Hornets

The summer is the time I mainly end up snapping insects - not just the fact that there are so many around, but also the fact that not so much else is! When I heard that Rich had a hornets nest in an empty barn owl box I knew I finally had a chance of snapping an insect that had previously escaped my attentions. Trouble is the box was pretty high up, and the hornets didn't seem to use the nearby foliage to rest.
Brainwave - fruit. The plums? Nothing. What about the windfall apples? As I walked up a large yellow shape flew off and I realised my luck was in.Actually it wasn't that easy - there were a couple visiting, but only now and again. Still they proved to be very tolerant, not at all aggressive. Unless that is you were a careless flesh fly .......... Clearly a chunk of protein was a better bet than fruit.
I've put plenty more shots on the web album - 'latest pictures'. Mostly insects, including a fair few inflagrante delicto ...........

Woodland Puddles

I can't believe how long it is since I last posted. I've been taking a fair few shots, mostly insects, and I'll get some up soon.
In the meantime here are a few shots from my spring project this year. I spent (too) many hours lying next to some woodland puddles, but was rewarded with some amazingly close views of a wide range of birds, drinking or bathing.
If you look on the web albums you'll find a whole set, but here are a few tasters:

From Woodland puddles

From Woodland puddles

From Woodland puddles

From Woodland puddles

From Woodland puddles

From Woodland puddles

From Woodland puddles