I always lose my photographic mojo during the Summer months, maybe it's because the light is often too harsh, or because the trees and bushes are so green and the undergrowth is so lush that a lot of the nature is hidden from view, but it's my least favourite Season to take photos.
However, when the opportunity arises, I still capture any nature I do come across, as my camera is always with me! I'd hate to miss something exciting!
Yesterday I drove to the village of Middlezoy for literally a few minutes, on a tip off from my friend Nick Stacey. Apparently there were Little Owls in a small orchard there back in April!
When I arrived at the orchard it didn't look very promising. I couldn't see over the overgrown bordering hedge, and the old fruit trees in the orchard were very leafy and dark.
I was just leaving in my van when I spotted this beauty in one of the trees beside the road;
Finally, after years of searching, I found a Little Owl, and managed a half decent few photos!
It didn't even mind when I initially stalled my van in the excitement! I had to reverse a bit, but it just looked at me nonchantly!
Earlier in the day I had come across 2 young Roe Deer feeding in a little field besides a country home near Bristol. Without leaving the van I got some pictures from the main road. Another time when my Sigma 150-600mm lens really came into it's own!
^Above^ - Sweet little 'Bambis'
The day before I had seen a mother (I assume) and a couple of young Roe Deer next to the very busy A38 leading to the Edithmead roundabout near Burnham on Sea. I always see Deer here, they don't mind the traffic at all!
^Above^ - The Edithmead Roe Deer family!
Below are some more pics taken during the balmy month of July, including Swallows, Dragonflies, Buzzards and a few other creatures, great and small!
^Above^ - A young Swallow being fed by parents in my work yard!
^Above^ - Rabbits in the 'Little Owl' orchard.
^Above^ - 'Feed me'! Carrion Crows at Dunster beach.
^Above^ - Young Pied Wagtail at Dunster beach.
^Above^ - Collared Doves.
^Above^ - Woodpigeons......just as common in gardens as woods nowadays!
^Above^ - Young Blue Tit searching for bugs and spiders at RSPB Greylake in Somerset.
^Above^ - Long Tailed Tits at RSPB Greylake.
^Above^ - Chiffchaff at RSPB Greylake.
^Above^ - Young Grey Heron at RSPB Greylake.
^Above^ - Young Mallards at RSPB Greylake.
^Above^ - Different ages of Moorhens.... taken at RSPB Greylake.
^Above^ - Cabbage White Butterflies at RSPB Greylake.
^Above^ - Comma Butterfly at Ston Easton, North Somerset.
^Above^ - Peacock Butterflies on the Buddleia in my garden!
^Above^ - Buzzards.
^Above^ - Coots at RSPB Greylake.
^Above^ - Banded Demoiselles at RSPB Greylake.
^Above^ - A lost feather.....
^Above^ - Distant Cormorants in a dead tree near RSPB Greylake.
^Above^ - Proud Swallow at Langport.
^Above^ - Broad Bodied Chaser at Maiden Bradley.
^Above^ - Hoverfly!
^Above^ - Ladybird!
^Above^ - Bumble Bees at Sutton Bingham Reservoir near Yeovil.
^Above^ - Young and adult Great Crested Grebes at Sutton Bingham.
^Above^ - Black Headed Gulls at Sutton Bingham.
^Above^ - Female Mallards at Sutton Bingham.
^Above^ - Herring Gull at Sutton Bingham.
^Above^ - Stock Dove at Langport.
^Above^ - Red Admiral butterfly at RSPB Greylake.
^Above^ - Baby Reed Warbler at RSPB Greylake.
^Above^ - Skylarks at Ston Easton.
^Above^ - Grey Heron at Burrowbridge.
^Above^ - Male Sparrowhawk near Middlezoy.
^Above^ - Distant Yellowhammers at Ston Easton.
^Above^ - Young Blackbirds in my garden.
^Above^ - Wild Geranium at Ston Easton.
^Above^ - Grasses....
^Above^ - Hoverflies on Thistle flowers.
^Above^ - Jackdaw in my garden.
^Above^ - Buzzard being harassed by a Crow.
^Above^ - Beautiful pink show at RSPB Greylake.
^Above^ - Female Mallard at RSPB Greylake.
^Above^ - Attractive wild flowers at Sutton Bingham Reservoir.
^Above^ - Magpies at Bristol.
^Above^ - Various Bees and Bumble Bees at Thistle flowers near Bristol.
Hope you enjoyed my July photos!!
Carl