins its silk and weaves it into a web ready for the following day. One of our largest British spiders and a very common resident of gardens. The distinctive white cross mark on the abdomen has given rise to the alternative names of 'Cross spider' and 'Diadem spider'. Colours vary and include sandy brown, fox-red and almost black.
Adult female grow to 15mm (body length), and males to 9mm. They are commonly seen between June and November when the first frosts kill them off. Garden spiders are found in Europe and much of Asia.
Dunham Massey Park
Early in the year I visited Dunham Massey Park to photograph the Fallow Deer as they tried on some new head gear to impress the ladies.
October is the rutting season , so a return visit will be made next month
its visits are getting less frequent.
I called down to the see if the Kingfisher was showing; its visits are getting less frequent.
It can take most of the day to get a shot, that’s if it shows and even when it does it only stays for a short time.
I was in luck as the kingfisher dived in and returned to the surface with a small fish.
After taking a few shots the bird disappeared into the distance.
Shouting Kingfisher
As the Kingfisher landed on the sticks it continued to call to its mate.
The Kingfisher dived in and returned with a small fish.
More in the folder
Red Dawn
With plenty of Kingfisher photos taken its back to the Foxes and hopefully I will get some cub shots.
The forecast is good for once so it’s an early start. After a short drive I arrived at the Fox site.
Graham had work commitments but said he may be able to come down later in the day.
I set up the hide and anxiously awaited the arrival of the Foxes pointing my camera on the far bank in anticipation.
I didn’t have long to wait as a Fox appeared from the undergrowth, having a good stretch as he came into view.
The Fox looked in great condition as it inspected the bank for any unwary Rabbits.
With no Rabbits in sight the fox carried on with its stretching exercises
More in the Fox folder
