Sunday 29 June 2008

Reighton Ponds/Bempton


Skylark


Azure Damselfly


Kestrel












Please left click and press F11 for larger view, and F11 to get your tool bar back.

A first very pleasent visit to Reighton Ponds today with a small group from Scarborough Field Naturalists led by John Hulme to look for Dragonflies and Damselflies.

As we approached a Skylark landed on the grass path directly in front of us and I managed a quick record shot.

Around the ponds a few 'blue' Damselflies and a couple of Emperor Dragonflies were flying.

After lunch we moved on to Bempton RSPB where a Kestrel was flying opver head (took lots of shots but always too distant for more than record shots). It has to be an ambition to get close to get quality Kestrel shots. Yes, close I am developing a theme.

We then viewed the Gannets. I love the markings of the young birds (juveniles/first year?).

A pleasant day, thanks John, Brian,David.

2 comments:

Anax said...

The photo of the "Common blue Damselfly" shows a male Azure Damselfly. The black spur midway down the side of the thorax as well as the black U shaped marking on the second section of the abdomen (near the thorax) are the clues. With the common blue there is no spur on the side of the thorax and section 2 has a stalked spot on it.

Well done on the nice photo too.

Mike Randall Bird Photography said...

Thanks very much for your comment about the id .
I had checked the markings with my field card and thought it was a Common Blue but I know little of the subject matter and therefore appreciate your comments.
I really like Dragonflies and Damselflies and hope to post more pictures and would be pleased if you occassionally view my blog.
Mike