Wildlife

I have always been passionate about wildlife and conservation and when not photographing people I can often be found out in the countryside and on nature reserves. Though we have of course lost species, we are lucky to still have such a diversity of birds, butterflies and insects in the British countryside. Many species are still under threat, but it is heartening to have met so many like minded people when out and about photographing the natural world.

You can contact me on 07866 316577 or via e-mail at info@mauricephotos.co.uk

TO GO STRAIGHT TO DETAILS OF PHOTOGRAPHY COURSES AND TO SEE SOME OF MY FAVOURITE IMAGES PLEASE CLICK HERE AND SCROLL DOWN

Some wildlife links:
Michael Flowers birdwatching classes and walks
Yorkshire Butterfly Conservation
Yorkshire Dragonflies
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
Yorkshire Nature Triangle
Yorkshire Mammal Group
East Yorkshire Birding Forum
Birdguides
Tophill Low Nature Reserve
Yorkshire Red Kites
North Cave Wetlands Nature Reserve
The Wild Bird Cafe - North Cave Wetlands
Paull Holme Strays sightings
Potteric Carr Nature Reserve
Hull Valley Wildlife Group
Spurn Bird Observatory
Mike Robinson Bird Photos
Vince Cowell Photography
Steve Mulligan Bird Photography
David Ware - Wolds Birding
Paul Ashton East Yorkshire Wildlife
Wold Ranger
Beetle Boy's Bio Blog
Rory Selvey (age 13) Wildlife Photography
Kill the Badger Cull
The Brown Hairstreak Blog
Africa Gomez Bugblog
Zilch - eliminating litter
Keep Britain Tidy
Plantlife
Buglife

Next Photo Event dates to be announced...

Wednesday 8 June 2011

Swallowtails revisited...

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Friday was another hot day and I decided to head for Strumpshaw Fen RSPB reserve in Norwich.  The reserve isn't very far from the city centre but boasts a varied selection of habitat including fen, woodland and meadow.  Although I didn't manage any photos, Cettis Warblers were bellowing out their song all around the reserve.  My target species were Swallowtails again and after walking through the fen with Norfolk Hawker and Scarce Chaser Dragonflies on the wing I didn't see any Papilio machaon britannicus.  However, as the fen gave way to woodland I saw my first Swallowtail of the day gliding along.  The flight is very strange as the butterflies seem to glide then hang in the air as if suspended from the end of a fishing rod!  This individual posed very well for me in the wood (photo above).  Further along the track you re-enter the fen and then come to the doctor's house.  The doctor gardens specifically to attract insects and very generously doesn't mind passers by taking advantage of this oasis of nectar to take some photos.  As we have had such a hot and dry Spring the nectar sources in the wild are currently few and far between, as I noticed at Catfield, so the Swallowtails were feasting on the doctor's flowers!  Strumpshaw is a great reserve and I didn't have time to explore all of it.  I would imagine there is plenty to see there all year round.


Swallowtails below in the doctor's garden
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Scarce Chaser (female)
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Norfolk Hawker (male) below
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