Black Darters

Black Darters photographed at the newly formed pool in Harwood Dale. I first photgraphed the male shortly followed by various pictures of the female.

I then photographed what i believe is a male Southern Hawker through the grasses, unfortunately it soon took off and I did not see it settle again.

Golden Ringed Dragonfly

Golden Dragonfly seen just a short way up the pathway from the road towards the gold fish pond at Harwood Dale. Seen carrying it's prey which it settled to devour and seemed to then be at rest whilst it digested it's food.

Common Sandpiper

Further pictures from Sunday's visit to Old Moor. A pair of Common Sandpiper were not too far from the hide. The grey day still shows through even though the birds are not grey or black and white like the last postings!

Grey Day

Flight shots of Grey Heron at RSPB's Old Moor, Barnsley. Very grey rainy day, raining heavily at times, two Little Egrets on the reserve but only seen at considerable distance.

Also Pied Wagtail flying and catching flies not too far from the hide, particularly like the two birds perched over the water.

Goldfinch

After a barren week-end, a day's DIY and rain on Sunday thwarting our pursuit of Dragonflies, it led me to think I should post some Goldfinch pictured last week.

There seems to be very big charms in Ayton Castle Meadow and field to the north of the caravan park. Best pictures are again on the colourful thistles as with similar shots last month.

Young Dun & Gold Crest

Juvenille Dunnock and Gold Crest photograped in Harwood Dale. Too young to be afraid of me poised with the 400 & 500mm end of my Sigma lens. Gold Crest are vey elusive birds you can hear their high pitched calls all the time in carniferous woods but how often do you see them? They are also our smallest bird.

Dragonflies

Male and female Common Darter and a pair in tandem where the male swings the female down on the water to deposit her eggs.
There were many Dragonflies today in Harwood Dale, mostly Darter's but some bigger species probably Migrant Hawkers unfortunately they never settled. Also found a big nymph case in the 'Gold Fish Pool'.

Marbled White

Pictured in Wykeham Forest a single butterfly skirting the verges of one of the main footpaths.

Sigma 50-500mm lens at 500mm.

West Ayton

Whitethroats and Gold Finch very evident early evening feeding. Plenty of thistles and other food along the sides of the dyke favoured by the Gold Finch.

Particularly liked viewing the Whiethroat feeding it's youngster in the long grasses and pleased to have captured the scene.