Taken over a week…

…ago now before the weather turned here are some more of the Long-eared Owl out hunting.

Roe Deer Stag

 

Black Plantation

I have never seen as many Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterflies here. The only problem was it was a warm and muggy afternoon and they would not settle for photos. Once they did trying to get the photos was difficult because they would fly off as soon as I got near (thank goodness for the 300mm lens). I will have to try again in a few days time.

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

The underwing of the butterfly

Getting nectar

Large Skipper

Mayfly

 

A visit to Kibblesworth…

…or Bowes Valley Nature Reserve a couple of days ago. Four-spotted Chasers and Broad-bodied Chasers were out in good numbers and there were a few Black-tailed Skimmers about. Damselflies were also out in good numbers as were dog walkers. I was sick to death of hearing “good boy” this or that name from the owners when the dogs were swimming in the pond.

Four-spotted Chaser

Newly emerged Black-tailed Skimmer

Black-tailed Skimmer

Black-tailed Skimmer in flight

Four-spotted Chaser and Female Broad-bodied Chaser in flight (this was the best I could manage)

Male Broad-bodied Chaser in flight (again the best I could get)

Mating Hoverflies

The best I could get of a male Banded Demoiselle at Ravensworth

Also at Ravensworth was a Pied Wagtail

And a Wren

 

More of the LEO

One of the Long-eared Owls was out hunting again the other night feeding its chick (which looks bigger than the parent bird sitting next to it) here are some of the images I got.

Hunting LEO

LEO with a meal for the chick

It swapped the Vole from its talons to its beak so it could deliver it to the chick

A curious chick with one of its parents

Also out the other night was this Brown Hare