Re: A Fine Day Up North :- )

It's been a fine day up here. I went to one of my regular locations just to see what's about. My first stop was the pond where the Coots hatched seven chicks a couple of weeks ago. Pleased to report all seven doing well.  Lots of House Martins feeding above the water. Caught a glimpse of a Great Spotted Woodpecker with a chick followed almost immediately by a whole family of Nuthatches flitting from tree to tree. I think this is one of the babies.

On to another pond for a couple of Damsel and Dragonfly pics

Lots of Azure Damsels around but not much else. This is the only Dragonfly I saw at all. They're very late emerging up here this year.

Back in the woods for a baby Song Thrush.

Rounded off the afternnon by disturbing a sleepy Buzzard.

He flew to one of his regular perches in a nearby dead try.

Blimey Galatas that Dragonfly is stunning, well done on getting the Nuthatch photos

Thanks Alan.

I'd like to think the Nuthatches were the ones from the nest I photographed a few weeks back but they were some distance away and the woods are full of Nuthatches , so probably not "mine".

Sounds like a very profitable afternoon out!  Nuthatches are one of my favourite birds - not managed to see any chicks yet though.  As Alan said, that last dragonfly photo is just stunning.

Thanks Christine.

I forgot to mention all the other regular inhabitants that I always see.

Fallow Deer. Not truly wild and easy to photograph but still extremely shy and off like a shot if you move towards them.

Grey Squirrels on every other tree and stump.

The woods are also home to hundreds of Jackdaws. This one has something wrong and was skulking in the grass away from the others.

Definitely a lovely day up here - and a lovely day out for you. As the others have said, the photo of the Dragonfly is stunning. It looks like the jackdaw has a severe case of baldness poor thing. I would hazzard a guess he was of the ones at the bottom of the pile in the jackdaw roost's social structure.

I was thinking about your post when I saw it.

It's possible that is why he is bald. The ones at the bottom of the pile do get bullied and pecked by the others, particularly if they get a bit above themselves.

It knew I was there.  It moved away a bit but didn't attempt to fly off and rejoin the flock like they usually do

Not a well bird then.

That Dragonfly photo is absolutely gorgeous.  I would like to show it to my niece, who is a jeweler, it might just inspire her, if you don't mind.

Caroline in Jersey

Of course I don't mind , Caroline.  I don't hold copyright on nature :- )

What a grea time you have had!! Like the others have said the nuthatches + dragonfly are brilliant!! The landscape seems so 'green' this year with all the rain we have had. The field infront of us is flowering this 'summer', it normally just has grass that goes to seed.

Great photos as ever.

Stunning set of shots! Love the deer especially!