Elephant Hawk Moth Caterpillar

A week last Sunday we popped into Filey Dams. Bird wise there was not a lot to be seen.

A number of male Black Darters kept settling on the bleached timber fence rails but that was about the lot.

On leaving the Board Walk to East Hide I saw this beautiful beastie crossing it. We guessed it was the caterpillar of a Hawk Moth but a 'birder' advised that it was the caterpillar of the Elephant Hawk Moth, not something I have ever seen before, a great sight, perhaps I will never see one again. A big caterpillar perhaps 4'' long, those eyes are to frighten predators and it has a horn on the rear end.

Strange Musings!

On Saturday we visited Filey Dams briefly on a beautiful September day.

When we got home Pat was getting the washing in (yep, not me) when she saw a a rainbow forming a part circle in the ground. The effect had faded a little by the time I got a camera and removed a telephoto lens but I hope you see what I mean. Something I have never seen before.

I was trying out my new Canon 400mm 5.6f lens, I mean to get a 1.4 extender but in the meantime I am trying the lens, it's hard to get used to a fixed prime lens after my Sigma zoom lens. I have a lot to learn. Anyway, this common darter at the end of my Canon lens looks quite sharp in the body, I know the wings are out of focus.

I tried photographing some hovering Migrant Hawkers, they looked great in the LCD, colours right etc. On the computer less so, obviously zoomed in and cropped but the colours look burnt out too.

My blog aims to show my photographic success (as and when) and the traps and pit falls I encounter.
All comments welcomed.

Little Gull - Hornsea Mere

First of all I am sorry for the complete lack of activity since mid July.

I got completely absorbed by the Olympics, watched lots and lots and thought I will have a sabatical from blogging until after the closing ceremony.

On August 4 my better half broke her coxis and has been in lots of pain, now progressing very well but it has meant we haven't really been anywhere for the last four weeks.

I don't think I have had a barely decent shot since I got my 7D and need to get some practice in.

On Sunday we did get down to the Freeport at Hornsea, Pat managed a short walk around and then we went for the easy birding offered at the Mere. Luck was in as a small number of Little Gulls of various ages and plumages were on the end of one jetty.

It was nice to meet a fellow photographer taking shots of these birds. I only took 40 shots in a short period of time but its nice to get going again.