Bass Rock Gannets 'Revisited'

No not another visit to the Bass Rock, if only! but I have had a bit more time to sort through the 1000+ pictures I took on my recent visit, the earlier post describes in a bit more detail about my adventure that day, but I have posted an assortment of some more pictures.

Tawny Owl and Marsh Harriers

Having switched my day off to the most promising good weather day this week, took a trip up to Leighton Moss, one I did last week but forgot to pack the camera memory cards!! having got some good sights of the Deer I vowed to myself to return this week to get some photos. Arrived at Leighton Moss at about 7am on a gloriously sunny morning, one of those its good to be alive mornings. Got to the Griesdale Hide where the deer where last week, you've guessed it not a sight, waited patiently watching the distant Marsh Harriers, and a couple of hours later decided to take the long walk to the other end of the reserve to the Lower Hide where I knew I had a chance of some close shots of the Marsh Harriers, and I wasnt disappointed. plus on the walk down there got the unexpected bonus shot of a Tawny Owl, was I a happy bunny.

The owl was roosting about 20ft away from the path, at first I caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye and froze to the spot, fortunately there was a bench on the path at that same spot, so I carefully sat down and spent a good 20 minutes watching it, until it got spooked and flew off to a more secluded roost.







Then it was off to the Lower hide for the Harriers and i then spent an enjoyable couple of hours watching these majestic raptors. The male and female frequently being joined by their off spring hunting and displaying over the reed beds, I prayed for a close fly by and was rewarded when either the female or a juvenile came over to hunt at the water side about 50 ft from the hide. Falling onto its prey and then spending an agonising 40 minutes out of sight, no doubt consuming it before making an appearance.

Excitement levels increase as one moves in close to the hide













Down it goes, the autofocus let me down for this shot!



And it disappeared with its meal for a good 40 mins



Across the lake another was homing his attentions on the ducks on the waters edge, I think this is a juvenile as it seemed a little clumsy and in need of improving his hunting skills







When they take to the air they are such majestic flyers



Lastly not a sight I have seen before, a Heron up a tree!!

Frogs and Lapwings

A bit of a strange combination, but a post to include two separate sets of photos, had the chance of a brief visit to my local Newton Marsh, wasnt a lot about as a lot of the pools are now dried up, but there were some Lapwings quite close in that posed nicely. When I got home, a frog at the side of the garden wildlife pond obliged for some nice close up shots.





















Slideshows of the above images below

Common Terns

As you may have seen in previous posts, I have been watching the Common Terns that have been nesting on the breakwaters in Preston Dock. The juveniles are now not far off fledging so I took the chance to nip down and get some last pictures of the youngsters and parents before they disappear back out to sea. They are now out of the tyres that had been put onto the breakwaters for them to nest in, and the youngsters are out on the breakwaters, stretching their wings and building up their energy levels for their forthcoming life at sea. They are now big enough to be safe from the many marauding gulls around the docks, but the parents still protect them, one always being around.

This parent was perched close by keeping an eye on the youngsters













The juveniles are now out of the nest on the breakwater, this one calling for food!!



Lots of wing stretching and exercising the flight muscles











The male, I think, brought a fish in that did look a bit big for the youngsters, but mum soon polished it off!





Below is a slideshow of all the images, that you can click the icon in the bottom right hand corner to get a full screen show.