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.