May 2020 Lock down eased a bit. Time to look out for Roe Deer fawns

Riding around the smallholding I noticed this Roe Deer doe underneath a fallen willow tree.  While I was working she ran off but I noticed she was making her way back.  At this time of the year from previous experience I guessed that she must be looking after a fawn.

Sanctuary shelter

I waited around quietly and she began to emerge from the branches and into the long grass.
Peering through the lens, and using this as I would a pair of binoculars, I managed to just make out this orangey coloured shape next to her in the grass.  It was only by really being quite sure it must be there somewhere, that in the end I was so pleased to see this beautiful little fawn.

Hiding in the long grass

It was a really thrilling encounter and really lifted my spirits. It was time to make my way back and leave them alone.  Nature really moves on quickly but as I was up there again the next day and pleased to see her still around.  The fawn was developing fast and was actually clumsily jumping through the long grass to follow her.

Getting going well

They are really peaceful animals and are very attentive mothers, she would often stop and give it a good wash with her tongue.

Attentive and devoted

I really enjoy the company of these beautiful creatures and could not help but wish this one good luck as I left the scene.

Nature therapy at its best!
Stay safe all and cherish the planet and natural world.

April 2020 Lockdown Excercise Walk ~ Farmland birds nest building

It was great to get out for my local patch walk today.  I was excited to see farmland birds bringing in some nest material and the breeding season is definitely well underway.  I watched this pair of Linnets for a few minutes and it was great to observe their behaviour.  They always come and go together but it seemed that it was only the female bringing in the material and building the nest.  The male just posed on nearby branches. Admittedly looking quite smart with his crimson streaks of breast feathers. With this loose grassy material I could image a loose scruffy nest.

Female bringing in some nice dry grass

And some more

This smart male just posed nearby.  He always escorted the female on her forays but never helped. Perhaps when you are this good looking you don't have to try too hard!

Watching proceedings

Lots of lovely butterflies on the wing and this Speckled Wood caught my eye.

Speckled Wood

In the current Coronavirus crisis some time in nature definitely helps soothe the mind.
Staying local and alone to help "FlattentheCurve"

~ Stay safe all ~

April 2020 Lockdown wildlife watching from the Garden

These are really difficult and scary times.  It does put all things in perspective and with this date with history it does definitely make you consider what is important and what is trivial.
It is a time not to travel, but stay at home.  I have mainly been working in the garden but have been lucky enough to have a regular afternoon fly by visitor.  These were birds that were incredibly rare when I was young, I seem to remember there were about twelve pairs only in mid wales according to my old Encyclopaedia of British Birds.   I can remember vividly the excitement of seeing one when driving down by Rhayader in wales.  It was a case of quick, where can I can I stop the car safely and get out.  So exciting!  They were birds of legend when I was a boy.
Now for the last week at Winchcombe in Gloucestershire I have been having these fly past every afternoon.  Whilst pulling weeds and going around with my plastic tub I have had the camera set ready.  They are still exciting!

What a wig span

This one came really close looking in the garden!

Surely a pair!

We also get a pair that I would guess are in their spring display mode!

Sometimes on the thermals there are also common buzzards.

Common Buzzard using the thermals

Its also nice to look out for smaller beautiful things.  This Brimstone butterfly caught my eye flickering around taking nectar.

Brimstone feeding up in the sunshine

Wishing everyone stays safe
A big thanks to all the Key Workers who are real heroes!
 ~ Look after your body and minds.  It's still a beautiful world! ~

February 2020 One late afternoon ~ Dedicated to Roger

Quite often when you go out with your camera you are satisfied to get a decent view of some particular wild action or maybe being satisfied with capturing a few images.  Yesterday afternoon was quite different.  I first noticed some Roe Deer looking relaxed in the long grass.  Then within a few minutes a Short Eared Owl took to the wing.  Then there were three.  In the next half an hour a barn owl was quartering over the grass and diving down intermittently.  They were all on the wing together.  Then I noticed a Brown Hare making it way through the long grass and popping up into view every now and again if you watched carefully.  It was just so exciting and adrenalin filled.  Which do I go for?: Shortie, Barnie but then again hares are one of my very favourite animals!

Taking a break on a Cotswold stone wall

It was great to get a view of this one on a typical drystone wall of the area.

Hunting

They are one of the most amazing sights to watch these beautiful owls hunting over the grassland they are so special.

Roe Deer

Three Roe Deer stayed in view all afternoon.  Very relaxed, sometimes lying down.

Shortie diving onto prey

You've just got to love Short Eared  Owls if you are into nature in any way.
I must be getting my eye in as I spotted this one down in the grass.

Shortie in the grass

When do you stop and focus on the hare!

Brown Hare

This hare was not always this obvious, quite often just two black tips of ears in the long grass.

What a beautiful afternoon and such a special place.


    ~  Dedicated to Roger the farmer  ~

January 2020 ~ A country walk in the sunshine this morning

There are a lot of businesses promoting de-stressing potions and therapies, all really just trying to enhance their own interests.  I am always sceptical.  I see now that there is a movement these days suggesting that a walk in nature can do the job!  I think this may be very true.  You may not see it every day in your face, as there is little commercial interest and gain to be had.
I really enjoyed this mornings relaxation.

Roe Deer doe steps into a sunshine beam

One of my very favourite animals is the Brown Hare, and I am pleased to see them again these days on my local patch, after being absent for quite a few years.  This one was always distant but it was great to watch it running around.

Welcome back to my local patch

January is the main mating season for the Red Fox and you may hear them barking and find them distracted.  These two were right in open and enjoying the sunshine.  I had heard them barking yesterday and wondered if I would see them today when I had my camera with me.

Love is in the air

And relax!  Feeling better already!  Give it a go!

What an end to the year ~ Short Eared Owls - Have a wild new year to all

These birds are just so exciting and it has seemed an age since they last performed like this.
Many visits in the cold murky weather with just a few and then disappearing.  I promised myself that I would not go and look for them too early as it is possible to waste a whole lot of time.  But it gets difficult to resist when you want something to happen. Finally a brilliant bright afternoon and they were out early and many of them performing over the grassland. Unless you are into these beautiful birds it is difficult to imagine how adrenalin filled this can be.

On the hunt in Golden light

Head On

When two different raptors hunt the same territory at the same time there is always conflict.  Kestrels harass the Short Eared Owls to try and drive them away and also steal prey from them if they can get away with it.

This Shortie has a keen eye on the Kestrel above

Prey spotted then down into the grass

This afternoon was like the F.A. Cup Final of birding and a great way to end 2019 !!

Finally have a happy and wild new year.

December 2019 Roe Deer bucks in Velvet

In November Roe Deer begin growing their new antlers ready for the rut next year.  They are covered in Velvet that helps them to grow and also keeps them warm.  In spring this velvet is removed exposing the antlers ready for the rutting season next summer.  Each year the antlers fall off in October ready for the cycle to begin again.  The local Roe Deer seem in prime condition this year with perfect dense coats.

Looking great in his new Velvet Antlers

The does this year are looking good and strong, and well set up to get through the sparser winter months.  This one is enjoying the early morning winter sunshine sheltered from the wind under this hedgerow.  They always know where to get!

Beautiful Roe Deer Doe

I really enjoyed their company this morning and they are a regular encounter on my local patch in the Cotswold Hills.