Three S's, Stoat, Shrike & Sky Lark

What a great week-end, yes I have to confess the t.v. coverage of the Diamond Jubilee was good and it was a really special event but wildlife wise I had a good time too.
I have always wanted to photograph a Stoat, I once thought I had found a Stoat's residence (don't know the proper name) but a) I didn't follow this up enough and b) never saw a Stoat there again! I have seen a dash across a road or track a few times and the give away black tail tip but alas no photos. My luck finally changed on Saturday afternoon when on my travels I saw a Stoat dart across a lane. Swiftly pulling up I sat for a few moments and I could just see a little face on the top of a dry stone wall, yes a youngster. I sat and waited a few moments and yes the adult came back. What a beautie and it got interested in that lens sticking out a black car, looking and getting closer. The shots are hand held but what a treat. 
On Monday we went across to Flamborough for the reported Red Backed Shrike lovely bird, mostly low down on bushes or barbed wire strands. This is a stonking male bird, always distant and awkward for photography in my two hours there.
Skylarks were in the gorse field that contained the shrike, I tried some flight shots as it hovered above and quite close. This is where I am seeing the benefit of my 7D. You will see many better shots but now with the auto focus options and speed of shooting I am getting shots!
I hoped to type this next to the appropriate shots but Blogger is difficult to control at times!