Wildlife pictures

[daveO]

One of the hedges at my parents' place was laid over the winter and I had to move some bird boxes. I hung them up in my greenhouse until I could find a new place for them but forgot about them. Yesterday I went to water the plants and a wren flew out of this box sounding very angry at me. Looking inside I can just see a few yellow beaks poking up.

I've done some research and it looks like they'll be there for about 3 weeks so I'm knackered for getting my tomatoes planted until they fledge. I'll also have to fit some shading to the roof before the weather gets too hot or they'll bake in there. I've opened all the doors and windows for now though to keep the air flowing through. The parent is doing a great job of keeping the greenhouse clear of bugs though so there's always a bright side.

 

[daveO]

I dug a new pond over the winter and I'm excessively chuffed that my first pond skater turned up today.

 

[brancho]

Nice shots Dave
I hope the pond fills with life.

 

[brancho]

Some shots from my recent Macro Safari's



Here is a damsel fly eating a crane fly



Damsel fly eating 2 by Alf Branch, on Flickr


Damsel fly eating 1 by Alf Branch, on Flickr




I did not see the insects in this shot but the curled leaf peaked my interest so I took a shot and thought I will check that out later.An ID would be nice.


Nest in curled up oak leaf by Alf Branch, on Flickr


I suspect this is a digger wasp but I am unsure. This was a tough shot to get and not the best really.



Wasp by Alf Branch, on Flickr




There are two spiders one of which is on a yellow dung fly. Can you predict what happened next. I took more shots but did not wait too long. I need to process the other shots.



Two spiders by Alf Branch, on Flickr




Here is a sawfly on a blossom



Sawfly on blossom by Alf Branch, on Flickr

 

[brancho]

A fly on a leaf or two



Fly on leaf by Alf Branch, on Flickr


Fly on leaf 2 by Alf Branch, on Flickr


Some eggs on a fence post



Eggs by Alf Branch, on Flickr


A beatle



Beatle by Alf Branch, on Flickr




A femal Salticus scenicus (zebra jumping spider) on my houye wall


Salticus scenicus female by Alf Branch, on Flickr

 

[brancho]

In a continuation of the two spiders above. The top one came down and they seemed to set out to eat together which I suspect is very unlikely.



Two spiders 2 by Alf Branch, on Flickr


Two spiders 3 by Alf Branch, on Flickr


Then in this shot it looks like mating is being or has been attempted. Unfortunately due to the difficulty of these two spinning on a thread and time shortage I moved on. So I do not know how this ended.



Two spiders 4 by Alf Branch, on Flickr

 

[darryle]

Seems they are creating web.

 

[brancho]

Seems they are creating web.

No thats not what is happening

 

[brancho]

Here is a large red damsel fly eating a crane fly I think.


Large red eating by Alf Branch, on Flickr

 

[brancho]

Here are some shots of bumble bees eating/drining from my laurel hedge. I have observed other insects visit these leaves and do the same, at the base of each leaf are lttle pores (I do not know the correct term) that sap pools in and the insects eat/drink




Bumble bee feeding laurel 1 by Alf Branch, on Flickr


Bumble bee feeding laurel 2 by Alf Branch, on Flickr


Bumble bee feeding laurel 3 by Alf Branch, on Flickr

 

[brancho]

I was looking out of the window when I spotted this Hoverfly larva on the prowl. So I went out a couple of times to grab some shots on the second occasion I got these

Hover fly larva catching aphid by Alf Branch, on Flickr

Hover fly larva eating aphid by Alf Branch, on Flickr

The larva eating another aphid


Hover fly larva eating aphid 2 by Alf Branch, on Flickr


Hover fly larva eating aphid 3 by Alf Branch, on Flickr

 

[brancho]

Here are some of my recent shots



A very small be a Hylaeus SP. but not sure which who was just hanging out in/on a buttercup


Hylaeus bee 1 by Alf Branch, on Flickr


Hylaeus bee 2 by Alf Branch, on Flickr


This is a wasp or sawfly ovipositing but no idea what SP.


Wasp or Sawfly by Alf Branch, on Flickr


Here is a Scorpion fly apparently stealing from a spiders web.


Scorpin fly eating by Alf Branch, on Flickr

 

[woodsa]

Amazing shot! Was this taken using a trap camera or remote? beautifully caught!

 

[woodsa]

Amazing shot! Was this taken using a trap camera or remote? beautifully caught!

Hi All, as someone was talking about photographing foxes, here's one of mine:

Note that this is a captive animal of course, not a wild one, at the Surrey Wildlife Centre - a wonderful place to visit (no connection, just a happy visitor).

Cheers, Bob

 

[woodsa]

 

[woodsa]

 

[bobnewboy]

Amazing shot! Was this taken using a trap camera or remote? beautifully caught!

Thanks . Note that it is a 'captive' animal shot as noted.

No special stuff needed. It was taken sitting down with a hand held digital SLR, on a photo day, when you can get very much closer, or in with the animals. My tip is to always move away from the main group of shutterbugs, and sit quietly and comfortably on your own. No need to be completely motionless, but avoid sudden movements. And then snap away without 'chimping' - check your results later so you dont mss that ideal shot.

Cheers, Bob

 

[woodsa]

I didn't see the info at the bottom of the photo (viewing on an iPhone). Still, captured a great expression. Looking through some of these has inspired me to try and get out shoot more. A 9 month old has meant that dawn strolls with the camera has been put on hold for a while. I'll try and post some of my garden macro stuff though.
Thanks

QUOTE=bobnewboy;1817885]Thanks . Note that it is a 'captive' animal shot as noted.

No special stuff needed. It was taken sitting down with a hand held digital SLR, on a photo day, when you can get very much closer, or in with the animals. My tip is to always move away from the main group of shutterbugs, and sit quietly and comfortably on your own. No need to be completely motionless, but avoid sudden movements. And then snap away without 'chimping' - check your results later so you dont mss that ideal shot.

Cheers, Bob[/QUOTE]

 

[brancho]

Here is a Scorpion fly with a sweet tooth



Male scorpion fly by Alf Branch, on Flickr


Here is a ringlet buuterfly not an easy shot to get


A ringlet by Alf Branch, on Flickr

 

[woodsa]

Not technically outside, however I found this little guy flat against my conservatory wall. I believe it's a Pholcus phalangioides due to it's skull like face; a part of the cellular spider family.