Nature
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Cumbrian Spring
Most of my friends already know that I don’t manage to get up for a dawn shoot very often…I can think of three or four times is all. Last week I was lecturing in Cumbria and a photo-friend, who lives in the area, offered to spend time with me photographing the northern lakes. No surprise that it was almost 12 noon by the time I was ready to leave Cockermouth. All things considered, we were very lucky, with some lovely mild weather (for March) and calm waters on Buttermere and Crummock Water. The Buttermere pines are a favourite subject for many photographers but it is probably 20 years since…
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Mandarin Ducks
I went with some friends to look for kingfishers but instead we found a group of wild mandarin ducks. Originally from China, these ducks have now become established in the wild. The male has wonderful plumage, with orange feathers each side of the face and feathers sticking up like sails at the back. We were not blessed with strong light but, as the sun went down, the warm colour of the light really brought out the beauty of the birds. There were several pairs and I am sure that we will be going back to visit again.
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Arthropods (mini beasts)
This summer has been very frustrating in terms the small numbers of insects and other mini beasts around here. It has been so very cool and wet…until last week that is. Only in the last few days have I seen a few bees collecting pollen and one or two garden cross spiders making webs in the garden. Hover flies are at last in some number. The local nature reserves have been lacking in damselflies but just a few are around at last. Yesterday, I had a moderately successful afternoon bug hunting and I have combined my finds, in the gallery below, with those from an expedition in May. Hope you enjoy!
