Feeding Under Water ' Sepia' 16.04.11

My first 2011 Damselfly sighting ' Large Red' 16.04.11 at 11.42am

Isn’t nature amazing. This morning was sunny and but for a cool breeze looked like it would be a nice day. Its April so I thought I’d better start thinking about Damselflies, they’ll be out soon, so when I got to South Cerney Water Park and it was cloudy with the usual low light I put to bed any ideas of seeing Damselflies. I did however park up in my usual place. I was just wandering about keeping an eye on the Great Crested Grebes with 2 new chicks on mums back when something flew past me, hmmm I thought, can’t be, its too cold. Then my wife gave the usual cry, Damsel. I’m on it, grabbed the camera with macro lens and started to try and get some shots in between getting caught in the dead bramble, ouch & low light. Sure enough it was the first of the year for me and right on time, well 5 days earlier, large red as is always the first I normally see and just the one, a repeat of last years first sighting and within about 20 yards of the same spot.

Severn Bore 17.04.11 - 21.04.11 'Don't be late'

Picture. Surfing near Gloucester 14.07.10

Someone once said, oh, I thought it only came once a year. Well, no it doesn’t actually, it flows up the River Severn many times through the year. There are several websites that list the times and dates.

The Severn Bore is a tidal wave that occurs when a high tide forces itself into the Severn Estuary and inland up the river. As the river narrows, twists and turns its way over approx 30 miles  it constricts the flow producing at times some spectacular waves and ripples bringing spectators & surfers from around the world. The Bore finally comes to rest at Maisemore Weir where it runs out of power but I have taken pictures of surfers riding the bore right to the weir.

Over the next 4 days why not treat yourself to one of natures amazing events. After all, where else can you see surfers over 30 miles in land surfing up a river against the natural flow of water out to sea.

Evening Bores are extra special. Depending where you are it can be difficult to see it coming sometimes but this is more than compensated for by the audible experience, so hushhhhhhh and just listen to the roar under moonlight, and then have your natter afterwards !

There are several pubs on the river bank that provide good food and drink so why not make a day or night of it.

Old Passage Inn, restaurant  - Arlingham

Anchor Inn - Epney

Severn Bore Inn - Minsterworth

Bee Fly 19.04.10

Fishing Burley Fields Lake Cheltenham 'Fishing ' 16.06.10

Burley Fields Lake & Farm Cheltenham 'Short Neck ' 12.04.11

Burley Fields Lake & Farm Cheltenham 'Chub by Martin Tucker ' 12.04.11

Burley Fields Lake & Farm Cheltenham 'Coming In ' 12.04.11

Burley Fields Lake & Farm Cheltenham 'Surface ' 12.04.11

Burley Fields Lake & Farm Cheltenham 'Young Common Carp ' 08.04.11

Burley Fields Lake & Farm Cheltenham 'Common Release ' 08.04.11

Burley Fields Lake & Farm Cheltenham 'Carp In The Midday Sun ' 09.04.11

Burley Fields Lake & Farm Cheltenham 'Caught ' 10.04.11

Burley Fields Lake & Farm Cheltenham 'In The Net' 10.04.11

Burley Fields Lake & Farm Cheltenham 'Catch ' 10.04.11

Burley Fields Lake & Farm Cheltenham 'Roach ' 09.04.11

Burley Fields Lake & Farm Cheltenham 'Grass Snake' 09.04.11

A sudden rustle in the undergrowth had me turning round from taking pictures across the lake with the 70-300mm lens to see a tail fast disappearing under a dark hedge line. Moving quickly along the track, all the time trying to keep sight of a snake which looked approx 2ft long knowing I had the wrong equipment in my hands. It finally came to a stop after weaving its way through dark cover behind the trunk of a small bush where the dirt was exposed. About 4ft above the track I was on, I could see a small burrow near the bottom of a fence line to the next field bathed in the midday sun. Cows munching away on the grass. I guess this could be its home, it soon made off into the sun though after sniffing the air with its tongue. Hopefully when I go back I will be more prepared and get some better shots.

Burley Fields Lake & Farm Cheltenham 'White Fallow Deer' 11.06.10

Burley Fields Lake & Farm Cheltenham 'White Fallow Deer' 08.04.11

Burley Fields Lake & Farm Cheltenham 06.04.11

Burley Fields Lake & Farm Cheltenham 'Black Sheep ' 07.04.11

Fishing Burley Fields Lake & Farm Cheltenham 'Free Range '06.04.11

Burley Fields Lake & Farm Cheltenham 'Eye Colour ' 06.04.11

Fishing Burley Fields Lake Cheltenham 06.04.11

A change in the weather brought new vigour to fish at Burley Fields Lake today. There were some fine catches through the day. Early evening saw Adrian Lusty and his son Liam enjoying the sun and that all important catch with a nice 22lb 2oz Common Carp.

Fishing Burley Fields Lake Cheltenham Catch 06.04.11

Fishing Burley Fields Lake Cheltenham BW 06.04.11

Fishing Burley Fields Lake Cheltenham 06.04.11

Just About To Rain At Wick Water Lake 23 03.04.11

Wood Pigeon On The Blossom 04.04.11

Between the vertical blinds and through the double glazing, I managed to get some shots of a local wood pigeon hanging on to the tree in blossom, swaying in the wind on this grey evening. I love the blossom but wind and then the rain always signals its end, but summer soon follows of course.  

My Blackbird About To Have His Bath 25.03.11

My Blackbird Relaxing In The Bath 25.03.11

My Blackbird Having His Bath 25.03.11

Severn Bore Approaching Maisemore Weir 22.03.11

Severn Bore Maisemore Bridge 22.03.11

Severn Bore Maisemore Bridge 21.03.11

Severn Bore Nr Hempstead Picture 3 21.03.11

Severn Bore Nr Hempstead Picture 2 21.03.11

Severn Bore Nr Hempstead Picture 1 21.03.11

Severn Bore Epney 21.03.11

Severn Bore Maisemore Bridge 20.03.11

Severn Bore Hempstead 20.03.11

Severn Bore 'Hang On ' Epney 20.03.11

Severn Bore 'Man Over Board' Epney 20.03.11

Severn Bore Approaching Epney 20.03.11