Eclipse Art

I wouldn't normally bother to shoot some images of Mallard Ducks in Eclipse Plumage.

However just occasionally you see something in the World of nature that you just have to take advantage of and take the photograph.

Such an occasion occurred this week. I was walking along the local river that runs along to the North of the town where I live. On the opposite side of the river path are large trees of differing varieties. 

The weather was sunny (for a change) and was shining through the trees.

I noticed this pair of Mallard ducks resplendent? in their 'Eclipse' plumage swimming along under the low hanging foliage. What was quite different was the various colours showing under the water surface highlighted by the sun.

I have optimistically described this as images of Art.

I will certainly take more notice in future of what appears 'ordinary'.

Another Butterfly

 
A short visit to Radipole Reserve today.

Purple Loosestrife

I found three female Brimstone butterflies feeding on Purple Loosestrife.

It is quite unusual to find three butterflies in one location at the moment.

Pigeon through the Portal.

A Surprise Alternative

 

This week I travelled 20 miles to the Bird Reserve at Arne.

My objective was to photograph that mythical bird the Dartford Warbler. 

It is certainly mythical to me as it is the one bird that resides locally in Dorset in some numbers that I have not seen. I am told by others that there are some 70 pairs on the Reserve.

I took advice from the Wardens about where to search, but unfortunately to no avail.

One thing that I did find, which I see quite regularly was the Grayling butterfly.

Not an easy species to see, but I can find it quite easily. If only the Dartford Warbler was so easy.

However fate didn't let me down completely as I was able to photograph something that I had never seen before.

I observed a car going very slowly and stopping along the narrow approach road to the Reserve. 

There was a good reason for that. 

A Sow Wild Boar was stopping it and allowing her piglets to continue along that road and onto the Reserve.

A Wild Boar (with young) is best avoided.

Later as I was searching a woodland track I found the piglets feeding on grass etc.

The mother was not observed and I assumed she was laying in the bushes out of the sun. I took a few shots and made a 'tactical' retreat. 😎