Operation Barn Owl

The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that this photograph is not of a Barn Owl! That is because Day One of Operation Barn Owl was not very successful.
A couple of days ago I spent a fine time (without my camera) getting nice and close to a female in an area that, last year, produced a couple of youngsters. Since then I haven't seen her but now that the evenings are getting lighter I have more chance to get a decent shot.
Before we gave up, this old beaten up Badger wandered by made up for the cold fingers!

It's Almost Spring!

A four day holiday weekend and the chance to get out with the camera has been long awaited! It seems like ages since I have been out and I really am getting stir crazy!

Isle to Isle

This is the view from the cliffs that form the southern boundary of the Isle of Purbeck towards the east and the Isle of Wight, a distance of some 16 miles or so.
This is one of my favourite places and somewhere that I spend as much time as possible.

Sunshine On A Rainy Day

This pretty well sums up the whole weekend! One minute the skies turned dark and we were treated to rain storms, the next, the Sun came out and we were bathed in beautiful colours.
With the evenings getting lighter, I am getting the chance to pop out after work and find our local Sika deer. Always a bonus, and an animal that I really look forward to seeing.

Lighter Evenings and the Family Otter

Finally, after far too many months, the evenings are getting light enough for me to go out after I finish work. Tonight, I spent a while watching a pair of Otters enjoy the last rays of the Sun.
A perfect way to spend the end of a busy day.

Fog and Disappearing Castles

I don't take my camera with me when I am leading a walk, it would be wrong to ignore the walkers and stare through a lens. I always miss it though as the camera is usually stuck to my right hand! Today, Corfe Castle took centre stage, it appeared and disappeared with every turn and every hill. At the end of the walk, the fog drifted down the valley and did what Oliver Cromwell failed to do, making the castle disappear completely!

Sunset & Moonrise

Minute by minute, the evenings are getting lighter. This means that soon, I will be able to go out with the camera after work! It seems to have been a long, long winter!

The Goldcrest, Our Smallest Bird

The tiny Goldcrest is just wonderful and always a pleasure to see. If you can get close for a good look, this little bundle of feathers is beautifully marked.

The Firecrest, Our Second Smallest Bird

Not very common and a real treat to find.

The Wren, Our Third Smallest Bird

One of my favourite little birds and one that I can spend hours with.