New Years Eve 2011

The last day of 2011

A mild and windy day
Wishing everybody a Happy New Year for 2012

A Dull December Day

A brief diffused shaft of light through the window on this artificial flower encouraged us to go for a walk in Ashridge...

We had hoped that the clear sky on the horizon might reach us, but it rained instead

A jelly like fungus on the ground. Possibly an example of the 'Yellow Brain Fungus', normally found on branches, so it is probably something else!

Christmas Day - No Snow, only a Snow Bunting

Christmas Day, a dull and breezy day.

A trip to Startops reservoir, near Tring, to see the long staying male Snow Bunting. It did not let me down, allowing me a number of photos for the record. An example below.

Whilst waiting on the reservoir bank this juvenile Mute Swan flew in ......
....only to be chased off by an adult mute swan

The poor light meant slow shutter speeds giving the pleasing blurred wings

Ivinghoe Beacon last December (2010)

It's certainly been cold these last few days, but no snow to talk about.

These photos were taken around Ivinghoe Beacon last December.

Camouflaged Mantis

More photos from France in September

A camouflaged Praying Mantis

A little less hidden

Revist to December 2010 - Waxwings

A year ago the UK was invaded by unusually large numbers of Waxwings turning up all the country. These, my first ever, were spotted by chance resting in a tree by the edge of playing field surrounded by houses in Leighton Buzzard. Wonderful colours in their wings. I hope we will get another occurrence this year

A couple of starlings leaving a nearby ariel.

Butterflies from Le Defile de L'Argensol, France.

After today's cold wintry weather in the UK, some September butterfly photographs from the limestone gorge in Southern France

Possibly a Silver-Spotted Skipper

Camouflaged Butterfly on the dry river bed
A Clouded Yellow on Scabious

Not so camouflaged!

Dockey Wood, Ashridge

December, and this is Dockey Wood without its famous Bluebells.

A Muntjac stays in the shade of the wood

Brilliant golden evening sun beyond the wood...
...catching the denuded winter branches of the adjacent wood.

Market and Street in a town in Gard, France

More from September
Market Soaps

The dog was the one who gave up his ground!

Market Spices