Small skippers! They are hard to avoid at work at the moment, skittish little orange dart flight butterflies taking to the air whenever a clod hopping human like me seems to get within a hundred yards of them.
That being said, I managed to catch one with its tongue out, feeding off ragwort. Sadly, a wretched tuft of grass got in the way, ruining the shots.
No Countryfile Calendar for me then.
When I get home from work, the swifts are providing frenetic screeching entertainment over my garden. As ever, they know when I have my camera and retreat to the heights, only coming down to make their death defying strafing runs when I don't have it.
The fledglings are clearly up and amongst the adult birds now, judging by the increase in numbers, it always amazes me that they complete their breeding and growing up cycles so fast. A young swift seems to have about 6 weeks to prepare itself for the small matter of a flight to Africa - in about two weeks they will be starting to leave.
They always leave a sort of 9 month emptiness in the sky.
Si
All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 14.07.21
Even with the grass they are great shots.
ReplyDeleteThank you Tigger!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos.
ReplyDeleteI agree, there is a sort of 9 month emptiness when the swifts leave. Our local swifts are very excited at the moment and will be off soon no doubt.