The Downs in Spring (Loads of Piccs)

[British Red]

What a startling day today!

It really was so warm and springlike...and the bluebells are coming out....frantastic!

Loads of peackock butteflies sunbathing on baked clay

The mystery killer is leaving bits of pheasants up the trees again

The buzzards are nesting again which is grand

Lots of bee flies

The wood ants are out in force too

If you have a taste for ramsoms - there is certainly no shortage!

Hope you got out to enjoy it too

Red

 

[w00dsmoke]

Hey man, very nice pictures. This is not a part of the country I know well or have visited; just read about it a wee bit. You have some amazing species to see down your way.It's always nice to see other parts of the country that I've never been to. Keep posting! I guess we are not that far behind you in terms of spring, but it's lovely to see, thanks for showing.
WS

 

[mace242]

Got to be said Red, that I do really like your pictures. Always makes me want to get my camera out and go and see what occurs. Just so sad that I'm so very busy in the office and all I get to see is a trading estate out of the window. Still - next weekend to look forward to.

 

[British Red]

Any time you are passing mace - we'll go for a bimble

 

[andybysea]

Great pics, spring is definately here at last, ive noticed recently the light and the colours are much brighter, and ive seen alot of those butterflies round here to in the last couple of weeks.That pic with the ants reminds me of a weekend in the Lakedistrict,but thats another story,good stuff!

 

[trail2]

I sure miss the Downlands . It is always nice to see the spring coming to the woods.
Here spring was ushered in by a blizzard yesterday.
Jon R.

 

[Klenchblaize]

I can just see the curling wood smoke and smell the wild garlic wilted over pan-fried bacon, rabbit kidneys and fresh-from-the-nest eggs!

Cheers

 

[British Red]

It was pan fried smoked bacon (cut from the muslin wrapped side of bacon) and a duck egg omlette with the ramsoms chopped in - sorry to disappoint

 

[Gailainne]

Really nice photos Red, its still quite cold up here, the sun was out at the weekend although a very cold wind, I was surprised to see bumblebees out and about, though I should'nt be, the Cherry blossom has been out and started to die away, and my Conference pear tree is blooming already.

My sister who lives across a park from me, told me that there are Buzzards nesting in one of the trees there, sure enough come Sunday I heard that distinct cry, and looking up saw 3 in a thermal gaining amazing lift, by the time I got my camera from the house they were specs.

What do you thinks taking the Pheasants ? would a Buzzard do that ?

Cheers

Stephen

 

[British Red]

Well now they would. The gamekeeper here here has seen them take many a pheasant. He has his own broad Hampshire adjective to describe them too

That said I have rarely seen a buzzard lift large quantities like that - all the ones I watch are ground feeders in the main - on carrion, fresh kills and even when grubbing up wroms etc.

I suspect red kite right now (as I ahve seen them feed on the wing) or maybe corvids flying off with part consumed carcas. Lets face it nothing ate it hanging up like that so I'm tempted by Crows as the explanation.

Pure guesswork on the species though - I haven't spotted anything "in the act" yet - and I am intrigued by several of these suspended "Blair Witch" moments!


I guess I need more time in the woods!

 

[Mistwalker]

Great pics British Red! Thanks for sharing, it's always great to watch nature come back to life after the long sleep of winter.

 

[Matt Weir]

Loads of peackock butteflies sunbathing on baked clay

Thought I'd throw my Peacock Flutterby in for comparison...

 

[British Red]

Thats a corking shot - reckon he must have had a hard time over wintering. Always like to see those tough old war horses this time of year!

 

[stovie]

I love your pics Red, always so evocative. It would be good to try and get together one day. I'm not a million miles from you, as you are aware.

Keep shooting...

And stop embarrassing me

 

[British Red]

Shant Stovie

I have neither the patience nor the skill to bring on youngsters as you do. But your pictures of outings never fail to make me feel like an excited 11 year old

You are the best of us

Red

 

[Shewie]

Lovely pics again Red, everything looks to be coming alive again right now.

I can almost smell those Ramsons from here

 

[British Red]

Well the bunnies for Klenchblaizes fry up were out in force today

Luckily for them they were near the ponies, not on land I have shooting on, I didn't have a gun and was on the way home from the Hampshire Bowman with a nice lunch inside me

The Bluebells are coming along though....another week should see that lovely blue haze throughout the woods!

Red