Head & Shoulders

Head & Shoulders, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

It has been far too long since I have been able to spent quality time with the Roe Deer. This is the second oldest buck and he is in very good shape. His main squeeze was quite nearby and she has had a healthy kid this year. There are several sets of twins this year so we may have a nicely growing population.

Feeding Time

Feeding Time, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Everything seemed to be either eating or waiting to eat this afternoon. A family of Swallows, struggling with the breeze, kept having to land on a fence. The parents were never too far away and still managed to keep a supply of bugs coming.

Bindweed Bug

Bindweed Bug, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Now I must admit, I am not totally at ease with spiders. But as this one was barely 4mm long I thought I would try and be brave. A Crab Spider I think, sat in a Bindweed flower waiting for lunch to pass by, still managing to look a little too menacing for my liking.

Profile

Profile, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

It was time to head back to the river and try to find a particularly friendly Heron. Although quite happy to pose, this one is, perhaps, not the finest example of its species. Maybe a comb would help...

Woodpecker Post

Woodpecker Post, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

It has been a while since I posted a Woodpecker shot, so here you go. One of my favourite birds, I much prefer the Green Woodpecker to the Spotted and besides, they have wonderful eyes.

Purbeck Marble

Purbeck Marble, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

The Marbled White is one of the most striking butterflies in the meadows, I think.
Always good to see and even better when the land on something colourful.

Dawn Of The Gatekeeper

Dawn Of The Gatekeeper, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

By far the most common butterfly on the wing this morning and another good looking one. The Gatekeeper, also has a very cool name.

Ready For Take Off

Ready For Take Off, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Little Egrets always seem to look bigger than they really are. Lovely to see though, but they do tend to be a little wary. This one was happy enough until a dog wandered along on the other side of the river.

Swan Song

Swan Song, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Six Swans a-swimming, looking very well behaved and in perfect two-by-two formation. But this one, every now and again, seemed to enjoy playing with the water.

Battle Damage

Battle Damage, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

A Broad-Bodied Chaser, I think, looking a little worse for wear today. There were several of these, tussling with dozens Banded Damoiselles and four Hereford cows.

A Bug's Life

A Bug's Life, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

There is something a little 'other worldly' about Grasshoppers and Crickets. They are everywhere at the moment and I think I may be getting a new addiction. I can spend far too long lying in the grass trying to photograph these 'E.T.'s with the dogs getting more and more fed up.

Heath or Stripe-Winged?

Heath or Stripe-Winged?, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

I saw a few of these yesterday, they were very striking but the only I.D.'s I can come up with are the Heath or the Stripe-Winged Grasshopper. As always, a little help would be appreciated.

Old Faithful

Old Faithful, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Gradually, the clouds disappear and the evening looks like it belongs to a completely different day. Apart from the sounds of the wind and the rasping crickets legs all was a little quiet. So it was up to one of my more regular models to step up to the lens.

Young Long Tails

Young Long Tails, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

A large group of young Long Tailed Tits tumbled through the hedges just as the Sun was going down. Making a lot of noise for such a small bird, they are always fun to watch.

Over The Shoulder

Over The Shoulder, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

An evening walk is never quite right unless I see one of these. This year should be a good one for the local Roe Deer population. I have seen five or six kids in the past few weeks.

Rocky

Rocky, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

The second Kestrel twin enjoying break. It can't be easy going from egg to master-of-the-skies in only a few weeks. These two looked worn out.

This Is My Angry Face

This Is My Angry Face, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

This is one of the new Kestrel kids on the block. They were both showing off today, practising there hunting skills on stones and being frightened by butterflies.
(to be honest, he wasn't angry, this was a yawn)

Proud Dad

Proud Dad, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Part of a nice little family group, a pair of Sika settle down for an evening in the sun.

Little Red

Little Red, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Not too much going on tonight, but a great evening for a wander. We saw several Foxes, but only one youngster. There doesn't seem to be as many around this year.

Flat Rate

Flat Rate, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

I was near this Heron for about half an hour I suppose, and every time it went for a fish it caught one. The look of concentration on his face while he scanned the water was just wonderful. I could have spent hours here.
(there is a pale 'flash' across the picture from top to bottom, this was a particularly annoying blade of grass that kept passing in front of the lens)

Gone Fishing

Gone Fishing, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

For once, I managed to get lovely views of this Heron. I have never managed to watch one closely before so this was a bit of a bonus.

The Critic

The Critic, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

I can never get enough of our local Sika and at this time of year they are at there best. The youngsters are getting braver and often hang around for that extra shot.

Flight School

Flight School, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

With the young Kestrels close by it was up to mum and dad to show them how to master the skies. Kestrels are always good to see, but watching the youngsters try to deal with the wind is superb.

Climber Rescue #1

Climber Rescue #1, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

A little bit of excitement yesterday, as the call went out of a climber in trouble on the cliffs. Swanage Lifeboat, as always, raced to the scene accompanied by the inshore lifeboat.

Climber Rescue #2

Climber Rescue #2, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

The Swanage inshore lifeboat arrived as the Coastguard helicopter hovered above the cliffs. The Coastguard medic was already with the climber but the lifeboats are a very important part of the operation.

Cilmber Rescue #3

Cilmber Rescue #3, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

With the land based Coastguards on top of the cliff, the Lifeboats below and the helicopter above. A slightly embarrassed looking climber was winched slowly upward.

Climber Rescue #4

Climber Rescue #4, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Safely attached to the Coastguard, this chap does look a little uncomfortable. And not just because of a broken ankle.
Next time, it would be nice if the rescue could take place with the Sun behind me. I'm not complaining, but it would be nice....