Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)

Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) captured mid-hover during an enjoyable afternoon spent at the International Centre for Birds of Prey in Newent, Gloucestershire (http://www.icbp.org/index/)

Canon 1Ds MkIII, Canon EF f/4.5 L 100-400mm lens, 1/1,00th sec, f/5.6, ISO 800

Damseflies

Found these damsels on plants around one of my favourite village ponds. Two were busy having an early supper – it was around 7pm and the sun was making its way slowly down. In the first image I love the detail in the wing of the damsel's prey. In the second it has to be the definition in the left-hand eye. In the third, I'm just pleased with a tidy composition. I'm poor at damselfly ID, but I'm going for female blue-tailed damselflies.

All images Canon 1Ds MkIII, Canon EF f/2.8L 100mm macro lens

Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

I spent all day yesterday (Sunday) with this chap, watching him fishing, preening, defending his territory from one persistent interloper and just chilling. A wonderful, almost mindful, experience that I will remember for a long time to come...

All images Canon 1Ds MkIII, Canon EF 100-400mm

Macro fly

Fly on a reed near a favourite pond of mine. Really pleased with how this one turned out.

Canon 1Ds MkIII, Canon EF f/2.8L 100mm prime macro lens, 1/250th, f/4, ISO 640

Garden Spider (Araneus diadematus),

European garden spider (Araneus diadematus) spotted in the garden just a few minutes ago. 

Canon 1Ds MkIII, Canon EF f2.8L 100mm prime lens, 1/100th sec, f/8, ISO 800

Canon 1Ds MkIII, Canon EF f2.8L 100mm prime lens, 1/100th sec, f/8, ISO 800

The Fly

Trio of flies from the garden this afternoon.

Canon 1Ds MkIII, Canon EF 2.8L 100mm lens, 1/500th sec, f/8, ISO 800

Canon 1Ds MkIII, Canon EF 2.8L 100mm lens, 1/250th sec, f/6.3, ISO 800

Canon 1Ds MkIII, Canon EF 2.8L 100mm lens, 1/80th sec, f/10, ISO 800

Fly on the buddleia

Much gloomier light on the North Norfolk coast this afternoon, but this shot still works I think despite the inevitable noise from a high ISO setting.

Canon 1Ds MkIII, Canon EF 100mm prime f/2.8L macro lens, 1/60th sec, f/3.2, ISO 1000

Migrant Hawker

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta – confirmation needed) on the buddleia this afternoon. It remained oblivious to the camera and – notwithstanding a blustery wind – allowed me to get some shots I'm really pleased with. All shot with a Canon 1Ds MkIII and a Canon 100mm L-series prime macro lens. No extensions, no flash.

Honeybee

I waited an hour or so for one of the many bees around today to land on this buddleia flower and then to make its way round to the side so it was in relief against the background. Worth the wait though...

Canon 1Ds MkIII, Canon 100mm prime L-series macro lens, 1/250th sec, f/7.1, ISO 1600

Toadlet

Toadlet spotted on the lawn this afternoon.

Canon 1Ds MkIII, Canon 100mm prime macro lens, 1/100th sec, f/5, ISO 500

Canon 1Ds MkIII, Canon 100mm prime macro lens, 1/50th sec, f/9, ISO 500