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I was quite pleased to see the Kingfisher so close, alas it was 20:30pm so the light was poor so I had to use iso1600 for these two shots. I see them quite regularly, usually just a blue and orange flash as they are flying along rivers and canals.

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Ooh, I love those little birds.
I have never seen a live one. I once found a dead one on Union Street in Accrington.
One summer I sat down by Rishton bottoms for hours trying to catch sight of them....all I got was a damp behind.....and some funny looks from dog walkers and ramblers

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It's surprising how many people haven't seen them. I've seen them on the river that runs near Dunkenhalgh Way to Rishton and also on the Leeds Liverpool Canal.

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That is because you are a lucky josser.
I used to walk down by the river in Rishton a lot.....and more so when someone said they were down there.
And I live close to the canal and walk down to Barnes Swuare that way.....but not a glimpse of them.

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Yes, there is an element of luck. The one I photographed was on the River Calder at Whalley, I've been going most evenings since May for a couple of hours and only seen one twice.

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So I got lucky again today...

Little Egret. It's interesting seeing how different it's hunting method is from the Grey Heron, were the heron stands still these move about a lot, they also shuffle their feet to disturb fish and other prey.

Kingfisher, whilst it was much further away the light was infinitely better. This is a 100% crop from the original. Only had to wait 2 hours between 5-7pm for it to appear...

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Ryewolf, I think I should stalk you....you seem to get some very nice shots.
Again the little kingfisher is my favourite......they are so beautiful with their vibrant colours.
The almost look exotic.

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They do look exotic.... On Monday when I was here there were two young Asian ladies that asked me what I was photographing and they hadn't heard of a kingfisher...




You're more than welcome to come along the next time I go - I can't promise you'll see a Kingfisher though, bird watching is a lot about luck, knowing where the birds are, their habits and a lot of patience. I was there this evening from 5pm until 7:30pm.


It's really interesting because I go here quite often, I see a lot of people regularly and because I've got a camera and a big lens they usually ask what I've seen or looking for... In fact I've probably spoken to more people in Whalley this week than I have in Accrington all month.

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Aww, Ryewolf...what a kind offer that is.

But you do not want to be hampered by a batty old bird.(me)
I know that when I go out with the intention of taking pictures, it is best as a solitary pursuit.
I am going on a day trip to Beverley next month....I don't quite know what is there, but I know I will come back with my own perspective(and pictures) of my day.

I will also be looking at other days out....just to take pictures.

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Some from today's wander, I did a bit of bug hunting and a bit of bird watching....

1. A spider
2. A Weevil - the Lesser of two Weevils
3. Beetle Threesome - there's definitely an odd number of antennae for two of them.....
4. Heads or Tails
5. 6. Little Egret

And a video showing how Little Egrets hunt for fish by shuffling their feet....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph3Z1wVYWH8

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for the last two weeks I have been teaching myself 'brush lettering'.( I already do calligraphy)
Thought it would be a doddle.
Watched some videos and it looked oh so easy.

I have practised every day and sometimes got very frustrated with myself....but last night I had something of a EUREKA moment...and I think I might have 'got it'.
I wanted to post these pics to my blog, but it won't let me.....so I hope you do not mind me putting them here.
1) early days...scruffy and no control
2) Still trying...and making not much progress
3) this is over the last 48 hrs....it looks like I am getting there.
4)needs a lot of polishing yet.

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Not a patch on your pics Ryewolf.

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Convoy of jeeps, other military vehicles, and lots of expensive motorbikes organised by the British Legion as part of the 75 anniversary of D-Day called in at our local airfield at Lasham.
Rations were a bit different than those on offer 75 years ago.

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Number 2 is an impressive motor.

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An Evening Out In Yorkshire

1 & 2: Barden Tower: It was a hunting lodge since early Plantagenet times, but it was rebuilt in stone c.1485–1490 by Henry Clifford. The tower were renovated and rebuilt by Lady Anne Clifford in the 1650s.

3 & 4: Barden Bridge is a three-arched humpbacked bridge across the River Wharfe north of Bolton Abbey and was erected in 1659, it was rebuilt in 1676. The parapets had to be renewed in 1856 and again in 1956 after flood damage.

5 & 6: Broughton Hall is a Georgian country house and is a Grade I listed building and has been the seat of the Tempest Baronets for 900 years and it is still run by a direct descendant of the Tempest family.

7: All Saints Church Broughton

8 & 9: The Cavendish memorial fountain is a drinking fountain erected in 1886 at Bolton Abbey, North Yorkshire as a memorial to Lord Frederick Cavendish following his murder in Phoenix Park by the Irish National Invincibles in May 1882.