Bee-flies in April 2011

The wettest April in parts of England for over 100 years meant not much opportunity to take macro photos of insects.

In April last year, Bee-flies were abundant, giving me plenty of chances to get in close. 



Despite their name, Bee-flies have no sting, and use their proboscis to feed on flowers and blossom.  



A few were seen earlier this month, but then the rains came.





London Views - City Skyline and South Bank

Poor weather this last two weeks has not given much opportunity for countryside Spring photos taken in the evening.  So I have uploaded photos taken at lunchtime in London.

Railway and City Skyline

South Bank Path







Out of the shadows





Southwark Cathedral and the Shard









Stormy Saturday from Steps Hill and Ivinghoe Beacon

Views from Steps Hill and Ivinghoe Beacon of rain, sunshine and birds last Saturday.

A heavy shower just missing us.

A Common Buzzard driving off a Raven that had been harassing it.

More rain heavy rain passing.

A pair of Common Buzzards, the larger female to the left.

Another rain cloud beyond Pitstone Windmill



Pasqueflower - Chilterns

A walk this weekend to a spot in the Chilterns to photograph the rare Pasqueflower, so called as it flowers around Easter (from the french word for Easter 'Paques').  However, we arrived to find the flowers had been protected from grazing sheep and rabbits. 

So, I put below photographs taken last year, without the wire protection, which allowed me to get down close to the hairy flower heads.  Starting with a relatively freshly opened bloom...

....to a bloom on the way out.....

....to a flower head turning to seed. 

This year there were about 70 flower head in one area of about 8 square metres, a slight  improvement on last year's numbers. Lets hope this year's protective measures taken will allow this once more plentiful plant, be it in localised areas, make a comeback.

River Thames London - Views from the South Bank

A lunchtime walk last week along the South Bank, a day with dramatic skies.

The Tower of London, HMS Belfast and Tower Bridge under a heavy sky

Outdated war technology
Coming showers

Sky reflections

Starling Colours

A starling still in winter plumage last week in London

A close-up of the amazing colours in the feathers
I don't think I will be eating at this restaurant

Borough Market area again in Monochrome

More black and white photos taken around Borough Market Southwark

Balconies

The new market roof with leaves etched into the glass roof


The Shard through a gap in the railway bridges

Caught in a Spider's Web

A fly caught in a spider's web. The macro shot shows the delicate feather like antennae.

I don't know what this was, but I imagine a part of a flowering tree nearby, blown into the web.

Wilstone Reservoir Tring

No photos yet over Easter, so some taken earlier in the year.

Wigeon in Flight

The wing feathers of a dead swan
Black Headed Gulls in formation

The Cormorant Tree

More London Monocrome

More black and white photographs taken recently in London.

Cranes outside London Bridge Station.

Photographer on the Millennium Bridge.
Cafe window reflection, South Bank River Thames.

Great Crested Grebes at Wilstone Reservoir Tring

Full breeding plumage Great Crested Grebes on a beautiful clear first day of April

Looking for fish?

Water drops on the back

A practice dive

Riding the ripple