Sunday 29 September 2013

I wasn't going to do a post until Monday after my excursion to see the Spotted Crake at Oare and the Lesser Yellow legs at Cliffe yesterday, then a visit to Alan Paveys patch at Sissinghurst this morning, I didn't think I'd have time to visit my patch this weekend, however, I found myself with a spare hour or so after dinner today, so I went to see if I could get what would probably be my last Dragonfly photo's this year, the only ones left on the wing here now are the Migrant Hawkers, and I found a few in their usual place at the Greenhouse Grounds.

Whilst taking the Hawker Photo's, a SPARROWHAWK was seen up hunting, and one of the KESTREL pair took an interest in what I was up to, watching me from the Greenhouse roof, at one point it swooped down and caught a vole, but much more spectacular was seeing it zoom a meter or so from my head, snatching a mating pair of Migrant Hawkers that I was waiting to alight for a photo! It flew off to eat them on the roof, but one manged to escape  :-)

Tomorrow being the last day of the month, i'll be out first thing for a full patch walk, hoping to add something to the months bird count, namely the Yellowhammer!

Here's the photo's of the Hawkers, ive done them before I know, but they are brilliant little creatures :-)
I got a few flight shots this afternoon
Migrant Hawker In Flight
I reckon this one is my best flight shot yet  :-)
It posed nicely at times too
At one point I got my macro set up to within 12cm of it
Migrant Hawker

9 comments:

Marc Heath said...

Such great photographic moments and subjects Warren. Another off patch site visit. Reculver next for you then!

Warren Baker said...

Watch out marc,
I might just turn up this winter :-)

The Hairy Birder said...

Cracking Hawker shots Warren! Awesome!

Cheers,

Seumus

Warren Baker said...

Thanks Seumus ! :-)

Alan Pavey said...

Good to meet you Warren, glad you managed to get back to your patch in the afternoon :-)

Lancashire and Lakeland Outback Adventure Wildlife Safaris said...

Twitching Nearctic waders! Whatever next? A) did you see it? and b) when was the last time you saw a redshank on your patch?

Have fun

DaveyMan

PS I must be due a spotted crake...been a few years now

Warren Baker said...

Alan,
Thanks for the tour of your patch :-)

Birds are more numerous there, and you've got some great habitat.

Look forward to reading your next patch post!

Warren Baker said...

Davyman - A) Yes B) Never!

Noushka said...

Oh dear, what a series!
That is superb dragonfly photography, congratulations!
You might (I hope!) enjoy Dragonfly World:
odonatas69a.blogspot.fr
You photography in general is beautiful and very well presented... to my liking!
Congratulations!