Working on a Bank Holiday monday and suddenly a Sparrowhawk lands on the perch out side my window. This majestic bird is probably 2 feet from head to tail. A few minutes later, a smaller male Sparrowhawk lands, sadly with one of the blue tits in it’s claws. But it instantly spotted me and was gone!

Wildlife photographer Greg Du Toit was in the news recently with stories of spending 2 months lying in African rivers to get shots of Lions, Baboons, and hippos up close….really close! He managed to contract bilharzia and several parasites from the waters.

Following his inspiration, I spent Sunday afternoon on the banks of the River Wharfe and thought it would be a good idea to walk out on the mud. Within seconds I was waist deep and seriously thinking I was about to disappear, I got my shots and dragged myself to the bank. I can’t help thinking that anyone watching would have got a much better photo!

My final shots were of the patterns and delicate colours and textures within the swan’s feathers.

Garden birds are incredibly difficult to photograph and they frequently fly off before you have time to press the shutter button. Much of saturday was spent trying to take some decent wildlife shots. I use the Canon 55-200mm lens rather than the Sigma 150-400mm lens as it’s sharper. The shots are ok but not great and lack any real excitement. If the snow stays a little longer I might have another go.

Throughout November and December the seals in Lincolnshire return to the sand dunes to have their pups (832 at the last count). I spent saturday at RAF Donna Nook in the freezing rain trying to get a few good shots. I recommend a visit if you get the chance and the haunting calls of the seals will stay in your soul over the winter months. [ more photos ]

I came across these geese today at Fewston Reservoir where I had gone to take landscape photos. As soon as my camera appeared the goose stood on one leg in a theatrical gesture. Maybe it’s just a way of standing on windy days.

Saturday 5am and I set off to Donna Nook, a seal sanctuary on the Lincolnshire coast. I arrive at Cleethorpes before the sun rises and take 60+ shots (background) and then drive 20 miles to the sanctuary. I can’t remember seeing a seal close up before. These guys are new born pups and seem to have the perfect life, lying on the sand dunes but during the week it is an RAF bombing practice range. The seals are usually at sea or out on distant sandbanks, but during November and December they come to breed on the dunes. Apparently the RAF staff make every effort to make sure that no harm comes to any animal. Don’t ask me how!

7am on an autumn morning and the sunlight breaks through the mist is floats abover the River Wharfe. Dewdrops hang from cobwebs like diamonds catching and refracting the sunlight. Only a single fisherman setting up his rod disturbs the silence. I saw two Kingfisher here last week but they fail to make an appearance.

A sudden change of weather and a burst of sunshine brings the last of the dragonfly and butterfly out, including this Southern Hawker (top).

It’s supposed to be the height of summer, but it’s rained for most of the week. However friday see a change and I escape for a couple of hours into local fields. Top photo is a little Skipper – they are about 15mm in length, and have 4 wings. Female orange tip butterfly is next, but it’s only the male that has orange on it. Then redchaser and finally a Peacock butterfly.

A weekend off and plenty of time to enjoy the summer. The skies are full of Red Kites, and I count 9 soaring over a wheat field at one stage. I see my first Comma this year and a male Common Chaser (top) for the first time ever.