Comet NEOWISE

Photo taken from the Cornish coast on the 20th July.

All that shines is Golden and Beautiful

A couple of new ones for me. Golden Ringed Dragonfly and Beautiful Demoiselle, both in the Cot Valley in Cornwall yesterday afternoon. Incredible views in the stream, the Golden Ringed being really loyal to two perches and the drake Beautiful Demoiselle occasionally coming to beat the GRD up! Brilliant! As ever, click for the bigger images.

Buzzard

Perhaps for most these days, Buzzard photos are not that exciting. For me they still are. As a youth, they were rare around here. Now they are common but still hard to photograph which is why this was a treat to photograph; it just went from post to post, as you would dream. Sometimes, it does go right.

Glow Worms!

It was too cloudy after sunset this evening for the Neowise Comet but the Glow Worms were putting on a fine display. The top two photos are of a pair mating, not often you see the non-glowing males!

From the archives No. 8

Don't remember publishing these Great White Egret photos I took in 2016 with Mike Weedon. I first found it on the 2nd April on Deeping Highbank in Lincolnshire and these photos were taken later in the month. Fantastic bird and brilliant to see more regularly these days!

Lammergeier

Yesterday morning Pops and I visited Howden Moors, just outside Sheffield. Sadly, we missed the Lammergeier and walk was horrific, though we didn't go all the way to the cliff where the bird roosted.

This morning Pinky and I visited and didn't enjoy the near two hour hike but at the end of it we enjoyed great views of the Vulture sat on the cliff. Eventually it took off and landed on a nearer rock to warm up in the sun giving outstanding views.

To the crowd's delight, the bird took off and flew directly towards us, disappearing behind a hill. Incredibly, it appeared from behind the hill and soared slowly, higher and higher, starting at eye level. At times the crowd were in the shadow of this enormous bird of prey. The joy and elation after an incredibly challenging walk was immense. An unforgettable experience.

Black-tailed Godwit

This Black-tailed Godwit remained at Deeping Lakes all weekend, often showing well. It's been a great few weeks for Godwits at Deeping Lakes this past week. Another flock appeared today, this time 24.

Auk-ward. No Albatross

Puffin

Guillemot
Despite no sign since 11am on Friday, I decided to go to Bempton Cliffs on Saturday, for the Black-browed Albatross on Saturday. Crazy it may have seemed but actually Bempton is amazing in it's own right and an Albatross would have just been an a dream come true, especially after the photos that had come out on Friday and Thursday.

Not an Albatross

... but still a magnificent bird. The Gannet population has grown over the past few decades at Bempton Cliffs. I remember on my first visit, as a kid, you had to go to one area to go and see the Gannets. These days, they are all over the cliffs and they are impressive! Great masters of the sky and sea. But they don't command attention like an Albatross would I guess...

Juvenile Long-eared Owl at Bempton

This juvenile Long-eared Owl was day hunting along the cliffs at Bempton Cliffs RSPB on Saturday (4th July) morning. Not exactly an Albatross but beautiful nevertheless.

From the archives No. 7

Northern Bald Ibis from February 2012, in Morocco. I don't really remember my week in Morocco, because of my first ever migraine, which lasted nearly the full week,  so I barely remember this experience. Still, at least I picked up the camera!