Mrs PR wanted to see the housemartins a little closer, along with the fallow deer and Jacob sheep. So she had the day off work, (her job does involve weekend and bank holiday working, though thankfully not too often), we made the minor escape. Can't call it a great escape, its only a 30 min drive away....
We started off taking a different route, rather than going straight down to the gatehouse, we went to the pond, and where the fallow bucks were last week when I was there (for those who missed that post, see: An escape to Charlecote Park Sat 20th Aug).
However, the bucks must have had better ideas, and gone elsewhere. in fact, we never saw any bucks, anywhere that day!
What is that old saying, never work with animals.....
But we did get to sit on the bench, something I have to do a lot at the moment when out and about, and Nat Trusts are often very well blessed with seats to sit on, and admire the sunny view across the pond.
All, all was not lost, at least Mrs Mallard and family were happy to see us, even though we'd left the swan and duck pellets in the car!
One was a bit more hopeful than the others, and did try on the off chance we might have some food....
Heading back toward the house, there is a sensory type garden, nicely shaded with trees and a shack which doubled as a hide for the younger generations to sit or stand in and watch the birds on the feeders.
The roof is a bit low for me, so i stood to the side, and got a half decent view of a goldfinch.
It was time for a cuppa, and a cake, so it was to the Wood Yard Cafe, being the nearest of the two cafes, we went, and watched the housemartins among other birds, flying around.
They have some magnificent trees at Charlecote, and the yew trees are close on 200 years old, and tower spectacularly over many of the buildings.
The housemartins were everywhere, perched on roof tops, flying to and from nests, over our heads, everywhere.
This housemartin pushed the R5's capabilities to the max, with the help of the 100-400 MkII lens, which facilitated heavy cropping.
Among the housemartins, were swallows, and I just managed to snap this pair racing past....
A robin in a nearby yet tree, singing its head off beautifully....
Possibly to this wee robin on the roof top of Charlecote House!
Patiently awaiting the next food delivery....
The housemartins were busy bringing food in for their broods.....
And the fallow doe's and fawns....
Bottoms up!
I'll give you a clue, look in front of the tall dark doe, and you'll a bum just above the grass.....
A caterpillar that had been rescued from my shirt by my wife, probably a large or cabbage white, corrections/confirmations gratefully received...
A white wagtail on the roof tops...
A house sparrow, (F), curious at my invasion of her feeding....
I was actually taking a photo down the River Avon towards 'St Peter ad Vincula' Church in Hampton Lucy. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
A small white butterfly
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
(Pardon the Scottish Accent)
Lot to learn
_____________________________________
Regards, Hazel
DB_Fife said:Love the sequence at the nests!
Thank you.
Linda257 said:Very nice indeed Mike...the camera is working very well and what a rewarding return visit you had ;-)
Thank you Linda.
The new camera is certainly doing its job, and compensating nicely for my unsteady hand and body. The housemartin nest photos had a lot of cropping to get closer to the subject.
gaynorsl said:Fabulous photos Mike, you are doing so well with your new lens, the small white is amazingly detailed and my favourite, following closely by the House Martins brood.
Thank you Gaynor. I was very impressed with the small white detail, even the clarity of the proboscis as it was feeding. I do have a soft spot for the housemartins, and swallows, they are so photogenic.
I'm hoping to get back to Baddesley before the swallows fly south, but that depends on my leg, and the weather, which I think could be on the turn.
Unknown said:Lovely set of photos from your new camera Mike and it's so heartwarming to see those young Martins feeding up before their long journey; the length of wing showing on the adult is such a giveaway to indicating these birds have to fly a great distance to their wintering grounds. The parkland scenery is beautiful too with the deer roaming free and also the other wildlife and insects that are to be found. Thanks for the latest post and glad you managed a good day out with Mrs PR.
Charlecote is a lovely place to visit, all year through.
I too find it fascinating how such a small bird manages to make such long journeys, twice a year, and still manage to fly around like there's no tomorrow in a feeding frenzy.
I'm would guess the Baddesley swallows will have fledged by now, so weather and leg permitting, I hope to get back there this week, if they haven't already flown.
Hi Mike,
More great shots with the new kit, with a great sequence of action shots of the House Martin's and close up details of the White Butterfly.
Hopefully as Autumn approaches you'll be able to get further afield soon.
Best wishes,
Trevor
TJS said:
Thank you Trevor.
Hopefully I'll be back to Charlecote before I go down to Cornwall at the end of the month.
Things with my leg are going to be slower than initially thought, as the suspects it may be a condition (and it has some double barreled term which I can't remember) which takes months to heal. A request has been put in to see another consultant to confirm or deny the thoughts.
With Cornwall, I'm talking to the surgery near where I'm staying to organise support down there, which I will need.
But, I'm not going to lie down and give in yet.