Gibside

My wife and I had a walk around the Gibside estate the other day. I wasn’t expecting to see much but when we got to the Octagon Pond and Lily Ponds there were still loads of Common Darter flying in tandem and laying eggs. They were too busy to settle so I did not get any shots. However, when we got to the river there was a couple of Hawkers and one of them was posing very nicely.

Female Southern Hawker



Migrant Hawker a tad too far away for any decent shots.

I wonder if it got its Abdomen damaged in skirmishes with other males.

Dipper

I cut the hedge the other day and this moth flew out. I think it might be a Brick

 

I bit the bullet…

…last Friday and went down to Saltlholme for the Merlin. In the seven hours I was there, it showed only once and I missed the images I wanted. A Marsh Harrier showed really well so I filled my boots, so to speak, taking pictures of it.

I have seen Merlin in the past but these are the first images I have of this cracking bird.

Marsh Harrier.

I though the Merlin was supposed to chase Dragonflies LOL.

Black-tailed Godwit

A Kingfisher showed briefly.

Someone in the hide was bemoaning the use of 500mm lenses with converters attached however; I don’t think these images of a Migrant Hawker taken with that set up are that bad.

Mute Swans taking off.

 

My final batch of…

…images from Scotland are of just two species of bird Buzzard and Raven. When we get back to the cottage after a day out there is nothing I like more than to just stand in the garden with the camera on a tripod and wait for the Buzzards to appear over the nearby hills.

One of a least five different Buzzards over the cottage

This Buzzard came to check me out

Buzzard and Raven having a bit of an altercation.

Raven

 

A few insects…

…etc from our Scotland trip.

Common Hawker

Male Black Darter

Female Black Darter

Emerald Damselfly

Water/Diving Beetle?

My wife found this Common Hawker near the cottage pond. Unfortunately, it looked as though it was on its last legs.

Hoverfly guarding its patch of sun.

Unidentified well worn moth.