May 2017 A magical moment in the Cotwolds UK. A Roe Deer with a beautiful fawn.

I was up early for a drive round and had this magical encounter with a Roe Deer and her fawn.  I see the deer quite often but was so excited to see this beautiful fawn.  It was a heart stopping moment that I will always remember.

Staying close to mum

A bit wobbly but getting around well.

May 2017 Male Kestrel on the hunt. Cotwold Hills UK

These really are one of my very favourite birds and I cannot do anything but stop and watch if one starts to hover near by.  They keep their head so perfectly still in the wind while that scan for signs of field voles.  Beautiful bird to have around in our area.

Beautiful Male Kestrel hovering

May 2017 Some birds are just so confiding. The beautiful swallow.

This bird is a real star to me as it is so confiding.  It is often found perched on the vending machine in the car park at Slimbridge WWT.  It stays there as people use the toilets, and it makes me smile as quite often it goes unnoticed.  It also gives great opportunities for some very close up eye level images!

Swallow

Swallow

May 2017 Lovely little Tree Creeper in Local Pitville Park UK

These are interesting small birds that often resemble a mouse climbing up a tree.  When they fly they nearly always descend down to the lower parts of a tree and then creep their way up, taking insects from the bark as they go.  It was great to watch this pair bringing insects and nest material in, really totally unconcerned about my presence.  A beautiful little bird adding to the growing number of species I am finding in Pittville Park, Cheltenham.

Tree Creeper with  Spiders

Typical pose aiming up a tree

May 2017 great to see a few Ruff at Slimbridge WWT

There is a small flock of Ruff at Slimbridge WWT at the moment and they are great to see.  They are even doing some lekking behaviour.  To me they seem an unusual bird for this area.

Wading through the thick mud.

Male Ruff

Coming toward the Hogarth Hide

May 2017 Greatt Spotted Woodpecker busy feeding young in local park.

A nice off chance to be stood in the right place and spot this woodpecker coming out of the tree.  A few minutes wait and I could soon see they were feeding young regularly.  A few images then away to leave them to their day.

Bringing in some spiders!

May 2017 Muntjac Deer in the woods today

It was really thrilling to sit quietly and watch these two beautiful Muntjac Deer peacefully going through the wood in the middle of the day.  In the early morning or at duck they tend to be out on the grassland, but in the bright midday they tend to hide away under cover in secluded places.

Two friends

So vulnerable!

May 2017 Checking on the new Trail Cam, Gloucestershire UK.

I retired from my job a few weeks ago.  For my retirement present my colleagues bought me a Trail Cam.  That was a great surprise as it was something I had always considered buying, and that it could be really interesting to see what was around on my smallholding in the secret hours.  Here are some of the initial results:

Rabbit

Muntjac

Muntjac

Muntjac

Muntjac

Roe Deer Buck

May 2017 A Cattle Egret comes in for a bath at Slimbridge WWT, UK.

These are rare birds in the UK, and it was a great surprise to have one drop in for a bath in front of the hide.  It stayed for quite a while taking time for a real wash and brush up.  Will this be the next Egret to colonise the UK?

Cattle Egret

Time for a wash