Taken at Harty, Isle of Sheppey.
17 Jun 2009
14 Jun 2009
A Mini Cell over Eastchurch Prison.
This was a strange occurrence witnessed from the Raptor Viewpoint in August last year and recorded with a 50-500mm tele lens, it was a very humid evening at the Raptor Viewing Area when I noticed strange cloud behaviour it was attempting to make contact with the ground it never developed any better than I have pictured it, but was left in no doubt that it was a mini cell trying its best to develop, in all my nearly seventy years I have only come across this phenomenon twice before this occasion, but have experienced dust devils as most have and are a fairly common occurrance the other occasions were once in Wales and the other was when working on the fishing boats out of Whitstable when seventeen, I witnessed a waterspout.
Black Tailed Godwits
Taken at Oare, Faversham, Kent. According to the rspb the world population of Black Tailed Godwits is around 15000, three years ago there were eight of us observing birds in the hide at Oare when a birder suggested we all do a count as near to exact as we could achieve, we of course all came up with differing totals which we averaged and the birds present at that time, equalled to 15% of the world populous, of course you all really wanted to know that.
13 Jun 2009
Preying Mantis
The posts below were taken in Spain Last year not as one would think in the depths of darkest Spain but on the promenade at Fenals, next to Lloret de Mar, as you can see the Manti are on a hedging bush well known in the UK, people were passing within a couple of feet of both lizards and manti, it was not until people saw me pointing a camera at a bush and not at the very pleasant view to say nothing of the scantilly clad female humans, that it drew a crowd, adults were interested, but the children were fascinated, all ended well with this particular Mantis becoming a photographic star.
12 Jun 2009
Yellow Wagtail
There are quite a few of these delightful birds on the reserve at RSPB Elmley, Sheppey at the present time, and quite a variation in the colouring from pale insipid yellow to this. For whatever reason like skylarks and Pipits they like to hang about on the trackway.
Attention Greenie, Warren, and Ken, and other visitors, I will be publishing some interesting pic's tomorrow, so don't forget to tune in!
11 Jun 2009
Two Juvenile Shoveler Ducks
I think these two make a charming picture taken at Oare, Faversham, from the road.
Moth of some sort.
In my garden this afternoon, I would like to get into moth trapping but the traps ready made are very expensive, would any of you guys know of a trap that is affordable?
Ringed Plover and owner of the eggs below.
Taken at Elmley she was a very accommodating little bird. 
10 Jun 2009
Reed Warbler
Again patience is rewarded, taken out of the car window at the Raptor point, bearded Tits are also to be found there.
9 Jun 2009
Marsh Harriers
A degree of patience can be rewarded as you can see, taken at the Raptor Viewing car park, Harty.
7 Jun 2009
A Grass Snake
This is the result of my only encounter with a snake, but in all fairness they are a little uncommon on and around the seashore which is where I spend most of my time, and Greenie to me will always be the Reptile Geru!
Heron and Marsh Frog
The grey Heron is quite partial to a marsh frog and I have also witnessed Marsh Harriers taking them back to the nest.
Marsh Frog
This frog is showing us how he is able to make such a loud communication sound, he has the help of bellows, and no he is not a swimming newcomer, and no they are not floatation chambers!
Marsh Frog
Not sure where they emanate from, but, they are not a native species, they are also very noisy.
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6 Jun 2009
4 Jun 2009
Damsel Fly
At first glance I thought these were a mating pair but I think it was shedding a skin would it be possible that this is the case.
My thanks to Greenie for the full biological history, all good stuff and learning something every day.
Curlew Sandpiper
My thanks to Ken for the ID, Curlew Sandpiper is a tick for me this was taken at rspb Elmley on Wednesday it was posing in front of Wellmarsh Hide.
Another Ditty
A Mallard complained Pond life suck's !
Too noisy - all croaking and clucks, and out
on the side are fox's that hide
and hunters who like to shoot ducks
3 Jun 2009
Avocet Pictures
These pic's were taken at Elmley just over two weeks ago, they really are beautiful birds and I never tire of photographing them.
Dodgy Nest Site
I do think they could have chosen a more suitable nest site, there are plenty of alternative vacancies although the rspb Elmley have allowed vegetation to overgrow island nest sites but they have started work on the electric fencing to stop the intrusion of foxes in the breed season and it will be powered by solar cells, there are much fewer avocets this year and I think is due to the thick overgrowth of the nest sites, my opinion of course.
Cotton Thistle
Closeup of the flowering end and those needles really do bite, I have a couple of plants taken this year and are planted at the back of the border, they really are an architecturally beautiful plant.
Common Greenshank, my thanks Richard
Above and below is a bird I am having trouble identifying I use the Collins Black covered book and colouring in its contents I find confusing at times and this is one of those times, I have an idea as to its identity but am not willing to commit myself, so a couple of views would be appreciated. Taken at Oare. I have included the Redshank to give an idea of scale.
2 Jun 2009
Jersey Trip
Alas the trip to find and photograph the Jersey Green Lizard proved fruitless but it was nevertheless a worthwhile holiday, lots of the usual holiday pic's but will not be publishing them.
I have since learnt that there is quite a colony of Green Lizards on the Dorset coast, Durdle Door area, obviously they have been introduced, worth looking out for if you happen to be in the area.
Painted Lady ?
Photographed in a Garden Centre of all places, apparently according to the Telly it is a good year for these migrating marathoneer's.
BREED ?????
Wonder if any of you guy's can help identifying this breed of bovine, cannot for the life of me find any info in my bird book's, Ho! Ho!
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