tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16279910115323698932024-03-29T09:12:51.364+00:00Always look on the wild side of lifeMy take on nature. Love birds and trees and the sea. I love being outside! Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-22869782504415850392016-01-30T20:45:00.000+00:002016-01-30T20:45:08.373+00:00The past 12 months in one whirlwind post Hello! <div>
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I have not disappeared off the face of the Earth, despite the fact I have not written a post in over a year! </div>
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It has definitely been a very busy 12 months and hopefully I can summarise it all in a few paragraphs and then share some of the few photos which I have taken over the last year. </div>
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I'll work my way through in chronological order so I don't confuse myself! </div>
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December 2014 I finished my traineeship with Kent Wildlife Trust. It was a great experience and I learnt so many skills, however, the Trust didn't have any vacancies and there weren't that many opportunities in the area, so I was still jobless. I was determined that I needed to carry on getting more experience, so I stuck with pub work to earn money and continued to volunteer with KWT. I had a great time, I accompanied the Land Management Advisor on numerous site visits, including solar farms in different parts of the country. All very interesting stuff. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roe deer in between solar panels</td></tr>
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A small group of us decided to have a little competition and started our wildflower diaries in January 2015 - writing down plants we saw when they came into flower. This was so educational - it meant we all carried our wildflower key with us wherever we went and I could actually identify quite a few new plants!</div>
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In February the Trust took on some work which they needed an extra pair of hands to carry out. I very happily put myself forward to carry out the work which I would be paid for. Hoorah! My first paid bit of conservation work. This then led the Trust to take on a few more extra bits of work which I was also to carry out, meaning that I had a few little paid projects to work on. Two of these projects were mainly bird surveys, but also included water vole surveys and habitat surveys. The bird surveys meant very early mornings but it was so worth it when we heard a nightingale and grasshopper warbler in the same bit of scrub. </div>
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In the middle of all of this, mum and I went on a little trip to Suffolk. We found a lovely cottage which allowed dogs that was really close to the RSPB Minsmere reserve. The cottage was gorgeous and only a fence and ditch separated the end of the garden from a lovely bit of marshland. Every morning we looked out of the upstairs bedroom window and watched the resident barn owl hunting. It was incredible! Our daily routine consisted of a lovely long walk with Bracken, followed by a trip to Minsmere, followed by a 2 minute walk down to the local pub, The Eel's Foot Inn, which was so friendly and welcoming. We had a number of fantastic sightings including bitterns, otters, marsh harriers, whooper swans, Dartford warblers, red deer, a spoonbill and so much more! </div>
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We also went to Southwold and stocked up on Adnams Ketchup - yum!! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bracken by the Minsmere sign</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of 3 otters we watched for about 20 minutes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By Southwold pier</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southwold beach huts</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing starling murmuration</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red deer</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spoonbill looking gorgeous amongst the glinting water</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best views of a bittern! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magically lit reedbeds</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'our' resident barn owl</td></tr>
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In addition to the bits of paid work I was doing, I also volunteered to carry out some breeding wader surveys for the RSPB. More early mornings! Highlights included hares, cuckoos, a water vole, a whinchat, nightingales and many other lovely birds. All the while avoiding roaming ponies and herds of cattle. </div>
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At KWT we also took on another project carrying out a National Vegetation Classification (NVC) survey at a privately owned meadow near Walmer in Kent. This was in June/July and the weather was absolutely gorgeous! This was one of my favourite projects because there was such a wealth of plants and insects and the couple who owned the meadow were the best hosts, bringing us cups of tea and scones and so much enthusiasm and friendliness! It was absolutely idyllic and we had such a lovely time. We have become good friends and I took my moth trap along a few weeks later and we caught lots of different species! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ele hawk</td></tr>
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Our local pub re-opened under new management so I managed to get myself a job there behind the bar. It is a special pub because it is also a cycling cafe and bike workshop. It was great to be part of its re-opening and now it is just going from strength to strength (possibly due to having prosecco on tap!). There are so many different things that go on, including Friday film nights, bridge afternoon, bike maintenance classes, yoga classes and many bike themed events. I also run guided nature walks and bike rides from the pub and also moth mornings. I even have my own blackboard section for writing the walk/bike rides sightings! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_v8LfinQ1KDsP0aHCFew5gtzT3WcC7Hp4JCCert8dqMzrHS7WxCvdwcyP2ckip5SjIOXP3t0VX6Nzi2NHv0B6GUl2iUpgTMfIwWZuYey0aBYzyRffO6F3HibhTrP2NtEeIYOsOyGwl4/s1600/DSC_1560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_v8LfinQ1KDsP0aHCFew5gtzT3WcC7Hp4JCCert8dqMzrHS7WxCvdwcyP2ckip5SjIOXP3t0VX6Nzi2NHv0B6GUl2iUpgTMfIwWZuYey0aBYzyRffO6F3HibhTrP2NtEeIYOsOyGwl4/s400/DSC_1560.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Miller</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXHheq6m7gOyMTkDpwfrghbl6qc0bBsmLg6myWUOtu9P1VeePN6KlvxUrYMqvPTI8wqUeOs7sE4Mzd4shxsk6buF-CgNDtckYX5Ei5KWgVo4boIHDgB6KnRj7VyoDF6kKdHsVq7DuUgY/s1600/DSC_0377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXHheq6m7gOyMTkDpwfrghbl6qc0bBsmLg6myWUOtu9P1VeePN6KlvxUrYMqvPTI8wqUeOs7sE4Mzd4shxsk6buF-CgNDtckYX5Ei5KWgVo4boIHDgB6KnRj7VyoDF6kKdHsVq7DuUgY/s400/DSC_0377.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big headed poplar!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hyphenhyphen-VaNGwASZT3hyphenhyphenkosh3frWZphOprCH9u7gKVGRYgTt80OGiYYmR4gz4cBZ3mJNDqC5kwMAcUXNiwTHwjMlEq-4kF3Yeu62SC3jhU_4dcK45FpvDDf2WP0Sk5p14VrPATy6mOnLFAF4/s1600/DSC_0940.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hyphenhyphen-VaNGwASZT3hyphenhyphenkosh3frWZphOprCH9u7gKVGRYgTt80OGiYYmR4gz4cBZ3mJNDqC5kwMAcUXNiwTHwjMlEq-4kF3Yeu62SC3jhU_4dcK45FpvDDf2WP0Sk5p14VrPATy6mOnLFAF4/s400/DSC_0940.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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In August I bought a macro lens for my camera so I could take better photos of moths and other stuff too. It set me back a few hundred squid but it was so worth it! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtoZTNUr3xJLfyFSTFCtc2Uh56rU-guA90vfcA2QbnWlx57A807v_OnUaFxLJsaRvwxHoKt__yW8i-dVHWv3WsINn-2tmPD2zDU_FMFYz5R16KcaM_vkHUJAXhZQfj_GM6kyoFZ9CyRM/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtoZTNUr3xJLfyFSTFCtc2Uh56rU-guA90vfcA2QbnWlx57A807v_OnUaFxLJsaRvwxHoKt__yW8i-dVHWv3WsINn-2tmPD2zDU_FMFYz5R16KcaM_vkHUJAXhZQfj_GM6kyoFZ9CyRM/s400/DSC_0023.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAmJT3wkns9QHCPx0p41ze7kgey90941_g-fwzBBnLOtFc0NBfi99AK2L2Z2amyRQbvBnV8HkNpY-kUcHsuMgw_-6WtlQn8ge1jf_fruCWZRiBLY7F6mtvr1vUIArtk1nkzuXLGzx3VQ/s1600/DSC_0328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAmJT3wkns9QHCPx0p41ze7kgey90941_g-fwzBBnLOtFc0NBfi99AK2L2Z2amyRQbvBnV8HkNpY-kUcHsuMgw_-6WtlQn8ge1jf_fruCWZRiBLY7F6mtvr1vUIArtk1nkzuXLGzx3VQ/s400/DSC_0328.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_LM1bpGHkCFaYcwyCXwMSzyGPHRS0DZZMcxEuj-sTVrORYiZi9D-cSiEM2bsMIrtdxtk1QQcKiNp9_K6fdKuJDgFb5cbMrT8Xe7T4hnDKUUODbcqMYu9cf4m8aYX_uE3ZAiaQrUsV3w/s1600/DSC_0676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_LM1bpGHkCFaYcwyCXwMSzyGPHRS0DZZMcxEuj-sTVrORYiZi9D-cSiEM2bsMIrtdxtk1QQcKiNp9_K6fdKuJDgFb5cbMrT8Xe7T4hnDKUUODbcqMYu9cf4m8aYX_uE3ZAiaQrUsV3w/s400/DSC_0676.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iron prominent</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrTkPam6uOBf4vwquBMi1w-KschGcYceMZfECcijQeLAv4efb6UwX4Gx9wfsly_gGBciz4QdpkF03WvqnDDZeZwXUrXod3GskVSm_lnAgD3ECpFXBev28IC50aGpHf9bvkD4eA3PFVwI/s1600/DSC_0684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrTkPam6uOBf4vwquBMi1w-KschGcYceMZfECcijQeLAv4efb6UwX4Gx9wfsly_gGBciz4QdpkF03WvqnDDZeZwXUrXod3GskVSm_lnAgD3ECpFXBev28IC50aGpHf9bvkD4eA3PFVwI/s400/DSC_0684.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red admiral</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHlurHdehk3UxRJq23WwtMSylxdCL2QtjBs2oX_J3L3agyQ4E-l5oS7cy6XSHDEOi566ttE8cDo5PCOXLxxALT1s76xkcySpTm1nijzmbVHNgt5qeED42hv0gsuC1iWOAyQikD2unuEg/s1600/DSC_0709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHlurHdehk3UxRJq23WwtMSylxdCL2QtjBs2oX_J3L3agyQ4E-l5oS7cy6XSHDEOi566ttE8cDo5PCOXLxxALT1s76xkcySpTm1nijzmbVHNgt5qeED42hv0gsuC1iWOAyQikD2unuEg/s400/DSC_0709.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willow beauty </td></tr>
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The lovely female oak eggar moth in the photo below, laid her eggs in the trap. 20 of them! They were like little tiny birds eggs - 1mm in diameter with a hard shell! I did some research and it appeared they would take about 20 days to hatch, so I kept them in a yoghurt pot until they hatched 20 days after they were laid! I bought a 'bugdorm' and collected some bramble which is one of their preferred food plants. I have kept feeding them and they have grown from approximately 5mm to about 4cm in length! They should have overwintered as a 3rd instar caterpillar but it has been so warm that they haven't and I've been able to find plenty of bramble to keep feeding them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOKDr7LELnxlvKV_0dGZTw3mwgbYQp5jB8heukjLW3vuIfkq-KmugyngZG_BSvH5dXadDjnPrg6_rM3HMGM7w4L3-zkE_xMTvLTJjcc6zjJViJUgyCNnuUbjd4J85CuoC9DDpj9EkMts/s1600/DSC_0732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOKDr7LELnxlvKV_0dGZTw3mwgbYQp5jB8heukjLW3vuIfkq-KmugyngZG_BSvH5dXadDjnPrg6_rM3HMGM7w4L3-zkE_xMTvLTJjcc6zjJViJUgyCNnuUbjd4J85CuoC9DDpj9EkMts/s400/DSC_0732.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtStlOSuxtPSnOPnOdfLH7NeZGJ6gGjjF8rYgGotErHQ37lxvcVn7dUYrtxX6lxgU9GHjfA4LRnczn0mEeXKnawXLcY-Ml2ZXOR6Qj70-oF5-QQXv3My8tbvCWIDCtxDOhfMrunXUG0Q/s1600/DSC_0767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtStlOSuxtPSnOPnOdfLH7NeZGJ6gGjjF8rYgGotErHQ37lxvcVn7dUYrtxX6lxgU9GHjfA4LRnczn0mEeXKnawXLcY-Ml2ZXOR6Qj70-oF5-QQXv3My8tbvCWIDCtxDOhfMrunXUG0Q/s400/DSC_0767.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcBi69Pv6GDgE9UDcyJHZ_C-yy1BYkJS9c5GPulN4kSFxsBGXVpOe3WjwoFvrQKEYQmgNam1eELuROco2WE-0kXr_BsJ4xtZQJX1K30QRrIQQriRcLm0AJdZiEzcUPxm8jIrqtGMzen0/s1600/DSC_0886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcBi69Pv6GDgE9UDcyJHZ_C-yy1BYkJS9c5GPulN4kSFxsBGXVpOe3WjwoFvrQKEYQmgNam1eELuROco2WE-0kXr_BsJ4xtZQJX1K30QRrIQQriRcLm0AJdZiEzcUPxm8jIrqtGMzen0/s400/DSC_0886.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teeny tiny!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbp8N62HHwUpqGVHLP7PyGCQnZXD7MweG_iOtug4dXvHB_-REbqzQhNdOXg7IKrMCIowxUXV4vI786Y5dHWQa61iY-JzAx2oFC_mY4vtAEGlhyDq5BJjsw75yiL50F2feEMD7wvHLhWs/s1600/DSC_0170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbp8N62HHwUpqGVHLP7PyGCQnZXD7MweG_iOtug4dXvHB_-REbqzQhNdOXg7IKrMCIowxUXV4vI786Y5dHWQa61iY-JzAx2oFC_mY4vtAEGlhyDq5BJjsw75yiL50F2feEMD7wvHLhWs/s400/DSC_0170.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMG07IJO24EhKHy87Kf5Cqk4KqdAEeoMwmKxBjSMiXS8NPv_YN0xK1ijnFI61H3rFUbOipnmDegQYoXlJoaWM9GkMLurfCN9xQA2cR7Djdsnhe0K6UYS50PJ-DAC9p-bLK4C-v8cQVAw/s1600/DSC_1236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMG07IJO24EhKHy87Kf5Cqk4KqdAEeoMwmKxBjSMiXS8NPv_YN0xK1ijnFI61H3rFUbOipnmDegQYoXlJoaWM9GkMLurfCN9xQA2cR7Djdsnhe0K6UYS50PJ-DAC9p-bLK4C-v8cQVAw/s400/DSC_1236.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_s0Cl3Aq_x2SLWS9uWZWX9XWb7_w16GMcc__LBOkE2rFNVp-AbHXe06hLy1091C_c2333WEpRjQvxYRcE_SrfwC6i5MAX78iB2JoY8gTwGmAHND3kBdq6VfF6n9Vp69Nm_UbjO2utNQk/s1600/DSC_1152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_s0Cl3Aq_x2SLWS9uWZWX9XWb7_w16GMcc__LBOkE2rFNVp-AbHXe06hLy1091C_c2333WEpRjQvxYRcE_SrfwC6i5MAX78iB2JoY8gTwGmAHND3kBdq6VfF6n9Vp69Nm_UbjO2utNQk/s400/DSC_1152.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having a good old munch!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGFUGTBD8LcqbAQovmHcZcZ0QOxkO7KFnmbDxLif_cJkK68Dk6mtuJi3-ACtKayQ4CYEouCyhtCBR1GRHNL70SVR7Gn_0FiONTMGp_JheJTkCMqiDFBuIlcUY5HqAwBnP0F9XnG5qRUE/s1600/DSC_1476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGFUGTBD8LcqbAQovmHcZcZ0QOxkO7KFnmbDxLif_cJkK68Dk6mtuJi3-ACtKayQ4CYEouCyhtCBR1GRHNL70SVR7Gn_0FiONTMGp_JheJTkCMqiDFBuIlcUY5HqAwBnP0F9XnG5qRUE/s400/DSC_1476.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating and eating and getting bigger and bigger!!</td></tr>
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Later on in August we took the moth trap on holiday to France where we stayed with my Auntie in the Dordogne. We got some excellent moths and not quite so excellent hornets. We also went canoeing down the Dordogne river where we saw lots of kingfishers, which had been taking lessons from kestrels... They had learnt to hover before diving instead of sitting on a sticky outy branch! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRM29ux5WAJpF7r-_1cOsG2EFxOPhzJm8BgkK_frFfCTE5pIjuvdYcfcRfy29SMqDptHFLqJ0sPh1orpQf8nAnkbIhUZeSs9Uv7Sxe4qFlouZqIRNmach_9ihETdJ7aI0F3OBp3_-bPIc/s1600/DSC_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRM29ux5WAJpF7r-_1cOsG2EFxOPhzJm8BgkK_frFfCTE5pIjuvdYcfcRfy29SMqDptHFLqJ0sPh1orpQf8nAnkbIhUZeSs9Uv7Sxe4qFlouZqIRNmach_9ihETdJ7aI0F3OBp3_-bPIc/s400/DSC_0081.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lobster moth face</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSVncjMdnPpWx61xU_RHRVl083wFDHdLn8_cf5FI2owzhcH6l8NNurgH6EB3ES5iiLsu_vZkZw4F6hAhAs97ZGfVlVEqkjCsXYuxRcfrdrqfjXizSnxC2IX7CcPRSiOk6i3J7Dwrg0jE/s1600/DSC_0131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSVncjMdnPpWx61xU_RHRVl083wFDHdLn8_cf5FI2owzhcH6l8NNurgH6EB3ES5iiLsu_vZkZw4F6hAhAs97ZGfVlVEqkjCsXYuxRcfrdrqfjXizSnxC2IX7CcPRSiOk6i3J7Dwrg0jE/s400/DSC_0131.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lobster moth</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-50blEo4NAp9BQWWNdCpfStzVwwaHJGF7iQ-brez6w_SY9n3rZvFigsAREQsuBKbrYc-RjUZX0g-jeVgv5LXY23afw3KQYO_W4nXhO1mJ4lMBXuvJZ_FfeFs8GfUUuUqSxboltIxw6I/s1600/DSC_0133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-50blEo4NAp9BQWWNdCpfStzVwwaHJGF7iQ-brez6w_SY9n3rZvFigsAREQsuBKbrYc-RjUZX0g-jeVgv5LXY23afw3KQYO_W4nXhO1mJ4lMBXuvJZ_FfeFs8GfUUuUqSxboltIxw6I/s400/DSC_0133.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leopard moth</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKG0pLYjcXu27s7aWGudtvHx2YhWYAgE7gksYar4D5GfeEQIC2Hwo0WAWPG6YHt6NG8ppMn9IeuyBOM4VkiBeVg52T1ZqkaRHHil_4LvrQwwMMZ35ieNZEhrIBsEAbJ77ALC0kWbt2vfk/s1600/DSC_0962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKG0pLYjcXu27s7aWGudtvHx2YhWYAgE7gksYar4D5GfeEQIC2Hwo0WAWPG6YHt6NG8ppMn9IeuyBOM4VkiBeVg52T1ZqkaRHHil_4LvrQwwMMZ35ieNZEhrIBsEAbJ77ALC0kWbt2vfk/s400/DSC_0962.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gypsy moth / long eared bat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKkw6uYDkkuCj29R3rFaT44GiEJVbYLYFZrkFPf7NfbufumDeV9Y8JNx5Ap5EkUllhrTTeqXkV0B-CkTzR8U3YB9PBDdb_2jP3A8cT48AQscB1R_xtbue11KJOlGa-1h6E03x-5dUkjo/s1600/DSCN1150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKkw6uYDkkuCj29R3rFaT44GiEJVbYLYFZrkFPf7NfbufumDeV9Y8JNx5Ap5EkUllhrTTeqXkV0B-CkTzR8U3YB9PBDdb_2jP3A8cT48AQscB1R_xtbue11KJOlGa-1h6E03x-5dUkjo/s400/DSCN1150.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oak hook-tip on the perspex laid over the image in the book! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTl8mkPg1epqobIOEj45li6KubY9NbbTXv2ZIAFsFK_uUWHkWO6KMcnT0YF7avB6zOCBVqXbzreG7tkB9-vZD8hh8ADr865TN9vYVPcIZdwCVq6smXFpcV7PMBz9_YD2pQyTzoEyEcOUA/s1600/DSCN1097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTl8mkPg1epqobIOEj45li6KubY9NbbTXv2ZIAFsFK_uUWHkWO6KMcnT0YF7avB6zOCBVqXbzreG7tkB9-vZD8hh8ADr865TN9vYVPcIZdwCVq6smXFpcV7PMBz9_YD2pQyTzoEyEcOUA/s400/DSCN1097.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canoeing along the Dordogne</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YDSuHPkZP7MnYXWyGgTCi5J0aAOd1YnJAKIe4yYatK5A_FM3cZRja6DI4XLr6VALP-j3DTpEbOIK9mawlsN9YYE7LtRnDbktPvtDSHMzjVh_2U6sBAR4cvKmaWhug2r0ZSEPHiVFNS8/s1600/DSCN1099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YDSuHPkZP7MnYXWyGgTCi5J0aAOd1YnJAKIe4yYatK5A_FM3cZRja6DI4XLr6VALP-j3DTpEbOIK9mawlsN9YYE7LtRnDbktPvtDSHMzjVh_2U6sBAR4cvKmaWhug2r0ZSEPHiVFNS8/s400/DSCN1099.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passenger on my canoe - banded demoiselle </td></tr>
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Mum and I got very brief views of the black-winged kite which had taken up residence nearby. They are typically a bird of Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia but has more recently established populations in Spain, Portugal and even more recently Southern France!! </div>
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In September I started a new job as a Secondary School Science Teacher! A completely new venture and one which I have survived so far! I was really hoping that I was going to be able to keep up conservation work too, but clearly I was disillusioned about how much work teachers had to do! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObDINHQp1YVZYMaP54WLkGJps5WUnzSLwfk_7qkWXTKLFhTByFDoMKFk3GHB6Xe9vHnCHrWFhZIUa0nbxogevzDAyIukzi844Hp6FUoAM4iir1DYwSLleMjtuKMLQNBIFmwXiq3ITDjM/s1600/DSC_1033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObDINHQp1YVZYMaP54WLkGJps5WUnzSLwfk_7qkWXTKLFhTByFDoMKFk3GHB6Xe9vHnCHrWFhZIUa0nbxogevzDAyIukzi844Hp6FUoAM4iir1DYwSLleMjtuKMLQNBIFmwXiq3ITDjM/s400/DSC_1033.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Subliming iodine</td></tr>
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I did still find the time in September to go back to the meadows at Walmer to help with a bit of practical habitat management. From the NVC data and just from looking at the habitat it was clear it needed some management, so following the management plan we had written, we took some of KWT's meadow management machinery to the meadows at Walmer. It was a great weekend of cutting hay and raking it up. We also sowed a section of bare ground with wildflower seeds which will hopefully help to increase the diversity of flowers there. We were once again treated to more scones and tea and delicious lunch and of course lovely company. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0C8Mou05BiLb2ofuajqcls4qNA3ef-uGaR7bI2xtmJ6WbjigCSbdZITxpsla0UcWVhpVCH0Fkll6kuKKGEPtqxTMYeeeAel0zK66xfhq1spXrdaqVwAD6xB7E1uisiTXusc6y6S7B6c/s1600/DSC_0982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0C8Mou05BiLb2ofuajqcls4qNA3ef-uGaR7bI2xtmJ6WbjigCSbdZITxpsla0UcWVhpVCH0Fkll6kuKKGEPtqxTMYeeeAel0zK66xfhq1spXrdaqVwAD6xB7E1uisiTXusc6y6S7B6c/s400/DSC_0982.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wasp spider </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGgqspDm6fKGWSqoUNzuvJxUavWLatLJhQFn_2-0eFP88RzwqqlxKonSB0TBzSHyrtAbcdRMdnhbou7CDZfAQreq-T1y2wL9Sbbge5HrM3N0I_CxZGt-yLaZbrTaW4oTyrg4_oM1LCs4/s1600/DSC_0993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGgqspDm6fKGWSqoUNzuvJxUavWLatLJhQFn_2-0eFP88RzwqqlxKonSB0TBzSHyrtAbcdRMdnhbou7CDZfAQreq-T1y2wL9Sbbge5HrM3N0I_CxZGt-yLaZbrTaW4oTyrg4_oM1LCs4/s400/DSC_0993.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sowing the wildflower seed</td></tr>
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October, November and the first 2 weeks of December were consumed by teaching then at Christmas, we took Bracken, lots of food and all the Christmas presents back to the cottage in Suffolk! The cottage is joined to another which is owned by the same lady. We also rented the other cottage for my Auntie, cousins and my cousin's fiancée. We had a lovely time and sat outside at the Eel's foot Inn on Boxing Day after our walk, it was like the middle of Spring!! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQGrnAUj2r0gbaup9Ae7E4mgHxdzvKgSMi2fBw1DLIPaRaP-0zbPG9nwU82pzGlYo8aH8FEYWXfvLndnoUYezLyxYz_83-aSfdKrU65Y1mI5uQqEC9seRkXe1hPxQXyuA5a32YctxdRY/s1600/DSC_1415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQGrnAUj2r0gbaup9Ae7E4mgHxdzvKgSMi2fBw1DLIPaRaP-0zbPG9nwU82pzGlYo8aH8FEYWXfvLndnoUYezLyxYz_83-aSfdKrU65Y1mI5uQqEC9seRkXe1hPxQXyuA5a32YctxdRY/s400/DSC_1415.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cosy by the fire at Christmas</td></tr>
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I hope this hasn't been so long that you've given up half way! I really miss writing blogs and reading other people's too! Maybe life will become less hectic and I'll have more time for things like this! </div>
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Thanks for reading :) </div>
Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-75042068748015887212015-01-19T12:49:00.000+00:002015-01-19T18:27:50.841+00:00A Reflection on the 'Basics' of Climate ChangeHello all, regular readers and new readers...<br />
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Last week I started an online <b>Future Learn</b> course which anyone can take part in. For those who haven't heard of this, people who sign up to the course are advised to spend a certain amount of time each week studying the chosen subject and the learners are provided with different kinds of learning materials e.g. a video lecture of about 4 minutes or an article to read. Discussions on each sub-topic are encouraged and at the end of each week a small test is taken and then all members of the course are invited to reflect upon what has been learnt and also other things such as themes of the week, difficult aspects of the topic, interesting information any further research. <br />
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For those not taking the course and who haven't heard of this type of online learning, the following link will give you a taster of the kinds of courses you can embark upon.. <a href="https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/categories" target="_blank">https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/categories</a><br />
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<b>Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions - Week 1</b><br />
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1. Key Scientific Principles that explain Climate Change <br />
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<ul>
<li>An <u>example</u>: the <u>greenhouse effect</u> - greenhouse gases such as water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide act like a 'blanket' around the Earth and prevent heat from escaping from the atmosphere into space. </li>
<li>An interesting <u>fact</u>: Without the 'greenhouse effect' the planet would be about 30 degrees Celsius colder and would make the Earth uninhabitable to most lifeforms. </li>
<li>The human effect: human activities such as burning fossil fuels is changing the concentrations of the greenhouse gases and this along with many other human led processes will have consequences.... Earth will become warmer, weather conditions will change dramatically, sea ice will melt indefinitely, sea levels will rise and crop growing will shift to accommodate for changes in atmospheric gases. </li>
<li>A great diagram explaining the simpler aspect of the greenhouse effect:</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="A layer of greenhouse gases – primarily water vapor, and including much smaller amounts
of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide – act as a thermal blanket for the Earth, absorbing heat and warming the surface to a life-supporting average of 59 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius)." src="http://climate.nasa.gov/system/content_pages/main_images/1_normPage-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">climate.nasa.gov/causes/ [accessed 19/01/2015]</td></tr>
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2. Climate System Feedback Mechanisms<br />
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<ul>
<li>Water Vapour - this feedback loop operates within the climate system and forms part of the water cycle. The water cycle brings together all the key components of our climate system. The flow diagram below is my understanding of the water vapour positive feedback loop depicted in the simplest way possible. </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aqeZ9B8dWMccc2t7LRpr-XQQW6lS7RZ9RcaOEtMtwxIY2NGo8Ym6hyphenhyphenvAWZ6V4hx2aEutITrc1p64nZewSg5h7BdRwbj7fLB4TIvpsZ6_Rgcu-CxiazSpO0jpqOqp68hSvuWtvgP57JE/s1600/Picture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aqeZ9B8dWMccc2t7LRpr-XQQW6lS7RZ9RcaOEtMtwxIY2NGo8Ym6hyphenhyphenvAWZ6V4hx2aEutITrc1p64nZewSg5h7BdRwbj7fLB4TIvpsZ6_Rgcu-CxiazSpO0jpqOqp68hSvuWtvgP57JE/s1600/Picture1.png" height="356" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aqeZ9B8dWMccc2t7LRpr-XQQW6lS7RZ9RcaOEtMtwxIY2NGo8Ym6hyphenhyphenvAWZ6V4hx2aEutITrc1p64nZewSg5h7BdRwbj7fLB4TIvpsZ6_Rgcu-CxiazSpO0jpqOqp68hSvuWtvgP57JE/s1600/Picture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aqeZ9B8dWMccc2t7LRpr-XQQW6lS7RZ9RcaOEtMtwxIY2NGo8Ym6hyphenhyphenvAWZ6V4hx2aEutITrc1p64nZewSg5h7BdRwbj7fLB4TIvpsZ6_Rgcu-CxiazSpO0jpqOqp68hSvuWtvgP57JE/s1600/Picture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aqeZ9B8dWMccc2t7LRpr-XQQW6lS7RZ9RcaOEtMtwxIY2NGo8Ym6hyphenhyphenvAWZ6V4hx2aEutITrc1p64nZewSg5h7BdRwbj7fLB4TIvpsZ6_Rgcu-CxiazSpO0jpqOqp68hSvuWtvgP57JE/s1600/Picture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aqeZ9B8dWMccc2t7LRpr-XQQW6lS7RZ9RcaOEtMtwxIY2NGo8Ym6hyphenhyphenvAWZ6V4hx2aEutITrc1p64nZewSg5h7BdRwbj7fLB4TIvpsZ6_Rgcu-CxiazSpO0jpqOqp68hSvuWtvgP57JE/s1600/Picture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Ice albedo - albedo was a <b>new </b>term for me entering into this course. </li>
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<b><br /></b><b>Ice</b> and snow have a <b>high albedo </b>and therefore <b>reflect</b> heat radiation back towards space. The <b>ocean </b>has a <b>low albedo </b>and <b>absorbs</b> heat radiation.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.yesmagazine.org/images/issues/88/45Pandora_LoopIceTEXT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/climate-solutions/global-warming-feedback-loops</td></tr>
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<li>Radiation - I couldn't find a really simple flow diagram of this NEGATIVE feedback loop so I hope this explains it correctly....</li>
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The three illustrated feedback loops act within a system, alongside many others, to <b>regulate </b>the climate to a particular state.<br />
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<u>Other things to contemplate....</u><br />
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Important themes - the difference between climate and weather "<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">The difference between weather and climate is a measure of time. Weather is what conditions of the atmosphere are over a short period of time, and climate is how the atmosphere "behaves" over relatively long periods of time." - (<a href="http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/noaa-n/climate/climate_weather.html#.VLz4oCusX0c" target="_blank">http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/noaa-n/climate/climate_weather.html#.VLz4oCusX0c</a></span><br />
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Difficult aspects - in the video explaining feedback loops, the radiation feedback mentioned the Stefan-Boltzmann effect and this law is quite confusing and difficult to understand for my non-physics minded brain!! I think this website <a href="http://www.global-climate-change.org.uk/1-2-3.php" target="_blank">http://www.global-climate-change.org.uk/1-2-3.php</a> is probably quite good at explaining it but it is over my head completely!<br />
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Most interesting aspect of week 1? - This is my first Future Learn course. The first week was very interesting as a whole - otherwise I wouldn't have been motivated to continue learning or to write this blog post!<br />
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Further research - The term albedo prompted me to read outside the course material as did Stefan-Boltzmann. In the last article the term 'troposphere' was mentioned and this led me to research all the different layers of the Earth's atmosphere.<br />
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I hope my regular readers haven't minded this 'unusual' post (you may have a few more to put up with!) but I do hope to finish off my post on my visit to Southern Spain which will include a few more photographs :)<br />
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I also hope that anyone who may read this from the Future Learn course has enjoyed the post and will feel welcome to comment below :) </div>
Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-34904797867313745702014-11-14T23:15:00.000+00:002014-11-14T23:15:00.466+00:00Part 1 of my Come Back to Blogland!5 months! I can't believe it has been that long since I last posted and even that post was about my trip to Cornwall which was in March! I do have a partially finished post with more photos from Cornwall but I have decided to do a couple of posts with a few photos from each month since April. Perhaps I will actually post this one... If you are reading this then obviously I have!<br />
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<u>April</u><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ntkHX7FhI4pF4LukujmjoafQKjEHVD_SdK9R-V5GZ_u6Wu5T-gmuCUbGAbARpWa1J-5GnlrrgjP3VBmXyM81DAXDcONUXLZrSSJu9Lu4KGt5-rg5G0K85Zezr1RCt00aUqfMR6nw4-A/s1600/DSC_1361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ntkHX7FhI4pF4LukujmjoafQKjEHVD_SdK9R-V5GZ_u6Wu5T-gmuCUbGAbARpWa1J-5GnlrrgjP3VBmXyM81DAXDcONUXLZrSSJu9Lu4KGt5-rg5G0K85Zezr1RCt00aUqfMR6nw4-A/s1600/DSC_1361.JPG" height="420" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naughty stoat at Elmley Marshes - most likely looking for a little water vole critter - Just pop my head in..</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAFHHp1nclWPTeYjBkiQMODVZxJfWRBNdMqUkSJ_-FAiAsmL1wdNh0ij-n1fZSr21srum27cNuw8gpGhedsLyOpr2udvH9_KwLRAQXhlBH4h4efAPPuRnCPsMxcP7LfdlgSNDK8xR9NI/s1600/DSC_1362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAFHHp1nclWPTeYjBkiQMODVZxJfWRBNdMqUkSJ_-FAiAsmL1wdNh0ij-n1fZSr21srum27cNuw8gpGhedsLyOpr2udvH9_KwLRAQXhlBH4h4efAPPuRnCPsMxcP7LfdlgSNDK8xR9NI/s1600/DSC_1362.JPG" height="404" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...maybe look a bit further....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5Lf4eN3egSTPbhpa6HWggRdPJCKFV0BYKBaF-_jadjf9ZFJbcmjf5wARnJ7X2ySAT9r4YIH7oUiOvnldWLNV2L6-qXkEy9bAKSOwpdjUuJaHlO6wBk5tRR2MzO5iTUqc_t-vnRNBor8/s1600/DSC_1363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5Lf4eN3egSTPbhpa6HWggRdPJCKFV0BYKBaF-_jadjf9ZFJbcmjf5wARnJ7X2ySAT9r4YIH7oUiOvnldWLNV2L6-qXkEy9bAKSOwpdjUuJaHlO6wBk5tRR2MzO5iTUqc_t-vnRNBor8/s1600/DSC_1363.JPG" height="394" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woooops fell in!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXaMqkDQpGTCXX5whcG-x5OMQJAJMXlDwgpluTanHoYtlLOapWlMxt26eD7gaCKRzaQQTNvx4ywNw-E8N7bwCrWyR_uad10dq0nk_pKOK-FUAoxphBKbfjUUAC0LBnI7VibsT5Qqe_jk/s1600/DSC_1364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXaMqkDQpGTCXX5whcG-x5OMQJAJMXlDwgpluTanHoYtlLOapWlMxt26eD7gaCKRzaQQTNvx4ywNw-E8N7bwCrWyR_uad10dq0nk_pKOK-FUAoxphBKbfjUUAC0LBnI7VibsT5Qqe_jk/s1600/DSC_1364.JPG" height="418" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's okay everyone... I'm okay!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvac1Q2VABGkJUEuW2WnVgeS3Phbp4QebOeIZQ7471cC3Ua_Yh_a3aBgmy5-3XNSV888bA7E-m17T_my8ig7HJeeEovpKR_-pU85Xj516KsiqXic_IUmNMWoSUJkGNsGtFtVgJchkw_ks/s1600/DSC_1483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvac1Q2VABGkJUEuW2WnVgeS3Phbp4QebOeIZQ7471cC3Ua_Yh_a3aBgmy5-3XNSV888bA7E-m17T_my8ig7HJeeEovpKR_-pU85Xj516KsiqXic_IUmNMWoSUJkGNsGtFtVgJchkw_ks/s1600/DSC_1483.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute wood mouse in Perry Woods </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlEGYOfuT3Fv0cYNdzQmbsIhGJzfTj5Z_2DQaPLK6yJYNhT7XVZNagfP1mbYAgFx9fztOPx7n9sueNBtfPLZp-jTeXeH1r2NttPsk9BuMPWWY7cHFJjlTNUFlxDl-mbhQUcSzdnM37rc/s1600/DSC_0096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlEGYOfuT3Fv0cYNdzQmbsIhGJzfTj5Z_2DQaPLK6yJYNhT7XVZNagfP1mbYAgFx9fztOPx7n9sueNBtfPLZp-jTeXeH1r2NttPsk9BuMPWWY7cHFJjlTNUFlxDl-mbhQUcSzdnM37rc/s1600/DSC_0096.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring colours </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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May<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTu-MsUOA0IiunYhdJ795K1_oKtazkk05adFVaNTGvm05yF1uOCs4nQRg9OoIkJYLRm3Ylq-a4Ozqbr9FNPEIBz9LH8FtUcrL43YvSknhuqwnw0lnxHFC_W4GJ_vORBaHTCT3VCOoOk4/s1600/DSC_0174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTu-MsUOA0IiunYhdJ795K1_oKtazkk05adFVaNTGvm05yF1uOCs4nQRg9OoIkJYLRm3Ylq-a4Ozqbr9FNPEIBz9LH8FtUcrL43YvSknhuqwnw0lnxHFC_W4GJ_vORBaHTCT3VCOoOk4/s1600/DSC_0174.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful colours in National Trust owned Emmett Gardens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAc-ZzSY1JZjlOryB2BssdOdSTgtU8XkVw7dAhFg_aBTkcW0nehj6HI5D1EhTvg-RQfe1C2diZ9xJ6HvmE5tdZPGhSarD-N4FqbF29sYRqLBndKDCO9UbJoOU6rnryc8eddjYOIxaCssg/s1600/DSC_0182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAc-ZzSY1JZjlOryB2BssdOdSTgtU8XkVw7dAhFg_aBTkcW0nehj6HI5D1EhTvg-RQfe1C2diZ9xJ6HvmE5tdZPGhSarD-N4FqbF29sYRqLBndKDCO9UbJoOU6rnryc8eddjYOIxaCssg/s1600/DSC_0182.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speckled yellow moth at Emmett Gardens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBkB6Vl-Clm9n-x2OZp-P-NUETfnOjbrFJk8OHE0cKCh8rh7bW2yY5DxOzqAlJG8bv2OugRpWd08bsCsrRR560gNsdaEWELV5AWOMalC4c6jLgmWXpxI4sqVFxd8JCefWotHVy9ZluY4/s1600/DSC_0222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBkB6Vl-Clm9n-x2OZp-P-NUETfnOjbrFJk8OHE0cKCh8rh7bW2yY5DxOzqAlJG8bv2OugRpWd08bsCsrRR560gNsdaEWELV5AWOMalC4c6jLgmWXpxI4sqVFxd8JCefWotHVy9ZluY4/s1600/DSC_0222.JPG" height="412" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House martins building a new nest on our house... they went on to have 2 successful broods!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAz-jDOU5SqW6FepLzJTH0vfG-79WNuZwdpQ8xHPCqfmGvSOtbkH82uL6slSJXCabktYYDs5HlyrDe51Te7eWRLQFBDOnijwQwyjeVwmXaPxT06WXVBfaqVwIbsUEDMxXtr-yf4SvjM7g/s1600/DSC_0293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAz-jDOU5SqW6FepLzJTH0vfG-79WNuZwdpQ8xHPCqfmGvSOtbkH82uL6slSJXCabktYYDs5HlyrDe51Te7eWRLQFBDOnijwQwyjeVwmXaPxT06WXVBfaqVwIbsUEDMxXtr-yf4SvjM7g/s1600/DSC_0293.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green hairstreak butterfly!!!! At KWT reserve park gate down</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGjz8_9T0Y_MwNCtzPaVp_A2w_3z7OHKfSfkMjqZ0YQstZIOF7xjBJve_60LBX8Jd0x-A5GTdDEgELWya4pQXmPOegwFe01fXN5359U195ecNttpgcqDOf6ZAAIdU9O0q1jt7x-vvi9g/s1600/DSC_0347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGjz8_9T0Y_MwNCtzPaVp_A2w_3z7OHKfSfkMjqZ0YQstZIOF7xjBJve_60LBX8Jd0x-A5GTdDEgELWya4pQXmPOegwFe01fXN5359U195ecNttpgcqDOf6ZAAIdU9O0q1jt7x-vvi9g/s1600/DSC_0347.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male banded demoiselle at Stodmarsh NNR</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kmfqX6fIsad1wpLZ0gPwdiLWMtlFdEk-BLVEmSn5ukYf84OtRf82pPjyBQIvHC1bA8nRK-AMEfyApGpenEjGYBh21tMWGxRdy_sUSn38zDIPDNuZZAU2TNLpM9kyCKPFTTYXMUXn2EI/s1600/DSC_0364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kmfqX6fIsad1wpLZ0gPwdiLWMtlFdEk-BLVEmSn5ukYf84OtRf82pPjyBQIvHC1bA8nRK-AMEfyApGpenEjGYBh21tMWGxRdy_sUSn38zDIPDNuZZAU2TNLpM9kyCKPFTTYXMUXn2EI/s1600/DSC_0364.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side view of this spectacular male banded demoiselle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolPb9UDoXzTYNJXl37akb_NVrTsX12RY89l_rgRfbROWdjnljcZbF5oih1vFG7iFG708pPrn_yCgPXxuKH77-ndMsaCnE9H3t6832gpnmEV_36PmDUKLzeJha2Tvj2sL06Wfcr_bGGaQ/s1600/DSC_0394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolPb9UDoXzTYNJXl37akb_NVrTsX12RY89l_rgRfbROWdjnljcZbF5oih1vFG7iFG708pPrn_yCgPXxuKH77-ndMsaCnE9H3t6832gpnmEV_36PmDUKLzeJha2Tvj2sL06Wfcr_bGGaQ/s1600/DSC_0394.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one is for you Ragged Robin :) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Stay tuned, you never know, I may even post again during next week. To anyone who reads my blog thanks for not giving up on me and welcome to any new readers! I miss having the time to read all your wonderful blogs!<br />
<br />
Hopefully I will share some photos from my little backpacking trip around Southern Spain next time!<br />
<br />Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com385tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-35419967376341467202014-06-12T20:34:00.001+01:002014-06-12T20:34:28.908+01:00March photos and a bit of Cornwall - more behind than ever before!I have been more absent from blogging than ever! Life just gets busier. This post has been a draft for a while so I just thought I'd quickly finish it off and publish it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagm3hzhKfrwX5IB5GhFlz6IViLm2IxUE4pJM0QLQWwfDCR-6lMogutGOxPEdb2gycKvb_xdgZedeX3jzs6gSAAvFS1ZV9StcNVX4HN1gLt-TgitqjyPuqaq8biXz-b5BvKt5flLbc-FQ/s1600/DSC_0790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagm3hzhKfrwX5IB5GhFlz6IViLm2IxUE4pJM0QLQWwfDCR-6lMogutGOxPEdb2gycKvb_xdgZedeX3jzs6gSAAvFS1ZV9StcNVX4HN1gLt-TgitqjyPuqaq8biXz-b5BvKt5flLbc-FQ/s1600/DSC_0790.JPG" height="409" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hellebore flowering in our garden early March</td></tr>
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<br />
My trainee adventures.... <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDnEXK-Ox0FLx2h97E34zTumAb6RVK5zpldQX0LKJSAlkFUVgOEyNYxiZHTtmTzCZ9VsdxR8R3HpjhLst879nZHiyulNXG3mC3hFANthqDkV1ikBABgH2v-qCMzO5IU8G2p5ZK-BwuWs/s1600/DSC_0811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDnEXK-Ox0FLx2h97E34zTumAb6RVK5zpldQX0LKJSAlkFUVgOEyNYxiZHTtmTzCZ9VsdxR8R3HpjhLst879nZHiyulNXG3mC3hFANthqDkV1ikBABgH2v-qCMzO5IU8G2p5ZK-BwuWs/s1600/DSC_0811.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rodent footprints </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZw3raIjpBPSUVBfxXuOAkGEe3SkjufpQqscJfLekUt3N5oVxPzXFxHZ_s-Oin7iYqEOQ0k4urCArUvexahVKJQLyMPAuneAexUxdMSl4RdHJhNg-rbdQOYAGUw21YPIV5mT8MaR7BME/s1600/DSC_0815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZw3raIjpBPSUVBfxXuOAkGEe3SkjufpQqscJfLekUt3N5oVxPzXFxHZ_s-Oin7iYqEOQ0k4urCArUvexahVKJQLyMPAuneAexUxdMSl4RdHJhNg-rbdQOYAGUw21YPIV5mT8MaR7BME/s1600/DSC_0815.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wYMdAZC__nMF-L1vKbuKFnqWpGSX4BUkarIa7BjhtFC3XD2Pchtt2zvX8JbYJ8BOKAAjDd7S5WkvWGz_GZIzdSLZOZnadVGT-8SatFktE6_eL8yy5BFwcUzK5lp8S5C5L_DiZcQ4qbA/s1600/DSC_0821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wYMdAZC__nMF-L1vKbuKFnqWpGSX4BUkarIa7BjhtFC3XD2Pchtt2zvX8JbYJ8BOKAAjDd7S5WkvWGz_GZIzdSLZOZnadVGT-8SatFktE6_eL8yy5BFwcUzK5lp8S5C5L_DiZcQ4qbA/s1600/DSC_0821.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very misty morning checking the mink traps - none caught</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7v9Po4fvcpRiAkFghe-wfsGV4c200wx8IxP1ZHvEXnHEF0GkXddfbpMcTqF3A7t6SzhzH6O-vMaW8NrelEi_a-IDIZgwGuI4OxWJn2aYgzeFVEAXNJHQO1HvokCh8J_Qhyk0QoT1sjE/s1600/DSC_0834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7v9Po4fvcpRiAkFghe-wfsGV4c200wx8IxP1ZHvEXnHEF0GkXddfbpMcTqF3A7t6SzhzH6O-vMaW8NrelEi_a-IDIZgwGuI4OxWJn2aYgzeFVEAXNJHQO1HvokCh8J_Qhyk0QoT1sjE/s1600/DSC_0834.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...followed by a very misty bird survey - not ideal weather conditions but it made us use our ears! Pretty dew drop teasel</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YkCHfp_Q2tobhrmTc1dYXXePzcunEdOrU4W29do2m3-VhZoakDMY2Rn9azUAC_YzQHU6cjSYi3J1E44ldn4dmVeK9f-GFsRY8r1rf7xXOr2TKUjiWPiOyHSgVsgniEcbaee8Pk-GvO4/s1600/DSC_0846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YkCHfp_Q2tobhrmTc1dYXXePzcunEdOrU4W29do2m3-VhZoakDMY2Rn9azUAC_YzQHU6cjSYi3J1E44ldn4dmVeK9f-GFsRY8r1rf7xXOr2TKUjiWPiOyHSgVsgniEcbaee8Pk-GvO4/s1600/DSC_0846.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dewy/wet reeds</td></tr>
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Sunny walk up at Victory Wood mid March<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very windy!</td></tr>
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From 20th March to 25th March Mum and I went down to Cornwall and stayed in a lovely B&B surrounded by beautiful Cornish countryside! We arrived on Thursday and settled in and took a walk around Wadebridge. On Friday we went to the Eden Project - Fantastic!! The weather was okay and there weren't too many hoards of people. Below is a selection of my favourite photos from our day there.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The biomes</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_1020314026"></span><span id="goog_1020314027"></span><br />
<span id="goog_1020314026">Lovely big bee sculpture! It is a great educational centre and I do hope that it continues to be successful!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the rainforest biome - not too hot at this level...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blooming hot at this level though!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tulips in the Mediterranean biome </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild boar sculptures - made out of cork!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin with a taste for spice?!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carpets of heather on our way out</td></tr>
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That is all for now folks. I have so many photos I want to share with you all! I will have to try and write another soon, and I REALLY must catch up with you all!! I hope everyone is well and enjoying the glorious sunshine we've been having recently. I expect you are all enjoying springwatch this year - lots of fascinating things have been shown :)<br />
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Thanks to all of you who take a moment to read and comment :)Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-52391515811216276582014-03-27T22:31:00.002+00:002014-03-27T22:31:46.715+00:00Shoresearch, Snowdrops and SunsetsBack in February I persuaded my lovely Mum to come along with me to a Shoresearch event. These are monthly happenings run by the Marine team at Kent Wildlife Trust and aim to record the marine species that are found on the shoreline. Different species are likely to be found depending on the geology of the beach. We went along to the Shoresearch at Copt Point in Folkstone. The weather was gorgeous! Sunshine for the entire time! There was also a record number of people who turned up, with some Wildlife Guides from France joining us. It really was a fascinating few hours - seeing creatures I had never seen before. Find more info at <a href="http://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-seas/shoresearch" target="_blank">Kent Wildlife Trust - Shoresearch</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUF0FowIVRWeKX2uC5jNlhfj0PPF5KbhZ6n6CMl6-8luJFgIABzp_MLiIGCEUVkBbhVIqO2iVSKvKxZ5D569Eoa5mIb9yuiV4BQivR9Jte4W_76cxkOVkbuxl0uRQmJtPbSC47kX0mCO8/s1600/DSC_0569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUF0FowIVRWeKX2uC5jNlhfj0PPF5KbhZ6n6CMl6-8luJFgIABzp_MLiIGCEUVkBbhVIqO2iVSKvKxZ5D569Eoa5mIb9yuiV4BQivR9Jte4W_76cxkOVkbuxl0uRQmJtPbSC47kX0mCO8/s1600/DSC_0569.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabulous blue skies at Copt Point</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9smhBDBbZJPA93pRVInPKRGvyYmimGVHm0KXA03rU0KS9Nvrsk3BQhy6RBv4VnVLPpk5S4HrIboqRR8oj_s3T5t6GgRbIOLtCgYVn00v41ZBv9omSd2ZmBzbgAXHHRw62OfJIKPyye2I/s1600/DSC_0572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9smhBDBbZJPA93pRVInPKRGvyYmimGVHm0KXA03rU0KS9Nvrsk3BQhy6RBv4VnVLPpk5S4HrIboqRR8oj_s3T5t6GgRbIOLtCgYVn00v41ZBv9omSd2ZmBzbgAXHHRw62OfJIKPyye2I/s1600/DSC_0572.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Masses of egg wrack (<i>Ascophyllum</i>) - this is one of the only sites where this species of seaweed grows on natural objects</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlLWaBEMCJLpxsnpbzkFDyns3K7HFk5hNWTYek6-ULpx6eyIW-NebuASVQCSW5KoajVycIb2kpHd0tDWobsBBpEqejL1f1DV_4W1zx8nYjgnwV5W76lCKgJIj2bnLO9FBjfECQo_H6z0/s1600/DSC_0587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlLWaBEMCJLpxsnpbzkFDyns3K7HFk5hNWTYek6-ULpx6eyIW-NebuASVQCSW5KoajVycIb2kpHd0tDWobsBBpEqejL1f1DV_4W1zx8nYjgnwV5W76lCKgJIj2bnLO9FBjfECQo_H6z0/s1600/DSC_0587.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sugar Kelp - <i>Laminaria saccharina </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6qcFbI-OuHS76dPMSdOgwn6yU_kHDVCnaXKj8o1MJMSbi80k7fzOaBF8Pc7JPBrK4LYwT4zwP7SZ3lO4PJ2nmIe3VIH8Waj29EIe8Aq4FvRsLYzCTFEtxLOxYjFBa8p7iP9tbX2S3cU/s1600/DSC_0591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6qcFbI-OuHS76dPMSdOgwn6yU_kHDVCnaXKj8o1MJMSbi80k7fzOaBF8Pc7JPBrK4LYwT4zwP7SZ3lO4PJ2nmIe3VIH8Waj29EIe8Aq4FvRsLYzCTFEtxLOxYjFBa8p7iP9tbX2S3cU/s1600/DSC_0591.JPG" height="406" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dog Whelks - <i>Nucella lapillus</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqr3OlXwT524ycNWxQpqC4CNrSnHV15JdfOPud-Q_ASVH0i30LFj5JT8XNKB89aWNzOBivHMNfiKRouu20XRzeRyfnzZz7aXws_5_GjSdtWu-DJxVdJAIJOQ4oifc7VdVIcYLd8S5JEtk/s1600/DSC_0595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqr3OlXwT524ycNWxQpqC4CNrSnHV15JdfOPud-Q_ASVH0i30LFj5JT8XNKB89aWNzOBivHMNfiKRouu20XRzeRyfnzZz7aXws_5_GjSdtWu-DJxVdJAIJOQ4oifc7VdVIcYLd8S5JEtk/s1600/DSC_0595.JPG" height="400" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea slug - <i>Acanthodoris pilosa </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZ815taDR2TUO0fqOufN02GM1YivjY-CaMKrA2wlBx3YHrDPjH-aUEHJyINA-QG45TnvLGXDiqj4zptv0hbFcORrjmU7PnRYeTDyNtNn9Xy2A2YrlssHv3QUdqyP3o_yiXkYRlhCja7c/s1600/DSC_0600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZ815taDR2TUO0fqOufN02GM1YivjY-CaMKrA2wlBx3YHrDPjH-aUEHJyINA-QG45TnvLGXDiqj4zptv0hbFcORrjmU7PnRYeTDyNtNn9Xy2A2YrlssHv3QUdqyP3o_yiXkYRlhCja7c/s1600/DSC_0600.JPG" height="374" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shore Crab/Common Littoral Crab - <i>Carcinus maenas</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-z2pDHmfE-VdEWM8KN2xn8UJz31Uyxq8r472qKEfBCveRICZIxKUPxBK7g-y04s-eI71fYaNZkKGTV7nT-QhgJJ8481UO6bgxdgtBXdaZ-JX6EBQj8Bm4MnPnv656NFS_ysjsl6CaQ14/s1600/DSC_0610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-z2pDHmfE-VdEWM8KN2xn8UJz31Uyxq8r472qKEfBCveRICZIxKUPxBK7g-y04s-eI71fYaNZkKGTV7nT-QhgJJ8481UO6bgxdgtBXdaZ-JX6EBQj8Bm4MnPnv656NFS_ysjsl6CaQ14/s1600/DSC_0610.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Spotted Catshark eggcase - <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st"><em>Scyliorhinus canicula</em></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzBUJtfGV9GfUxyCD_mwpd5ew0bN63pmDAGV46cR9svy45Ax1MbhBW8hFmP3WnEgeOcdWt0Di81IiR7Q1tzFMr5Z0W3ZjjZjH94DIqFwvConE7XXBVQdwsrbKaJaUOK09m5RYt22hgxk/s1600/DSC_0620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzBUJtfGV9GfUxyCD_mwpd5ew0bN63pmDAGV46cR9svy45Ax1MbhBW8hFmP3WnEgeOcdWt0Di81IiR7Q1tzFMr5Z0W3ZjjZjH94DIqFwvConE7XXBVQdwsrbKaJaUOK09m5RYt22hgxk/s1600/DSC_0620.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me searching the shore!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWMvti8QA4NvcDDduz3OxZJ4SMglzlcLd_suEQjx6C9jdNCjIqQ_hMIpS58PrzobVxNlNMCFay0ON2R-_z-cmmNrPIXpMaARP30dKVkN_Pva4rFXyOtA7h7dXwUIYG4s4LbOyG39cdgM/s1600/DSC_0627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWMvti8QA4NvcDDduz3OxZJ4SMglzlcLd_suEQjx6C9jdNCjIqQ_hMIpS58PrzobVxNlNMCFay0ON2R-_z-cmmNrPIXpMaARP30dKVkN_Pva4rFXyOtA7h7dXwUIYG4s4LbOyG39cdgM/s1600/DSC_0627.JPG" height="452" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beadlet anemone - <span class="st"><em>Actinia equina</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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In comparison to the creatures featured above, these more common garden birds may seem dull to many people. However if you watch these little birds I can almost guarantee that you will be surprised at how interesting and endearing they can be. They are the perfect species to observe behaviour of, simply because you can get relatively close to them without them worrying about your presence. I saw an opportunity and took it. The neighbours may have thought I was odd hiding behind the sheets hanging in the garden to dry. Little did they know I was stalking our regular house sparrows and blue tits and watching them devour the fat balls we put out. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouOp8gLNDB9c5pducdreAqWQOVKvHbNLIc9MaFC2NrR7GWSz_7Ze7NjVgkfeUA3EWnh8lMzFvJLOXjehCfgjXsOv7TSlT-eSZGoWSaaz9qzcbpb029rc3l82RNhLH48N3rLdSp9DrVoE/s1600/DSC_0654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouOp8gLNDB9c5pducdreAqWQOVKvHbNLIc9MaFC2NrR7GWSz_7Ze7NjVgkfeUA3EWnh8lMzFvJLOXjehCfgjXsOv7TSlT-eSZGoWSaaz9qzcbpb029rc3l82RNhLH48N3rLdSp9DrVoE/s1600/DSC_0654.JPG" height="410" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr and Mrs spuggy having a bite to eat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSA1xjXUSZ73fLNmJPRACOOrmpx3R0RbRTtbRx6YiwhTkIB01YlpL9-lafZ7qKzuto8mqfZsWSMTdcqFxhLofNe5SUrzL0nC9y9JdRoPBFOR1mrTTE1xhmMZ9oeb0kGuldqZbQnz2vvA/s1600/DSC_0673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSA1xjXUSZ73fLNmJPRACOOrmpx3R0RbRTtbRx6YiwhTkIB01YlpL9-lafZ7qKzuto8mqfZsWSMTdcqFxhLofNe5SUrzL0nC9y9JdRoPBFOR1mrTTE1xhmMZ9oeb0kGuldqZbQnz2vvA/s1600/DSC_0673.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous little blue tit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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March 1st is a special day for my family so my Mum, my Auntie and I visited a sweet little church in Challock (<a href="http://www.challock.org/churches/challockchurch" target="_blank">Website Here</a>) where there were hundreds of snowdrops. The sun shone occasionally through fast moving clouds and in the sunlight the early daffodils were gleaming and the snowdrops were shimmering. <br />
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I'll finish off with some pretty sunset photos from a few weeks ago. I love the wavy patterns the clouds have made. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOh_XXlQgbdi0ATDK2HfMju-cXOuZUvJClYJeIt9CfoPxDUoNdm9LOX7WK44g4jTZSXUI5aqZcjS5PLEgVqU650FvTTrR5ageHpqOO0lF-w5fM6GwETiw2hGWxzs87RcEArCzrJU21kco/s1600/DSC_0771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOh_XXlQgbdi0ATDK2HfMju-cXOuZUvJClYJeIt9CfoPxDUoNdm9LOX7WK44g4jTZSXUI5aqZcjS5PLEgVqU650FvTTrR5ageHpqOO0lF-w5fM6GwETiw2hGWxzs87RcEArCzrJU21kco/s1600/DSC_0771.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Licking the ground - odd dog with a right mucky face!</td></tr>
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Another post in quick succession from the last one. Just had the odd 20 minutes over the last few days to add to it. Tomorrow afternoon I will set aside some time to read everyone else's blogs and see what you have all been up to! I hope all my readers are well :)Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-33921289979833494952014-03-19T21:35:00.000+00:002014-03-19T23:19:09.769+00:00Long Overdue!Well I am so far behind with all this blogging business yet I have so
much to show and tell! The photos in this post are in fact from the
very beginning of Feb! I have contemplated just posting about up to date
things but I quite liked these photos. I'll save stories from
volunteering for another post and in the mean time I'll just leave you
to have a little gander at these. I do hope you are all okay and
enjoying the less wet weather :)<br />
<br />
<b>Walking at Seasalter on 1st Feb</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoItgmwMDefKjsFC89fOJJYDvVNmwwOhSDv6utGUexVNEZuMCGJjA1prKhIj-skjlsQvQ2Huf8aEcWOLMQRnCPC-8x5zUI3Km5U_NBR3QC5UeLSJz40hVs301R1qjJpwV_iGCej496to/s1600/DSC_0410.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoItgmwMDefKjsFC89fOJJYDvVNmwwOhSDv6utGUexVNEZuMCGJjA1prKhIj-skjlsQvQ2Huf8aEcWOLMQRnCPC-8x5zUI3Km5U_NBR3QC5UeLSJz40hVs301R1qjJpwV_iGCej496to/s1600/DSC_0410.JPG" height="392" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redshank and oystercatchers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pG2NFv8KA1fPtLhXCWrIDG-_UV3wXVz4qh6gVaxIRSUtJtwaolO6gLdIfb7scqUoYHpgK8Kfocu6krQ36Ku7kIhvkFASzoE0QNeKmP_sRzNmdO8l2sZZ3NyVesFYf0TbGgaSeJJxYIA/s1600/DSC_0415.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pG2NFv8KA1fPtLhXCWrIDG-_UV3wXVz4qh6gVaxIRSUtJtwaolO6gLdIfb7scqUoYHpgK8Kfocu6krQ36Ku7kIhvkFASzoE0QNeKmP_sRzNmdO8l2sZZ3NyVesFYf0TbGgaSeJJxYIA/s1600/DSC_0415.JPG" height="416" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screwing his eyes up really tight while he sticks his snout in the sea to retrieve....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZGpKCR9bScyrTSvQ5W1e_IB08pApALiuy3ycGq_-TRdKXwzr_MpwJvk8cTkecEN2yuk-FemdRNN6nyW52utxhIK9BGa6Q1EN9X5aQRcDl6XKE8DT0icrJR8LgZT3emN3AZSmViWzcmI/s1600/DSC_0417.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZGpKCR9bScyrTSvQ5W1e_IB08pApALiuy3ycGq_-TRdKXwzr_MpwJvk8cTkecEN2yuk-FemdRNN6nyW52utxhIK9BGa6Q1EN9X5aQRcDl6XKE8DT0icrJR8LgZT3emN3AZSmViWzcmI/s1600/DSC_0417.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....An empty can of 'tropical guava' flavour energy drink. Delightful.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcJynagHNW_2EZjohau0xVuN0Ur0KNHZXry4FJrRPaSoPzYKtJYEiywXGr3d9VLp-nnR1r9NN_E8es1pEOsnniyHZwGoFf4OiyWyzIEmXEm4LpCtT7IcaC06y-rzVLQtrDdh7YnltOYo/s1600/DSC_0419.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcJynagHNW_2EZjohau0xVuN0Ur0KNHZXry4FJrRPaSoPzYKtJYEiywXGr3d9VLp-nnR1r9NN_E8es1pEOsnniyHZwGoFf4OiyWyzIEmXEm4LpCtT7IcaC06y-rzVLQtrDdh7YnltOYo/s1600/DSC_0419.JPG" height="414" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pouncing and leaping </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO47P-LMyFP9Tjpoqs99Fewh9N51EWSqzgvmzdydoIWKFfwXKSkQo-qqLER1Lf4o6dz6KpeC3DIybEqo0UjNIvKfyg9vdkrc-EZJNkgS_8y6bNstSUWg4UeALShgOFIhyXJa8T_clTJrU/s1600/DSC_0421.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO47P-LMyFP9Tjpoqs99Fewh9N51EWSqzgvmzdydoIWKFfwXKSkQo-qqLER1Lf4o6dz6KpeC3DIybEqo0UjNIvKfyg9vdkrc-EZJNkgS_8y6bNstSUWg4UeALShgOFIhyXJa8T_clTJrU/s1600/DSC_0421.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wader tracks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMbctYHpZQsKqLOgLUcFp-iEesv0HhP-AlNCKgNY2dvaC4Hmra8l8yVcAVcdjnwC6daAWuNTVLDfDGe9DjUMLjwFo6sCUthLXD11G2LNxULlWpCcK1Hf2_7Arw8zXH10UsiLlFTtRvn8/s1600/DSC_0426.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMbctYHpZQsKqLOgLUcFp-iEesv0HhP-AlNCKgNY2dvaC4Hmra8l8yVcAVcdjnwC6daAWuNTVLDfDGe9DjUMLjwFo6sCUthLXD11G2LNxULlWpCcK1Hf2_7Arw8zXH10UsiLlFTtRvn8/s1600/DSC_0426.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monster tracks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Our Minnis Bay and St Nicholas at Wade walk on 2nd Feb</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_E3ZKFTTtoR0hqyHFAcw9e1IbVihSX3SjTb-XBp84QbDRNLKgDrlxW36LUZK3yQ85zZmgyUn2PyGwB49WNfMdmvMI6Y7V9_CFDzL5RI9eCg4hSwZuJmoVkdm4IXp82lh6iVdth5_MKM/s1600/DSC_0435.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_E3ZKFTTtoR0hqyHFAcw9e1IbVihSX3SjTb-XBp84QbDRNLKgDrlxW36LUZK3yQ85zZmgyUn2PyGwB49WNfMdmvMI6Y7V9_CFDzL5RI9eCg4hSwZuJmoVkdm4IXp82lh6iVdth5_MKM/s1600/DSC_0435.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right: Oystercatcher, turnstones, redshank, and in front common sandpiper (?) followed by more turnstones.<br />
<b>Update: poss common sandpiper is in fact a dunlin in winter plumage - thanks to Stewart :)</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarTcVCm26Z-dP2tCCf4m3WxZV-eqtwo8varH4SAL7F2wxQsIhY6TneQv3QannKaNOFFu_88n3C-pOZUrkuny-2nCQ5CW52YpDj5dmzGJEwmOoA4jbDk3hwG3YU6BS9h8zkyM3tHD3-3A/s1600/DSC_0438.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></div>
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<br />
Hummingbird Robin<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggnknXMm8fPr2k82yziYqMaETAXXCjHhW-YH19oBXykL2y01aiAt0SbYyJPVxqT4CgD1kgDSrZ2iZBaVSiOnclfQA9xCjg9s6JO2bwFAqG_Eha7R8-XIqyeMXyLjZusVm272riH9fNy0/s1600/DSC_0455.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggnknXMm8fPr2k82yziYqMaETAXXCjHhW-YH19oBXykL2y01aiAt0SbYyJPVxqT4CgD1kgDSrZ2iZBaVSiOnclfQA9xCjg9s6JO2bwFAqG_Eha7R8-XIqyeMXyLjZusVm272riH9fNy0/s1600/DSC_0455.JPG" height="420" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pondering </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdRY013N4FnEdr3LvECs7FDyYZ223xPIZmjnQ8uMG31MFzzwd1UAuHK8l34VQnHxWIe59xlEN7iLBJaZp9kAAhz2VzpwbjOvP46zzoW9p7jeLbv5Hi7gcNftoVpf1HbupCz6gE349X0o/s1600/DSC_0457.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdRY013N4FnEdr3LvECs7FDyYZ223xPIZmjnQ8uMG31MFzzwd1UAuHK8l34VQnHxWIe59xlEN7iLBJaZp9kAAhz2VzpwbjOvP46zzoW9p7jeLbv5Hi7gcNftoVpf1HbupCz6gE349X0o/s1600/DSC_0457.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...a bit closer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkO9ojG2aDZEFsgZSqNa7bsRoOoxCCFi-0o0Gvbb19MJVfXagFeGcOv-_S2img2C-xRX_jOiQHGIDnwxtnhjh25FufgQrSB32KZofln21uXLHP_FPE_uU7EB3QsWhF6E_nq-FXucsPrBc/s1600/DSC_0458.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkO9ojG2aDZEFsgZSqNa7bsRoOoxCCFi-0o0Gvbb19MJVfXagFeGcOv-_S2img2C-xRX_jOiQHGIDnwxtnhjh25FufgQrSB32KZofln21uXLHP_FPE_uU7EB3QsWhF6E_nq-FXucsPrBc/s1600/DSC_0458.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...taaadaaa! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tcf58A57Z_h4Y8yTtqiieXkUrLWR8QXoMjUBeZ3UR4quPD4gprgBie6We866TIK_pu_DLNEo4WNi_6I4ArZMci_dBVPgW_nlhaNArKkI4Ku9E_gsrH2H8jGGpS4f6zjrgLm139vrqe4/s1600/DSC_0461.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tcf58A57Z_h4Y8yTtqiieXkUrLWR8QXoMjUBeZ3UR4quPD4gprgBie6We866TIK_pu_DLNEo4WNi_6I4ArZMci_dBVPgW_nlhaNArKkI4Ku9E_gsrH2H8jGGpS4f6zjrgLm139vrqe4/s1600/DSC_0461.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting his beak right into the home made fatty mealworm block</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPHmXmKAxq55jIBrfuBBM3sS9h3tb3dXC6hWZPs-lMKV3GN9jMuod01HrgFW9tzln4H99yPCVvokeIEAejQa95RM6MhDU5WFbgboaoo4CEqbh3wwtsSuL3Ye-X4lijgB3DgKSmkWClq0/s1600/DSC_0463.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPHmXmKAxq55jIBrfuBBM3sS9h3tb3dXC6hWZPs-lMKV3GN9jMuod01HrgFW9tzln4H99yPCVvokeIEAejQa95RM6MhDU5WFbgboaoo4CEqbh3wwtsSuL3Ye-X4lijgB3DgKSmkWClq0/s1600/DSC_0463.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and retreat </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OuLoPVHskbOXEvEwLSwwK_epwTeVMBoRSxcJN5dXdwf5vtPHJMijas-hpJZi9gd-EG2IToSebT5AqV1dfXMQcbGEByZH-DstRq6gyqejB6TI_Y43-leYKXmPx2OxRBuaGGoH8diGzM0/s1600/DSC_0465.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OuLoPVHskbOXEvEwLSwwK_epwTeVMBoRSxcJN5dXdwf5vtPHJMijas-hpJZi9gd-EG2IToSebT5AqV1dfXMQcbGEByZH-DstRq6gyqejB6TI_Y43-leYKXmPx2OxRBuaGGoH8diGzM0/s1600/DSC_0465.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off he goes with his beakfull </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhss6vmoA0H9PM6jHWyO_o2HTbKZs9XfbdsHM9d1BZiBIfaXm6opXB88dUhdXcN1qRUo_0Ddp7VVqejdMAnIhoBH926fR48PPSA14rO3Jqij2R0L7DeBXMLc-xsHQsnf6qQVF1IyaBl924/s1600/DSC_0450.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhss6vmoA0H9PM6jHWyO_o2HTbKZs9XfbdsHM9d1BZiBIfaXm6opXB88dUhdXcN1qRUo_0Ddp7VVqejdMAnIhoBH926fR48PPSA14rO3Jqij2R0L7DeBXMLc-xsHQsnf6qQVF1IyaBl924/s1600/DSC_0450.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally - pretending to be a sparrow or a tit of some variety</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Spring weather arrived early...</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjFq72-9BFCdmhV7WqqLLYKPL5Az7nq76JIuRTeBP_sDpOhd75KZ73nHc81oDU0AN_yu8BPN2_mN2oFAqCfqXptUZR2yq0WoT-KZsOJheNpsq6n5W254oCz0AckVrRsc7vY0oCdICZG8/s1600/DSC_0405.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjFq72-9BFCdmhV7WqqLLYKPL5Az7nq76JIuRTeBP_sDpOhd75KZ73nHc81oDU0AN_yu8BPN2_mN2oFAqCfqXptUZR2yq0WoT-KZsOJheNpsq6n5W254oCz0AckVrRsc7vY0oCdICZG8/s1600/DSC_0405.JPG" height="444" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The usual visitor to the fat balls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdFTzmxv2GboOZqKo4CW293dMcM1faau8w5TZe6sjBUlIcWnY5jNiUGrBJm88PVuWgO-5q9hDRHvfZ2CjRIJe9M6YkmQkZvJLoJKfdtOA8DnoTRWC81P2E_jz1PTK4CT6nIjdiAOScVk/s1600/DSC_0475.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdFTzmxv2GboOZqKo4CW293dMcM1faau8w5TZe6sjBUlIcWnY5jNiUGrBJm88PVuWgO-5q9hDRHvfZ2CjRIJe9M6YkmQkZvJLoJKfdtOA8DnoTRWC81P2E_jz1PTK4CT6nIjdiAOScVk/s1600/DSC_0475.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely bee on the pretty purple crocuses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dLKH0M1Nd8iF50Rc5hQ0Ro4KEWaVh_EPUCFuKZs52Ym-qjyB57XFkHj4sM5ZHhF0GREuFPgm7zte1_utpCXkmlKO4wqoXQF6eyfpRBnD1vbeQuSIOR0vIyS5GpSS-8XWP8SeVZnNBnE/s1600/DSC_0482.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dLKH0M1Nd8iF50Rc5hQ0Ro4KEWaVh_EPUCFuKZs52Ym-qjyB57XFkHj4sM5ZHhF0GREuFPgm7zte1_utpCXkmlKO4wqoXQF6eyfpRBnD1vbeQuSIOR0vIyS5GpSS-8XWP8SeVZnNBnE/s1600/DSC_0482.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our resident pair of collared doves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVNsjDz-VMvfEb98pu-EWefjcRdzw-SCStumsjH_EkoFRXIBy3bPbSfNiSxGQ6VO9vGd2QG1kTwavHzrYwDJny_QaKHrNoYjnin-rn96d_6bsRXkS6L4lJWfHGpnvnN7DC9TxU11fN-8/s1600/DSC_0491.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVNsjDz-VMvfEb98pu-EWefjcRdzw-SCStumsjH_EkoFRXIBy3bPbSfNiSxGQ6VO9vGd2QG1kTwavHzrYwDJny_QaKHrNoYjnin-rn96d_6bsRXkS6L4lJWfHGpnvnN7DC9TxU11fN-8/s1600/DSC_0491.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty pup enjoying the February sun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>A few photos from my volunteering expeditions during Feb</b><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlS3v9B7O3kA5FC9em9duKfa19K4fTWitsozo7_XjztI2BbQ5tCgvDfBWTlWeByJi0r24dt7-diY843tmrhZ4lWB7owHmtrcWP08W19EJteTbeSX5Kg1Qq1FjSc_zu3CRgrSJQQK5-So/s1600/DSC_0510.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CcWmWPEzvThXnx6GGbkUGyjb78y596pTo3nGAyJed60IudKWJrnvTWLGA6u2G7ebIUi6Y_RnyrzcPUur0weR3riegyQn2hMKcVb3wOq3w4abDQbe9-aZqdDIaM5Qv0q3hH6ZO7SXJVM/s1600/DSC_0514.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CcWmWPEzvThXnx6GGbkUGyjb78y596pTo3nGAyJed60IudKWJrnvTWLGA6u2G7ebIUi6Y_RnyrzcPUur0weR3riegyQn2hMKcVb3wOq3w4abDQbe9-aZqdDIaM5Qv0q3hH6ZO7SXJVM/s1600/DSC_0514.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheep on the marsh in the project area</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeIv6NhIQHZowo2VL-p-mJ40aCyPvFymu7Z4FNVO7svDaT0_xvkvDFGPmufShAgRmz2KZL6-BqXEHK43Zkpn4sWk1B2ieLTWxlcoTMZt5hpIqRzHEhvKsr9wvshfO2Pw0YU1-rEin_wQ/s1600/DSC_0517.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeIv6NhIQHZowo2VL-p-mJ40aCyPvFymu7Z4FNVO7svDaT0_xvkvDFGPmufShAgRmz2KZL6-BqXEHK43Zkpn4sWk1B2ieLTWxlcoTMZt5hpIqRzHEhvKsr9wvshfO2Pw0YU1-rEin_wQ/s1600/DSC_0517.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple of mute swans wandering the marsh</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg40bDRJ9hFWoJfROX-LW9Q0gMHa8auhErSpgI8X9icuk0q7yVJ2HcvYDUxJwXvKp37dSKvTgj_fs87HHtsVeE9B0aT7ZQbScWrJEFoJ3Y8hh4MUWbc4xtAvwCkCMvg_rXH9k1nQSLvSc/s1600/DSC_0522.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg40bDRJ9hFWoJfROX-LW9Q0gMHa8auhErSpgI8X9icuk0q7yVJ2HcvYDUxJwXvKp37dSKvTgj_fs87HHtsVeE9B0aT7ZQbScWrJEFoJ3Y8hh4MUWbc4xtAvwCkCMvg_rXH9k1nQSLvSc/s1600/DSC_0522.JPG" height="432" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A swan's webprint vs my wellie print</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXgq9_bBeISamC-dfYHUpHtCwPx2aIoZ2sN6QCE8ohE9Pi_W8CMxOIB7G7Z8mmlG6OY2VXPoNTbDGoVAcGY94RSP32wyEKCWOuBn2JkenSyA2pq00zvbSRpUiH8FHib7zSC7nWQyMmHk/s1600/DSC_0524.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXgq9_bBeISamC-dfYHUpHtCwPx2aIoZ2sN6QCE8ohE9Pi_W8CMxOIB7G7Z8mmlG6OY2VXPoNTbDGoVAcGY94RSP32wyEKCWOuBn2JkenSyA2pq00zvbSRpUiH8FHib7zSC7nWQyMmHk/s1600/DSC_0524.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheep with a cool hair do!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Love walking Bracken just before it gets dark - such gorgeous lighting.</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9UuBJo3DlLlIHkRME3pKHfHkjWqsp8ix1opZzGlS8aRMktkWsGT74SUt9fH-elwEEZY5fd5hbUfCWiW_A9P7bhIkgjh0nwvxnqlU9bZ4CE9KUkHkzBbCM_hsdptTmsjGjv82X7Be_hU/s1600/DSC_0538.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9UuBJo3DlLlIHkRME3pKHfHkjWqsp8ix1opZzGlS8aRMktkWsGT74SUt9fH-elwEEZY5fd5hbUfCWiW_A9P7bhIkgjh0nwvxnqlU9bZ4CE9KUkHkzBbCM_hsdptTmsjGjv82X7Be_hU/s1600/DSC_0538.JPG" height="440" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pheasant feather I think</td></tr>
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<br />
That is it for now folks. In the past week I have been on an
amphibian survey and ecology course and a biological recordings course.
Both very interesting and useful. To top my week off I am going to
Cornwall with my Mum for 6 days. Very excited! Lots of lovely things
planned so fingers crossed for decent weather.<br />
<br />
I hope
you have all been enjoying the sunny spells and been out making the most
of it! Hopefully I'll catch up with you all soon and post some more
recent photos :) Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-55488213991959045832014-02-08T18:37:00.001+00:002014-02-08T18:37:41.258+00:00A Quest for the KingA few weekends ago mum and I set off to Sevenoaks NR - our favourite place to meet up with my auntie and cousins. It was really quite chilly so we wound down our car windows so we could chat and ate our picnic lunches in the warmth of the car, whilst still having a lovely view of the nature reserve's wildlife garden.<br />
<br />
Once our food had been consumed we donned our wellies and set off along the lakeside path. There were lots of twittering blue tits, great tits, long tailed tits and siskins were out in force too. A very high pitched call alerted us to the presence of our smallest bird - the goldcrest. I got great views and tried to show my auntie and mum where it was. I managed the photo below - not the sharpest image but nonetheless a 'record shot'. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQn81vC1RMQ10oz_T5A1rSTY_9vO1jwLookwJK1jUhXFdko2UtEHFkZYW4COB6fJ0kgfd853E-f0TzDPkBJUagQrJ4mtewf4VpBGQQXzltnnfLJtGHkgIwNLozZzMkzCEVIISPnH2tmaE/s1600/DSC_0330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQn81vC1RMQ10oz_T5A1rSTY_9vO1jwLookwJK1jUhXFdko2UtEHFkZYW4COB6fJ0kgfd853E-f0TzDPkBJUagQrJ4mtewf4VpBGQQXzltnnfLJtGHkgIwNLozZzMkzCEVIISPnH2tmaE/s1600/DSC_0330.JPG" height="444" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldcrest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Our walk up to one of the hides was interrupted by another high
pitched call - but this time it was not that of a goldcrest, but a
treecreeper. A charming little bird. My auntie and cousins had fantastic
views of this bird that they hadn't seen before and I managed a couple
of photos too.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHsPtd9Z_F6dIkhQQlG_62U48e8ElZzJEaGbp9Hl1bb4y_haaXBPruBGYcgrJgeq27v9R7mZo6bEGiBRmeXeCGjooVxU4_QflVSUt6-lmbno1_8BlIX1Ov86Odo0n8carXXY-I0MUQOE/s1600/DSC_0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHsPtd9Z_F6dIkhQQlG_62U48e8ElZzJEaGbp9Hl1bb4y_haaXBPruBGYcgrJgeq27v9R7mZo6bEGiBRmeXeCGjooVxU4_QflVSUt6-lmbno1_8BlIX1Ov86Odo0n8carXXY-I0MUQOE/s1600/DSC_0339.JPG" height="640" width="420" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty well camouflaged don't you think?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoxBY5GkGhy4D-jkg58sV3C3xfJi47trrx1bpDhXEP3FMq4sjBFKkhG_Rnd3CwrulKmJCBTOk1_Iniu2ZKHlDISXEVTydPktgk483EkaV0wrtm16qglwwth47w82VBasM3KT9nflT_04/s1600/DSC_0336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoxBY5GkGhy4D-jkg58sV3C3xfJi47trrx1bpDhXEP3FMq4sjBFKkhG_Rnd3CwrulKmJCBTOk1_Iniu2ZKHlDISXEVTydPktgk483EkaV0wrtm16qglwwth47w82VBasM3KT9nflT_04/s1600/DSC_0336.JPG" height="416" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treecreeper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Once the treecreeper had disappeared off to scale up a different tree, we
went into the hide, which was empty and sat and identified some of the
birds which were on the lake. There were great crested grebes, lapwings,
coots and moorhens a plenty, cormorants, teal, mallards and a
goosander.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Ujq0agqhHJNny8_uGFn_rZamA58mQltjP7TSvbW2hnQmWmzh9dYElOmg5JOLRlO_seKSRosdeBR2T1oOirtabCrBj3grHmPKOORttppjWO3BnVksVtTIQ61qVcVgCLnzeHatjhtwHXA/s1600/DSC_0346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Ujq0agqhHJNny8_uGFn_rZamA58mQltjP7TSvbW2hnQmWmzh9dYElOmg5JOLRlO_seKSRosdeBR2T1oOirtabCrBj3grHmPKOORttppjWO3BnVksVtTIQ61qVcVgCLnzeHatjhtwHXA/s1600/DSC_0346.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moorhen chase</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cZ7oH6fQDKohGnkwJUVE51IGxDN9uhgkExBe1rctb2m5NhBQn4BsxxQAy9Ym3eAqM2xHZjMNbns47pUh6QYgBiaEVQtfdeQR-YuZW49isXgPQuad6zYx5UQYl2EyUXpbcWj04cbxrAY/s1600/DSC_0361.JPG" height="422" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some more birds illustrating wonderful camouflage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrFexZPRv_4QgGnxikJj5nC6V2vkVl92e6WT6TZLmQY7B0S6wa1aPj9P0pRk2YvXCPnDaXV4U10qbhLyWl4QzL8LufHGk4E2TXANwDN8lgH1yg6dukAc2HxT2IbROJjuwP_Am4EqpdzI/s1600/DSC_0359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrFexZPRv_4QgGnxikJj5nC6V2vkVl92e6WT6TZLmQY7B0S6wa1aPj9P0pRk2YvXCPnDaXV4U10qbhLyWl4QzL8LufHGk4E2TXANwDN8lgH1yg6dukAc2HxT2IbROJjuwP_Am4EqpdzI/s1600/DSC_0359.JPG" height="412" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lapwing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzOCDlpdNoFvCkD1SxRFK-RKiFzsD4NDA6twyU3COba_847clamgh9IC-8ckFMbopFM13NfoMf4JudVDwcOKhnpHljqKk18xeprP5wb8mq2DNGYROdooDbkiVtDtMnwAoPFMV2GJBoSQ/s1600/DSC_0369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzOCDlpdNoFvCkD1SxRFK-RKiFzsD4NDA6twyU3COba_847clamgh9IC-8ckFMbopFM13NfoMf4JudVDwcOKhnpHljqKk18xeprP5wb8mq2DNGYROdooDbkiVtDtMnwAoPFMV2GJBoSQ/s1600/DSC_0369.JPG" height="384" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goosander and Coot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was lovely to be outdoors and observing these lovely birds with our
family, but the bird we were really looking for had eluded us so far. We
had previously seen this bird zoom past in the blink of an eye, but the
kind of sighting we were really after, was a nice perched still view!
Not too much to ask?<br />
<br />
Then, whilst walking towards the hide where the bird we were looking for is often seen, I spotted it! Then I doubted myself. I had lent my bins to my auntie and pretty much straight away she locked onto it. The King of our rivers and streams! A fabulous view of it perching! It was quite far away though - hence the noisy and not very sharp photos. But hey I'm not complaining! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kingfisher</td></tr>
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As we arrived back at the visitor centre this lovely robin greeted us, singing its beautiful melody.<br />
When we checked the visitors book for a list of the species seen so far that day, we noticed that the goosander had not yet been recorded, so I (very proudly and nerdily) asked if I could write it down! I had the photo to prove it, otherwise I don't think I would have been believed. A great few hours spent birdwatching with my family :) <br />
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Now, as I promised I'll disclose a bit more information about my new trainee position. I've been there 4 weeks now, which has flown by! As I wrote in my last post, much of my time is spent outdoors, walking the marshes. Part of the 'vole reversal' project on the North Kent Marshes is monitoring/controlling mink populations. American mink were brought over to this country to be farmed for their fur. When people started asking question about the welfare of the mink in these farms, the farmers let a lot of them go and animal rights activists played their part too. Little did they know what a huge problem this would be for 'ratty'. In Denmark and Sweden mink fur farms still exist and they likewise have problems with escapees and consequently large scale control programmes. We have a number of mink rafts which contain a clay pad which enables us to track whether there are any mink in the area. Most of the time it is actually water voles which are using the raft as a toilet! The photo below was taken early one morning whilst checking a raft. <br />
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A key part of the project is contacting and maintaining contact with local farmers and landowners. They are given advice on how they can manage their ditches to benefit wildlife and our main focus - the gorgeous water vole. <br />
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As part of my trainee position I have a bursary which allows me to attend study days and short courses. They all have to be linked in some way to water due to the nature of the project I am working on, which is no problem for me! I have been booking courses on freshwater invertebrates, algae, amphibian ecology and grass and rush ecology. All of which I am extremely excited to attend!<br />
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On Monday I went on the first of my study days which was on water birds. It was quite informative, I learnt some tips about how to identify the differences between gulls and some other general facts. The course was held at Mote Park in Maidstone so it focused on ducks, swans, grebes, geese and gulls. We did also see little egrets and a kingfisher. <br />
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Last Tuesday when we had a meeting with a member of a local conservation group, it was bright and sunny and I saw a small tortoiseshell fluttering about in the hedgerow! It found a sunspot and settled to sunbathe.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small tortoiseshell (from my phone)</td></tr>
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Below are water vole footprints on a muddy bank also seen on Tuesday. The mild weather that we have been receiving means that they still venture out to feed, rather than staying in their burrows in a sleepy state.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water vole footprints</td></tr>
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A beautiful example of a badger paw-print in the mud along a farm track can be seen below. One of the other trainees recently took plaster of paris out with her and took moulds of badger prints to give to the education team! Great idea! They came out really well.<br />
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There are always lots of bird prints, lots of them starlings, and the obvious heron prints which are huuuuge! Not sure who these belong to.. any ideas?!<br />
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We have also been hearing lots of birdsong. The skylarks seem to have been fooled into thinking it is spring. We encounter a fair few ascending and singing their hearts out. To have January as my earliest record of skylark song only really indicates what the future may bring in terms of possible shifting seasons. Other birds we see include large numbers of curlew, lapwing and a few snipe. Marsh harriers, buzzards and kestrels are often seen too. <br />
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That's it for now folks, I hope you've enjoyed reading about my recent jaunts and a bit more about my traineeship! I really appreciate all your kind comments, it makes blogging so much more rewarding when you hear from like minded people! I am going to set aside some time in the evenings this week to catch up with you all!<br />
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Peace and Love to you all and I am sending dry thoughts to those of you affected by this ongoing wet weather!Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-69916487804432450202014-01-23T13:49:00.000+00:002014-01-23T13:49:26.531+00:00Busy Busy BusyWell both Christmas and New year have passed and I haven't posted in well over a month! I do hope all my regular (and not so regular) readers are well and that 2014 is treating you well so far!!<br />
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Due to my absence of late I still have photos from the Christmas period to show you so here are some of them...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Task with the Monday Volunteer Group! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wet chalky nose</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely goldy munching birch catkins</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hurtling around with his deflated football</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Cousins chasing Bracky - such fun! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flooded marsh</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwbn-cVEH-M10EBPVxI63Y6t8IIhn7Qc66k7fne7Ic9KVNFUi2dvMARBGpIm94LVDO10MRghcnF1Eui-jVWJO-4A2nEcKqKMPhyrMNnwOZXzr2h9WtBZ72P9M5OEqymT-PN5gzxcpsts/s1600/DSC_0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwbn-cVEH-M10EBPVxI63Y6t8IIhn7Qc66k7fne7Ic9KVNFUi2dvMARBGpIm94LVDO10MRghcnF1Eui-jVWJO-4A2nEcKqKMPhyrMNnwOZXzr2h9WtBZ72P9M5OEqymT-PN5gzxcpsts/s1600/DSC_0114.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bye bye football - Brack was too much of a wus to go and get it. The water was quite deep though!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking unimpressed with his Christmas neckerchief on! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtiNeG2RB21k0gi8ZOFEzG8I60Og-kG6CvIwKLylbcvOGLSZ8rNnjRnQJYzHa6vWKhwqOYEmiZISOLwmd47oytOnmMJuHFa9_a39PVzkxOGZKxloMFXuDwGvwxLiiOGGJlbGVHAxM4NiY/s1600/DSC_0176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtiNeG2RB21k0gi8ZOFEzG8I60Og-kG6CvIwKLylbcvOGLSZ8rNnjRnQJYzHa6vWKhwqOYEmiZISOLwmd47oytOnmMJuHFa9_a39PVzkxOGZKxloMFXuDwGvwxLiiOGGJlbGVHAxM4NiY/s1600/DSC_0176.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out walking along the Test Way - From Romsey to Mottisfont</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImUMahy5vj38_xv1P3zo8r4c3Y98629OZ6kTTts7oQoC3LtBdCaGETZCwwCP108v8uimI_hbKw0ZE7G_-XfuHjPEddUfsCNpqlTyz3bnXa5OsB6pdYbVXyR04z6OhSTWwnW5gQYvOAdc/s1600/DSC_0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImUMahy5vj38_xv1P3zo8r4c3Y98629OZ6kTTts7oQoC3LtBdCaGETZCwwCP108v8uimI_hbKw0ZE7G_-XfuHjPEddUfsCNpqlTyz3bnXa5OsB6pdYbVXyR04z6OhSTWwnW5gQYvOAdc/s1600/DSC_0179.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LTTs on our friends feeders! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are lucky enough to have 2 nuthatches visit! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and cute little coal tits!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSIkrABF5mv5b3lhJD2DxlSgT1HLx3j4O_X31WrbdJSsdos4oKG9CJtcGrrBPpxkiINQ257v2UYcYRWgC3admh-vFRfOUw9JO01222v0rGRscn_59Ncw8MauzZz9YtE_HhV4lOE-MT_s/s1600/DSC_0247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSIkrABF5mv5b3lhJD2DxlSgT1HLx3j4O_X31WrbdJSsdos4oKG9CJtcGrrBPpxkiINQ257v2UYcYRWgC3admh-vFRfOUw9JO01222v0rGRscn_59Ncw8MauzZz9YtE_HhV4lOE-MT_s/s1600/DSC_0247.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frosty moss</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8PCTTZGUF0actrN-OpLCeOhoTfZTAsGLY_bVWeukQlb2fT8mlsKRSO7QHwwfSo5cyj3hct9ldJfEfzB_8Y4pLR7ANoKWish1VX2y4W1x50gGWOtNCGpN0cAERaPKM2BwoNZMzQOO3dY/s1600/DSC_0252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8PCTTZGUF0actrN-OpLCeOhoTfZTAsGLY_bVWeukQlb2fT8mlsKRSO7QHwwfSo5cyj3hct9ldJfEfzB_8Y4pLR7ANoKWish1VX2y4W1x50gGWOtNCGpN0cAERaPKM2BwoNZMzQOO3dY/s1600/DSC_0252.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frosty grass</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0j8Q2OVC_ch9Bpb0oLEiJX7Y0tZtb0-1PvmKAMRfg-B4OCE7RUpLiPbWkd0VDFvhXTjkEcqnRPpiWq7XJ4scGiRykLQSxYB4baoCEUZ88Go1xxqeBLYAZRLcof4-gtmbnjY4Fm0ZEQg/s1600/DSC_0258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0j8Q2OVC_ch9Bpb0oLEiJX7Y0tZtb0-1PvmKAMRfg-B4OCE7RUpLiPbWkd0VDFvhXTjkEcqnRPpiWq7XJ4scGiRykLQSxYB4baoCEUZ88Go1xxqeBLYAZRLcof4-gtmbnjY4Fm0ZEQg/s1600/DSC_0258.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View out onto the lane</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispBN-zfxpkvjgbIHL0QJ2Si2nHDIiINmpLs8TWsNLBRTAekS2fViFqLY9Uc3532RmDB3Rf0HDLhcjBk8s2SJg-stH4gFu4SQivquZFvVGLvpGvBMbm3OEFJdcMJMASyi4fGn02eP8bss/s1600/DSC_0261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispBN-zfxpkvjgbIHL0QJ2Si2nHDIiINmpLs8TWsNLBRTAekS2fViFqLY9Uc3532RmDB3Rf0HDLhcjBk8s2SJg-stH4gFu4SQivquZFvVGLvpGvBMbm3OEFJdcMJMASyi4fGn02eP8bss/s1600/DSC_0261.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Box Hill</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztu-PXVBFzHvvrgmROYdBRHRzD-1AvVMB6hibeWPQNOzbjEVhfRUuU2vDJltgW2bAa8eVyPD8AfRM8gmZEykoUxwRXVHUN1b6WzPAcHRZ2DnVE7IPl2SjEwEHg7MD18YcK0owuwReRJU/s1600/DSC_0265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztu-PXVBFzHvvrgmROYdBRHRzD-1AvVMB6hibeWPQNOzbjEVhfRUuU2vDJltgW2bAa8eVyPD8AfRM8gmZEykoUxwRXVHUN1b6WzPAcHRZ2DnVE7IPl2SjEwEHg7MD18YcK0owuwReRJU/s1600/DSC_0265.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Box Hill</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJDtmNH-CsqHjNso9Nygbwt56TE3qqSka2S1ntV61lAp9bLyIxIb0NIgodJiLQFwmh2USvtVCmuEz7jMLl8n37HtrQRHghZOrfZZA_se0UstBrybmDyBZ0B2uiztFZD3UfAAI_ya80Xs/s1600/DSC_0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJDtmNH-CsqHjNso9Nygbwt56TE3qqSka2S1ntV61lAp9bLyIxIb0NIgodJiLQFwmh2USvtVCmuEz7jMLl8n37HtrQRHghZOrfZZA_se0UstBrybmDyBZ0B2uiztFZD3UfAAI_ya80Xs/s1600/DSC_0278.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting sun from Box Hill</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plane trails and the sun </td></tr>
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My Auntie Ruth and Cousin Tom came to stay the first weekend of January and it absolutely poured with rain the whole time. A huge shame because a nice long dog walk would have been perfect. Instead we went into Canterbury and had lunch with my Godmother and then went to Canterbury Cathedral. I hadn't been in since I was quite young, so it was lovely to go into this magnificent cathedral and appreciate it's beauty. So we still had a lovely time :) <br />
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I have now begun my new venture as Volunteer Trainee Water for Wildlife at Kent Wildlife Trust working on the 'Vole Reversal' project. As many people know, our cute little Water Voles are in trouble. With a loss of habitat over the years and additional predation by the invasive, non-native species, the American Mink, some intervention is vital to protect the remaining populations of water voles.<br />
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I started my post last Monday and volunteer 3 days a week. I have been planning my training programme, getting to know the other staff and have been out on many site visits. I have already been made to feel like part of the team and it has been interesting to see how funding from various companies is allocated to different projects and how it is managed.<br />
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I haven't taken my camera out with me much but when the weather is nicer I will post some relevant photos to the project. I wish I had it last Tuesday though... after we had attended a meeting where Sam talked to local important people about the project, we went down to the marsh and had a fantastic view of a Kingfisher! We also found some water vole droppings which is encouraging. After the tidal surge at Oare Marshes it was uncertain how the water voles had coped, so finding fresh droppings was a very positive sign :)<br />
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I love that I am able to spend a considerable amount of time outdoors on the marshes - the best office around in my opinion! <br />
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I'm not really sure how much information I am allowed to disclose about all aspects of the project so won't go into much detail at the moment. Once I have asked what I can and can't say I shall put another post together. I also have some photos from Sevenoaks NR from the weekend so keep an eye out for another post soon! <br />
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<br />I'm sure I always apologise for lack of reading others blogs so I will carry on that tradition! When I get some spare time I will try and catch up with you all! <br />
<br />Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-71439225119536117622013-12-12T12:20:00.001+00:002013-12-16T18:26:35.880+00:00Things are Starting to Fall into Place!Right well not sure where to start! Had a busy hectic few days and some good news!<br />
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I'll start with the weekend. I actually finished a knitting project - quite an accomplishment for moi! I volunteered myself to knit a tea cosy for the teapot we use for our teas on our Monday tasks. Below are a few nearly finished photos and the finished article!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last row...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBscBmheoEm-XMSMsSILWK8OCro_-QkrUisdLXt9S-nNzgYu_dvY_lHw3nL-oi-lbn1gc7IUCuK3DYt1yeiNOsWgpoztCjR5SeKENp1Q1Pb8G9JnzxL4hMcZv9T43FsyOrI-nG76Hyb-Y/s1600/DSC_1200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBscBmheoEm-XMSMsSILWK8OCro_-QkrUisdLXt9S-nNzgYu_dvY_lHw3nL-oi-lbn1gc7IUCuK3DYt1yeiNOsWgpoztCjR5SeKENp1Q1Pb8G9JnzxL4hMcZv9T43FsyOrI-nG76Hyb-Y/s640/DSC_1200.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue butterfly (adonis blue) representing the KWT logo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmyZnY34_kQ3oHPtevoGUfyo7nDjL8nY9No_zyANI_FyflMyGICs9TsJs2ivLprZOQ6kBicAr2WRkRsvfB72t0AxsrF8-1hsFwHoEopymqvTFqP03uVDlSnd2V8NG6WMKIpx4sKslHD4/s1600/DSC_1204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmyZnY34_kQ3oHPtevoGUfyo7nDjL8nY9No_zyANI_FyflMyGICs9TsJs2ivLprZOQ6kBicAr2WRkRsvfB72t0AxsrF8-1hsFwHoEopymqvTFqP03uVDlSnd2V8NG6WMKIpx4sKslHD4/s640/DSC_1204.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The teapot ready to be dressed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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A quick break for a dog walk....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9EDc2ihKLuNam6YN2_uP4syzIiQJMY-D0iG3DopVQOHGYeQuM04ID1e-CURhtN76-3gY8DqVF8h8wr6BUuOr6ZPXMFJCHjWolqD2Iu3rs10i1PNEsEqYrLtaX5-RghZcJnzmsJutpBQ/s1600/DSC_1208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9EDc2ihKLuNam6YN2_uP4syzIiQJMY-D0iG3DopVQOHGYeQuM04ID1e-CURhtN76-3gY8DqVF8h8wr6BUuOr6ZPXMFJCHjWolqD2Iu3rs10i1PNEsEqYrLtaX5-RghZcJnzmsJutpBQ/s640/DSC_1208.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then taaaadaaaaaa....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdd4kco93_ZNLVRGXb86Jt0TMItvcPJfqsMYZVdQIXEN5-GbE6h3BUH9DejF_mjhIWNaWnlns9GEArFFL-H_OeNJtmfs7WAPxj_1kiRCK-FgOvgNBbpksShruMErRqm38vp2ic7-Gk00/s1600/DSC_1215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdd4kco93_ZNLVRGXb86Jt0TMItvcPJfqsMYZVdQIXEN5-GbE6h3BUH9DejF_mjhIWNaWnlns9GEArFFL-H_OeNJtmfs7WAPxj_1kiRCK-FgOvgNBbpksShruMErRqm38vp2ic7-Gk00/s640/DSC_1215.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfF4qaRuycfaxzrUBGCz6uLGHHxztOu1O-VMH16m22_M6JMC1jEIAgQ8knODxO1vcVWZZNl1qtZWX7KkfL55ETs_sxVHOHJ0UyUIcRfZbZBIH1Wqu4hU53uBqIES4cWHDo-iwB6c4SH00/s1600/DSC_1217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfF4qaRuycfaxzrUBGCz6uLGHHxztOu1O-VMH16m22_M6JMC1jEIAgQ8knODxO1vcVWZZNl1qtZWX7KkfL55ETs_sxVHOHJ0UyUIcRfZbZBIH1Wqu4hU53uBqIES4cWHDo-iwB6c4SH00/s640/DSC_1217.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRalgfsHHaNOHL0T40KfjMxwrg5qHXi6LqA4XZyoCaCCyUd-ZEsl3lhitR-djuSXlxzanQXedsLpEa_wU0y2PiG39xb_alAygQk1k4O0yCbyOz_4AcSyZVJUbPmXXPz3QPE4DCmkNMHWY/s1600/DSC_1219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRalgfsHHaNOHL0T40KfjMxwrg5qHXi6LqA4XZyoCaCCyUd-ZEsl3lhitR-djuSXlxzanQXedsLpEa_wU0y2PiG39xb_alAygQk1k4O0yCbyOz_4AcSyZVJUbPmXXPz3QPE4DCmkNMHWY/s640/DSC_1219.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I wanted to finish it before volling on Monday. Everyone was impressed and I must say I am fairly impressed too!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArpTgOfa0ll7NqMBoRhw6uhEIl5dYdfsJho51QQHvBQJytkFo3Bgemf8_2wotsXueEuX6iF-v3ymEoZbGtZ8pG9Gvemovi7UnX_OT44RjJhfMv7fCGOQ4tFh0I54-4d-FxpN_3Fo1XWQ/s1600/DSC_1227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjArpTgOfa0ll7NqMBoRhw6uhEIl5dYdfsJho51QQHvBQJytkFo3Bgemf8_2wotsXueEuX6iF-v3ymEoZbGtZ8pG9Gvemovi7UnX_OT44RjJhfMv7fCGOQ4tFh0I54-4d-FxpN_3Fo1XWQ/s640/DSC_1227.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone working hard - probably in need of a nice hot cup of tea!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7Qgrq-ptPGngK5J2SoBZlSYbMqJ3a6sY5oZqsnsqb3YubT_x7byl7xUZ195ixDolHMoUzXws2CP2dUd84bu3kpk8KJZ4G5DRjkSk__QkKKgUxGqfpLwDK3zLrFeg2agY9yLDaDY9_-o/s1600/DSC_1237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7Qgrq-ptPGngK5J2SoBZlSYbMqJ3a6sY5oZqsnsqb3YubT_x7byl7xUZ195ixDolHMoUzXws2CP2dUd84bu3kpk8KJZ4G5DRjkSk__QkKKgUxGqfpLwDK3zLrFeg2agY9yLDaDY9_-o/s640/DSC_1237.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tea cosy in a more natural setting!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTBt0UArofSqIflfxcc-ki491Oe593XL6WR4txve90-LJWjjaeVnhyScOA9ggI8Xtu1AU03MzStGkx2Jz4IYtlyoUHoxYLrHz84U7ZOwytSZSrktjdnFxe8LV7vdm0W483BcEL1eskPI/s1600/DSC_1238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTBt0UArofSqIflfxcc-ki491Oe593XL6WR4txve90-LJWjjaeVnhyScOA9ggI8Xtu1AU03MzStGkx2Jz4IYtlyoUHoxYLrHz84U7ZOwytSZSrktjdnFxe8LV7vdm0W483BcEL1eskPI/s640/DSC_1238.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone said how much hotter the tea stayed - in my eyes that is a success!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0qV8cYrFF2tmuXtkuagzR8bnjGQw4zCcHMSVID4sgeleVVbB1AgMMbpOOnXb_5ApbP9tcZpUKKo55EMmf8oBxekNgU0edIc-aahyx8SCPQfqBgDLVXTWr8z-6vX5TwjxsQo0tDXgWVg/s1600/DSC_1241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0qV8cYrFF2tmuXtkuagzR8bnjGQw4zCcHMSVID4sgeleVVbB1AgMMbpOOnXb_5ApbP9tcZpUKKo55EMmf8oBxekNgU0edIc-aahyx8SCPQfqBgDLVXTWr8z-6vX5TwjxsQo0tDXgWVg/s640/DSC_1241.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anyone know what this is??? <b>Edit: Cobalt Crust <i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st">(Terana caerulea) </span></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st">a saprobic crust fungi</span></span></b></td></tr>
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After the task, we went to check on Oare Marshes after the tidal surge last week. I didn't see the damage on the day but it is still very much under water compared to how it usually looks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3xrGNRWGxBlHIOSB33NUCUL1SJfqiTwy8rJm3JCoQmYasSqxbkFglObHWuz6zclQ7EeYHMyLt25Evj-W4DInKnEtHFMSchst1gdCZa7doNv4fvJvftGDmVn0KZxE_hwfDfccmKm75hw/s1600/DSC_1244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3xrGNRWGxBlHIOSB33NUCUL1SJfqiTwy8rJm3JCoQmYasSqxbkFglObHWuz6zclQ7EeYHMyLt25Evj-W4DInKnEtHFMSchst1gdCZa7doNv4fvJvftGDmVn0KZxE_hwfDfccmKm75hw/s640/DSC_1244.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evidence of the debris washed into the marsh from the creek. Water was flowing so quickly it dragged reeds as well</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafDqhq8ZD1OSazneL3IraRBsCoSyaz1bLRdDvLvsf7P0pzB8XYWkIsGPzh98g4AIARrTvK0EnM6fnY2mKpY15Y3KzO3lbySxKK0Cx1yocwZ4IuYYLfCLxc3MoRQiejOnzntzj6Ow22XQ/s1600/DSC_1245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafDqhq8ZD1OSazneL3IraRBsCoSyaz1bLRdDvLvsf7P0pzB8XYWkIsGPzh98g4AIARrTvK0EnM6fnY2mKpY15Y3KzO3lbySxKK0Cx1yocwZ4IuYYLfCLxc3MoRQiejOnzntzj6Ow22XQ/s640/DSC_1245.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water pouring from the ditches</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eaQtyYFgP95QdM5xT_RlCkx5YHGVthEJPf35wYzKZz3CSyhXC_dbQKzVS_Es2YJcFDfXOL1P25eWuWSImxKUQy0vS6l4cVxPYOdObjHoaEYRfxwemjW6wPdNJBsZTdTCx0Gptj6-REk/s1600/DSC_1247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eaQtyYFgP95QdM5xT_RlCkx5YHGVthEJPf35wYzKZz3CSyhXC_dbQKzVS_Es2YJcFDfXOL1P25eWuWSImxKUQy0vS6l4cVxPYOdObjHoaEYRfxwemjW6wPdNJBsZTdTCx0Gptj6-REk/s400/DSC_1247.JPG" width="263" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQUIzuQGd__zl7iWOgtzUYwSs1ekTU6svUsD5HPM3nydOHsDjkoHu_M5-Xngdp_qHSIxWDAUE1wpt796DJf6bj4hLr1d2GfhyphenhyphenK76wfSv5m18Heikrlbp4sxqm9CjCy44BiwTt4GvS2Oo/s1600/DSC_1249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQUIzuQGd__zl7iWOgtzUYwSs1ekTU6svUsD5HPM3nydOHsDjkoHu_M5-Xngdp_qHSIxWDAUE1wpt796DJf6bj4hLr1d2GfhyphenhyphenK76wfSv5m18Heikrlbp4sxqm9CjCy44BiwTt4GvS2Oo/s640/DSC_1249.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excess water gushing from the marshes back into the creek via the sluice </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiadpXkime4dnzChLAKYLTCxjMj3NXYsWlqUwbjV5xX3aioC80VYNZnt9NCR7y2oLhq-HXMUzZo47YsLi1XB-ACiMQGG0AFrMPbb0MtUx3JXwa8qEMaZduaUSSdApdEUG1KYdXA1-7scE/s1600/DSC_1252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiadpXkime4dnzChLAKYLTCxjMj3NXYsWlqUwbjV5xX3aioC80VYNZnt9NCR7y2oLhq-HXMUzZo47YsLi1XB-ACiMQGG0AFrMPbb0MtUx3JXwa8qEMaZduaUSSdApdEUG1KYdXA1-7scE/s640/DSC_1252.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful calm day</td></tr>
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On Tuesday I went on an Emergency First Aid at Work Training day. A really handy qualification to have when applying for jobs etc. It was a very informative and hands on day. I feel confident that I may one day be able to help someone if they were in trouble. <br />
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Yesterday We had our first proper frost. It still wasn't a proper proper one but the heaviest we've had yet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yzWvHhNxBKXDMr4XV_b79XBfEV8q-bgZ8ypGrdSIeKeITEKlZ6wgcVy4NzmNVFRxykBfXkA62v5FZcnLVqENcvZbZCR1Z-fesYS9nSaymSFvrZ8IpdkbivXZqFBKdWopjxPpnf0aUc8/s1600/DSC_1261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yzWvHhNxBKXDMr4XV_b79XBfEV8q-bgZ8ypGrdSIeKeITEKlZ6wgcVy4NzmNVFRxykBfXkA62v5FZcnLVqENcvZbZCR1Z-fesYS9nSaymSFvrZ8IpdkbivXZqFBKdWopjxPpnf0aUc8/s640/DSC_1261.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQj8VqTH826GB1JOdnR3w2P5BUgYcasiSa1PCIDxyMhoVicO3YuowBremk7nHSZW4GwFva2BDxpXfEWZ2DlkSaNlNI1f37dqjAOz6R3b_nSgswutK9qIhyWGxIDP8mzETk6gJnauxyek/s1600/DSC_1265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQj8VqTH826GB1JOdnR3w2P5BUgYcasiSa1PCIDxyMhoVicO3YuowBremk7nHSZW4GwFva2BDxpXfEWZ2DlkSaNlNI1f37dqjAOz6R3b_nSgswutK9qIhyWGxIDP8mzETk6gJnauxyek/s640/DSC_1265.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not too sure about that ice...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyplrAjOBmTgPvY8sHEPUZSfd9tqFdSmZBqn4kDsF000f1eDIqCMZtRp5z-DoqKsAS_iXanesbNvKXxfQ_XKexzSHHm4I3_k1rlKal2fiW4E1zWopjjVgC87xA1gdF8TJDkZZEmczq-oY/s1600/DSC_1268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyplrAjOBmTgPvY8sHEPUZSfd9tqFdSmZBqn4kDsF000f1eDIqCMZtRp5z-DoqKsAS_iXanesbNvKXxfQ_XKexzSHHm4I3_k1rlKal2fiW4E1zWopjjVgC87xA1gdF8TJDkZZEmczq-oY/s640/DSC_1268.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Give it a little sniff...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrMVWKQMjf9-m2P_bmQtLmx_0G7sopjAJWpFRGLv9Lki3QKsSPQJX1TuqUTIBfSBhZi2WiayuWYZuDsCFKh0UDqAMBcXnjG9vUPtaWZhAt_tn2uSf-8b4oH7mKbv6cFOa3H6bDKG-URI/s1600/DSC_1272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrMVWKQMjf9-m2P_bmQtLmx_0G7sopjAJWpFRGLv9Lki3QKsSPQJX1TuqUTIBfSBhZi2WiayuWYZuDsCFKh0UDqAMBcXnjG9vUPtaWZhAt_tn2uSf-8b4oH7mKbv6cFOa3H6bDKG-URI/s640/DSC_1272.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then eat it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I took Bracken down to the marshes with my camera and tripod slung over my shoulder. I needed an hour or so to clear my head because later on in the day I had an interview. The interview was for a trainee post with KWT and I was told to prepare a 3 minute presentation about a habitat or species group. I decided to talk about falcons! What better way to learn a presentation than go and give it to a falcon! We always see kestrels down at the marshes so that is what I did. A nice hovering kezzie listened very well to me rambling on about him! I really wanted a nice photo of me and Bracken down there in the lovely morning light, hence why I took my tripod. I got a couple of shots that I quite like...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFQf1rK9osrgEKkh8AgsQkRfM2SB_8p3lQJL_bhc-66ajQ_VJRKzoK7SnYliRAmSkBMwPxHqnIbY-s4WKBCxuobAguexyxOo2BJGmNTX2OqMqxnI2Nrw7rdmM02LJBbxYAOY45mMGD9M/s1600/DSC_1277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFQf1rK9osrgEKkh8AgsQkRfM2SB_8p3lQJL_bhc-66ajQ_VJRKzoK7SnYliRAmSkBMwPxHqnIbY-s4WKBCxuobAguexyxOo2BJGmNTX2OqMqxnI2Nrw7rdmM02LJBbxYAOY45mMGD9M/s640/DSC_1277.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIQAU0IzhOwDfq6VqZJuRDfmgnIzbsPUorSsOCe4MAgbb91HNfJ6qYAQ-CLj5Y_sD1LDrHxenFQGsvLDzT_wPFQ9r-UWMsmDv6Eo4p7nnanhYlhMPxZK3qgJ6sTK_YoknzHQxRybd5zM/s1600/DSC_1289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIQAU0IzhOwDfq6VqZJuRDfmgnIzbsPUorSsOCe4MAgbb91HNfJ6qYAQ-CLj5Y_sD1LDrHxenFQGsvLDzT_wPFQ9r-UWMsmDv6Eo4p7nnanhYlhMPxZK3qgJ6sTK_YoknzHQxRybd5zM/s640/DSC_1289.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anyway I went for my interview, it went okay but I was quite nervous. It obviously went better than I thought because I received a phone call when I got home and they offered me the job!! Truly ecstatic! The position involves working on the water vole project which I have already been doing for a while. I am just happy to be able to have a more formal role in the project!<br />
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This morning we went on another lovely walk. Well a normal kind of walk apart from the fact I saw my first little owl!! I wish wish wish I'd had my camera because it was no more than 2 metres away from me and looking directly at me!! I'm sure most birders see lots of these stunning little birds and I'm not quite sure why it has taken me so long to see one. It was well worth the wait though! I will always remember my first sighting of this smart little owl!<br />
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Right now I must apologise again for taking so long to catch up on blogs, that is my task for the next few days! I hope you are all having a great week! I couldn't wait to share my good news with you all!<br />
<br />Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-17286431202259476892013-12-04T17:41:00.000+00:002013-12-04T17:41:33.027+00:00Daily LifeDecember already! Although it is still feeling quite mild here in this part of the country. I'm eager for a nice frost as I've missed a nice crunchy walk!<br />
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Yesterday after I took Bracken for a walk I spent some time catching up with blogs and watching the birds who were coming and going in the garden. I have been inspired by Mike Dilger's new book to watch the behaviour of the birds who visit the garden and I've been writing a little bird diary. Something which I am sure most naturalists do.<br />
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Over the weekend I had a go at making my own birdy fat treats. Ages ago I bought one of those coconut halves and obviously they demolished the contents within a few days, however it was the perfect vessel to refill. I bought some white vegetable fat and melted it down, firstly putting a layer of mealworms, then some of the melted fat, then some oats and some more mealworms until it was packed with yummy bird treats. I also used a plastic pot which was destined for the recycle bin, and filled that with the same selection of morsels. The garden birds are still checking it out, making sure it isn't going to jump off the tree and eat them. There were 5 blue tits all inspecting it from afar, but still just a little too scary to nibble. <br />
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The weekend before, we went and explored some woods nearby which we hadn't been to previously. The walk was okay, but it was quite difficult to follow the woodland path. We encountered some lovely free roaming piggies which luckily Bracken didn't notice, so I was able to call him back and pop him on his lead. Probably not a footpath we shall use again, but that is what is great about using the OS map - we can find which places we like and which we aren't likely to return to. My camera's battery died after a few minutes so that was quite irritating. <br />
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Usual volunteering activities have been taking place, along with a dormouse check which resulted in just one wood mouse which had taken over the intricate dormouse nest. We then made a hasty retreat back to the truck as it started to tip down. Hopefully all the little dormice gained enough weight to survive the winter and have found a nice little hidey hole to hibernate in.<br />
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Anyway that is probably enough of my ramblings. Here are a selection of photos from the last few weeks worth of walks.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AEbHh4aw-F0C15DemLRKHt3FAHi7K4VBOJCRflJjJ-FS4VaopS1PZUxJ0v6GkMySeCS4st_p_4mWBNzMAhPHmbspQ3mWOJLBfVqS8eQmFh33gFgQ9OoTtcySX_-xUAxzmpJy5HZ_au4/s1600/DSC_0969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AEbHh4aw-F0C15DemLRKHt3FAHi7K4VBOJCRflJjJ-FS4VaopS1PZUxJ0v6GkMySeCS4st_p_4mWBNzMAhPHmbspQ3mWOJLBfVqS8eQmFh33gFgQ9OoTtcySX_-xUAxzmpJy5HZ_au4/s640/DSC_0969.JPG" width="420" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">21st November</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5PTzdvttrd_AIgC2N2TDJrKH08bIAX-WLXv202K3ZIi4lBM1Tko3Mzn5GWHecbRvEjb9h3q-OigCY3FCBuJDC8wgfyTBZsqxxnoEDXr69eR3fjdWWPnWTJlorIvLbwu2jPTV81V2wo8/s1600/DSC_0973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5PTzdvttrd_AIgC2N2TDJrKH08bIAX-WLXv202K3ZIi4lBM1Tko3Mzn5GWHecbRvEjb9h3q-OigCY3FCBuJDC8wgfyTBZsqxxnoEDXr69eR3fjdWWPnWTJlorIvLbwu2jPTV81V2wo8/s640/DSC_0973.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">21st November</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1drUMcJFaxHyZRTKYIhTqafjU96mRZXTmGuUgArHEst-nhDXj_pgNUNMBvtvCTLhO1mRJqEHDKrLqSdIj48t8GxASGEZAqNS149AN01ZkW_ciXJUjCH9q-H8Xwp7X7husfrOUYWuNFlE/s1600/DSC_0980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1drUMcJFaxHyZRTKYIhTqafjU96mRZXTmGuUgArHEst-nhDXj_pgNUNMBvtvCTLhO1mRJqEHDKrLqSdIj48t8GxASGEZAqNS149AN01ZkW_ciXJUjCH9q-H8Xwp7X7husfrOUYWuNFlE/s640/DSC_0980.JPG" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">21st November</td></tr>
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23rd November - Walk along The Saxon Shore Way<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3UCoLeN9TRg8b-I56UBBKgIacOsqd7O9LT-TLn-a4xZaAvYofzICg3cyvxEW3Sudprnv6fW1hJhrCLmd-VB1hlOiPnyPpMrX-EnTNwufH4fetibqi_DdxWoj-YU_zSJ7acd26ldB9qE/s1600/DSC_0982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3UCoLeN9TRg8b-I56UBBKgIacOsqd7O9LT-TLn-a4xZaAvYofzICg3cyvxEW3Sudprnv6fW1hJhrCLmd-VB1hlOiPnyPpMrX-EnTNwufH4fetibqi_DdxWoj-YU_zSJ7acd26ldB9qE/s640/DSC_0982.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bracken having enormous fun with a plastic sheet. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57A6HuUBJeYW-OYgfkaLMLINvhJDfR1HvJYeTNxiPCTMMIozuvMbW-yxf5Kvu-njx66WSdQc96X2w_c55DNWdEYYlWXOE1tPhbfz5sCI0MIPqYG752TNblSdqr79mS7R7OwabPrxWXYg/s1600/DSC_0996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57A6HuUBJeYW-OYgfkaLMLINvhJDfR1HvJYeTNxiPCTMMIozuvMbW-yxf5Kvu-njx66WSdQc96X2w_c55DNWdEYYlWXOE1tPhbfz5sCI0MIPqYG752TNblSdqr79mS7R7OwabPrxWXYg/s640/DSC_0996.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kestrel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceBWzSUPqDtjS2m9hoUia4mdiFImoJS8g22qNhGXY0km2H4kdEIPErDKWo6hGSiy-Qrn64z7Z0rRO72QbLcT8TV041EfTlNTCyWKXqn43YcOnKFHzPM1jUXCFEUZLeOHtwO46gV7MNUc/s1600/DSC_1001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceBWzSUPqDtjS2m9hoUia4mdiFImoJS8g22qNhGXY0km2H4kdEIPErDKWo6hGSiy-Qrn64z7Z0rRO72QbLcT8TV041EfTlNTCyWKXqn43YcOnKFHzPM1jUXCFEUZLeOHtwO46gV7MNUc/s640/DSC_1001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flock of roughly 170 brent geese</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbG5UWgP6RakW1pbcUzagcoI9CxOXUvP7HOt9nmjSFAUTrViUrxerVu1lp1z2keqB8QWv6LB5PaedfZdOmiK__RbP15opZx8Qk_mv51fqD1wu40bsF8LzTpZlLGP8jcYOlzP4vy_GSy0/s1600/DSC_1012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbG5UWgP6RakW1pbcUzagcoI9CxOXUvP7HOt9nmjSFAUTrViUrxerVu1lp1z2keqB8QWv6LB5PaedfZdOmiK__RbP15opZx8Qk_mv51fqD1wu40bsF8LzTpZlLGP8jcYOlzP4vy_GSy0/s640/DSC_1012.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flock of linnets and goldfinches</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNPHTakhYMFRUiL1Ju8vUjzet7OeSRB5Vf31vnSqLVc_0rkbLEYByHxN-MX20nZS5_oEqnK4w8Maaf_QsXL2pTbXxwq8jnnQ_3GcnqS4FbENGZCTOcIyz7Iq4XaKEcvIBTu37cLzYfjU/s1600/DSC_1013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNPHTakhYMFRUiL1Ju8vUjzet7OeSRB5Vf31vnSqLVc_0rkbLEYByHxN-MX20nZS5_oEqnK4w8Maaf_QsXL2pTbXxwq8jnnQ_3GcnqS4FbENGZCTOcIyz7Iq4XaKEcvIBTu37cLzYfjU/s640/DSC_1013.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linnets and goldfinches</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmniQBA8pj2LgKgBuqiAfF_SHi7R5H37iTwxDQwdouGJorsjxXIhzOu_vo44cf84rmMO6sp6Myoj1kN1X-6Q_Wq4thQH4L3AZ6VpXfQk6XBKDY5MHk4k_cqN0kiXomrvHFAHwOJNA1HKI/s1600/DSC_1017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmniQBA8pj2LgKgBuqiAfF_SHi7R5H37iTwxDQwdouGJorsjxXIhzOu_vo44cf84rmMO6sp6Myoj1kN1X-6Q_Wq4thQH4L3AZ6VpXfQk6XBKDY5MHk4k_cqN0kiXomrvHFAHwOJNA1HKI/s640/DSC_1017.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another shot of the finch flock</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdctnXPdTW9qqwH3B5ne7YKR5e3Agl0XEv8uSZ23c6Sf_oku8cpNqGLxuwjAxRgF-nh9iFz2h_qvVOyB12AhCtH0OBoKP-KhHiRIjBxIUmixE7c3FqZiJAL8bzikVBqmvBBoc-HqWdas/s1600/DSC_1022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdctnXPdTW9qqwH3B5ne7YKR5e3Agl0XEv8uSZ23c6Sf_oku8cpNqGLxuwjAxRgF-nh9iFz2h_qvVOyB12AhCtH0OBoKP-KhHiRIjBxIUmixE7c3FqZiJAL8bzikVBqmvBBoc-HqWdas/s640/DSC_1022.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reed bunting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDITgo9Eclxp1NVRtQ9z7BSS6ndrWHl616DDUeD0xeh8FqikbiMomqbczeqTarz53_qJoqENYvBOljHd_YAaaaegRrPbYu193QOcD9B09v2B4301pXm-E-sUr-ClA7o9jVue51R7et1PE/s1600/DSC_1060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDITgo9Eclxp1NVRtQ9z7BSS6ndrWHl616DDUeD0xeh8FqikbiMomqbczeqTarz53_qJoqENYvBOljHd_YAaaaegRrPbYu193QOcD9B09v2B4301pXm-E-sUr-ClA7o9jVue51R7et1PE/s640/DSC_1060.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poignant pose</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfF9E5_Kx5o21DCW8KH3zKaPpDQTC7YD4vElCqT69ZXBLpwyyum95_kRYxWJ5c992AOaP6KsJU59UBz__qDjDahjRWVUbbuCQ7rtv02vyJgE4-e_ntNz25apib3w8R2AukJFXDUkwFsE/s1600/DSC_1098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfF9E5_Kx5o21DCW8KH3zKaPpDQTC7YD4vElCqT69ZXBLpwyyum95_kRYxWJ5c992AOaP6KsJU59UBz__qDjDahjRWVUbbuCQ7rtv02vyJgE4-e_ntNz25apib3w8R2AukJFXDUkwFsE/s640/DSC_1098.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sanderling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Last Monday I took this cake along to our volunteer task for the Warden's Birthday. Usually no more than 10 people turn up so I cut the cake into 10. You can guess how many people turned up to that task....<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGgES0ckGGndggDORUSGcVMGzrCP15j9MzNwyFVfVMYOTMy8_ojPy8lNVv6ayIiPWbkjhmHWwZt9kW29T0CfOO8-ewrcrnjPEOIFVYF9eKr2vH4upKRZkqOiHD8opSMFq2ec9s4asITY/s1600/DSC_1108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGgES0ckGGndggDORUSGcVMGzrCP15j9MzNwyFVfVMYOTMy8_ojPy8lNVv6ayIiPWbkjhmHWwZt9kW29T0CfOO8-ewrcrnjPEOIFVYF9eKr2vH4upKRZkqOiHD8opSMFq2ec9s4asITY/s640/DSC_1108.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious Birthday carrot cake</td></tr>
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The changes in the sky on today's afternoon walk...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lime tree leaves</td></tr>
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I am playing catch up with all your blogs, I haven't forgotten you I promise! I hope you are all well :)<br />
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Thanks for reading and any comments you take the time to write, I truly appreciate what you have to say! Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-79452906594431497682013-11-18T18:33:00.000+00:002013-11-18T18:33:14.900+00:00One Good Deed Deserves AnotherLast Wednesday I completed my brushcutter course. It was a very informative day and one which I learnt a considerable amount during. The morning was dedicated to going through health and safety, PPE, risk assessments and legislation. After our intro we were then shown how to check the air filter, the spark plugs and how to re-tension the starter cord. We then had a go ourselves. After lunch we were driven to a reserve nearby and put it all into practice. We got kitted up and then spent 15 minutes or so clearing some bramble and scrub and got used to handling the machine. All in all, good fun and a handy bit of training to have!<br />
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When I got home the sky looked ablaze! Mum was out walking Bracken so I grabbed my camera and went to meet her and try and photograph the firey sky...<br />
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Now for a tale of a good karma...<br />
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On Friday I travelled up to the big smoke to meet my best friends from University. I hadn't seen them for months so was really looking forward to a good catch up! London certainly isn't my favourite place - lots of people and buildings and not enough countryside, but it is nice to go up once in a while - especially at Christmas time. We had a nice Thai meal, spent lots of time nattering and went for a few drinks afterwards. I somehow managed to lose my phone at some point during the evening, which was not only inconvenient but also meant I had no way of contacting anybody if an emergency had arisen on my way home. Luckily I made it home okay even if my mum was worried sick. <br />
<br />Anyway, the next day we rang my phone, but to the unwanted message of my voice-mail service, which I assumed was due to no battery power left. After an hour I tried again and someone answered! She said she lived in London but when I mentioned I lived near Canterbury she told me that she had been planning a trip to Canterbury the very next day!! I said I could call again on Sunday and hopefully I would get my phone back! Well Sunday came and we managed to meet up and I did indeed (very luckily) get my phone back! Faith restored in the kindness of people! I bought a box of chocolates to say thank you and wished her a lovely day in Canterbury.<br />
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Now, earlier on in the day my friend found an iphone in the toilet in Starbucks. We tried to think of a way we could contact the person whose phone it was by checking the contacts for a home number or parent etc. but found it to most likely be a work phone. After much deliberation we handed it to a staff member and hoped they would keep it safe in case the person went back to look for it. Maybe because we did the right thing, that in turn meant someone then did the right thing by me. Well I like to think so anyway :)<br />
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Sorry for such a lot of text and only 2 photos but I just wanted to share my little story of the kindness of a stranger and coincidence.<br />
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I hope you all had a good weekend and have an equally lovely week :)<br />
<br />Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-50420048018040847012013-11-12T17:50:00.002+00:002013-11-12T17:50:28.699+00:00Old Lawyer's BeardA brief post today, goodness knows what has got into me... 2nd post in 3 days!<br />
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I filled the feeders up on Sunday evening and due to the horribly wet weather yesterday the birdies didn't visit until today. The rain didn't stop me though. Our Monday volunteer task went ahead and we were largely sheltered in the woods. A nice warming fire and some tea made (by me!) using the kelly kettle made the chilliness worth it. We piled the larger coppiced logs against trees to prevent them from rolling down the hill, and the smaller branches and logs we chucked on the fire.<br />
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Anyway here is Mr Blackbird in the garden just keeping an eye on me to make sure I didn't pilfer his worm! <br />
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The sparrows were squabbling amongst themselves for the remaining seed. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a very sharp photo but was taken through glass and dingy weather. Shows the squabbling though.</td></tr>
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There were about 30 at one point, either picking at the fallen seed or waiting on various branches ready to take their turn. There was also a little blue tit, a great tit, a lovely robin, a collard dove and a number of chaffinches visiting the garden during the morning. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor photo but shows a few sparrows lining up. </td></tr>
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This evening we nipped down to the strawberry fields and marshy fields where, last week, I had seen a fantastic specimen of Lawyers wig! The cap was much whiter then, and covered more of the stem. I think it is a rather charming fungi! The turned up black edges really do look like it's descriptive name! Think I'll keep checking back on it to see if it changes any more.<br />
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The old man's beard looked pretty against the vaguely pinky sky. The midges were out in force...<br />
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As we neared home, the clouds almost instantly turned pink, I love how quickly the colours in the sky change!<br />
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That's all for now folks. I hope you have all had a great start to the week :) I am off on a brushcutter course tomorrow. Then I will have that all important certificate (hopefully!) to say I can use one safely, which is important when volunteering or working for an organisation.Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-13525979180606862962013-11-10T20:22:00.000+00:002013-11-10T20:47:29.444+00:00Visiting an Old Place and Exploring a New OneLast Sunday we made a short trip to Stodmarsh. We would have had more time there but Bracken held us up, having completely covered himself in some vile smelling poo whilst out walking. Nevertheless we still had a nice stroll. We came across this squirrel who was either dosing with his eyes open, or just staying really still, in the hope we didn't notice him. There was a little robin who was singing his heart out and also lots of LTTs who were flitting from tree to tree. <br />
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The sun was becoming lower in the sky and it lit the teasels and the reeds beautifully. On this side of the lake were one hundred or more shoveler. In a couple of trees on the other side, 20+ cormorants settled down in their roost. Several marsh harriers and a kestrel were also seen as the light faded. <br />
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We made our way home before the light disappeared completely and took Bracken for another walk.<br />
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Last week was consumed by volunteering, working at the pub and taking a drive to an area of land which my dad and I visited back in the summer. The land belongs to one of his friends and consists of grassland, which is very overgrown, and an area of woodland. Lots of humongous oak trees, hazels, ash and silver birch make up the wood and we also found quite a few different types of fungi. Running along the bottom of this wood is a stream which was flowing full and fast after the heavy rain on Monday night. A bit of work is needed in order to allow this land to reach it's full potential with regards to attracting wildlife and making it a great habitat. <br />
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Yesterday was extremely wet and with water running off the fields as mini waterfalls, the roads became rivers. Luckily we got out for a dog walk before the heavens opened and in the evening I got out before they opened again. We really are quite efficient at rain dodging!<br />
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Today we used our new and up to date OS map and went for a lovely long walk with Bracken somewhere we hadn't been before. We found a nice path that took us on a circular route which followed the Wantsum Walk and we photocopied the St Nicholas at Wade and Birchington area to save taking the whole map. We got coated and booted and set off with Bracken, our bins and my camera. We found a handy lay-by to park in then set off. Still plenty of sloes, rose-hips and hawthorn berries, just begging for a waxwing (or a couple of hundred!) to come along and scoff them! <br />
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We came to the sea wall and in a field adjacent was a large flock of about 50 brent geese! <br />
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We headed down onto the beach and let Brack off the lead. There were lots of other people with dogs off leads, so we hoped pup wouldn't head after them. He played with a couple of other collies but returned to us when we called him away (the promise of a delicious treat was too much to ignore!). I attempted some action shots and was quite pleased with the results. Below are a number of shots of Bracken in various hurtling around poses!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handstand?!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AtfyDY-3YUMNYTIGRYL2uVkA5qilghaVa0akPYyHFmESeJ-JZwurjgfpJp95VDwNzn5Dl34L245OA2km53thQB3UNWc2b_QqvcUBEdi_uL1ZT7ztGWIVtrf-JPWiNalplqdNrfZBE_k/s1600/DSC_0808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AtfyDY-3YUMNYTIGRYL2uVkA5qilghaVa0akPYyHFmESeJ-JZwurjgfpJp95VDwNzn5Dl34L245OA2km53thQB3UNWc2b_QqvcUBEdi_uL1ZT7ztGWIVtrf-JPWiNalplqdNrfZBE_k/s640/DSC_0808.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretending to be a horse?</td></tr>
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We also had a fly past of 29 brents.<br />
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....and a few gulls<br />
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More silly Bracken action shots, another gull and a view of Reculver Towers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOC830etOeDApBLXnKETJKfydHRCnMS-fQ1uPryIcNmV_uaDIf95lEmvYMJh1zFbY5pHn6JjsFrlHBy-HxnX4BOTYjGIROA2LgE-yhM2eA8_UKF7uQmfuxafm-pAwBVSoRSQexxt7zhSc/s1600/DSC_0849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOC830etOeDApBLXnKETJKfydHRCnMS-fQ1uPryIcNmV_uaDIf95lEmvYMJh1zFbY5pHn6JjsFrlHBy-HxnX4BOTYjGIROA2LgE-yhM2eA8_UKF7uQmfuxafm-pAwBVSoRSQexxt7zhSc/s640/DSC_0849.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reculver Towers in the distance</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwi936Y0P87Qdnlhq7pbyQVJjw21YjQUX5Jsn1GHOVrl6KEmzqMjKOhhYaJd6X74WjnJ-9iHLrXl7s1p2PmzpKGEAA-5DL9XGWBk0nBIZ_OHZsRpO7ri8q_6DAeAa2OrCFWEtqPY5Ags/s1600/DSC_0850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwi936Y0P87Qdnlhq7pbyQVJjw21YjQUX5Jsn1GHOVrl6KEmzqMjKOhhYaJd6X74WjnJ-9iHLrXl7s1p2PmzpKGEAA-5DL9XGWBk0nBIZ_OHZsRpO7ri8q_6DAeAa2OrCFWEtqPY5Ags/s640/DSC_0850.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All paws off the ground!</td></tr>
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It turns out we were exploring Minnis Bay, which my mum and dad often brought me to when I was younger. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFAfc6TXVcTiOXMfbrm1h4LdhAcflZRUCkmgf1aWVEhqG0qeWgFnMag4vbJYjajgagF1PQdlAEzi61m-DWEYFGvZadTcMTghN9wiX8V3EvCbWdKWzYZ2ZkyjvEWX_Do4lN0-eIqax2wA/s1600/DSC_0859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFAfc6TXVcTiOXMfbrm1h4LdhAcflZRUCkmgf1aWVEhqG0qeWgFnMag4vbJYjajgagF1PQdlAEzi61m-DWEYFGvZadTcMTghN9wiX8V3EvCbWdKWzYZ2ZkyjvEWX_Do4lN0-eIqax2wA/s640/DSC_0859.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Razor clam and crab leg</td></tr>
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We made our way back up onto the promenade and tried to find the footpath which we should have taken earlier on in order to carry on our circular route. It took us across arable farmland and eventually to a farm. We were unsure which path was the right one, but after consulting our photocopied map decided it was. Next time we decide to explore a new place I think I shall do the photocopying because mum did a pretty crap job of it - cutting part of our planned route off! As we carried on our way a late red admiral fluttered past and we also encountered a number of common darters. A buzzard called over head and a flock of chaffinches twittered in the hedgerow. A marsh harrier flew over, as did a kestrel. We came to a point where we could see the car with our binoculars and in the immediate foreground a flock of circa 20 pied wagtails bobbed and tail flicked around. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGblw5-aE_WxcFLG5CwTV92kxlez9b738IuwPg7AA953m4oockwg9TIGtxeUuSqPrfHxnrl9FZN0Iyahy0zsGF5ERF-z4gh33Pt7SR4UzjUt8z-mVIKwgbNxBqAn49OTuxWD0AMUJYcE/s1600/DSC_0866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGblw5-aE_WxcFLG5CwTV92kxlez9b738IuwPg7AA953m4oockwg9TIGtxeUuSqPrfHxnrl9FZN0Iyahy0zsGF5ERF-z4gh33Pt7SR4UzjUt8z-mVIKwgbNxBqAn49OTuxWD0AMUJYcE/s640/DSC_0866.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red admiral</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3t2c8XyizLW4G9aHBBBDuT5QixbbBIPFZd8XAksTjBcb0Lt-iw1yrlARwEHAUYK8C4D2BhsTzfpLH7lRZwesQIauJptzNM_Qbpw5mBkMYkXeIhPmJ1afNWJXIP910mz1P7I9XUWLeUA/s1600/DSC_0869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3t2c8XyizLW4G9aHBBBDuT5QixbbBIPFZd8XAksTjBcb0Lt-iw1yrlARwEHAUYK8C4D2BhsTzfpLH7lRZwesQIauJptzNM_Qbpw5mBkMYkXeIhPmJ1afNWJXIP910mz1P7I9XUWLeUA/s640/DSC_0869.JPG" width="408" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common darters and fly friends basking on the footpath post</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__V7q_tzBPVGtTT_upNfnljP-7TQq26ek5jTUorJTcy7qDYgbRnACvLrdr2C2DdtUUw6JRZbDHgXqQHJBWZ-dj_DtCGipwdxRrz0sXAthYQsrYAydnLPnpiakbIECgRU-BEh0TwXhkys/s1600/DSC_0875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__V7q_tzBPVGtTT_upNfnljP-7TQq26ek5jTUorJTcy7qDYgbRnACvLrdr2C2DdtUUw6JRZbDHgXqQHJBWZ-dj_DtCGipwdxRrz0sXAthYQsrYAydnLPnpiakbIECgRU-BEh0TwXhkys/s640/DSC_0875.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common darter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We followed the path and eventually came to the point which we hoped to end up at. Just a short walk back along the small lane we had a brief glimpse of a GSW and soon arrived back at the car. After a delightful 5 mile wander we piled in, finished off our flasks of coffee and made our way home. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PK7b1FX7jQXdQ7hT5ONC0ZI-DPcT3auErJyPQ4di7EFaFP8xTmAcdrPAtqFsu2dFG-gAFFlADlnLKPrrt9C-gZhudtqWisY7a7hNXnWouuoH-1XC71eMTmRkGBcXgNY-1t_AtI5cJSw/s1600/DSC_0880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PK7b1FX7jQXdQ7hT5ONC0ZI-DPcT3auErJyPQ4di7EFaFP8xTmAcdrPAtqFsu2dFG-gAFFlADlnLKPrrt9C-gZhudtqWisY7a7hNXnWouuoH-1XC71eMTmRkGBcXgNY-1t_AtI5cJSw/s640/DSC_0880.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the towers from the car</td></tr>
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Once home, we unloaded the pup, bag, bins and camera, made ourselves another coffee (with a glug or two of baileys) and headed into the garden. Mum took the washing off the line, I filled the birdie feeders and took these last two photos. The gorgeous autumn leaves rustled and 3 laughing fieldfares flew over. A small flock of starlings settled down for the evening on an aerial. <br />
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After becoming quite chilled by the rapidly decreasing temperature, we
returned indoors and I settled down to write this on the couch with
Bracken sleeping by my side and acting as a much appreciated hot water bottle. I'm now sitting content after a delicious roast dinner and sipping my G&T. We will probably now finish off that wine we opened on Friday night! It is the weekend after all.<br />
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Anyway thank you for reading, I hope you have all had an equally lovely weekend. Although, on this wonderful bright autumnal day, I can't help but feel awfully lucky to live where we do. With the typhoon that has hit the Philippines and it being remembrance Sunday, it reminds us how fortunate we are. Today was a day to appreciate what we have, and remember those brave soldiers who fought for our country and all those still out there in the forces. Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-16370770841738525042013-10-30T22:39:00.001+00:002013-10-30T22:39:23.277+00:0029th October - An Autumn Walk, An Impromptu Trip to the Vets and An Evening Sitting Starstruck!Yesterday started well, had a scary blip in the middle and ended on a superb note. <br />
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My Auntie had come to stay because it was half term for her, and we headed out for a walk, to enjoy the bright and sunny autumnal weather. We drove to Victory wood, which is one of our favourite dog walking places now. Not only is there plenty of space for Bracken to have a good run around - there are also fabulous views, stretching miles.<br />
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We made our way swiftly past the sheep, with Bracken safely on the lead (being a collie cross and not wanting him to try herding sheep for the first time) and made our way to the entrance of Ellenden wood. It had a doggy gate too, to save our pup trying to jump the style and inevitably hurting himself. There were a few trees down, illustrating the effects of, the ever so hyped up, St Jude's Storm. The wood has a lovely little stream running through it, which alongside the orange, ochre and yellow fallen leaves made for a wonderful woodland scene. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiCtsoSz4VMG7lJ2HneBxdsKR82ZZDcIDfALMT1dXgwqcYu32fwF213PsAuTzSQQnSdDiDo0-rIu7M2-trC0LjKpirefRfm0uhIEe4w8qK9Kh3k5Imu4ueHMz4VM97jKouH6V2KcpUjM/s1600/DSC_0718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiCtsoSz4VMG7lJ2HneBxdsKR82ZZDcIDfALMT1dXgwqcYu32fwF213PsAuTzSQQnSdDiDo0-rIu7M2-trC0LjKpirefRfm0uhIEe4w8qK9Kh3k5Imu4ueHMz4VM97jKouH6V2KcpUjM/s640/DSC_0718.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The blue sky peeping through the green leaves reminded us of the glorious weather!</td></tr>
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We hopped over the stream and tried to make our way in the direction of where we thought the other entrance was... we weren't lost - just exploring!<br />
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There were a few fungi to be seen. Whilst admiring - Bracken thought it would make a tasty snack and ran off with a small chunk of one... we hoped and hoped he would spit it out - or it would be a harmless one!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_16AePQedl9OdxtDipqGmg8TxkI-BEoJm0HpinmndeM_-Xie-7iilmJdW1GT_0sOKBKfj1zWkvou91DTpHJ5X4V6bBm3S2_bAFyah-q7pZ6C-as8aebPfk9bYhIUAiZHd58v0ccsILE/s1600/DSC_0728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_16AePQedl9OdxtDipqGmg8TxkI-BEoJm0HpinmndeM_-Xie-7iilmJdW1GT_0sOKBKfj1zWkvou91DTpHJ5X4V6bBm3S2_bAFyah-q7pZ6C-as8aebPfk9bYhIUAiZHd58v0ccsILE/s640/DSC_0728.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possibly an old dry specimen of Amethyst Deceiver (<i>Laccaria amethystina</i>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOFvdtw01q7byI3I49d21q5l2oGEWc8pEOHXRI18yFHqoi4REZ5G-SzLbfvT5JfDC_F-JO4h0Xq-uXeA9Fu8-kralENeuSfrEZAjq-ttbSsDBvKSQzCDFE1Ls5hfGywCiXi65FogC4Io/s1600/DSC_0730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOFvdtw01q7byI3I49d21q5l2oGEWc8pEOHXRI18yFHqoi4REZ5G-SzLbfvT5JfDC_F-JO4h0Xq-uXeA9Fu8-kralENeuSfrEZAjq-ttbSsDBvKSQzCDFE1Ls5hfGywCiXi65FogC4Io/s640/DSC_0730.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fly Agaric (<i>Amanita muscaria</i>)</td></tr>
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We found a well trodden path through lovely beech tree woodland.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkD0cu8jOuxPRVQ7ivKPL-5LCiLTdB5L1nSSA_tKffIg4r0R-WMQXEi9XkzRk6bISfIupeURXuaDsiEIV4CCs4CXHjOmlwUXqQjd7KI_UmAlKSXGrA_4qRWg5ZhF6XzgZ5oWVMSqN3Mho/s1600/DSC_0737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkD0cu8jOuxPRVQ7ivKPL-5LCiLTdB5L1nSSA_tKffIg4r0R-WMQXEi9XkzRk6bISfIupeURXuaDsiEIV4CCs4CXHjOmlwUXqQjd7KI_UmAlKSXGrA_4qRWg5ZhF6XzgZ5oWVMSqN3Mho/s640/DSC_0737.JPG" width="452" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What seemed like an orange spiders web inside this hollow</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVrgLHeL-PWE-jnl3XbYiBqE1Js1lZLtSOsZncs8HcCzdfukU1hRgJqLAfypc1aPu3WkQtUnOXv_v4D-54Bwj6bOHCxK2V-j3Did8mxmPZzJsR8zMp7X-idJMvpEyQa03kVrjBqdesI0/s1600/DSC_0740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVrgLHeL-PWE-jnl3XbYiBqE1Js1lZLtSOsZncs8HcCzdfukU1hRgJqLAfypc1aPu3WkQtUnOXv_v4D-54Bwj6bOHCxK2V-j3Did8mxmPZzJsR8zMp7X-idJMvpEyQa03kVrjBqdesI0/s640/DSC_0740.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We eventually found the bridleway which led us back to a point we recognised. We made our way up to the highest point of the walk and down the other side. Glancing back, it seemed like we hadn't walked that far, but after 2 hours of navigating through woodland with no paths we certainly felt like we'd walked miles.<br />
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We arrived back at the car - all bundled in and looked forward to a nice cup of coffee and some lunch.<br />
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Lunch was put on hold. Bracken appeared to be in some discomfort when we got home. He was pawing at his ears and face, and trying with all his might to scratch an invisible itch. After attempting to see what was causing the problem his muzzle and eyes started swelling. We immediately called the vets and they urged us to get him to them straight away. What had been a lovely day so far, quickly turned into a nightmare. Bracken dislikes the vets, but it was necessary. The vet thought he had probably been stung or bitten by something, rather than ingested a nasty, as that would have resulted in vomiting. We were relieved that his earlier possible fungi eating wasn't the cause. He was prescribed steroids for a couple of days and human piriton - obviously in the correct dose. You should never give pets human tablets unless a vet has prescribed them. <br />
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Anyway we got him home and the puffiness quickly went down and he had a snooze for the rest of the afternoon.<br />
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On a different and more exciting note... in the evening we took ourselves down to one of the schools in Canterbury, where the local rspb group were hosting a talk by the One and only Mike Dilger!<br />
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We were early (for once) and had a browse of the small photographic exhibition and other bits on show. Mum and I then found ourselves seats in the front row because mum had forgotten her glasses! Mike got a little held up due to traffic, but he greeted us with a cheery wave when he arrived.<br />
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In the first half he talked about how he got into nature, wildlife and consequently his path to TV fame. After the break he read some extracts from his new book 'My Garden and Other Animals' and answered any questions people had. He was enthusiastic, very funny and a joy to listen to! During the break we got a cup of tea and a piece of cake. Mum persuaded me to go and get a copy of his book and have a chat. Now I'm not one to get excited about celebrities of the film and television world, but when it comes to wildlife TV presenters, it's another story all together! Not that I have ever spoken to a wildlife TV presenter before. Even Mike talked about being starstruck when sat next to David Attenborough - but then who wouldn't be! Anyway I chatted to him for a few minutes and I told him I save moths from the pub kitchen (relates to the title of one of the chapters of his book) and that I volunteer etc and he signed a lovely message in my book :) <br />
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I also gave Mike my blog address just in case he got time to look at it, so HI! if you are reading this Mike!!<br />
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I have started reading Mike's book and am already hooked. After 1 chapter I would already recommend it! Very down to earth and humorous! <br />
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Right I have gone on for long enough. Hope all my blogging friends are well and you enjoyed my post!! Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-10110225317911652792013-10-25T22:13:00.000+01:002013-10-25T22:13:33.274+01:001st blogaversary I realise that wishing myself a happy blogaversary is a little bit lame but I feel that my blog turning 1 year old today is something to be celebrated! I so enjoy taking photos and sharing the best of them with all you lovely people who read my blog. I also immensely appreciate the kind comments that you leave, so thanks to you all :)<br />
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Anyway this post seems to be quite long - apologies!<br />
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2 and a half weeks ago we embraced a warm, autumnal, still morning and took Bracken down to Seasalter beach for a walk. Before, when we have taken him there, the tide has been too far out, meaning swimming hasn't been possible. While walking along the top of the beach he found a shoe, which he decided to carry for most of the time. Goodness knows why someone left one shoe, which was in fairly good condition, lying on the beach. Anyway here are some of the photos from the walk.<br />
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There has been an influx of Brent geese. They always arrive at this time of year. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdr1whITmAUiUCD3zRpCeg2zcVE00cB3N6SUGiw55la0AOtOwYqkDzIz4qZR58JdpGN74ZEmxydnxin0nXXKAVQZOXFqHoThV3L7aja4DVz3_LRXzJXC6DWujPjXIBv_hR4O6_jxyjFJ8/s1600/DSC_0384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdr1whITmAUiUCD3zRpCeg2zcVE00cB3N6SUGiw55la0AOtOwYqkDzIz4qZR58JdpGN74ZEmxydnxin0nXXKAVQZOXFqHoThV3L7aja4DVz3_LRXzJXC6DWujPjXIBv_hR4O6_jxyjFJ8/s640/DSC_0384.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brent geese</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHYnF6lqccWAbLO9mLLOD5b3sHVHuWKyZOttR44QtCzM2BqPjFB9AJfmSt9xdNKG8IkJitF7SBe5bfBl0G7eMsFYGWu6rx4vrexJ36NcK2Us3Y9rxBQ8bSkWB2mHC7OtTOLVilwl-rQQ/s1600/DSC_0385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHYnF6lqccWAbLO9mLLOD5b3sHVHuWKyZOttR44QtCzM2BqPjFB9AJfmSt9xdNKG8IkJitF7SBe5bfBl0G7eMsFYGWu6rx4vrexJ36NcK2Us3Y9rxBQ8bSkWB2mHC7OtTOLVilwl-rQQ/s640/DSC_0385.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brent geese and gulls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohdZDVep-1zDisEF0X9muOwZj1guz6Z-DAPvWr2_ydFvIZiONCd4ileG3c2fSBQOB5QKKRf3FX9L28r_QYgUc_HM82X7xwVZp9AYi5b_J04RQQLqeux2AtyAfjY5j7ny9L9oUSZqH4b0/s1600/DSC_0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohdZDVep-1zDisEF0X9muOwZj1guz6Z-DAPvWr2_ydFvIZiONCd4ileG3c2fSBQOB5QKKRf3FX9L28r_QYgUc_HM82X7xwVZp9AYi5b_J04RQQLqeux2AtyAfjY5j7ny9L9oUSZqH4b0/s640/DSC_0389.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bar-tailed godwits, a turnstone and a gull</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcOvSssovncf4vsFayZzO52c65G-6Nn8SQkIeisutyE2uiv-DoJ2bhzPEENnXvjXg6feMbzNJX2DiZNNaFeGy1gTvPGS8pGqbeRrpG1rGk0pEUrhaLhVmi2zKJhXC8tK3Jh2rirenSQs/s1600/DSC_0409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcOvSssovncf4vsFayZzO52c65G-6Nn8SQkIeisutyE2uiv-DoJ2bhzPEENnXvjXg6feMbzNJX2DiZNNaFeGy1gTvPGS8pGqbeRrpG1rGk0pEUrhaLhVmi2zKJhXC8tK3Jh2rirenSQs/s640/DSC_0409.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making a splash...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3egpzXE3mVGD_0K_2-mdRDuZGtj8pYlVuAEyi4-hXhYxkhMxbyaq8xlo2SLOC1fEVoVeW4aYNxEU5xJmdDnDY4Zc0VtJZAusRDYDKUwgZe25-rl71OY5Un5snRvJug-DRrhwKJ39v5B4/s1600/DSC_0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3egpzXE3mVGD_0K_2-mdRDuZGtj8pYlVuAEyi4-hXhYxkhMxbyaq8xlo2SLOC1fEVoVeW4aYNxEU5xJmdDnDY4Zc0VtJZAusRDYDKUwgZe25-rl71OY5Un5snRvJug-DRrhwKJ39v5B4/s640/DSC_0429.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and some funny faces</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1Qucmpcz2Y0HgyUHRT0IsP8mAf_gFAThfhjXqU4g3GfBeN0OW1ztzYNFnocbLWXO15kEYzfLGZK3FlX-p6xuOrzBSbL7kwrOrIK58d3BLlGmog0pis-SIET3nRFurkO2xzaYACULM0s/s1600/DSC_0437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1Qucmpcz2Y0HgyUHRT0IsP8mAf_gFAThfhjXqU4g3GfBeN0OW1ztzYNFnocbLWXO15kEYzfLGZK3FlX-p6xuOrzBSbL7kwrOrIK58d3BLlGmog0pis-SIET3nRFurkO2xzaYACULM0s/s640/DSC_0437.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and some more funny faces and poses!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOWAMVBIKpeNMLcd3JpZ7vwIKgQsiZKwVlI-d6_Q_NqF9zuBgesKLF3JW9dmYrYRQMLmy9PPbHHwiI2fA-KjZhQTv4GNYxSsQ9vRK4qeF_JfidBRbGNdWHyRbdKP53iGQF0SxwexfI_c/s1600/DSC_0450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOWAMVBIKpeNMLcd3JpZ7vwIKgQsiZKwVlI-d6_Q_NqF9zuBgesKLF3JW9dmYrYRQMLmy9PPbHHwiI2fA-KjZhQTv4GNYxSsQ9vRK4qeF_JfidBRbGNdWHyRbdKP53iGQF0SxwexfI_c/s640/DSC_0450.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mid-leap</td></tr>
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Volunteering on 7th October was delightfully warm. Our task was to strip the old reserve sign stickers from the boards and put new ones up. Once we had replaced all 4 signs, we had lunch and then went for a walk with our cameras and scopes. I saw my first bearded tits, there were still hundreds of waders - bar tailed godwits, golden plovers, lapwings etc. Talking of bearded tits - if you haven't read Rory McGrath's autobiography which is named after these intriguing birds, then you should. I highly recommend it. <br />
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The lighting was nice and a rather handsome drake mallard posed for a close up.<br />
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We returned to the truck and headed back. As we drove back along the
narrow road, something, possibly a peregrine or some other bird of prey,
caused most of the resting birds to fly. The golden plovers,
lapwings and godwits, swirled and swooped. A good tactic to avoid which ever predator spooked them. The cormorants,
avocets and redshanks stayed put, not wanting to lose their spot on the
island in the middle of the East flood. A few sparrows dispersed from the brambles close to the road. <br />
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The following week, our task was coppicing. Just some of the smaller trunks which could be felled with bow saws. An important woodland management technique to let light into the wood and allow certain species of flower and plant to thrive.<br />
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There was also a fair amount of fungi around...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszyZAdnpXXXXZtMAEMW11VShPTo2VXjsNpU-_MHTMSEDIW25nLEbtFltw_QG6THxLgVJDlwBZxKwzMYQF-jXQME_Q1gobzdhaUQvEcjgpy2R6CtXi9c-FE4i8MqRHROm910P5q1LAYxE/s1600/DSC_0582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszyZAdnpXXXXZtMAEMW11VShPTo2VXjsNpU-_MHTMSEDIW25nLEbtFltw_QG6THxLgVJDlwBZxKwzMYQF-jXQME_Q1gobzdhaUQvEcjgpy2R6CtXi9c-FE4i8MqRHROm910P5q1LAYxE/s640/DSC_0582.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green elfcup (<i><span class="st">Chlorociboria aeruginascens</span></i><span class="st">)</span></td></tr>
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Closer to home, I found this growing out of a notch in a fallen ash tree. <br />
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These small fungi had tiny little bobbles all over them. They were really quite sweet, as far as fungi go!<br />
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During an early evening walk we noticed this sun-bow. An interesting and beautiful phenomena. <br />
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We also heard and saw in the distance, 5 fieldfares. Just passing through. Hopefully the bunch which usually feast on the left over apples in the nearby orchard will make an appearance soon!<br />
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Walking along the footpath through one of the fields, a mixed flock of small birds flew up. No bins, just managed to get the photo below but they are too silhouetted for my ID skills. <br />
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Another evening dog walk after a heavy downpour meant huge puddles. Or is it a lake?! Bracken enjoyed splashing about in it anyway!<br />
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On Wednesday (23/10) I went out dormouse surveying again with Kevin (the warden I usually volunteer with) and we checked the 50 nest boxes in one of the local Kent Wildlife Trust owned woods. Last time we checked them we found several vacated dormouse nests and 2 of which contained dormice.<br />
Once again 2 boxes (different boxes from the last survey) had dormice inside. At this time of year during the chilly days they enter into a state of torpor, whereby lowering their body temperature and therefore using less energy. They still feed at night, high up in the tree tops, trying to gain as much weight as they can before the winter arrives and they have to hibernate.<br />
We were lucky enough to find a nest with two torpid dormice snuggled up inside! They were absolutely adorable! We held them and at first they didn't even stir. We popped one down on the woodland floor for a few seconds so I could get a natural looking photo. I then asked Kevin to take a geeky 'look I'm holding a tiny little dormouse' photo of me. We checked to see if the dormice were male or female, weighed them and put them back in their intricately woven nest and let them get back to their deep slumber. I do hope they survive their hibernation!<br />
The other box was home to one male who was more active. Kevin showed me how to handle this lively individual too. One day maybe I'll train to get my dormouse handling license! You have to go on several handling courses and go out surveying with a license holder a number of times before you can get a license. They are a protected species so it is illegal to handle them unaccompanied if you don't possess a license.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuuuuute!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me holding one of the gorgeous torpid dormice!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jew's ear or jelly ear <span style="font-family: inherit;">(<i>Auricularia auricula-judae</i>)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woodland dappled in autumn light</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">aptly named dryad's saddle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJAOqXI0xTb9MDZUdobMaL5dQC3258GOgIgpy5KMfyNEkDbv0aciHr0pNcY9_PMV0WeL2UzEZjb6xSyySfj-RrR-VmatJqvvXVmuDZ6YPPw2Eeuovs2ScFnhNq5cnJEp0oOSO2_X5A1k/s1600/DSC_0703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJAOqXI0xTb9MDZUdobMaL5dQC3258GOgIgpy5KMfyNEkDbv0aciHr0pNcY9_PMV0WeL2UzEZjb6xSyySfj-RrR-VmatJqvvXVmuDZ6YPPw2Eeuovs2ScFnhNq5cnJEp0oOSO2_X5A1k/s640/DSC_0703.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A better example of green elfcup</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
That is all for now. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Lets keep our fingers crossed that the weather which has been forecast for this weekend isn't as dire as the warnings suggest! Thank you all for reading! Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-56268329055186302342013-10-20T22:42:00.000+01:002013-10-20T22:42:42.254+01:00Fun guy seen at Sevenoaks NR<span id="goog_1720410525"></span><span id="goog_1720410526"></span>On Saturday 5th October I made a return trip to Sevenoaks Nature Reserve with my mum we met my Auntie there. We ate our picnic then donned our walking boots and went out for a stroll around the lakes which we didn't cover last time. Snipe bog lake is the best name for a lake I have come across! We didn't see any snipe though. <br />
<br />
I thought I would try and photograph each different type of fungus that we came across. I only had my long lens with me which meant that it was difficult to get a quick shutter speed as well as a lot of the subject in focus. This meant I had to up the ISO quite a bit so the quality of the images aren't that great, but hopefully you get the idea of the variety of fungi we saw. Some I have managed to identify (possibly wrongly) and as I have been a bit pushed for time recently, most are unidentified.<br />
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Any expert fungi identifiers out there (or even non-expert) - Please do comment below if I have made any mistakes or if you know what any of my photos are of! Thank you in advance :)<br />
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The first type of fungi we encountered was coral spot - however my photo didn't turn out great so haven't included it. I think we probably saw about 20 different species in the space of a couple of hours. Not bad.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw74-xB11Lz5M9rxTvnyRYjYlZNzbDzqqk80lyNQ4DpSnMNQ74HTyAIpE__rPi7aWpyoD1ngUPM12JtXREMhJ6e4YM9H5l7yobGd_lMW_KrQnlVxEthgfo4UO_NF2vi_ier-hyVos9dj8/s1600/DSC_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw74-xB11Lz5M9rxTvnyRYjYlZNzbDzqqk80lyNQ4DpSnMNQ74HTyAIpE__rPi7aWpyoD1ngUPM12JtXREMhJ6e4YM9H5l7yobGd_lMW_KrQnlVxEthgfo4UO_NF2vi_ier-hyVos9dj8/s640/DSC_0241.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burnt Polypore</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NuIRFIQWzxUtbFejjhnBhu-eVqEDf16QUCg-kuvAD96q5Ex7gLaW1n0oM6hNdkrSHxnaYjDadDiS_d64wE0M1fiNbouhKVL0uBDR2SN5CuQ5G2RGJQHLqtrGacTFtZDbq1fqLXrSF_U/s1600/DSC_0243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NuIRFIQWzxUtbFejjhnBhu-eVqEDf16QUCg-kuvAD96q5Ex7gLaW1n0oM6hNdkrSHxnaYjDadDiS_d64wE0M1fiNbouhKVL0uBDR2SN5CuQ5G2RGJQHLqtrGacTFtZDbq1fqLXrSF_U/s400/DSC_0243.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sulphur tuft?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLtw9kBCu5JNyhokIF-lE4OLfkD1fRLVV_glVZPq0upWVZjacOHFPruwUawSAQfk1RWEc_zCRcISopGpRTdzThyFwI5HOSz46S5b2uxK-sd0hKczm-udi9iojCNGaki7AbHBtBBDX_3I/s1600/DSC_0244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLtw9kBCu5JNyhokIF-lE4OLfkD1fRLVV_glVZPq0upWVZjacOHFPruwUawSAQfk1RWEc_zCRcISopGpRTdzThyFwI5HOSz46S5b2uxK-sd0hKczm-udi9iojCNGaki7AbHBtBBDX_3I/s640/DSC_0244.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvpnbOC0LjZhCT15zu9MFy6Y7u17tUvVPmSLObybBijuOzj342-DPgfiAngQrwqGxZ8ikouZyqfK-IOWdmyc8IbBgO5trDvZIQvk-5WAeTiZ6yyzgf7fzqIks-AQMV1UOIs5MIEXS_kE/s1600/DSC_0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvpnbOC0LjZhCT15zu9MFy6Y7u17tUvVPmSLObybBijuOzj342-DPgfiAngQrwqGxZ8ikouZyqfK-IOWdmyc8IbBgO5trDvZIQvk-5WAeTiZ6yyzgf7fzqIks-AQMV1UOIs5MIEXS_kE/s400/DSC_0246.JPG" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Parasola auricoma</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtOH7HfKM_l2iWvU3SgR4YUtnucYUQ__h6pBDWy7Zjcao-Xghb8HSEudBRtM5HL2l85i34xOJLyo0TEZSM-fXWKL1DZ6FghFUSDzIJ4Rs_cjuUrhrw4B5Zt5kKNn7F7cprBlajz7Uceg/s1600/DSC_0249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtOH7HfKM_l2iWvU3SgR4YUtnucYUQ__h6pBDWy7Zjcao-Xghb8HSEudBRtM5HL2l85i34xOJLyo0TEZSM-fXWKL1DZ6FghFUSDzIJ4Rs_cjuUrhrw4B5Zt5kKNn7F7cprBlajz7Uceg/s640/DSC_0249.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drab bonnet?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKf5aFGN2r8eEt4pCCbEpVBVl6a9uz9yOtqVhEm-jqvNceS1LH3rDAFdVulW4Z0pKty2xpSfbSKcdoJBNQkcNTfIRSal4TJMCJic6MQQKaLMBFQpMwwvS3T_b_pZAYJlEvkdISkBOLDfk/s1600/DSC_0252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKf5aFGN2r8eEt4pCCbEpVBVl6a9uz9yOtqVhEm-jqvNceS1LH3rDAFdVulW4Z0pKty2xpSfbSKcdoJBNQkcNTfIRSal4TJMCJic6MQQKaLMBFQpMwwvS3T_b_pZAYJlEvkdISkBOLDfk/s640/DSC_0252.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We stopped at one of the hides for a little coffee flask break and enjoyed watching this lovely male and female mallard paddling around this lake, covered in seed and leaf litter. The only acceptable type of litter. We also watch some huge fish, a few hawkers and just sat and listened to the rustle of autumnal leaves and coots squawking and making odd noises. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaP79EOmScaenN1jthBVDAiMr1SIzYItgWnqxgcv53vvXcDCb9UI3N3VVr6j3KEyL77Ugu8Q6A122jXVMLCnGYSJ3HH30IxNFeb33fC15nhQRvPybMNsLXLpO7ihf3LCKYr-1bUEaI3A/s1600/DSC_0262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaP79EOmScaenN1jthBVDAiMr1SIzYItgWnqxgcv53vvXcDCb9UI3N3VVr6j3KEyL77Ugu8Q6A122jXVMLCnGYSJ3HH30IxNFeb33fC15nhQRvPybMNsLXLpO7ihf3LCKYr-1bUEaI3A/s640/DSC_0262.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We carried on our lake-side partially wooded walk and came across more interesting fungi and a lovely tufty caterpillar.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCMP4dyS4DZ6duEYUmDUnAjFdYmGAJg2D_BtG4xC-2AZOVZE4mWvSGk_W5DzZsEoAmEfbheRN3YRE0mnbAKq3_nP3v_UwqwRfo1QxyNpNkvlhpZ6cEnY8McoqFZ-HMy4eFh7m9D_xM0w/s1600/DSC_0263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCMP4dyS4DZ6duEYUmDUnAjFdYmGAJg2D_BtG4xC-2AZOVZE4mWvSGk_W5DzZsEoAmEfbheRN3YRE0mnbAKq3_nP3v_UwqwRfo1QxyNpNkvlhpZ6cEnY8McoqFZ-HMy4eFh7m9D_xM0w/s640/DSC_0263.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ7JOAicA0X9KoCx-NF4G20t0YATEfvST8q1mXL8Eikcjr44wcBzES8ymxwubnZpMDl-e4OXTQvbfwCSCBx0McIfbXbsAO6jDUBOmN5sMjPgPejC31NZiBuSDWl_nKNIf-civkx1wR90/s1600/DSC_0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ7JOAicA0X9KoCx-NF4G20t0YATEfvST8q1mXL8Eikcjr44wcBzES8ymxwubnZpMDl-e4OXTQvbfwCSCBx0McIfbXbsAO6jDUBOmN5sMjPgPejC31NZiBuSDWl_nKNIf-civkx1wR90/s640/DSC_0270.JPG" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same specimen as photo above... Lilac bonnet? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9akcVhWsjHnKNjHtz1RuscXkilyNvJf9O38tT4bqZNi7sUQJZxN-fUGbOhNe5-NbIYl_JXZP1BhsWypiTfggwDUhMffJmCiYYEPFedvVfWFE0930POmjIo6RYpZu-vCsOCdh3Ox6lUVM/s1600/DSC_0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9akcVhWsjHnKNjHtz1RuscXkilyNvJf9O38tT4bqZNi7sUQJZxN-fUGbOhNe5-NbIYl_JXZP1BhsWypiTfggwDUhMffJmCiYYEPFedvVfWFE0930POmjIo6RYpZu-vCsOCdh3Ox6lUVM/s640/DSC_0274.JPG" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dusky Puffball</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24nWUqZw3NuvscfezEkLUXGe7bweVh4-YZJKLfAqgmI_tC4FDPtP0hrV211fXElABF2BGVG1rbnkhXO3qkwKVVeVCocqCl5lJol9ofX2Qc-7J1Qi7h7vjk5cCmTSbmE_qYm-Cxxljzho/s1600/DSC_0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24nWUqZw3NuvscfezEkLUXGe7bweVh4-YZJKLfAqgmI_tC4FDPtP0hrV211fXElABF2BGVG1rbnkhXO3qkwKVVeVCocqCl5lJol9ofX2Qc-7J1Qi7h7vjk5cCmTSbmE_qYm-Cxxljzho/s640/DSC_0276.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Parasola auricoma </i>and drab bonnets?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-pEogriRlRUI97-ov3RXz8U-3dbBZ3oNix7dR9fQWEmR9oUAtLI6CF3ipi9rWtNUu_JP3UdCcHwsFiXRlx3VNxEjuZiIbgVaqskZhvjIJ76NscT1BExACkV35XSAIS2mZ1AGY_MhkYk/s1600/DSC_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-pEogriRlRUI97-ov3RXz8U-3dbBZ3oNix7dR9fQWEmR9oUAtLI6CF3ipi9rWtNUu_JP3UdCcHwsFiXRlx3VNxEjuZiIbgVaqskZhvjIJ76NscT1BExACkV35XSAIS2mZ1AGY_MhkYk/s640/DSC_0277.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruby tiger moth caterpillar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVZS71lHZKLRWf8s2W9hsJpCXXhIKJj9ml3dgqA6Md6cGmfs6KIcjCWHx1UyJU78vAJGHhcqHatY69XXvbOXchCnV_26SaR9MrS6WfdyAirmi7RZxFzeCb8CzTiFwKhHIe6PiyGcJag8/s1600/DSC_0283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVZS71lHZKLRWf8s2W9hsJpCXXhIKJj9ml3dgqA6Md6cGmfs6KIcjCWHx1UyJU78vAJGHhcqHatY69XXvbOXchCnV_26SaR9MrS6WfdyAirmi7RZxFzeCb8CzTiFwKhHIe6PiyGcJag8/s640/DSC_0283.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candle snuff fungus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3FOXTDwFi4pLe67hKr_-ccPbyqUVoozARbLqGMhzfVrn3TGAl2kV-drK9m-fOsws0JjyItWB5S2XkckTGVQDNHpqHRHvFcKubYMXq0Bapj3fOQmFZyeAi0PQxdB3q9L9UR1gCGBTAYo/s1600/DSC_0286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3FOXTDwFi4pLe67hKr_-ccPbyqUVoozARbLqGMhzfVrn3TGAl2kV-drK9m-fOsws0JjyItWB5S2XkckTGVQDNHpqHRHvFcKubYMXq0Bapj3fOQmFZyeAi0PQxdB3q9L9UR1gCGBTAYo/s640/DSC_0286.JPG" width="420" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White dapperling??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX36wo6XNf9tYycXUw6dIsAHX4TLqQ8ROlS2rRv6D8pKCn7olzegQxBGzhzYUYH2A7f6XV4lyllKdYMPdf-KUVtFzCjigfKjJU8UlzlVAGN_Bf5D2dKmso9oCZLdh9KbagVB-lK2TIk9I/s1600/DSC_0287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX36wo6XNf9tYycXUw6dIsAHX4TLqQ8ROlS2rRv6D8pKCn7olzegQxBGzhzYUYH2A7f6XV4lyllKdYMPdf-KUVtFzCjigfKjJU8UlzlVAGN_Bf5D2dKmso9oCZLdh9KbagVB-lK2TIk9I/s640/DSC_0287.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Physarum album</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We came to another hide - one which we knew a kingfisher had been seen from just earlier. We sat. We waited. Not a king to be seen. We watched a few teal sifting through the green-looking water, and large numbers of Canada geese flying to an adjacent field.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3HPwywjBDjROO3fBY-lloNRPceH-4kxCdWMbsG3GtXYpbG9MbL4MT0IGV20oM_XRIAeqNFQlNbJdCw20CMhsQIVq6ynlpn4llnPZLXePxSUB5nudYQ_JM_tmibT0m_lJC-zMh5rrcEY/s1600/DSC_0326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3HPwywjBDjROO3fBY-lloNRPceH-4kxCdWMbsG3GtXYpbG9MbL4MT0IGV20oM_XRIAeqNFQlNbJdCw20CMhsQIVq6ynlpn4llnPZLXePxSUB5nudYQ_JM_tmibT0m_lJC-zMh5rrcEY/s640/DSC_0326.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Teal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Further on we saw great crested grebes and their stripey-headed chicks that were nearly fully grown.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water mint</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An impressive specimen with birch seeds on top for a finishing touch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iuRiMxi3qzYU-FM-_14_ScmHFFSRPut0F7NbekKoF9NnEiepDpvpLRAAOs6ukouahDbGEmhno2vof1AuK5M-i7gGJWzuEcIqC-0WulnZE7frCuPWlwmdOw471t6GYtuklPYmoO8yYqM/s1600/DSC_0366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iuRiMxi3qzYU-FM-_14_ScmHFFSRPut0F7NbekKoF9NnEiepDpvpLRAAOs6ukouahDbGEmhno2vof1AuK5M-i7gGJWzuEcIqC-0WulnZE7frCuPWlwmdOw471t6GYtuklPYmoO8yYqM/s640/DSC_0366.JPG" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Various forms of bracket fungi... again if you have any ideas what they are please let me know :)</td></tr>
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We also saw a lovely vocal little robin, plenty of lapwings, some tufties and also a number or cormorants. <br />
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I had work at the pub that evening and finished about midnight. By the time I had got to sleep it was 1ish. I then had to be up at 6.15 to head out water vole trapping with Chloe, Row and Pete. It was a beautiful dewy morning which resulted in jewelled spiders webs everywhere. In comparison to our trapping session at Elmley, it wasn't great. Only 2 water voles in 50 traps. This just shows how much help these little critters need our help.<br />
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Anyway to end this post here are the couple of early morning misty photos I took.<br />
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Thanks for reading :) I hope you are all well and have had a great weekend despite the rain. We managed to get out for dog walks in between showers which was lucky.<br />
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The next post will show Bracken's new found love for the sea!Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-38016164071450408672013-10-03T15:49:00.000+01:002013-10-09T12:21:11.276+01:00Caterpillars, Big Fat Spiders , Volunteering and Dog Walks October has arrived and I can't believe there are only 3 months left of this year! <br />
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Last week I went for lunch with my Dad to a farm caf<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Ă©</span></span></span> up the road from me. They are pretty self sufficient and grow all their own veg, use locally sourced cheese and have many a hen, so use and sell their eggs. We chose a nice day and sat outside. A view that stretched for miles and a couple of alpacas munching on the grass next to our little picnic table. I think they have such character! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fQKV5Leuf8OVL7Q7Vpxq3R-8CgZw4sTg3SqW2WZ6nNZV_d693oo-Lcjs5HaC1GDFnWRMgwX5pkrUjsOV-5dJKlFLz_c6GxyyXQe6xkt4D_dC9A4uG1J3f6u0NlUrAo-ZUOamAe8awxg/s1600/DSC_1328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fQKV5Leuf8OVL7Q7Vpxq3R-8CgZw4sTg3SqW2WZ6nNZV_d693oo-Lcjs5HaC1GDFnWRMgwX5pkrUjsOV-5dJKlFLz_c6GxyyXQe6xkt4D_dC9A4uG1J3f6u0NlUrAo-ZUOamAe8awxg/s640/DSC_1328.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really thought the shadows and highlighted areas on this old leafless tree looked amazing. I don't usually do monochrome photos but thought this subject was enhanced by the monochrome format.</td></tr>
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We were out water vole surveying again last Thursday and came across hundreds of these caterpillars. After a little bit of research I have come to the conclusion that they will one day turn into a reed dagger moth. Considering they were all over the reeds... makes sense! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9loBfKYwpTn9q-XNYRtdSl0OZSUQ7gI9Om1MCXr6BZ_WbuXMvUfx9Ql9HXkcvRIRP55Eylc_jsVn5Vn2TljaNqAEmnmnBnI7ys1Dp0r-a0LoBrqmElExt4NUylTJT6G1MoWwt8ZSgHk/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9loBfKYwpTn9q-XNYRtdSl0OZSUQ7gI9Om1MCXr6BZ_WbuXMvUfx9Ql9HXkcvRIRP55Eylc_jsVn5Vn2TljaNqAEmnmnBnI7ys1Dp0r-a0LoBrqmElExt4NUylTJT6G1MoWwt8ZSgHk/s640/DSC_0001.JPG" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reed dagger moth caterpillar</td></tr>
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We didn't have much luck on the water vole front but these sheep were very abundant and awfully inquisitive. We had already come a bit close to a herd of big pregnant cows with some smaller bullocks on a very narrow path which wasn't particularly easy to get through. <br />
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Lots of these vibrantly coloured migrant hawkers are still around. This male is hoping he might be able to break up this partnership and get some dragon action. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfb7AhFjslmPG-EMr-Ftz076tqUPZ89N5Ob1KbAmTq61sQpXBntqgmB_JD39zRFwarZNlGSCcsRDH7PpcX53tB5fxKZIWSZ6SfxFJxGil2pwCtSyv0EZzNq1bLUhgDKogaJ3vgBsxiTRQ/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfb7AhFjslmPG-EMr-Ftz076tqUPZ89N5Ob1KbAmTq61sQpXBntqgmB_JD39zRFwarZNlGSCcsRDH7PpcX53tB5fxKZIWSZ6SfxFJxGil2pwCtSyv0EZzNq1bLUhgDKogaJ3vgBsxiTRQ/s640/DSC_0021.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Migrant hawkers </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROh37xvvS8DBh9mpBRTsAjeALk-LAPHv5V8PrTRr7aILNWt4wTrhvpuaoknmiLDHfghyphenhyphenABmamEPQlrFWcWXSNsp3cgAU2Nl2oQq1zwXvwjPK7JeOWh458oLlvfJaVBQZ13DlGIyVTxGM/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROh37xvvS8DBh9mpBRTsAjeALk-LAPHv5V8PrTRr7aILNWt4wTrhvpuaoknmiLDHfghyphenhyphenABmamEPQlrFWcWXSNsp3cgAU2Nl2oQq1zwXvwjPK7JeOWh458oLlvfJaVBQZ13DlGIyVTxGM/s640/DSC_0032.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big fat female 4 spot orb weaver spider. Lots of these around.</td></tr>
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After lunch we still hadn't come across many ratty signs. Chloe noticed this grass snake curled up on top of some dried out reeds. Sun baking to warm its cool blood. Migrant hawkers were hovering about 2 metres away from it. I was begging it to get closer as that would have made for an interesting photo. I got each in a separate shot which will have to do for now. The snake heard us nattering, raised its head and slithered off into a crack in a concrete block. A snake sized crack. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjBUWCi2eGSTPC8Zf8PATdaB8znhNFsSFicUKr_ucbX9c17Xa4nMEvm7i33No2mXB5GWhiCH8oJxEIYBFu_XajcfeaVWtXzBhiAe_E2SLGE3nE4pSKM_XH7iKUXYY5fVX902fhJW9CD0/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjBUWCi2eGSTPC8Zf8PATdaB8znhNFsSFicUKr_ucbX9c17Xa4nMEvm7i33No2mXB5GWhiCH8oJxEIYBFu_XajcfeaVWtXzBhiAe_E2SLGE3nE4pSKM_XH7iKUXYY5fVX902fhJW9CD0/s640/DSC_0044.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grass snake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1aOyQqU5pSo80TO03VMOaw9jiJWK_DbKSZDX9NV_jRAbIcT18yQsaxUAZPFXSO53LbEhZa9vJxCEvgPVIcbn56YI5jfjArpdtXxdPwGrTYvQEcUL9rcm4oKAIG_sRhPcfx3zprYy058/s1600/DSC_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1aOyQqU5pSo80TO03VMOaw9jiJWK_DbKSZDX9NV_jRAbIcT18yQsaxUAZPFXSO53LbEhZa9vJxCEvgPVIcbn56YI5jfjArpdtXxdPwGrTYvQEcUL9rcm4oKAIG_sRhPcfx3zprYy058/s640/DSC_0056.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Migrant Hawker. Shame it's flying away from me</td></tr>
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I took Bracken down to Oare and met my lovely friend Bess and her dog Bo. We walked along the seawall to Conyer and had lunch at the pub there. Great weather and wonderful catch up. Brack and Bo enjoyed chasing each other around, jumping in the mud and rolling down the slopes. Safe to say they were both knackered for the rest of the day. Bird sightings included a couple of cormorants, a few shelduck, 5 or so oystercatchers and a curlew just to name a few.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmFhStifE2Wdkr6JdmfNESDiyZToJ-s9jcr5m23Sj6djfF4TjCoACn_XU48SpTjvPdIOfabDvs9Jlrb75fg76sD-qSFPjlT9Pa8Y1xovocKaaCMB8hUfccgDR9xYfwHwpasnd3w5rsvU/s1600/DSC_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmFhStifE2Wdkr6JdmfNESDiyZToJ-s9jcr5m23Sj6djfF4TjCoACn_XU48SpTjvPdIOfabDvs9Jlrb75fg76sD-qSFPjlT9Pa8Y1xovocKaaCMB8hUfccgDR9xYfwHwpasnd3w5rsvU/s640/DSC_0060.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brack giving Bo a kiss</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKkdWlrHzOB8xEydpBIpVPj4mLVcF9KHootinRPxfue6sFCA_Xz2cGOheyrVVYgfCxqVaRNw4lsRdYFTFQsLOPb_lW0NPr6Q0Qc60sBdeR0oVpcg9ekM3CjKgym1Dvhp-otqbAvsW0BA/s1600/DSC_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKkdWlrHzOB8xEydpBIpVPj4mLVcF9KHootinRPxfue6sFCA_Xz2cGOheyrVVYgfCxqVaRNw4lsRdYFTFQsLOPb_lW0NPr6Q0Qc60sBdeR0oVpcg9ekM3CjKgym1Dvhp-otqbAvsW0BA/s640/DSC_0062.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Racing off</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0dZZF1lVsjpZDdG3puJlzPort7eUT3u9qclHYvoO5kLlnjZFq2WcFqhldrvp-f_aKzBTDeVFtGHz6HbHHdxFbXDSz2ZfLQ16HCxXr-VQb_tpc8A-JkHwwaNGfRsFa5gNVCzAadKGqBI/s1600/DSC_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0dZZF1lVsjpZDdG3puJlzPort7eUT3u9qclHYvoO5kLlnjZFq2WcFqhldrvp-f_aKzBTDeVFtGHz6HbHHdxFbXDSz2ZfLQ16HCxXr-VQb_tpc8A-JkHwwaNGfRsFa5gNVCzAadKGqBI/s640/DSC_0069.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anyone know what this is? I can't find it in my books! <b>Edit: I asked Kevin (warden I volunteer with) and he suggested <u>Salsify </u>from my description and upon researching I agree. It is a Mediterranean plant. </b></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2NhhYRN4A38bYAqnLrx2zdjnLxORDsgGl5l6ueaUtHwC0Svf2Qbiw9qYI-fjJUCZ_-HunFQ3NBou_vcJ77jmUQ5JMLC31ScjhfphrGSOZri3UM5lsszzZKeXHgGRWeAvsAYMV90Sqnc/s1600/DSC_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2NhhYRN4A38bYAqnLrx2zdjnLxORDsgGl5l6ueaUtHwC0Svf2Qbiw9qYI-fjJUCZ_-HunFQ3NBou_vcJ77jmUQ5JMLC31ScjhfphrGSOZri3UM5lsszzZKeXHgGRWeAvsAYMV90Sqnc/s640/DSC_0073.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuhbIyPI72pTXP8f8TJ9QvwaCMtnnt9fSIeH9LEGOBpXzNJYC6TJ3RAiMuC2DiXsGJmDtVIIJIZOTl6krgITRVkVdIi2Sjx3lGOukTgsUOdd9FM-RqqkUsY5OLieBRWssn7kR3WW4BlI/s1600/DSC_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuhbIyPI72pTXP8f8TJ9QvwaCMtnnt9fSIeH9LEGOBpXzNJYC6TJ3RAiMuC2DiXsGJmDtVIIJIZOTl6krgITRVkVdIi2Sjx3lGOukTgsUOdd9FM-RqqkUsY5OLieBRWssn7kR3WW4BlI/s640/DSC_0076.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking very happy with themselves! </td></tr>
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<span id="goog_1621671227"></span><span id="goog_1621671228"></span><br />
The weekend arrived and mum and I drove to Victory wood which I have written about before. Lots of sheep around so we had to walk a route avoiding them. We noticed this amazing caterpillar!! Mum kept Brack away because I think he would have tried to eat it. It was about 6 or 7cm long! After flicking through the books we thought it was probably either oak eggar or fox moth. A little bit more internet research confirmed it was a fox moth caterpillar! Along the rest of our walk we saw many more of these and also a few other buggy, insecty things. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYKmcEUtaWP6fg3bxznbRW5nE1cKt-7Ms7IFSl_NZA63PTYIIteDmWlHVkhPlUWgVHlUkINMroa7o3uQKYeJsDtUXLINT9CEMXjJA-F1T6_iRIXdX_DK1QzRhDz8MWELkjNFF_ucrMtU/s1600/DSC_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYKmcEUtaWP6fg3bxznbRW5nE1cKt-7Ms7IFSl_NZA63PTYIIteDmWlHVkhPlUWgVHlUkINMroa7o3uQKYeJsDtUXLINT9CEMXjJA-F1T6_iRIXdX_DK1QzRhDz8MWELkjNFF_ucrMtU/s640/DSC_0081.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fox moth caterpillar</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhQI2_CpdZi13wzOsmWpai-SIubqXgQCRJ1DeO90QJBxlY-1G_l_t5OpcFsKgIUerkns-YT7XiohqSFargR0gfiWRNBQMBFzymQyX9bUb_mfDT2VedMlNJoND_Dd7i6cA3Is07j8Iqyc/s1600/DSC_0085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhQI2_CpdZi13wzOsmWpai-SIubqXgQCRJ1DeO90QJBxlY-1G_l_t5OpcFsKgIUerkns-YT7XiohqSFargR0gfiWRNBQMBFzymQyX9bUb_mfDT2VedMlNJoND_Dd7i6cA3Is07j8Iqyc/s640/DSC_0085.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sloe bug</td></tr>
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These young swallows kept landing in this tree/bush. Unfortunately we weren't closer and there was a bonfire in the background.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORFhQ6Z8HFA8r0kC5b8kqTX0p6WxkDuS_j7IYL_Xvj8xPGN6P4Xe-swuTjpEnBlImWNbioCctBH3iz6yF_7fb7NzQVuTmhzdxNkQsaMPEazCCV0fv_d_bNB5-eJDoKAdCVamRqr-Ucwc/s1600/DSC_0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORFhQ6Z8HFA8r0kC5b8kqTX0p6WxkDuS_j7IYL_Xvj8xPGN6P4Xe-swuTjpEnBlImWNbioCctBH3iz6yF_7fb7NzQVuTmhzdxNkQsaMPEazCCV0fv_d_bNB5-eJDoKAdCVamRqr-Ucwc/s640/DSC_0135.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swallows</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWdeNn2VJGQtn9KTkiXC7XlXRhGI6WdpZVUoS4vq6Q5zc6ZzVe6GZAKg0KMj9IvJp3QX8YLTagUvukV_TIRTtL2a3pWHdkUvRdjk1OkjcsOT-_cxnkCK4KLRbVTx9EAyyc1CZM3QE1Jo/s1600/DSC_0144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWdeNn2VJGQtn9KTkiXC7XlXRhGI6WdpZVUoS4vq6Q5zc6ZzVe6GZAKg0KMj9IvJp3QX8YLTagUvukV_TIRTtL2a3pWHdkUvRdjk1OkjcsOT-_cxnkCK4KLRbVTx9EAyyc1CZM3QE1Jo/s640/DSC_0144.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loved the colours amongst the newly planted trees and vegetation</td></tr>
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The next two photos are quite similar. I prefer the composition of the first but the colours are brighter in the second. Annoying! I haven't edited either and just thought I would put both on here for comparison of results with different settings. That will teach me. Check settings before shoot!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVPUOMRfdTTpMllCItr3KCoLZZ8wt7xBHL9_zhDeiyUQblQHrZ3v9IwAdYwBcZf6ebzU4Ky7upIF7zNqOFgZ0eiOv4tiFhI_XOrKLAytnWcoiS2tEibGzJzOSm3tUnlL9BgCXMDQiIp8/s1600/DSC_0148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVPUOMRfdTTpMllCItr3KCoLZZ8wt7xBHL9_zhDeiyUQblQHrZ3v9IwAdYwBcZf6ebzU4Ky7upIF7zNqOFgZ0eiOv4tiFhI_XOrKLAytnWcoiS2tEibGzJzOSm3tUnlL9BgCXMDQiIp8/s640/DSC_0148.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f8, ISO 1000, 1/1000s</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-o3v1zq1sV4jkbn2orFwXyQQgGuOWbDLkVaD2-WRh1gePG-f8CEkFcGBhauKtt4QMeqQvkWf0JXXSHV1y9t-o-DEyVL7DMeTvVOUoMqym3Aol-tX-JIaLj5Q6yrE9RQDndqArOfG7No/s1600/DSC_0149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-o3v1zq1sV4jkbn2orFwXyQQgGuOWbDLkVaD2-WRh1gePG-f8CEkFcGBhauKtt4QMeqQvkWf0JXXSHV1y9t-o-DEyVL7DMeTvVOUoMqym3Aol-tX-JIaLj5Q6yrE9RQDndqArOfG7No/s640/DSC_0149.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">f10, ISO 360, 1/250s</td></tr>
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On Monday we (the Swale area volunteers) returned to the land in Stalisfield where we cleared a large area of dock and thistle around the new(ish) ponds. Our task for the morning was to burn it. This appealed to the other volunteers (older men) more than me. Must be their hunter gatherer primitive instinct to build fire! I helped chop the branches and build it. There is actually a technique for creating a good stable bonfire. While we watched the matter burn, a buzzard soared above some nearby woodland, linnets chattered in the hedgerow and common darters laid their eggs in the ponds. Can't beat being out in the countryside! <br />
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Currently, on top of work at the pub and volunteering, I have a number of creative little projects on the go. I am also reading 3 different books and am in the process of turning the (too big for me) linen trousers below into some kind of skirt. My wonderful mum has been helping me design a pattern. If it weren't for her I would have just cut them up and sewed them up in any old fashion. Would have looked awful. Still might, but I just wanted to have a go at up-cycling some clothing :)<br />
I also have 5 or 6 knitting projects in the pipeline. Some leg warmers, a practice rectangle of fair isle, a scarf which I will post a photo of once it is finished and other little odds and sods. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knitting bible and some of the little projects</td></tr>
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I hope everyone is having a good week so far! I watched The Great British Year last night. I thought there was some lovely filming and the sequences of hares was just magical. Not sure I like all the fast, sped up time lapse stuff though. What did all you lovely people think of it??? Oh and if any of you saw the wildlife revival programme on Sunday, the PhD student from Sussex who was talking about water voles and the trapping etc is the lady I go trapping with!<br />
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Also... as a bit of an after thought just came back to add this photo. Another caterpillar. Rubbish photo taken on my phone on a very wet water vole volunteering day...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2I0K66o3mhT5Ijl0I18tj4ak8T6XsIwSEKfieNpwLh4ZIhAlrpVBUkdAWrZ_Zp-5m5MnpWIZX-GDKDWGUyYuygNCnlb1uFnLrtevenLT3SXYt-_pqgoo7Yc1h41uXG-V7YVBLdmzlZ4/s1600/IMAG2192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2I0K66o3mhT5Ijl0I18tj4ak8T6XsIwSEKfieNpwLh4ZIhAlrpVBUkdAWrZ_Zp-5m5MnpWIZX-GDKDWGUyYuygNCnlb1uFnLrtevenLT3SXYt-_pqgoo7Yc1h41uXG-V7YVBLdmzlZ4/s400/IMAG2192.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willowherb hawkmoth caterpillar! (I think) (13th Sept) <b>Edit: Dark form of the elephant hawkmoth caterpillar. Unfortunately not the extremely rare migrant!! Thanks to Steve Ogden who corrected this for me. </b></td></tr>
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<br />Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-66073150807265704112013-09-29T12:38:00.001+01:002013-09-29T12:38:49.256+01:00SeptemberAs per, been super busy with various volunteering tasks and work at the pub. I'll just make this a brief post with some September photos.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtWnVHpCYYVOb1xmzIwBqQZtdhwImhLUl2F_t7gEnKhW1DvY0GBxUo_5caBX-zQHEspYl5rQTH8gYjQKAwGBIrbrKwWbmagkluxZnqplG6_7FhtXPU_Lv9Am0WdkqT1wLlUQAn169j94/s1600/DSC_1000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtWnVHpCYYVOb1xmzIwBqQZtdhwImhLUl2F_t7gEnKhW1DvY0GBxUo_5caBX-zQHEspYl5rQTH8gYjQKAwGBIrbrKwWbmagkluxZnqplG6_7FhtXPU_Lv9Am0WdkqT1wLlUQAn169j94/s640/DSC_1000.JPG" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden carpet moth on our bird of paradise plant (11th Sept)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KlUo0PtgwwbFriVE4GOOKNYodKH4t7ADWMJPxhWEr5yKnw9DsLR8uhYoHdh3-v1LKuC5M9_8Hw1ZShBxWG1aZzTDCJdFKMA9WjfkaMoSlatuMsVdqAYIfWcUOpXU9RlL2BDvuW0yLto/s1600/DSC_1011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KlUo0PtgwwbFriVE4GOOKNYodKH4t7ADWMJPxhWEr5yKnw9DsLR8uhYoHdh3-v1LKuC5M9_8Hw1ZShBxWG1aZzTDCJdFKMA9WjfkaMoSlatuMsVdqAYIfWcUOpXU9RlL2BDvuW0yLto/s640/DSC_1011.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raindrop covered hibiscus (12th Sept)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmix_0KFnSGY_jeZImlCwsQ3aRY7tcR69JWZpSKBCs8m0acxV2xlWhYYCzS050y7oTGF7b_ceKNH8FpGoZR2k0etN7P2RSRINMajexX_INGXMyhRL9u2G4RkruhTZSQtQr-3bQ-FywOFA/s1600/DSC_1006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmix_0KFnSGY_jeZImlCwsQ3aRY7tcR69JWZpSKBCs8m0acxV2xlWhYYCzS050y7oTGF7b_ceKNH8FpGoZR2k0etN7P2RSRINMajexX_INGXMyhRL9u2G4RkruhTZSQtQr-3bQ-FywOFA/s640/DSC_1006.JPG" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raindrops on a large white butterfly caterpillar clambering along chicken wire (12th Sept)</td></tr>
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My Dad and my Gramps were always very keen on keeping fish and reptiles and that sort of thing. In the past year my Dad has started this hobby up again with various beautiful fish, but more interestingly freshwater blueclaw crayfish <i><span style="font-family: inherit;">(Cherax quadricarinatus)</span></i>. These are native to Australia and apparently they are a delicacy over there. I personally wouldn't eat one, being a veggie, but they are certainly very attractive! My dad has inadvertantly managed to breed them and tells me there are 7 young ones scuttling around the tank (I don't really like to advertise, but he asked me to write that they are for sale). Cute as far as crustaceans go! He also kept a recent exoskeleton to show me, and knowing that I am now making a little collection of odonata exuviae etc, he thought it would be a good addition to my collection :) <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuChlmoqNl-qHycuuWQ2qcMwUjbnat5dqIXGHSjbwjwEjtgG4AJRQygMFsq11SII7x1xXWQ7d4A28WG-Mta_5RSpYA8aZIF-OuwndWWQHhlSLWhn92qjuDC85w5cOBivAUZ2MpABDJtj4/s1600/DSC_1061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuChlmoqNl-qHycuuWQ2qcMwUjbnat5dqIXGHSjbwjwEjtgG4AJRQygMFsq11SII7x1xXWQ7d4A28WG-Mta_5RSpYA8aZIF-OuwndWWQHhlSLWhn92qjuDC85w5cOBivAUZ2MpABDJtj4/s640/DSC_1061.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult male (15th Sept)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlvEAPh_QYbx6vwFfUl9F19o86DRgrzGhKJ4VSSlR0PIhJjcCXj-2Un0A9Zl2sXfJZFhuZK6trfUq6l0E6KR8kPrlDdHZP5WXclX8XdCjbNZYH-Cu2Hu7Qc8qCYXRHRyRigq9BlQFb3E/s1600/DSC_1067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlvEAPh_QYbx6vwFfUl9F19o86DRgrzGhKJ4VSSlR0PIhJjcCXj-2Un0A9Zl2sXfJZFhuZK6trfUq6l0E6KR8kPrlDdHZP5WXclX8XdCjbNZYH-Cu2Hu7Qc8qCYXRHRyRigq9BlQFb3E/s640/DSC_1067.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-Ryp2Usuc8RhOiyV0mc4zhANe5Ls-ofSiYV5wwuITxQi-4s0I5QXHZqqbco1jeb6e5EWai96I5bxn_WkgKGSxWDP2t-LQl5aD7SkWWcNeiDYrMSnWMDbCmphy56fWG-q-rlS8PiCJ88/s1600/DSC_0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-Ryp2Usuc8RhOiyV0mc4zhANe5Ls-ofSiYV5wwuITxQi-4s0I5QXHZqqbco1jeb6e5EWai96I5bxn_WkgKGSxWDP2t-LQl5aD7SkWWcNeiDYrMSnWMDbCmphy56fWG-q-rlS8PiCJ88/s640/DSC_0165.JPG" width="402" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exoskeleton</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6W1jO-WW6ob0rXNGzSrtgu_-Q2pzva96ijyGZvga64OgI8LOQnTdT9vdXj9BWSIbpInTAWPA4NnXpM7GKQKSFG_7dILW9ydtkLLGL-KSdj5E6S04_TNsKArj8s30iTPERb1I-j3DkRXg/s1600/DSC_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6W1jO-WW6ob0rXNGzSrtgu_-Q2pzva96ijyGZvga64OgI8LOQnTdT9vdXj9BWSIbpInTAWPA4NnXpM7GKQKSFG_7dILW9ydtkLLGL-KSdj5E6S04_TNsKArj8s30iTPERb1I-j3DkRXg/s640/DSC_0167.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underside</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIY5b46Hkh4nyVAh9nCrAupyZZuBh0lJy5iitIOD1-Ejo5uLOxZ3uUtu_Z7D-XAYyZ1hSDDniueLGS5eadZTYPWMRyQ4nAI5XbinwOwpatRxfbX17NcjXiR-epjqy8TCVaJZoFhFO25Hs/s1600/DSC_0923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIY5b46Hkh4nyVAh9nCrAupyZZuBh0lJy5iitIOD1-Ejo5uLOxZ3uUtu_Z7D-XAYyZ1hSDDniueLGS5eadZTYPWMRyQ4nAI5XbinwOwpatRxfbX17NcjXiR-epjqy8TCVaJZoFhFO25Hs/s640/DSC_0923.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first one Dad got eating a fish (taken in December 2012)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDNxGahhjO_lqT-biFc1bpuu0FkxxlYwmOtHHCAu23Kp-lg2i2uht4JFTbqWYjJrFPY9H32MX_xmALmdqwu3kPNnmnrgOJsYBnTf2qWiSqvB_uETzNB7ArZMr_Ye7Sp0rW0HGZYfylh4/s1600/DSC_1070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDNxGahhjO_lqT-biFc1bpuu0FkxxlYwmOtHHCAu23Kp-lg2i2uht4JFTbqWYjJrFPY9H32MX_xmALmdqwu3kPNnmnrgOJsYBnTf2qWiSqvB_uETzNB7ArZMr_Ye7Sp0rW0HGZYfylh4/s640/DSC_1070.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little blue flower from a wild flower seed mat. Any ideas? Side view below...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fAkKyEz1u2aL72aFrf0l-nUOAvr8y8AYT7KEiHg72-U_oOkXx6ttPJE64oOOIHbQaDP3gxmArGPim7kQKKyXIFdZDxHX9eJSJJIZk-wfCs9uVGCRLPY3RvJvuHzwinTFkAN4Yh3cyXU/s1600/DSC_1072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fAkKyEz1u2aL72aFrf0l-nUOAvr8y8AYT7KEiHg72-U_oOkXx6ttPJE64oOOIHbQaDP3gxmArGPim7kQKKyXIFdZDxHX9eJSJJIZk-wfCs9uVGCRLPY3RvJvuHzwinTFkAN4Yh3cyXU/s640/DSC_1072.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Monday 16th I braved the M25 traffic and drove up to Whipsnade Zoo. I had a wonderful day, mainly due to having my own personal tour from a very lovely friend :) They have about 1000 free roaming animals in the grounds - the mara were pretty darn cute!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mummy Mara and her 2 bubbas!</td></tr>
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Mum and I drove down to Dungeness last weekend (21st) and purchased some new bins :) long overdue! We tested them out watching the skulking egrets and the wonderfully agile sandmartins. I never tire of watching hirundines skim the water for tiny insects, building up their weight ready for their long journey back to their winter residence. Some of my average attempts of photos are below. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUT7EPzd_GLKlYa8AtYM4aYE6SSXlXk6Dpy9i9EXSM0mlvPWs4PktWOEoG8SYg5kw-MfpS4f4re8J6BJyBV3xY7yOZzL0zGhQSPKvQjK2ord4eYJ49Yx4iKJJ3V6u9tDhabGq8D3TNnZo/s1600/DSC_1096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUT7EPzd_GLKlYa8AtYM4aYE6SSXlXk6Dpy9i9EXSM0mlvPWs4PktWOEoG8SYg5kw-MfpS4f4re8J6BJyBV3xY7yOZzL0zGhQSPKvQjK2ord4eYJ49Yx4iKJJ3V6u9tDhabGq8D3TNnZo/s640/DSC_1096.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little egret on land</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInKJlP_kI-rEwLhyPlzTc0DINNiiZ2mkGSIUNf6ZI038gR2yvhjnJUG9jPEk8CLS1uIV4wKMXjc1lXZ078XTr3cPpVh7OKmt2gN8QGZaDUAWK_LVzrQNYeoaAAxy3YSwdhys8nBOavdg/s1600/DSC_1113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInKJlP_kI-rEwLhyPlzTc0DINNiiZ2mkGSIUNf6ZI038gR2yvhjnJUG9jPEk8CLS1uIV4wKMXjc1lXZ078XTr3cPpVh7OKmt2gN8QGZaDUAWK_LVzrQNYeoaAAxy3YSwdhys8nBOavdg/s640/DSC_1113.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandmartins</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cormorant </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikUgHz8Qx5iiyeTJ-BaL69CqLIcgvSWJ9aMtbATUOnuVFLnbKAQXEcrqFHxVYpRDpBqesvSlorSpbfN5pHLedaGbRM3KPAVZBOVlvTOrNaYDiSp7FVJOLKKH6mnZ8_8a8LrSsFwTFLYA/s1600/DSC_1188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikUgHz8Qx5iiyeTJ-BaL69CqLIcgvSWJ9aMtbATUOnuVFLnbKAQXEcrqFHxVYpRDpBqesvSlorSpbfN5pHLedaGbRM3KPAVZBOVlvTOrNaYDiSp7FVJOLKKH6mnZ8_8a8LrSsFwTFLYA/s640/DSC_1188.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey heron</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Mid week we had some lovely sunny weather and the cosmos flowers were bloomin' pretty. I thought the pinky purple colour complemented the hazy green of the plants behind. Most of the photos I hardly edited at all and I was pretty pleased with the outcomes. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrodAOsn4VHTyrOFY-YgfKjHkMp_7TZUFUGYAJjgSguXqiMv_CyOF2EeV-JbwmAOzcB87RNSdHKOUAO4MtnsBYuMErN6PAIKrhGW61o2_2Gi4d3KcwNgnFhVBBsWdBxC3uEoRwITYKKB4/s1600/DSC_1207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrodAOsn4VHTyrOFY-YgfKjHkMp_7TZUFUGYAJjgSguXqiMv_CyOF2EeV-JbwmAOzcB87RNSdHKOUAO4MtnsBYuMErN6PAIKrhGW61o2_2Gi4d3KcwNgnFhVBBsWdBxC3uEoRwITYKKB4/s640/DSC_1207.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cosmos at lunchtime </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrCMlMjTVPSvL-Fk7kOeTAh3aseyL07Z_hvjuAnPJrz_T42XuVKd8_DE4abwyZsSHRbOXs-cIQMK2I3Y_GNK0Wt3yeVEzG0XbA6_xoxsVGTYg4ItfN8DmEylolnc6yWf5mQQTVnyVMlg/s1600/DSC_1227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrCMlMjTVPSvL-Fk7kOeTAh3aseyL07Z_hvjuAnPJrz_T42XuVKd8_DE4abwyZsSHRbOXs-cIQMK2I3Y_GNK0Wt3yeVEzG0XbA6_xoxsVGTYg4ItfN8DmEylolnc6yWf5mQQTVnyVMlg/s640/DSC_1227.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carder bee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUoH5h5EyylqEYC3V03Bcoz8SAoAUlZM0LZHl4EeLxpzhkGy8XYfpcxtuB1Mz7lUljUWhaG7mXvRRv36EGiR6hBeEiss35PzBS0szh_VUU4RVb90DB2ASWEovqbDelXNeUnFjmvGfIG5g/s1600/DSC_1237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUoH5h5EyylqEYC3V03Bcoz8SAoAUlZM0LZHl4EeLxpzhkGy8XYfpcxtuB1Mz7lUljUWhaG7mXvRRv36EGiR6hBeEiss35PzBS0szh_VUU4RVb90DB2ASWEovqbDelXNeUnFjmvGfIG5g/s640/DSC_1237.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bracken enjoying chewing his new toy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKw7lkSgZZgETXsncmFQPaf9YUYbNsjIEgaMAJk48jzuOBgXaecHEOg0gRT5AWZeNoPuKn3jyTz3Fg2vvDNPmnn0JUu6kvOUWSQxKxV42BK_5WubBVLpRnA3ytdTte5GVntK_U59COsTE/s1600/DSC_1247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKw7lkSgZZgETXsncmFQPaf9YUYbNsjIEgaMAJk48jzuOBgXaecHEOg0gRT5AWZeNoPuKn3jyTz3Fg2vvDNPmnn0JUu6kvOUWSQxKxV42BK_5WubBVLpRnA3ytdTte5GVntK_U59COsTE/s640/DSC_1247.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening primrose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz29u8JI147EhnvRtunGrjLCxXgrIVia_dRIk3ZggvoBPCabJ20puemJs3pM7YFm8TbFSJskcO07xRgYlXxMehUUEdAd7aqXhov7Yc4SJr0dcGgAX6r2mRZqNlbKupnElzWloVRV6Y01A/s1600/DSC_1269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz29u8JI147EhnvRtunGrjLCxXgrIVia_dRIk3ZggvoBPCabJ20puemJs3pM7YFm8TbFSJskcO07xRgYlXxMehUUEdAd7aqXhov7Yc4SJr0dcGgAX6r2mRZqNlbKupnElzWloVRV6Y01A/s640/DSC_1269.JPG" width="434" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuchsia </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_342567061"></span><span id="goog_342567062"></span><br />
morning of 24th<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuerWvN6xGsFDH7bkGhjxQvPLEzF7c6NaIuEbYNlc_s-5d5SyARp7gEOVUXC5_QQDfAchYibtyP47sAr59aHKBw2H8B2AztmmiRuGqjYF9vNATAuOgl1R0eOoouJyywGs3L1Eym2hbIHs/s1600/DSC_1283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuerWvN6xGsFDH7bkGhjxQvPLEzF7c6NaIuEbYNlc_s-5d5SyARp7gEOVUXC5_QQDfAchYibtyP47sAr59aHKBw2H8B2AztmmiRuGqjYF9vNATAuOgl1R0eOoouJyywGs3L1Eym2hbIHs/s640/DSC_1283.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cosmos in the morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlb6oRR5IKZhe6Eejf9CtH1XyaNy1ixMd10FC64biTxXvvKVzLx9W5jrAmp9Ah2Kv9dJWDpz0jquwZArxY5359PUafGxs4pm3q-Il0iqC7k0xOYgxQ8MRD0A5Hhx6qT-ytb4DCtoXBAY/s1600/DSC_1287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlb6oRR5IKZhe6Eejf9CtH1XyaNy1ixMd10FC64biTxXvvKVzLx9W5jrAmp9Ah2Kv9dJWDpz0jquwZArxY5359PUafGxs4pm3q-Il0iqC7k0xOYgxQ8MRD0A5Hhx6qT-ytb4DCtoXBAY/s640/DSC_1287.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I cropped this slightly and changed the contrast a little bit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBohrwNx-ntlxnU1b8cWTcTi_ealr3tBgQYLqXQzaYWx6YOP7CFVHnHMaeUCxRfhIRqyn-OIZayZpnrkNUMqZTlomKllrV325DDHMJGCnK6dL_qfddWd63hglQeX73Usf_J7QlbJaPvSU/s1600/DSC_1295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBohrwNx-ntlxnU1b8cWTcTi_ealr3tBgQYLqXQzaYWx6YOP7CFVHnHMaeUCxRfhIRqyn-OIZayZpnrkNUMqZTlomKllrV325DDHMJGCnK6dL_qfddWd63hglQeX73Usf_J7QlbJaPvSU/s640/DSC_1295.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I only altered the contrast in this photo ever so slightly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nYIyZpMR9PLkLMkVg_92PBuLFBWVh3bOKrZDeUKKGbfZKZawgXW0OVt4s_4H3N_WYNe2MoQPBp0CIr1vxhNPWi7TctDy0TWr5tiq_bdZ8xd6T3vZSg_Y2cVq7vftY1VyymLSobxKDNo/s1600/DSC_1303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nYIyZpMR9PLkLMkVg_92PBuLFBWVh3bOKrZDeUKKGbfZKZawgXW0OVt4s_4H3N_WYNe2MoQPBp0CIr1vxhNPWi7TctDy0TWr5tiq_bdZ8xd6T3vZSg_Y2cVq7vftY1VyymLSobxKDNo/s640/DSC_1303.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I only cropped this photo very slightly, other than that unedited.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Anyway that is probably enough cosmos photos for now! I will hopefully post again soon with some interesting caterpillars I have seen on various walks and vol tasks. Thanks for reading all :) Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-72941810571674970972013-09-17T18:24:00.000+01:002013-09-17T18:24:05.153+01:00Dragonflies, Rodent Debut, Woodland Walks and Other Autumnal ThingsBack in August which now seem so so long ago, I joined the Kent dragonfly and damselfly recorders to see what was flying around in Blean woods. I had been trying to arrange to go along with the Blean Assistant Warden for a while to do some surveying but our free times never coincided. Luckily they did on the 29th August. There were a few other volunteers from different groups too, so it was nice to meet some new people and chat to them about the kind of tasks they do. The dragonfly experts were ever so knowledgeable, as you may expect. I think I learnt a fair bit whilst out surveying, but there was an awful lot to take in. After a morning of dragonflies, the Blean Assistant Warden and I walked a butterfly transect, with the hope that I would carry this on, due to her job finishing the next day! It was very interesting to learn how to scientifically record the number of each species of butterfly we saw. Unfortunately I haven't managed to get out and walk the transect due to being busy and also weather conditions. There is meant to be roughly 60% sunshine and no rain! Below are a few photos from the day.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU2ZK9cTymVpy0cHjJFojl-xgtnvPWiyRB6-6W45SJ5lVGxEDvo5tambuII5LOLno5a1ESLeIZL0yJMXNznx2TbvZKGSrdRRftMxvbw8O1YXDfBtFSh23XA23Hv_8ke0jqZ2AxGNH_cc/s1600/DSC_0482.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU2ZK9cTymVpy0cHjJFojl-xgtnvPWiyRB6-6W45SJ5lVGxEDvo5tambuII5LOLno5a1ESLeIZL0yJMXNznx2TbvZKGSrdRRftMxvbw8O1YXDfBtFSh23XA23Hv_8ke0jqZ2AxGNH_cc/s640/DSC_0482.JPG" width="430" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern hawker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tKhC1cv-62zhG-3LIl6L9ZdVMDZ-b7L4uImsW4CRzwG4QK7U1Myzy4bSUbCSmDdGSh2R8hyphenhyphensvo5AkNvM1xAzXOotnh5zXoUDBFquFK1jh03hGWT5prw_isHgySbkbCrcZwFovWX-Udw/s640/DSC_0500.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Furrow orbweaver spider - <i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Larinoides cornutus</span> </i>(I think)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoXTRMOXwg5XGPrE3TPqHzatvgvstj35NO14lxCpZ3bqGOXQkCuBBeznVfZV8esQn9GczRtTBEAmKwavnRFmRquxzItACqTkNS2iZ-nGx1xP65MZxF_pXtxmcRXaeRyMRw4jlLYvPHfE/s1600/DSC_0522.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoXTRMOXwg5XGPrE3TPqHzatvgvstj35NO14lxCpZ3bqGOXQkCuBBeznVfZV8esQn9GczRtTBEAmKwavnRFmRquxzItACqTkNS2iZ-nGx1xP65MZxF_pXtxmcRXaeRyMRw4jlLYvPHfE/s640/DSC_0522.JPG" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emerald damselfly</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsagBPZlI-9jh4jTRFG_F4HSr1KEyocV5wMwk3fdkZCR6KgfKGmPba_bRHU_0y8Bvtw3dVPu_qysY2fC145NVNnvpkIA9SQ3CpjDBGblBe6X5zUZEPonXDrDvZSWofLjEr0dcf_EIj9HY/s1600/DSC_0527.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsagBPZlI-9jh4jTRFG_F4HSr1KEyocV5wMwk3fdkZCR6KgfKGmPba_bRHU_0y8Bvtw3dVPu_qysY2fC145NVNnvpkIA9SQ3CpjDBGblBe6X5zUZEPonXDrDvZSWofLjEr0dcf_EIj9HY/s640/DSC_0527.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emerald damselfly</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LneFUSipnkUYC3pwhUxFEMIVg6d1s6UoQGuuHftgQFRUrZNMri9OaOzU-JKD_bozLInOtL3SAZYSpJDN3HMjY_FT6ue6DsO4VnWkXaG9MqiEMAm1fd2juBR8CS1KsN-vj92Y-yEdlAQ/s1600/DSC_0534.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LneFUSipnkUYC3pwhUxFEMIVg6d1s6UoQGuuHftgQFRUrZNMri9OaOzU-JKD_bozLInOtL3SAZYSpJDN3HMjY_FT6ue6DsO4VnWkXaG9MqiEMAm1fd2juBR8CS1KsN-vj92Y-yEdlAQ/s640/DSC_0534.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common darter male and female in the copulation wheel</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJk8vfYZSP_n0gZAM5U0D1oL8tanFUIpfaucsmHiUWe5CwpeCb2MrlMvT3qj_uJS2Sg5_cVCMQbepcW8tTv6GmszAOVVNl2kkhThRQ_HUL8-6OvmcRdbpkhUvJTDR9mDNFBrq_VP1Nis/s1600/DSC_0541.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJk8vfYZSP_n0gZAM5U0D1oL8tanFUIpfaucsmHiUWe5CwpeCb2MrlMvT3qj_uJS2Sg5_cVCMQbepcW8tTv6GmszAOVVNl2kkhThRQ_HUL8-6OvmcRdbpkhUvJTDR9mDNFBrq_VP1Nis/s640/DSC_0541.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exuviae - guessing a common darter came from this one due to it's size and the sheer number of them around!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgOmib2bdLY3J5O1GPya1689V75B0rcuxrXaE__Fbg-ZHZJnWfKxssg6QN8iCm9udsAEQqhTn410waLNYL1pcruG3h7d1myvMDQ40ZV3jCjhprI-Tzp1hJjYGRWPS190qlMZ8CH3o2bA/s1600/DSC_0547.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgOmib2bdLY3J5O1GPya1689V75B0rcuxrXaE__Fbg-ZHZJnWfKxssg6QN8iCm9udsAEQqhTn410waLNYL1pcruG3h7d1myvMDQ40ZV3jCjhprI-Tzp1hJjYGRWPS190qlMZ8CH3o2bA/s640/DSC_0547.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emerald damselfly - a particularly green specimen. Shame the photo isn't 100% in focus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9DNCkj39WzYZ3odQ-CocLW94uVCaMaiX_h_K79Vp7O3FluBfE_t535NOl2R_WB-sqq8VAoUDU9PP7KMG4fFC_HaLRi5HuNEjr-X0zv_ZTZWfU6vZjZkHTpcevs-o3rY0dxT9lfHD2C4/s1600/DSC_0564.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9DNCkj39WzYZ3odQ-CocLW94uVCaMaiX_h_K79Vp7O3FluBfE_t535NOl2R_WB-sqq8VAoUDU9PP7KMG4fFC_HaLRi5HuNEjr-X0zv_ZTZWfU6vZjZkHTpcevs-o3rY0dxT9lfHD2C4/s640/DSC_0564.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common darter on my car's aerial </td></tr>
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The day after the dragonfly and butterfly day I was out water vole surveying once again. We were lucky with the weather but, for the first part of the day, not so lucky with water vole signs. It seems they aren't so keen on the dense reedbeds. Anyway we moved on to search the extension fields and the first ditch we surveyed, Chloe spotted a little vole critter swim to the other side of the reeds. We stood and watched for a while, saw it swim really quickly to another tunnel created by folded over reeds. I scanned the area using my camera and I came across two little beady eyes staring at me! The image below is my first photo of a water vole :) It isn't the best but I'm not too bothered. The cute little thing swam off once I had taken my photo. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRGrnh0yd32LHLjtPYQcrgCl60k2SCuzY7Db-MUWf61jy6uyPJuSEVHsf9pEf6eXh_ivdiRqItBw3Z9vCHS11p0IfUqgteu9FAdk6jC8o-VMq2UHS-vgVV7f_wP2JzhoBAV2l6Zoigeg/s1600/DSC_0567.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRGrnh0yd32LHLjtPYQcrgCl60k2SCuzY7Db-MUWf61jy6uyPJuSEVHsf9pEf6eXh_ivdiRqItBw3Z9vCHS11p0IfUqgteu9FAdk6jC8o-VMq2UHS-vgVV7f_wP2JzhoBAV2l6Zoigeg/s640/DSC_0567.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first ever water vole photo!! What a little cutie!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBv337PqOZbAODHc0O94wv4xl8Wb8EOeNaqqEqepHgDgY_T_Hc_xt_3TS2ezxtlrZtWFZGvFj-CKH_VcqUaCFuFftQ6AtB-7MmMz1L_OyIZFMIG8ZuRlAZrjOH42adHAZMVWc5dj6-yk/s1600/DSC_0573.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBv337PqOZbAODHc0O94wv4xl8Wb8EOeNaqqEqepHgDgY_T_Hc_xt_3TS2ezxtlrZtWFZGvFj-CKH_VcqUaCFuFftQ6AtB-7MmMz1L_OyIZFMIG8ZuRlAZrjOH42adHAZMVWc5dj6-yk/s640/DSC_0573.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water vole latrine</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-vpDwDA9ZAXB36ZJLDCXe-6k_NbndS-SBMjBC-oPZpvBuyJg-OL_f9R0snfzaDRolxNcUSVUjaJSqzx1CKwq4-NT0xiZfDOO6SOycnvPrIlalbKB0CD9VPcthA1iuFcbFOiaCK7ex8A/s640/DSC_0571.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grasshopper of some species... common green? Meadow? </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijj9TZTkfsVOdg_SpDr06Yo3AVvg59njiEuFlVtZrkzubbb_Dx7Zhw-yf_l-gGFTeZdfKjZOgkGnnOEuBM7E1FnLpTxQS2JlvsnVjjDpXmdBwu5clrMOXTVsCVw49kZ5UC7UEn4XNPXC8/s1600/DSC_0577.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijj9TZTkfsVOdg_SpDr06Yo3AVvg59njiEuFlVtZrkzubbb_Dx7Zhw-yf_l-gGFTeZdfKjZOgkGnnOEuBM7E1FnLpTxQS2JlvsnVjjDpXmdBwu5clrMOXTVsCVw49kZ5UC7UEn4XNPXC8/s640/DSC_0577.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rather pale Clouded yellow.... could it be an actual Pale Clouded yellow? Or just a faded normal one?</td></tr>
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On the first day of Autumn (supposedly) we packed some snacks and a flask, took our OS map and went for a walk in the woods. We had to drive a bit first. To Chilham. Backpack, walking boots and dog at the ready off we trundled. Took me back to map reading whilst doing D of E! We had a great walk, lots of migrant hawkers around the coppiced woodland and a quite a bit of fungi around. A cross-over between summer and autumn!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlwYFe2gPfJHzWOKDoMCHc4uRaTbi1lZ1CglshGkyoOvcOG2XtdI_dCo_0RI5BA1qul-iQw-iccSzNhgAqjPH1sdGEK9gNAvRSyj_A9MGhZqu4UwQPS6JgVKCWL_yqFsBpbwNC0q0B6E/s640/DSC_0597.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="422" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Possibly coral-spot fungus - <i>Nectria cinnabarina</i></td></tr>
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Volunteering at South Swale Reserve on 2nd September we were repairing some fencing the cattle had pushed over and made unstable. Keeping us company was this nice grey plover, some distant seals, a few clouded yellows, some young meadow pipits and 5 or so wheatears!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTFl1Sm_mjF3jty-nvQEZJXNa08iWqjAlCorTLMX6Dgray_8_yEPEanXFnSTVjPJDkoMG4O3QCIleeyjedOyAF6CgAlIYNAukb49vhMjvmZR3j5jjcdchez1XkBwyscUQrBWH4Zw-bEQ/s640/DSC_0600.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seen better and much more clearly through the Warden's scope</td></tr>
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The house martins are still around which is lovely. The swifts left us a good few weeks ago now, so it is great to still have these amazing little birds chattering in their hundreds above the garden. Their white undersides catch the evening sun so beautifully. The youngsters from the nests on our house seem to have taken up residence in the HM box we put up! Maybe it was a bit of a squish in the mud nest and they wanted to get away from their siblings! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Numerous HMs in the evening - 2nd Sept</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OKg9lQuD9PT2QC7pwY5awCLaR-APoTys0cYOhYRX8fsTWg5dD9u831g01AEHuFNEanQit95sPEf-FwDO09amy5tWHHT8cy5I7A8fEinbg7LjSjNZgJx_gd6ZOoGAyf0H0adQ5OT47LU/s640/DSC_0641.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a fraction of the numbers that were in the sky!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2A8bUAkBI8akczVGXI6aonpRPe2Wq6vraga6c3RZMmFHX7UGhnfw117Au7VGc990tL1ShBbYKMnMmrEn8zt6-Oq1d_p1fAnH0M3j4kLaKoBY6CU4Sf6WWKD4fFcl-0Ht5TQ0oCqdmbNk/s640/DSC_0690.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HM chicks - 3rd Sept</td></tr>
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Autumn is most definitely here. Dewy spiders webs are a sure sign!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApirfqcZzDHc2PK3eufItkf4iY-6-PMge1F9GezXBIYQmymxKFvKEFZrvcd2JO-sxcZ529Hd-oP0qcy0nUPMdfjaza9XaWVJlOykiPB7WEpu2HrLWuy0l4gW1FpSK5H4u5KZLKxi40HU/s640/DSC_0751.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artichoke</td></tr>
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Water vole trapping on Friday 6th September meant an early start. Well, early for me anyway. I was picked up at 6.45 and we arrived at our destination at half 7. We met R and P there and set to work. R is undertaking a PhD studying genetic differences between water voles in Sussex and Kent. Very interesting and very specialised. In order to track whether water voles stay in the same territories, individuals are captured in a trap, much like a big humane mouse trap. It is then determined if they have been captured before and if not, they are weighed, sexed and chipped. I was honoured to be able to help them out with this, and maybe a bit too happy to have been bitten by a cute little wv! Through gloves though, so maybe I wouldn't have been quite so pleased it it had drawn blood! R was particularly excited that a female had been recaptured from last year, and in the same trap! She hadn't moved at all. Obviously a nice safe section of reedbed with lots to munch on! Anyway, below are a few images from the very successful morning! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early morning sun on the reserve</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRWjO9iXA0c1zKKlRT1TVNB_ygJhx6PihqOQ1MVL44Abs0Hp97saX7ZLwTioovuGmr3DA9SpexqsyfqExxC9ZvIgHWs-wusJMokcfnMEjx1HpNq1cKybFcZcaLte4KA0wtYCOz53W0NU/s640/DSC_0767.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutie in a pringles tube! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT9gBSdL8Taby_DS41xYN_EWn5d202FzLwqKVlXlA_7gqrNss7K1tLS2uCTEuR_TYvOACw0mL7NbNpEJ0A49lVnvvWkUFhfmx5m98g_YVB_rvoD32D7AlOjI5gKnJ27lnqjyHXVL_k0w/s640/DSC_0768.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Released from the tube after being chipped</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 spot orb weaver - <span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Araneus quadratus</i></span></td></tr>
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After a very long post, I shall thank you for reading :) Hope you are all enjoying the turn of the seasons as much as I am! Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-4913507415894681742013-09-11T00:20:00.002+01:002013-09-11T00:20:40.440+01:00Some more August photos and Bracken turns 1!<u>A visit to Sevenoaks Nature reserve </u><br />
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On Sunday 25th August - we met my Auntie here and spent a few hours exploring the reserve before we had to head back so I could get to work on time. <br />
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We ate our picnic, accompanied by many wasps and therefore the few people that were around, were treated to my wasp dance! They have a lovely wild flower garden with a small pond and some nice wooden seats. This reserve is also home to the worlds largest insect hotel - in the Guinness book of records! There were certainly plenty of bees, butterflies, dragonflies and spiddy spiders! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bumble on marjoram </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gatekeeper on heather</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An odd alien looking fly thing - possibly <i>Tachina fera</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common darter in the first of a few poses...if you flick through them quickly it kind of makes the wings look like a child's arms when pretending to be an aeroplane!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost gone!</td></tr>
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We walked down to this lake and almost as soon as we arrived at this tranquil scene, a flash of iridescent blue was spotted by mum. I caught a brief glimpse too! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lone pond skater, its delicate legs making a slight impression on the waters surface</td></tr>
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It was a great reserve and definitely one which we would like to return to!<br />
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<u>A bank holiday walk</u><br />
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We used to go on a lovely walk when we lived in Teynham, past the village church, through orchards and down to a small river - the River Lyn (which I once did a primary school project on - very interesting history if I remember rightly). We hadn't been down there in a good few years so decided we would take a picnic and go and spend an afternoon reminiscing! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huge tree at the Church</td></tr>
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When we got to the little jetty and the rope swing by the river, we were rather irritated to find a couple of hooligan type lads hanging out down here. We were hoping for a peaceful, relaxing lunch stop, remembering how I used to jump on the rope swing and drag my wellie boot clad feet in the freezing cold river, my mum hoping I wasn't going to fall in. Instead we had to listen to the idiot guys messing around, being, well idiots. Bracken was also not impressed. He gave a somewhat protective bark. He hadn't done this before, so maybe he sensed our annoyance at them. <br />
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We moved on and walked through the orchards of apples, pears, cherries, damsons and plums, of which, some were past it, some were unripe and some were just right. We picked up some of the windfalls and carried on our way. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common darter. Amazing variation in their colours, from quite a rusty red (as in the earlier picture) to this yellowy green</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Damson laden trees </td></tr>
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<u>Some unexpected garden visitors!</u><br />
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We have never had a speckled wood butterfly in our garden before... I was very surprised to see this little beauty fluttering around in the shade!<br />
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You can imagine how excited I was at our next unusual visitor. I saw it briefly with closed wings and went to get my camera. Initially I thought it was a female common blue which in itself would have been wonderful but it had fluttered away before I got my camera. I stood and waited for 15 minutes or so and it returned to the hydrangea! Opened its small wings and instantly I realised it was a brown argus!!! Then a few days later I questioned whether it was indeed a female common blue, because they are very similar. The identification is really only separated by a few spots on the underneath of the wing. I can confirm that this is indeed an argus :)<br />
The bottom of this web page - <a href="http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=agestis" target="_blank">Uk butterflies</a> is very helpful! <br />
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I found this lovely little moth critter on our highly contrasting recycling bin. I'm astonished it's little fury head wasn't squished by a bin collector's unknowing hands! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpbkFVrP9rSZNQSyHjd5WRczPv6KXlmouVlud-mKtenYFJ3AwZ4ijq4zPmn1BykClGyYpWYxUuCozfGwlR67GSs4crw4wO527Ozoc_vNqZHToFmfDSRhI__PpW83d5qfNLapT8BjmGYA/s1600/DSC_0477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpbkFVrP9rSZNQSyHjd5WRczPv6KXlmouVlud-mKtenYFJ3AwZ4ijq4zPmn1BykClGyYpWYxUuCozfGwlR67GSs4crw4wO527Ozoc_vNqZHToFmfDSRhI__PpW83d5qfNLapT8BjmGYA/s640/DSC_0477.JPG" width="434" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female orange swift? Or is it a female gold swift? Or neither? </td></tr>
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Today, well it was today when I started writing this, but as per it has taken me longer and the event which I am writing about was in fact yesterday. Anyway, Bracken turned the grand old age of 1 yesterday. When we got him as a wee little 2 month old nipper (and boy did he nip) this is what he looked like...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7UW6eyJDu8I9fD7YG04EDkgm-ChfZTJQREGrIjkLCO6COQxdgINKTR8z1wbs66LPPkv-_uxDKdCU2kUDbkbtnkuf-zbLEU97iRMXA-VaBKXksEQ5rknAk9ClsVVL6gVJ-MZrvTk0svg/s1600/DSC_0304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7UW6eyJDu8I9fD7YG04EDkgm-ChfZTJQREGrIjkLCO6COQxdgINKTR8z1wbs66LPPkv-_uxDKdCU2kUDbkbtnkuf-zbLEU97iRMXA-VaBKXksEQ5rknAk9ClsVVL6gVJ-MZrvTk0svg/s640/DSC_0304.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Podgey little pup on his puppy toilet training pad the night we got him. Cute ey! </td></tr>
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And now look at him! He is nearly as big as me! Well sort of! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4M60GHPHhyXISAVKdJ1deyCTn04OdvrjYq7QvHIZz6PqKM8Zlu1Bkd9oNRr-6v0oJBghN25kKnJqNJsvBciVby0a_Ps-_5zdV5238Ia3wF6iBC12hD92uCRHPleGR8j8Q27LRsYQ0VUU/s1600/DSC_0994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4M60GHPHhyXISAVKdJ1deyCTn04OdvrjYq7QvHIZz6PqKM8Zlu1Bkd9oNRr-6v0oJBghN25kKnJqNJsvBciVby0a_Ps-_5zdV5238Ia3wF6iBC12hD92uCRHPleGR8j8Q27LRsYQ0VUU/s640/DSC_0994.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Expect more August photos and maybe some of September's snaps in the next post!<br />
Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-67611401472927255662013-09-04T11:02:00.000+01:002013-09-04T11:02:29.118+01:0050th post - Day trip to France and other bits and bobs September is upon us, but I will probably still be blogging about
August for another few months! Maybe it will encourage the weather to
stay as lovely as it has been for a bit longer!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcYs3PNcPvITIXK5w27A3AVvhsd3NJNGbC7iZT_5-MH1U35cdzWOAdWXk_tB82a_ztlsS8arcA6hyl5ry19z4bkwrVZozqiIX66Xx2EK8JdYo9c-SlLHD_ViffUEn31M_-0YONkx5ER4/s1600/DSC_1374.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcYs3PNcPvITIXK5w27A3AVvhsd3NJNGbC7iZT_5-MH1U35cdzWOAdWXk_tB82a_ztlsS8arcA6hyl5ry19z4bkwrVZozqiIX66Xx2EK8JdYo9c-SlLHD_ViffUEn31M_-0YONkx5ER4/s640/DSC_1374.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden pebble on our wall the evening of the 11th </td></tr>
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On Tuesday 13th August, we (my mum, auntie, cousin and I) had planned a day trip to France.
We used to go a fair bit when we were younger, with my other cousin
too, and thought it would be nice to have a little explore! Our ferry
was at 9.25 so we were on French shores just before midday their time.
My auntie drove us down to Montreuil which is a walled town with cobbled streets and magnificent ramparts. We had lunch which consisted of wine and an omelette in a little cafe before exploring this quaint little place. <br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We came across this brilliant buddleia! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVSfJf2PvVVWW-J1Mkjzja2qrTpNteNYZB08gvZoEd6MIciC3YQ1Y46UtZUE3A1NSNiKP93ygCZZYLKZlx7FPmYoAIXzAD7jLrsFSoAJbu0bTV37CWSkpxWIbMitLAqMmLY8JUevCUfw/s1600/DSC_1394.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVSfJf2PvVVWW-J1Mkjzja2qrTpNteNYZB08gvZoEd6MIciC3YQ1Y46UtZUE3A1NSNiKP93ygCZZYLKZlx7FPmYoAIXzAD7jLrsFSoAJbu0bTV37CWSkpxWIbMitLAqMmLY8JUevCUfw/s640/DSC_1394.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How many butterflies can you count?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGbywvLCH6-PcogDD1Z6FTAe9b7tREjeBA1pLBww9qZxbk3QxO7JwOGL1dTrbMxYX4f3ZIScLfQk4nDVLhyphenhyphenfk_8FBHxRSZtAPA6_OSiED3rn97m3jOeg7AIIgQVv3iL7bdC_ARACkaio/s1600/DSC_1396.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGbywvLCH6-PcogDD1Z6FTAe9b7tREjeBA1pLBww9qZxbk3QxO7JwOGL1dTrbMxYX4f3ZIScLfQk4nDVLhyphenhyphenfk_8FBHxRSZtAPA6_OSiED3rn97m3jOeg7AIIgQVv3iL7bdC_ARACkaio/s640/DSC_1396.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....and in this one</td></tr>
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<br />These were the beautiful views seen from the ramparts.<br />
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This area was alive with colourful wild flowers which attracted an abundance of butterflies and bees!<br />
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<img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFoxEJYucr5Cf7ThjZWnn_PdviJQZ47VQRybSTPMzqWx_N1ATvixfg55DHk33rQ5YYufa7qGmq3WLiIAEefXpraMoo7QGsLi9N2Dr5Mkk5q4usUvnHiDtjh1QMtbUyFkRSOf6NyeBDujM/s640/DSC_1405.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsJOcV097jhY7XjTipQXkH08ZP5tWEn9iVbUb5CmSFlfESQ2oiNxBlXQhFnvUsUXm40dEMLZdztVCnDxTqhTMeSKzcnAhGMkAAYRl6fSianYtiPFAgP9v3D37Xm0_Fxu32Dwj83bSDow/s640/DSC_1408.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is this wild carrot? </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFvNABu8rY9RJ58VVJQJR9mPGKraWkgy2MHDWbnCwgPGTZhWAyIpk8z2awnCd68dV8vPa6Ht_7wsoR9uNBs25P4h_iG7P41hXGCPkkhpVdP3Chh2v7Lr1wO9sPxiFwhvuId96mzzmaIM/s1600/DSC_1417.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFvNABu8rY9RJ58VVJQJR9mPGKraWkgy2MHDWbnCwgPGTZhWAyIpk8z2awnCd68dV8vPa6Ht_7wsoR9uNBs25P4h_iG7P41hXGCPkkhpVdP3Chh2v7Lr1wO9sPxiFwhvuId96mzzmaIM/s640/DSC_1417.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first brown argus I'd ever seen!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHkcSLuiVGYH5K5WH5XilX4VDU52URJlLQ5krj68O4vYrbkhbV_L9ZpSksXGq0OCZwQF9c4Xpg1BXHwCtv_PL8tqwjyNbVB8bh8HIz_SB3NSkF20LptV0JwdQtlNME75z0CR-Uw_gEi8/s1600/DSC_1421.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHkcSLuiVGYH5K5WH5XilX4VDU52URJlLQ5krj68O4vYrbkhbV_L9ZpSksXGq0OCZwQF9c4Xpg1BXHwCtv_PL8tqwjyNbVB8bh8HIz_SB3NSkF20LptV0JwdQtlNME75z0CR-Uw_gEi8/s640/DSC_1421.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown argus with the sun shining on it</td></tr>
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While
I was admiring this little gem, mum declared she had seen a
swallowtail! I rushed over and it was settled on a dead plant on the
edge of the wall. I crouched down ever so slowly and with only my
18-55mm lens on my camera tried to edge closer for a photo. I was just
ready to click when it disappeared. I wasn't prepared to jump the 20
foot drop in order to chase this magnificent butterfly. I was happy just
to have seen one!<br />
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From montreuil we carried on driving towards Le Crotoy which is on the estuary of the river Somme. We parked, had a stroll, bought an ice cream and wandered a while longer.<br />
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An expanse of water the other side of the wall revealed many gulls, a few grebes and this shag opening its wings, sunning itself.<br />
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In close proximity to Le Crotoy we had seen signs to Le Parc du Marquenterre and found it fairly easily. We weren't too sure what it would be like, and when we got there we found it was more like a french version of the wildfowl and wetlands trust reserves we have in our country - i.e. you pay to get in and can't enter after a certain time. That will be a day trip in the future then. After this little detour we had to head back to Calais to catch our ferry home, but we got stuck in a lot of traffic and missed our allotted ferry. We also nearly ran out of petrol so more delay, but luckily when we arrived at the port the woman at the kiosk type thing happily let us board the next one. Not such a disaster after all! An enjoyable day indeed!<br />
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Back to British soil...<br />
I have been volunteering quite a bit more the last few weeks. I heard a "plop" whilst out water vole monitoring and got excited thinking it was a fury critter. However I noticed this lovely common frog and realised it was the culprit of the plop!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkmkBzHuY0LjwHjOki2dnHNFLSvWsD22-Ozptovv125MSqaEJ0ZKqqFh2sdKCUjOVD6hnMDVytAYmGT2Gv7ZiJEi3pusJXIcaIeYMRBQ8jMboY2ew8BSeflK8Bj02M_WKRx1wtKC6H4A/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkmkBzHuY0LjwHjOki2dnHNFLSvWsD22-Ozptovv125MSqaEJ0ZKqqFh2sdKCUjOVD6hnMDVytAYmGT2Gv7ZiJEi3pusJXIcaIeYMRBQ8jMboY2ew8BSeflK8Bj02M_WKRx1wtKC6H4A/s640/DSC_0010.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common frog</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkYsT7IBWpUGfTgOMYFHGpakqJtnbBO7OHIH-TJxS_2jlKlmobC40ugOc65xNxz8nP5sFA3ueajlnB6dAroQpNnOfHd8sgLv-P2-XbqPJVfs5yujUjieQCOlXXiSQusWipWaaUDRsUJE/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkYsT7IBWpUGfTgOMYFHGpakqJtnbBO7OHIH-TJxS_2jlKlmobC40ugOc65xNxz8nP5sFA3ueajlnB6dAroQpNnOfHd8sgLv-P2-XbqPJVfs5yujUjieQCOlXXiSQusWipWaaUDRsUJE/s400/DSC_0020.JPG" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first small copper I had seen this year.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlajwgQLg5ki8FCeCNqCdM35WQg-4XyfRQweHX5eUwU3eyP8kP8pT57H8-4AqiZ1_PpaVb-mIhxo7pfrW0vKgFCAuBD1_62HUHboZKTmR1W_iT92dU5NVaH-iXDppg_rcNvk5pl72KJhg/s640/DSC_0024.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barge sails in the background</td></tr>
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On Sunday 18th, mum and I drove to Tyland Barn which is where the head office is for Kent Wildlife Trust. It is more of an educational reserve, with a miniature meadow, wood piles, insect hotels and a pond. We saw good numbers of butterflies, hoverflies and some little micro-moths too. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2XbdKjRjRvoKrfT-q4lshyphenhyphen4MV-Vdv0dvAJ1j_nLG3Qa3OKCV92LB7C6BenhXgufzSGpc4pR-ttaepUQC2eIHU1kxtg5Bu3D3cy8zRfrO9k6i7WrzZAf11EOY-PjvsOvuMifwT-IyXvA/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2XbdKjRjRvoKrfT-q4lshyphenhyphen4MV-Vdv0dvAJ1j_nLG3Qa3OKCV92LB7C6BenhXgufzSGpc4pR-ttaepUQC2eIHU1kxtg5Bu3D3cy8zRfrO9k6i7WrzZAf11EOY-PjvsOvuMifwT-IyXvA/s640/DSC_0033.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female common blue</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCjGBufh2oXOsgG_04AX8bnae600t1xvtlkm5M6cgObdi8nx1Q2HwnN_lj0ULKg27iMeVaFHmnuaGXZBRf-NKCg5VdV-jjUelGj4mPwMOhj4m_IkaRuZUc9oe2EJTUiFnq3TzfPj1YDc/s1600/DSC_0042.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCjGBufh2oXOsgG_04AX8bnae600t1xvtlkm5M6cgObdi8nx1Q2HwnN_lj0ULKg27iMeVaFHmnuaGXZBRf-NKCg5VdV-jjUelGj4mPwMOhj4m_IkaRuZUc9oe2EJTUiFnq3TzfPj1YDc/s640/DSC_0042.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first views of a chalkhill blue</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHl87Q_kW3FqsIt3cq2n23g0b_GJdlN47cI6PYiHupZhYrKHIos6ukBVUIkJqdNJm2z0FkLXv4wsZW1JQlrEwVh45mpyHJupDn12L41RlD9XjI4S3y6fMBqzkarWU6S1HRvo5fe1LWdQ/s640/DSC_0046.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pyrausta purpuralis </i>blends in beautifully with the wild marjoram</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVO9ZO5iLsPt7YVrDwzURSQpGSBOabLW8AFbilRiqeTPEj4nv1qEtylF-lc6TTE_2RppktHOKn3qht2yZazUL9IPEM2Ffi81xS2QH1Cwb6NWFvxK3T5g4vGOsdaUTzt_QfzsYQJOCljqE/s1600/DSC_0048.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVO9ZO5iLsPt7YVrDwzURSQpGSBOabLW8AFbilRiqeTPEj4nv1qEtylF-lc6TTE_2RppktHOKn3qht2yZazUL9IPEM2Ffi81xS2QH1Cwb6NWFvxK3T5g4vGOsdaUTzt_QfzsYQJOCljqE/s640/DSC_0048.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Incoming!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-HIQMmyw30Ik6rAZUq1DICu6L9ReNpe2-lXgn18vCjk-rESE74le5hQmIm91rMTCypmRRSKWyB9sYCB_DYywGIZ_d4xjf8PVm8AOjElPz4mbJ0X5o8vzMoDo8y2wX0vIKj6B58vclmo/s1600/DSC_0052.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-HIQMmyw30Ik6rAZUq1DICu6L9ReNpe2-lXgn18vCjk-rESE74le5hQmIm91rMTCypmRRSKWyB9sYCB_DYywGIZ_d4xjf8PVm8AOjElPz4mbJ0X5o8vzMoDo8y2wX0vIKj6B58vclmo/s640/DSC_0052.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 male common blues sharing this pretty marjoram</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdNwhp5oPEAjTmhjNtfC7DhIGz0L_QKGny4T6On2GGb1YL00iqj7wYKai8WfNjA6RWTIUAJOuc5LML9LlJ0i1-E8xd7f1pt9z8p4phKQ6FffVkGsSOWyw2IejPyQYYnMDh7SFhOWB1lw/s1600/DSC_0059.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdNwhp5oPEAjTmhjNtfC7DhIGz0L_QKGny4T6On2GGb1YL00iqj7wYKai8WfNjA6RWTIUAJOuc5LML9LlJ0i1-E8xd7f1pt9z8p4phKQ6FffVkGsSOWyw2IejPyQYYnMDh7SFhOWB1lw/s640/DSC_0059.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chalkhill blue practically doing the splits between flowers</td></tr>
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I had work in the evening but we had time to stop off at Oare Marshes briefly to see if we could find any clouded yellows. Mum hadn't seen one before so I was quite eager to spot one or two. No luck, then in the distance I spotted one, almost like a large buttercup had been swept off it's stalk and just carried on floating in the gentle breeze.<br />
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Once home I popped out to see how the caterpillars were getting on with our kale. They had certainly munched through a fair amount of it. I couldn't see any chrysalises from the earlier batch of eggs. Do they trundle off to find a branch nearby, a little more concealed?! Or did they all just get eaten by some bird or other predator? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1rrsWD5ptLHyFcllM4B14G6ErHmYa1ryT2twVun_XwIomNF7s_s0HRH_1L9xGXRZuTG7MJjGVwxnbmprBI6jFhbJvHULXBz-U8cc7c81u6VdRRNdk5OqalmKMlbTsbC6DAxFHT1NPpE/s640/DSC_0132.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large white caterpillar</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Tu-lwjM9LJsGP9PuLX8526dAhGSvYN5OFe6n0WS72o2Gnqg5B_Z-duLRtYYhi6Ut2iYOPzodCKrfhzK4OQaq7mWwX7my5fMYIHtrM3CftCa8X4amPny-fmDdadJzZsRJFx-F1aAtQ3s/s400/DSC_0148.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="262" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Younger batch of L white caterpillars</td></tr>
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More garden butterflies and moths.... <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIojmX-1Hea-UUWzZuhCQXx3wKKk2wpXJc-dZjiOxRn46D7t35I06LYTgEUGPuyFqCaDaLWBnBCL59bhoerfV9GbNMax4sydpzFruvEKArPegaWbzO_y3vPtfl6I6OVMfq8phScDLu3k/s1600/DSC_0155.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIojmX-1Hea-UUWzZuhCQXx3wKKk2wpXJc-dZjiOxRn46D7t35I06LYTgEUGPuyFqCaDaLWBnBCL59bhoerfV9GbNMax4sydpzFruvEKArPegaWbzO_y3vPtfl6I6OVMfq8phScDLu3k/s640/DSC_0155.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well camouflaged meadow brown (20/08)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmgbZTzHAXi9v2UWlneFTUtM6wu08ydv5BpIwU9GykrYYuGfFTsB0ioYGbMyku4BwgVvIz2y73qJwiUYNxJ-1kST8GsuUk1lLuRE_tm06O8rsUff7dEXyUt0T9fjHjsuqHpCqtUdHHSY/s1600/DSC_0201.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmgbZTzHAXi9v2UWlneFTUtM6wu08ydv5BpIwU9GykrYYuGfFTsB0ioYGbMyku4BwgVvIz2y73qJwiUYNxJ-1kST8GsuUk1lLuRE_tm06O8rsUff7dEXyUt0T9fjHjsuqHpCqtUdHHSY/s640/DSC_0201.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meadow brown (20/08)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGxS3hbQSBipkSPVZtnc5zwtqYz5iSnK3mTllj4L658_X2w1o0EITJL0jmLQKHT-xOdyxdkWoIdNSeFuaLnbe4di6awsNiDlZ7Kx3yRrXic6iNS6w6tGbgSE5CZ4veRnTz4NRwmLPEZ8/s1600/DSC_0228.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGxS3hbQSBipkSPVZtnc5zwtqYz5iSnK3mTllj4L658_X2w1o0EITJL0jmLQKHT-xOdyxdkWoIdNSeFuaLnbe4di6awsNiDlZ7Kx3yRrXic6iNS6w6tGbgSE5CZ4veRnTz4NRwmLPEZ8/s640/DSC_0228.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Y moth (20/08)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_pMYLJTFNPdFYeIrlYtczb6KQepAFxGftTUx4m35P6PZMmyDA2eIyMF02yOAkhH-tSdH0tIf5wR-MccVGDDq3uyj42vtXq-2hPMXiq8C0SkfgwUfK96zIYYXuTKfXwgqrHEJpogcVrg/s640/DSC_0238.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden carpet I think (21/08)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yqADdgD6RrcRXiemsAA5YLre1XMsS7UIbSDseuZPA2efBoR5GyT9Bv9nd7X8JG5SDIXX2_NjORhV3IMOxPXtEYpMo61EA-KpsKmp3OjE9GXJZBap_Tut46oM0VqeRzHrF5BVNEjw6xE/s1600/DSC_0254.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yqADdgD6RrcRXiemsAA5YLre1XMsS7UIbSDseuZPA2efBoR5GyT9Bv9nd7X8JG5SDIXX2_NjORhV3IMOxPXtEYpMo61EA-KpsKmp3OjE9GXJZBap_Tut46oM0VqeRzHrF5BVNEjw6xE/s640/DSC_0254.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green-veined white (22/08)</td></tr>
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<br />We had a much needed downpour of rain on Saturday 24th. I do love watching an almighty rainfall sitting inside, cosy and warm. Made me look forward to autumn and winter! A very silly thing to suggest I'm sure, but that is one of the aspects that I love about our country - the seasons! Each has something unique and wonderful to bring. Summer brings butterflies and bees and we celebrate it with Pimms and beer. Then autumn welcomes dew and birds heading back here for winter, crossing the paths of those returning to sunnier climes to avoid our cold spells ahead. Winter... the ducks and geese and other watery birds arrive upon our shores. Hoare frosts and snowy trees make for the perfect winter wonderland photos. Then spring again and all the birds are singing their songs and showing off, ready to start the breeding season once more. Some people say they wish it was summer all the time. That would just be plain boring though! You would never appreciate it! Maybe talk of autumn is a little premature, maybe we will see a bit more sunshine and encounter an Indian summer.<br />
<br />Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-81050758984314795692013-08-20T11:57:00.001+01:002013-08-20T11:57:51.811+01:00Pretty clouds of yellow and other lovely natural thingsRecently a fair proportion of my time has been spent down at Oare Marshes for one Kent Wildlife Trust volunteer task or another. On Monday 5th August I joined in with some water vole monitoring as part of the Water for Wildlife project. We met at 8am and The project officer, Chloe, informed me of all the signs we were looking for to ascertain whether there were indeed water voles present. We used a map of all the dykes and ditches on the West flood and worked our way along. During the morning I stayed with one of the others until I felt confident I knew what I was looking for. It was a productive day, recording over 250 signs that the WVs were present! The things we were monitoring included feeding signs, droppings, latrines and burrows. Obviously, we were keeping an eye out for the elusive little critters, but the closest we got was a few large plops into the water and a 90% sure view of one. <br />
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In addition to actually looking for signs of wildlife, we were completely surrounded by nature. Walking through the long grass towards the reed beds, we came across the brightly coloured wasp spider shown below. It was feasting on a moth of a similar size to itself and it looked so exotic. The stabilimentum is the prominent zigzag pattern in the web and although its function isn't completely clear, but there are a few ideas which if you are interested can be found on this website... <a href="http://ednieuw.home.xs4all.nl/Spiders/Araneidae/Argiope/ArgiopeBruennichi.htm" target="_blank">Spiders: Argiope Bruennichi </a><br />
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We also had the privilege of watching dragonflies (some variety of hawker) emerge from their exuviae and hundreds of blue tailed damsleflies floating through the air, occasionally coming across a blade of grass and settling momentarily. Fabulous! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7qpQ0YM2WK6Ky9CmKQ2_XVO87VgR7lzd5OGOwd538ebB3pBGDYmg4OqMUGvDQYiJJPpJ5uyPpuOet-G633oksnZS7oHVwXowEEhf5JWFiV7SAdp_bWu0q82-7EZEKps9oKblRraBwJA/s1600/DSC_1149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7qpQ0YM2WK6Ky9CmKQ2_XVO87VgR7lzd5OGOwd538ebB3pBGDYmg4OqMUGvDQYiJJPpJ5uyPpuOet-G633oksnZS7oHVwXowEEhf5JWFiV7SAdp_bWu0q82-7EZEKps9oKblRraBwJA/s640/DSC_1149.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wasp spider<i> (Argiope bruennichi)</i></span></td></tr>
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In the same afternoon I spent a little time watching the multitude of butterflies which were feeding on our buddleia. Small tortoiseshells, red admirals, peacocks and large whites all dancing around the beautiful purple source of nectar.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large White</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peacock and a white-tailed bumblebee (<i>Bombus lucorum</i>)<i> </i>sharing a buddleia flower</td></tr>
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The lilies in our garden opened up on the morning of the 7th and looked glorious over the next week or so.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdUb2vNzr0Ujg7AmU2FJHUcYRfF-EeVy6Fu7ja9eqY6EmIHwsIiwY8sXjupypEBNxT56iaR4QYG9jVCqT1jHAmYC-nU3S2GuxeCld4WRRDr38BWWNBGONFOeNKgF3a8JKs4_bPiW-Vsk/s1600/DSC_1252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdUb2vNzr0Ujg7AmU2FJHUcYRfF-EeVy6Fu7ja9eqY6EmIHwsIiwY8sXjupypEBNxT56iaR4QYG9jVCqT1jHAmYC-nU3S2GuxeCld4WRRDr38BWWNBGONFOeNKgF3a8JKs4_bPiW-Vsk/s640/DSC_1252.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect Lily</td></tr>
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I once again spent the day volunteering with KWT at Oare on Thursday 8th. Our task for the day - more ragwort clearing. Before we had donned our gloves and got to work, one of the other volunteers noticed a yellow butterfly flit past. At first it was thought to be a brimstone but quickly this identification was corrected and it was indeed a CLOUDED YELLOW! I had never seen one before and was delighted to see this wonderful butterfly! I followed it around for a bit, but it was fairly reluctant to sit still for a photo shoot. Eventually it settled on a beautifully contrasting thistle flower and allowed a couple of snaps before it set off again. We were very happy to see there were actually quite a few of them around. Other wonderful things seen included a garden spider, a common or viviparous lizard, a garden pebble moth, several silver Y moths, yellow wags, common gulls, herons, little egrets, avocets and huge numbers of godwits on the East flood. All in all, another wonderful day in the great outdoors, pulling ragwort and observing insects, birds and reptiles on this diverse reserve.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO29zYBtTLGs5UZ5CnSQ6ubHy8TmEFWnQbj47EQValnf8F9MZuJMOET2lWGTaAefIo6pBu6JErps9y9KCyFPLBFhh405cxvgyrr34qhFdSFxtHh3MqLqFpyCJyUdbJ_s6jbihL0h_duxg/s1600/DSC_1280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO29zYBtTLGs5UZ5CnSQ6ubHy8TmEFWnQbj47EQValnf8F9MZuJMOET2lWGTaAefIo6pBu6JErps9y9KCyFPLBFhh405cxvgyrr34qhFdSFxtHh3MqLqFpyCJyUdbJ_s6jbihL0h_duxg/s640/DSC_1280.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Star of the show... Clouded Yellow</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaPGfxUxta7nHnEpwsWHJ548sQ74DISq_K1qf2lSoUdQ7vKTJarRnd7f4sK-OLeOWkkGqaqQyskF5dXfYUv-dxA2aq_aicPvauRxmhb5EsHgQOng6K_19BaX0DmZW_nClervrFblS594/s1600/DSC_1283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaPGfxUxta7nHnEpwsWHJ548sQ74DISq_K1qf2lSoUdQ7vKTJarRnd7f4sK-OLeOWkkGqaqQyskF5dXfYUv-dxA2aq_aicPvauRxmhb5EsHgQOng6K_19BaX0DmZW_nClervrFblS594/s640/DSC_1283.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4nmnRuPcue9GP_4g1ZRuzR538GqEdOAazZEq8Tz28gi-DSKNadKaULVi_dm-VLXgq6JAaXbieYGnYG51pq6l3f9aJqPiQdi8prB3EmRJi5OYdDSsLUy5g1kNXC_A7oj03wG-SyTxuxc/s1600/DSC_1292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4nmnRuPcue9GP_4g1ZRuzR538GqEdOAazZEq8Tz28gi-DSKNadKaULVi_dm-VLXgq6JAaXbieYGnYG51pq6l3f9aJqPiQdi8prB3EmRJi5OYdDSsLUy5g1kNXC_A7oj03wG-SyTxuxc/s640/DSC_1292.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I realise this is quite out of focus, but I like it anyway! I love its face!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HKSl5R12rO-EyRv7LHLW4nQYdU7lm3KsSQ8b97Qd93K8JF7XNhnMJah9pRGjpYlkhqZ1MTt8ygBuYZ_L7E5idOMR-P7WQsadjNRBAoQEi4S65_DLCishx-_zs8HivuPNupS28xBUttg/s1600/DSC_1295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HKSl5R12rO-EyRv7LHLW4nQYdU7lm3KsSQ8b97Qd93K8JF7XNhnMJah9pRGjpYlkhqZ1MTt8ygBuYZ_L7E5idOMR-P7WQsadjNRBAoQEi4S65_DLCishx-_zs8HivuPNupS28xBUttg/s640/DSC_1295.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Araneus diadematus</i></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNT_AMerUfp_YoJwquoi3oHu-iON3cpmefU84AYQD5cfk0KIlUpQHO-VVjm9ZFd1R7LrRxnKBUhrr3YovjB83joufjut0yOaFq2ewCTACu_dUlmarSu6U8eVZnKMwU7YUSfi8IX0cKcI/s1600/DSC_1305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNT_AMerUfp_YoJwquoi3oHu-iON3cpmefU84AYQD5cfk0KIlUpQHO-VVjm9ZFd1R7LrRxnKBUhrr3YovjB83joufjut0yOaFq2ewCTACu_dUlmarSu6U8eVZnKMwU7YUSfi8IX0cKcI/s640/DSC_1305.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkvU9CkpbC-MEPZok8Pllt6gz_ohvghyl9k6cgrju_ZEC_IxwoJ1o0i5H3v2sasV1BOSEIEY6CzclCZtoiCIPGH9uhr53Y2cWc-QU1B83VU_HMW9u3sRdcJWTVFfW_Lr3PfUzm_bR50o/s1600/DSC_1318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkvU9CkpbC-MEPZok8Pllt6gz_ohvghyl9k6cgrju_ZEC_IxwoJ1o0i5H3v2sasV1BOSEIEY6CzclCZtoiCIPGH9uhr53Y2cWc-QU1B83VU_HMW9u3sRdcJWTVFfW_Lr3PfUzm_bR50o/s640/DSC_1318.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common lizard (<span class="st"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Zootoca vivipara</span></i>)</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfVN7q9-w5fwT3HXGluxed8LBsN-2B-BGWq001J87WO1Mkp1gzDo3N696a_4j48lvqg1inRxXT5ZbGbarVaGe4eAptCJQ85OryHMm6HvvG-c3Q0sBxIZPRSVvrmTKyIhKhWpPhwkmLKA/s1600/DSC_1314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfVN7q9-w5fwT3HXGluxed8LBsN-2B-BGWq001J87WO1Mkp1gzDo3N696a_4j48lvqg1inRxXT5ZbGbarVaGe4eAptCJQ85OryHMm6HvvG-c3Q0sBxIZPRSVvrmTKyIhKhWpPhwkmLKA/s640/DSC_1314.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ELca8dCsyfmrktlaO7-qrcOM9PRZjr6F4qAHLnqxDMice0-x4xVTGJW0usR8itUVwoEbGcg7ZU4yifMt7E_AGd49mJVMCHF1aDc3u2pFVUrV0dKTH0AvTui27Ne8FBPgdb2ACcmFBuU/s1600/DSC_1327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ELca8dCsyfmrktlaO7-qrcOM9PRZjr6F4qAHLnqxDMice0-x4xVTGJW0usR8itUVwoEbGcg7ZU4yifMt7E_AGd49mJVMCHF1aDc3u2pFVUrV0dKTH0AvTui27Ne8FBPgdb2ACcmFBuU/s640/DSC_1327.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden Pebble moth I think... CT??</td></tr>
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After pushing the muscles in my back to their limit, I spent the evening with a few of my friends, chilling at the beach and cooking yummy food on a home made barbecue (by Laura and Noah), composed of an old satellite dish and some hand chopped wood. Top marks for inventiveness! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ59vGvTECJ0H-FQVPi-4JtoQqFxd4lCrA54jhRgzZmln8fe4XhwtRr_p7VB1zSzAxvka12E2ahLhiuhcmufuKKyVj_leN7rvnWFbKw2IQcg-5BFzORVwPSyZjdxmOeGRopWDzdS0nt4/s1600/DSC_1340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ59vGvTECJ0H-FQVPi-4JtoQqFxd4lCrA54jhRgzZmln8fe4XhwtRr_p7VB1zSzAxvka12E2ahLhiuhcmufuKKyVj_leN7rvnWFbKw2IQcg-5BFzORVwPSyZjdxmOeGRopWDzdS0nt4/s640/DSC_1340.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun setting over the beach huts at Tankerton </td></tr>
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Still so behind, thank you for reading and hopefully I will catch up soon! :)<br />
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Next post.... A day trip to France!Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-18280665500640420872013-08-15T21:55:00.000+01:002013-08-20T10:25:39.545+01:00The Saxon Shore Way <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Saxon Shore Way stretches roughly 160 miles from Gravesend (in North Kent) to Hastings (in East Sussex). The Kent County Council website states that "The Saxon Shore Way long distance walking route is named after
the line of historic fortifications that defended the Kent coast at
the end of the Roman era". It passes through a number of Sites of Special Scientific Interest and also several Nature Reserves. </div>
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We are lucky enough to live within walking distance from one of the footpaths which joins up with this historic walking route and a couple of Sundays ago my mum and I decided to pack a picnic and walk the section from Graveney to The Sportsman in Seasalter. Bracken came along in the hope that it would tire him out and we would get a nice peaceful evening! The section we walked was about 4 miles and part of it featured in the recent channel 4 drama Southcliffe! We chose a great day to do the walk because it was a little bit cloudy with sunny spells, so pup didn't get too hot and bothered. We took plenty of water for him and a few tasty snacks that he could scoff while we ate our lunch. It was another occasion where we hadn't set out to see anything in particular and therefore whatever we saw was a delight to see! The Kent Wildlife Trust own part of this route and there are a number of sea birds, including common and black headed gulls and also little terns, which unfortunately were too far away to get a good photo of. Below are a selection of photos from the walk. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young swallow </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having a little rest after undertaking insect catching lessons</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The creek which runs from Faversham into the Swale Estuary</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the old barges alongside a bed of sea lavender</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uEKgb3afPTw2N6Wm2sAGckDsmOx1mAWx4qoBMTSAesHg-NiNhFEfNACXcAFsbU6RcgmKQsDXPl6FcK_q_Brb_RDsMATP7xyGZUnCvrnQBuNvloD2-538dVhrRdygskelkfrKgQm1tYc/s1600/DSC_1045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uEKgb3afPTw2N6Wm2sAGckDsmOx1mAWx4qoBMTSAesHg-NiNhFEfNACXcAFsbU6RcgmKQsDXPl6FcK_q_Brb_RDsMATP7xyGZUnCvrnQBuNvloD2-538dVhrRdygskelkfrKgQm1tYc/s640/DSC_1045.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bracken enjoying his super long walk!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0c2VTRCcvVfe3Jw0NU5LTLzZrpuFZynzCYhxQEgewCLNIAHQ-ajZ2ahDlVZ23_D1vhTTvI2kAaImoLs2WxZBDCAvpvYubX2kMGOZ38ETuF51OaMKPTNv_mFZcsvwKradOQ_3mbLfeNWE/s1600/DSC_1057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0c2VTRCcvVfe3Jw0NU5LTLzZrpuFZynzCYhxQEgewCLNIAHQ-ajZ2ahDlVZ23_D1vhTTvI2kAaImoLs2WxZBDCAvpvYubX2kMGOZ38ETuF51OaMKPTNv_mFZcsvwKradOQ_3mbLfeNWE/s640/DSC_1057.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An oystercatcher </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6COUVNuRN-A_rFx-r76IbhBYgZSm_Q9Ni6-Nkb0OycOPRLO6u3E9IzVVWWNOa0RKkUz-Nnbuow277T8j7EiTuLh_tTEBI9Ic1YwOFRfFWVCL0FJYl1o0TTL3SJ4ajjqTSISVsTphcdxg/s1600/oystercatcher+in+flight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6COUVNuRN-A_rFx-r76IbhBYgZSm_Q9Ni6-Nkb0OycOPRLO6u3E9IzVVWWNOa0RKkUz-Nnbuow277T8j7EiTuLh_tTEBI9Ic1YwOFRfFWVCL0FJYl1o0TTL3SJ4ajjqTSISVsTphcdxg/s640/oystercatcher+in+flight.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 individual photos stitched together to show the flight path of this oystercatcher from one post to another</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZ6j-BqPINAqp9ew8ZynmTj_Uo_rfzmFO1dzxmXbrIkF2uNEbU2iHDuuDMK9Iz4wELxL3FnHsOnwDErbT8fjBtnMdxhyJ_3WEceZm_qJw6sT6bSab7oyuhR0zaVKgq8PB0NgfRAtzK3M/s1600/DSC_1068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZ6j-BqPINAqp9ew8ZynmTj_Uo_rfzmFO1dzxmXbrIkF2uNEbU2iHDuuDMK9Iz4wELxL3FnHsOnwDErbT8fjBtnMdxhyJ_3WEceZm_qJw6sT6bSab7oyuhR0zaVKgq8PB0NgfRAtzK3M/s640/DSC_1068.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL65ZwfWIv0CJU4WA3GGecPFuBT10O01EaFzxQhvoI4JOv4fQsJKBZncc60YSUWoiaCI_mihqAIdFxHlZMCCCFGQ7H2JO5J0wHs0oGFGJZScwEnWkbEuX6ofd5wAFiiMr03UErC5IPsJY/s1600/DSC_1069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL65ZwfWIv0CJU4WA3GGecPFuBT10O01EaFzxQhvoI4JOv4fQsJKBZncc60YSUWoiaCI_mihqAIdFxHlZMCCCFGQ7H2JO5J0wHs0oGFGJZScwEnWkbEuX6ofd5wAFiiMr03UErC5IPsJY/s640/DSC_1069.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Shipwright's Arms - a pub my parents enjoyed taking me to when I was a wee nipper</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNB84OnVNl7v5vWq8FgjsQLWMrcwICIhpH3R4nY0-V0AgErgTCSErIWqon-udH9hXYsXVlvakIV7VQYYqdP7BaEdZi8NxKgbZWgQyIIrktll74dAE3YExUjtINq4cyqA4KRxdmyvyonrM/s1600/DSC_1074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNB84OnVNl7v5vWq8FgjsQLWMrcwICIhpH3R4nY0-V0AgErgTCSErIWqon-udH9hXYsXVlvakIV7VQYYqdP7BaEdZi8NxKgbZWgQyIIrktll74dAE3YExUjtINq4cyqA4KRxdmyvyonrM/s640/DSC_1074.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sea wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFzLpEj8G1RFI3rq631CEByuzKdk78rHbwHdxjnCFJJo_SoOdPhHm6qcyCRcjc8APDhaKPaeQgZy2IjoEKBc3Mj03-3lAqetLBckfglQ8JsnoMNFEA2x_FsdZHuwN0PeJNxu7QN9Ewx4/s1600/DSC_1077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFzLpEj8G1RFI3rq631CEByuzKdk78rHbwHdxjnCFJJo_SoOdPhHm6qcyCRcjc8APDhaKPaeQgZy2IjoEKBc3Mj03-3lAqetLBckfglQ8JsnoMNFEA2x_FsdZHuwN0PeJNxu7QN9Ewx4/s640/DSC_1077.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another photo of a happy Bracken</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlseEF-KhNEUemSxO_L4BXpEsmai4vqFnL1ArydP05jtmEdUwhXd05tXY_5bOh_iI0CFnj5Si9Q8CqjVXBq_4gD19T82sh26cLDehvYOaEYHL-_uyOxoLuNspi42vIib4qg5ih94_uAA/s1600/DSC_1083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlseEF-KhNEUemSxO_L4BXpEsmai4vqFnL1ArydP05jtmEdUwhXd05tXY_5bOh_iI0CFnj5Si9Q8CqjVXBq_4gD19T82sh26cLDehvYOaEYHL-_uyOxoLuNspi42vIib4qg5ih94_uAA/s640/DSC_1083.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This dog must have springs in his feet! He leapt onto the wall effortlessly, which, as you can probably tell is about twice his height! He obviously thought that by trotting (often bounding!!) along the wall it made him king of the castle! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnG2vupfeZE4MCL_vflqyGb9dPtuy7SrXS-autZjXoTRw3vAHKFZcEBZ0IqNX2JHvkz3WCx2I1dwW_ScimYyrFpiQd_O0UpHDn9bm31U-BHOuhZPzTZLvNyycyk15IDnxkI7N6u8wg0M/s1600/DSC_1121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnG2vupfeZE4MCL_vflqyGb9dPtuy7SrXS-autZjXoTRw3vAHKFZcEBZ0IqNX2JHvkz3WCx2I1dwW_ScimYyrFpiQd_O0UpHDn9bm31U-BHOuhZPzTZLvNyycyk15IDnxkI7N6u8wg0M/s640/DSC_1121.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Any idea on this daisy plant? I thought it might be oxeye... but does that grow on the beach?!<br />
<b>Edit: Corn chamomile - Thank you to Suzie :)</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlOSBxvpGukdv_KX0tvGY6P8ZpmoiuSqNhEFQabK8N-ghyYuJMeudEziYylWkfmCKlTj9B3x5j91OF5V_KKuC8SnKFp6HlOph9atMXtHQm2oWUez4RrlI8PE6FZyOHNQpE6h-6gWp6ps/s1600/DSC_1128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlOSBxvpGukdv_KX0tvGY6P8ZpmoiuSqNhEFQabK8N-ghyYuJMeudEziYylWkfmCKlTj9B3x5j91OF5V_KKuC8SnKFp6HlOph9atMXtHQm2oWUez4RrlI8PE6FZyOHNQpE6h-6gWp6ps/s640/DSC_1128.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Lady</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DH2OJUFAlYx08bTqjc3IJEH6pXp3uqZ9nmO7Fcu2i6i-kiMrg8q5sBcLNe1qE7UnDXa8k7fffgJ_PZ5KxIYRcRDr07VRQiLITzk_HvxS02SKIN6eQmYvOnBw65LpdGoAGYilxjOUIFo/s1600/DSC_1139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DH2OJUFAlYx08bTqjc3IJEH6pXp3uqZ9nmO7Fcu2i6i-kiMrg8q5sBcLNe1qE7UnDXa8k7fffgJ_PZ5KxIYRcRDr07VRQiLITzk_HvxS02SKIN6eQmYvOnBw65LpdGoAGYilxjOUIFo/s640/DSC_1139.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such symmetrical beauty!</td></tr>
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Thanks to the regular readers and those who comment and also to anyone who pops by for a gander at the photos :) all very much appreciated!<br />
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Next post will showcase the fluttery, leggy things I've seen recently whilst out volunteering :) <br />
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Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-72624551824522639642013-08-07T22:58:00.000+01:002013-08-21T11:17:08.324+01:00Garden Inhabitants, Dog Walks and Oare MarshesWhile the sun has been shining, I have been inundated with opportunities for taking photos! Especially of little insects which love the warm (usually unheard of) conditions this summer! <br />
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<b>On the 1st day of August</b> it was my Auntie's Birthday. I took a few hoverfly pics in the morning, then we went for a scrummy lunch in Canterbury in the searing heat. Then a late evening dog walk to avoid the intense heat. He thought he would pretend to be a pig and wallow in one of the only puddles around to cool off. He full on rolled in it. Yucky stagnant watery sludge. How delightful. Nose to tail smothered in vile smelling mud and boy did he pleased with himself. Not so smug when we had to wash him when we returned. Mum and I resorted to tipping bowlfuls of water over him out the front of the house. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FcVOS6VDBfCEyuwqCsPvQf2rh7TEUEYsiTbMOHFw82NGpKIVIRJIXofXZbUkrAMNRoHv7Cq5J-L7cdSwguuoOcCScl5XSwJrnPbh_VOJmvlk8zwCEq5AKYqfT_eRUiNwRVqjHoq5luE/s1600/DSC_0813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FcVOS6VDBfCEyuwqCsPvQf2rh7TEUEYsiTbMOHFw82NGpKIVIRJIXofXZbUkrAMNRoHv7Cq5J-L7cdSwguuoOcCScl5XSwJrnPbh_VOJmvlk8zwCEq5AKYqfT_eRUiNwRVqjHoq5luE/s640/DSC_0813.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Episyrphus balteatus</i> commonly found in gardens and here seems to be enjoying our lovely Tansy plant (<i>Tanacetum vulgare</i>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is that a grin on your face young Bracken?!</td></tr>
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<b>On the 2nd day of August</b> mum went to water the plants. It was early morning and this moth made a wise choice clinging to the wall. CT am I right in thinking this is a silver Y?? I also had one on my bedroom wall last night so they must be quite prevalent around here! You will also be pleased to know that on Sunday night I saved a huge moth from the horrible fly fryer in the pub kitchen. While my boss stood waiting for me to leave so he could lock the doors, I was jumping around trying to gently catch the moth in my hands to release it outside. Not sure what it was, but guessing it was some kind of hawk moth! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvt_QZRju5Uj8DyBkjLmgErOUfR1tqk7ySko42faMTKCu8u12SjujtG48cy5nXE1L5aWRu9zvpJ_RmJtem6IFnWgFfMuA44aTV_p9H446wChlaYgMrpuHseocFgijVd08VTylaegf9mE/s1600/DSC_0881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvt_QZRju5Uj8DyBkjLmgErOUfR1tqk7ySko42faMTKCu8u12SjujtG48cy5nXE1L5aWRu9zvpJ_RmJtem6IFnWgFfMuA44aTV_p9H446wChlaYgMrpuHseocFgijVd08VTylaegf9mE/s640/DSC_0881.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Y</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6nmEaiY8O1hGiZMd4b2IXC613sE83Vrd4F6z1CAyvMcDlKPelIGURERR6t1RxevvNRRT5oqAV-zHD7DK6lJ3F0r8hkKma3soS5xCFj5ZQ1xxweD75fX8KAVkxBFfdAEzNFHweNBgOa4/s1600/DSC_0895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6nmEaiY8O1hGiZMd4b2IXC613sE83Vrd4F6z1CAyvMcDlKPelIGURERR6t1RxevvNRRT5oqAV-zHD7DK6lJ3F0r8hkKma3soS5xCFj5ZQ1xxweD75fX8KAVkxBFfdAEzNFHweNBgOa4/s640/DSC_0895.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buddleia in the morning sunlight</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wV2g7HNEEM9WSgtQZvxjsoLNt6h2Ecx1XRMkd0gEfjc2UaPZPNyyTynGtYkTth2T2fn6AjRn8CJx9MD4aq2UPDkrVppdwW3qoHriehP9gkBtPfi4ZxrlEAhqB4BvUdzucvRA6fnskF0/s1600/DSC_0887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wV2g7HNEEM9WSgtQZvxjsoLNt6h2Ecx1XRMkd0gEfjc2UaPZPNyyTynGtYkTth2T2fn6AjRn8CJx9MD4aq2UPDkrVppdwW3qoHriehP9gkBtPfi4ZxrlEAhqB4BvUdzucvRA6fnskF0/s640/DSC_0887.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The individual flowers of the agapanthus are almost all out now. I thought it looked pretty with the highlighted spider spindly web </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEial5WJvNF1z3Xk_9E1QGoWZ3vUQjWUKtqHE3sjf1xvH6DmKerbkly7Z2N1TZxwCyY806dnb1j7nEsmLvmMTjdgy7J7f1gHrGo_HmyIUsVVltu7zwiEkwEtyDNYUhibIcCmrwWbO363p-c/s1600/DSC_0935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEial5WJvNF1z3Xk_9E1QGoWZ3vUQjWUKtqHE3sjf1xvH6DmKerbkly7Z2N1TZxwCyY806dnb1j7nEsmLvmMTjdgy7J7f1gHrGo_HmyIUsVVltu7zwiEkwEtyDNYUhibIcCmrwWbO363p-c/s640/DSC_0935.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worker honey bee (<i>Apis mellifera</i>) on the Tansy plant</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LazIShj3xB8gzfOKkZ-80lnVofqw_u6RFuqZ6VpG2Y9uIYYJVdVslsTZz2NdZeAp9LbVMQLJJw7gUE4EfNo59RDf8fDZhE0nF9itiMEM4coWZ6y3Zv02kxUZ9WQpO0opjpwaAkzg6sE/s1600/DSC_0916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LazIShj3xB8gzfOKkZ-80lnVofqw_u6RFuqZ6VpG2Y9uIYYJVdVslsTZz2NdZeAp9LbVMQLJJw7gUE4EfNo59RDf8fDZhE0nF9itiMEM4coWZ6y3Zv02kxUZ9WQpO0opjpwaAkzg6sE/s640/DSC_0916.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another species of hoverfly - <i>Sphaerophoria scripta</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk0Q1cWxlTtI6MvP94vUKGAeVjtyKD3qthwh_G0ehmdPVKZzY6gIoP-BDXnshkBys_rUy12ZpJv95oa8CzSNR-y48ustVSyeAH3iQEr5t5l8SvqncjnpRx9AIoqL2-Kz35au2YD8GE5g/s1600/DSC_0904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk0Q1cWxlTtI6MvP94vUKGAeVjtyKD3qthwh_G0ehmdPVKZzY6gIoP-BDXnshkBys_rUy12ZpJv95oa8CzSNR-y48ustVSyeAH3iQEr5t5l8SvqncjnpRx9AIoqL2-Kz35au2YD8GE5g/s640/DSC_0904.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male house sparrow looking rather inquisitive</td></tr>
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In the afternoon of the 2nd we made an impromptu trip to Oare. After first having a drink in the Three Mariners and Lunch in the Castle due to the former being fully booked for lunch, we drove the short distance to the Kent Wildlife Trust reserve and took a wander around. Lots of nice boats and barges which kept my Dad entertained. Lots of bugs and birds which Mum and I enjoyed. All happy! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIpigzzwcguKEt6vWlLZMGkOadUVKi3s0FBCD1E9Hj-WLcQf9L5Hp4HFfo_nBSPBHBWNHNa7ePcrPtGAWCCZfbYlwIPw_Drn-wNT39bC7iA7NEF4l44Za2NjggwWZPADta7ZFVGgE6jQ/s1600/DSC_0949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIpigzzwcguKEt6vWlLZMGkOadUVKi3s0FBCD1E9Hj-WLcQf9L5Hp4HFfo_nBSPBHBWNHNa7ePcrPtGAWCCZfbYlwIPw_Drn-wNT39bC7iA7NEF4l44Za2NjggwWZPADta7ZFVGgE6jQ/s640/DSC_0949.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJl3Sx43B04U2-sRnCWGDlhNN9SDz_uTnDupHO_j4XmOgTI8vE75LV5GbIaOpkhzyUOveLrXWQgb8Y2OSsIzLWu2ye_Jx3EeFpQUtJSpYII7mb0IU1Q0A-wg2ljHtGoE9NaMrGQ6xu-I/s1600/DSC_0956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJl3Sx43B04U2-sRnCWGDlhNN9SDz_uTnDupHO_j4XmOgTI8vE75LV5GbIaOpkhzyUOveLrXWQgb8Y2OSsIzLWu2ye_Jx3EeFpQUtJSpYII7mb0IU1Q0A-wg2ljHtGoE9NaMrGQ6xu-I/s640/DSC_0956.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure of this species...<br />
<b>Edit: Wild carrot (Thank you Brian) </b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WGmoc4oZ481RIJ1cmYxiYsjbCWoLjiUpZNBtyPgKrQeTXtYN-mLBqqsMSrWnLKy3M6S1Oi2NlOH6z9HAlsTQqXTmnUqo3N-jQmmNLx3bRvFiZelI9vWofI3hJwxX67raJboZhtMFpos/s1600/DSC_0973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WGmoc4oZ481RIJ1cmYxiYsjbCWoLjiUpZNBtyPgKrQeTXtYN-mLBqqsMSrWnLKy3M6S1Oi2NlOH6z9HAlsTQqXTmnUqo3N-jQmmNLx3bRvFiZelI9vWofI3hJwxX67raJboZhtMFpos/s640/DSC_0973.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruddy darter - male</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipatetjRdMBChcl92nxnUKNF3EYWePhhZSwHf9BU9135wGWj2Bgq55jSJS3DcuVoLA0UGg48dXrihffWp-rNDupodVqkkDrsjW-gmuI2GWr1LZYOz3nz-ZUyBvIGRQi9MH9dnhBqclRAo/s1600/DSC_0978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipatetjRdMBChcl92nxnUKNF3EYWePhhZSwHf9BU9135wGWj2Bgq55jSJS3DcuVoLA0UGg48dXrihffWp-rNDupodVqkkDrsjW-gmuI2GWr1LZYOz3nz-ZUyBvIGRQi9MH9dnhBqclRAo/s640/DSC_0978.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hundreds of godwits, a couple of avocets and a scattering of coots</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZu8r3D_-u7IhtLkXemfC5Xk2nh8BNv4iL7fmUWkzL0vmfaMTliBODGtzs9sfLPuB_oILwkGYZLIj4BTvC8i2NCPAqx0aZWNQ0pywMjw3XrhG4uA6RK5nH_1M2XnVNlQkdwxb7PjeBhEc/s1600/DSC_0982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZu8r3D_-u7IhtLkXemfC5Xk2nh8BNv4iL7fmUWkzL0vmfaMTliBODGtzs9sfLPuB_oILwkGYZLIj4BTvC8i2NCPAqx0aZWNQ0pywMjw3XrhG4uA6RK5nH_1M2XnVNlQkdwxb7PjeBhEc/s640/DSC_0982.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea lavender in the foreground. On the other side of the creek is the saxon shore way - a route we walked on the 4th day of August ... separate blog post to follow.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcprjxP-fS3YnmpNn29lRuXV5cKulkgCV-gLcgHLwqKUmhHh0Ed2el9JfJ7MLqHjyJacTslkREAuBVclvf8n0z4SkLcRzCTNfS2g7Zts23Nl_3wY5JAlJvfF6njZD2j6wUKPcv-dOYGho/s1600/DSC_0985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcprjxP-fS3YnmpNn29lRuXV5cKulkgCV-gLcgHLwqKUmhHh0Ed2el9JfJ7MLqHjyJacTslkREAuBVclvf8n0z4SkLcRzCTNfS2g7Zts23Nl_3wY5JAlJvfF6njZD2j6wUKPcv-dOYGho/s640/DSC_0985.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does anyone have a clue what this red stuff is on the rose leaves? Some sort of parasite or fungi or disease??? </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEde6qGXipGS3mMZSuh6fJy01dqAdFg0yvE53Z7Nm2v64IK3zY7kTvpn1Z90PjCL-yRx39WZZXWBuzr9Unkw3ft4e6TKwI6XRasHQkU03RVHSlfQxvFhLXtdxr80kXVFK8vtVtJDy0uA/s1600/DSC_0992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEde6qGXipGS3mMZSuh6fJy01dqAdFg0yvE53Z7Nm2v64IK3zY7kTvpn1Z90PjCL-yRx39WZZXWBuzr9Unkw3ft4e6TKwI6XRasHQkU03RVHSlfQxvFhLXtdxr80kXVFK8vtVtJDy0uA/s640/DSC_0992.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big spider alert.... a funnel weaver which is a member of the Agelenidae family </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7zfPI8uk1te6Jw8yv3CoUHvw88gOhVQK18oNVSkn5o8NafhtDFr-Z1QBisuqZEm2krrvnyKlOBJvmbwTO4pmB8zVJqVeCQiNYi2oWvxlK-lKcpGebO-A66Ukcttm-5TYrWIYGSiDyTA/s1600/DSC_0996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7zfPI8uk1te6Jw8yv3CoUHvw88gOhVQK18oNVSkn5o8NafhtDFr-Z1QBisuqZEm2krrvnyKlOBJvmbwTO4pmB8zVJqVeCQiNYi2oWvxlK-lKcpGebO-A66Ukcttm-5TYrWIYGSiDyTA/s640/DSC_0996.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Agelena labyrinthica</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWQ858Qypy_JadA2c273clQHnS3UlzTgtBaOlilQRpRHL-hVeDGthDRj-MS6tDXPwS5iPr8E2TjC4cKfdyMRCpPLqP9A9p3ZfDDn4cYHqYdzCeYo678KaJLNlq5qOi41W38OAYy868kM/s1600/DSC_1001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWQ858Qypy_JadA2c273clQHnS3UlzTgtBaOlilQRpRHL-hVeDGthDRj-MS6tDXPwS5iPr8E2TjC4cKfdyMRCpPLqP9A9p3ZfDDn4cYHqYdzCeYo678KaJLNlq5qOi41W38OAYy868kM/s640/DSC_1001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer plumage golden plovers, avocets, black headed gulls and a lapwing all on one little island</td></tr>
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Thank you to everyone who reads and comments, much appreciated. My next post will have photos of our 5 hour long walk along the saxon shore way and news on recent KWT volunteering :) Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1627991011532369893.post-81199534035617783782013-08-06T10:35:00.002+01:002013-08-07T23:04:31.755+01:00And so the catch up continues...Another post with the opening sentence of... Last week blah blah blah! That was when I started this post, but now it is 2 weeks ago... <br />
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Anyway, 2 Fridays ago we took a drive to my dad's friend's field. Dad had been raving about how wonderful it was so suggested we had a little trip down there. It is a few fields that slope downwards that are over grown with brambles, thistles, many types of grass, various species of vetch and a wonderful array of trees around the border. Dad's friend Nigel is hoping to do something with this land, but we convinced him to leave it be and not to get any kind of huge mower to flatten this area of butterfly heaven. As well as vast numbers of butterflies of several species, other insects such as grasshoppers and.... were seen as well as a bright green legged creature. Here are a few snaps from the day :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqfziWnEk2Ghg3dW59ikD8onugRLooAJQWx3zmRNbRoDDxbDb2zIvQYaoJt1IR1_pdb_We_k2U2uCJEfv9aDUHRuUvdhdGlPEbYWkUtioKK9A9vkxBCkDEvIz2OA7Gdl4iZhuYePjkOk/s1600/DSC_0594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqfziWnEk2Ghg3dW59ikD8onugRLooAJQWx3zmRNbRoDDxbDb2zIvQYaoJt1IR1_pdb_We_k2U2uCJEfv9aDUHRuUvdhdGlPEbYWkUtioKK9A9vkxBCkDEvIz2OA7Gdl4iZhuYePjkOk/s640/DSC_0594.JPG" width="468" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this is <i>Rhyssa persuasoria</i> on a common knapweed flower</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_spV8BC4sC2l4Qfp_pMPwPYfNIBhjCbXrJ5uXRqBhTJCqxia1AtiCXcEHDogNP2qkmyDo61Xhro_DkSQFA8Elo2k3vtsXmh1H49-HyaNduPZvt-k23GPhsfGMPFFFi7X1eg7lREDdUpo/s1600/DSC_0601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_spV8BC4sC2l4Qfp_pMPwPYfNIBhjCbXrJ5uXRqBhTJCqxia1AtiCXcEHDogNP2qkmyDo61Xhro_DkSQFA8Elo2k3vtsXmh1H49-HyaNduPZvt-k23GPhsfGMPFFFi7X1eg7lREDdUpo/s640/DSC_0601.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Araniella cucurbitina </i>which is sometimes known as the cucumber green spider and is one of the orb web/weavers </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeETXlLbSKDIlgeZ37R6k1dl1R3tfJev7lr5brbNPexb_xgd8e4__zA98CtIXKbukuG5E98kKcIXGglk3Y1i8Isb3vusS7PAAvN1zPRF6bYVZV0umH_MsZfWBl7coqrb5WbGrneuybRM/s1600/DSC_0623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeETXlLbSKDIlgeZ37R6k1dl1R3tfJev7lr5brbNPexb_xgd8e4__zA98CtIXKbukuG5E98kKcIXGglk3Y1i8Isb3vusS7PAAvN1zPRF6bYVZV0umH_MsZfWBl7coqrb5WbGrneuybRM/s640/DSC_0623.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meadow grasshopper </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAGNwuZ2JR2uEXH0Yh0qdQ28twaURf3cndlOcK1sIIR788BJ4Mil-kfKj0X0x2DMi13jkS4Zzh-UvMoVQzhReQXVjIzoPqhRS5HmL-iJCBqCSxz_TxGJTLtMCjJTNtJwec9ey6ODqqAs/s1600/DSC_0637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAGNwuZ2JR2uEXH0Yh0qdQ28twaURf3cndlOcK1sIIR788BJ4Mil-kfKj0X0x2DMi13jkS4Zzh-UvMoVQzhReQXVjIzoPqhRS5HmL-iJCBqCSxz_TxGJTLtMCjJTNtJwec9ey6ODqqAs/s640/DSC_0637.JPG" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mum amongst the huge thistles!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcsFpuh2uZXq0R2MlYdBhf2JFt6s_X72ja2bWGPAEdzXpuKqtLjwMkZiM1B0eAshNQ-F1CwfmGnfAnXmnpf7WJ3KZe-BwXIlgGfbw_767RGqJ43hS_RHPcJKh-7qTYUP1U_y8PltF910/s1600/DSC_0646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcsFpuh2uZXq0R2MlYdBhf2JFt6s_X72ja2bWGPAEdzXpuKqtLjwMkZiM1B0eAshNQ-F1CwfmGnfAnXmnpf7WJ3KZe-BwXIlgGfbw_767RGqJ43hS_RHPcJKh-7qTYUP1U_y8PltF910/s640/DSC_0646.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large skipper on common knapweed (Edit: Small skipper) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWBNvBeTBM2AoNrg9qoRu_k3WZA6OD4S0uDP854hZ8NrPDxvd7M6s_jWdXeY1D4wcednM9WRAoqRTHEcryLesTB-tINevC1-Hgcm4Qs-hYDfrciW137WQOoHCLWFuW-aVWLuxSlxh1VE/s1600/DSC_0661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWBNvBeTBM2AoNrg9qoRu_k3WZA6OD4S0uDP854hZ8NrPDxvd7M6s_jWdXeY1D4wcednM9WRAoqRTHEcryLesTB-tINevC1-Hgcm4Qs-hYDfrciW137WQOoHCLWFuW-aVWLuxSlxh1VE/s640/DSC_0661.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDb7_uDnVZaOeoVxGgWR5_ewzz0I2Gyo1_YjfUMYMo-ik2LeLTDvWNSfOgAABDI2Arv1K5NL2J4eCTkxmdOZmUbq9xA0qDH5IywB0gWKZWILvTNQSvZOZoJRhv5eUeX_OE_6mpX8jqT4o/s1600/DSC_0680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDb7_uDnVZaOeoVxGgWR5_ewzz0I2Gyo1_YjfUMYMo-ik2LeLTDvWNSfOgAABDI2Arv1K5NL2J4eCTkxmdOZmUbq9xA0qDH5IywB0gWKZWILvTNQSvZOZoJRhv5eUeX_OE_6mpX8jqT4o/s640/DSC_0680.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NTcoReQ4WxrcMq8SYvE5fnhxEvfge0ky5CS-EH3kQUj3Y91QfQ3uWXOLtLsisCMBMfjDhtMg4EtuW0HwiH938-D5556H1AgtjyNkOL2KHMoJOCCp87o4WZnCL8gRnIr6mPqFzgxM104/s1600/DSC_0688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NTcoReQ4WxrcMq8SYvE5fnhxEvfge0ky5CS-EH3kQUj3Y91QfQ3uWXOLtLsisCMBMfjDhtMg4EtuW0HwiH938-D5556H1AgtjyNkOL2KHMoJOCCp87o4WZnCL8gRnIr6mPqFzgxM104/s640/DSC_0688.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYASS9hyphenhyphenpz7J_wIaDGjz83YX4GqG5diVA59GDmPmd7SCZvrWajCNYiAuKhmRssRn1ge7rHgBuNciAhfMbDdtljknbyW4tQV_ojB946LZXBN2el3cxnAyd7jQ1_mz92cYxr7QNmQ0Yl8YI/s1600/DSC_0696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYASS9hyphenhyphenpz7J_wIaDGjz83YX4GqG5diVA59GDmPmd7SCZvrWajCNYiAuKhmRssRn1ge7rHgBuNciAhfMbDdtljknbyW4tQV_ojB946LZXBN2el3cxnAyd7jQ1_mz92cYxr7QNmQ0Yl8YI/s640/DSC_0696.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Essex skipper??? (Edit: Small skipper)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The agapanthus is gradually opening up...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvTnaJlc15JzkB0dEWi5XT-V6_9in1Qrj6iJoG8FaNV-faH9vd41wPqbm6dhoiyP5Sqyps-TRBmdc6Ny7I8b6TA-iSbDRMGX95R_yzjVr636Yo-rzIk4RctXeJY-pEPlvaN22GO5mBHQ/s1600/DSC_0701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvTnaJlc15JzkB0dEWi5XT-V6_9in1Qrj6iJoG8FaNV-faH9vd41wPqbm6dhoiyP5Sqyps-TRBmdc6Ny7I8b6TA-iSbDRMGX95R_yzjVr636Yo-rzIk4RctXeJY-pEPlvaN22GO5mBHQ/s640/DSC_0701.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTk_xb9j6l7apPKNkEWLLU-rQmCfQ_M7PFDgm1NQh0ZBXVCfzLDCKdE9c9OzrQanoTkAEAXp1juapmeQKoR5IOYIMh23_Vd3qEC7X1d83Bv72GngCRkhauHgctwXrwkQNIOkLVn_Cyxho/s1600/DSC_0710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTk_xb9j6l7apPKNkEWLLU-rQmCfQ_M7PFDgm1NQh0ZBXVCfzLDCKdE9c9OzrQanoTkAEAXp1juapmeQKoR5IOYIMh23_Vd3qEC7X1d83Bv72GngCRkhauHgctwXrwkQNIOkLVn_Cyxho/s640/DSC_0710.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Last Sunday (now 2 Sundays ago!) we were meant to have lunch at the Hook and Hatchet near Maidstone, but luckily we looked at their website beforehand - they were shut. Instead we took a picnic and sat outside and took Brack too. They have lovely woodland trust walks around there which was our main reason for going.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBpnMckqJD3GRfHAcK1Rlw7bgkg9BNCd8KVglm0mvjJt5vwTH4SWq7wBUPqT2F8e8bkUuWMjJ_s4i274JCBhSMJZBr1pExz4wsQby1G7qkSkLzWWAG3vJGbc-ucyiTmA-WESoSxgATbQ/s1600/DSC_0734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBpnMckqJD3GRfHAcK1Rlw7bgkg9BNCd8KVglm0mvjJt5vwTH4SWq7wBUPqT2F8e8bkUuWMjJ_s4i274JCBhSMJZBr1pExz4wsQby1G7qkSkLzWWAG3vJGbc-ucyiTmA-WESoSxgATbQ/s640/DSC_0734.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small skipper </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9VI0_VV3a8XeCd2zaM06BkVTDiLIYbSf1sZzxI5U11tmTeyG1pxIqYdSTxVFhYp6GjgSbqdzQYts-50NM2ypUlzBApi-mRbUt6cxpi_4HLxEp9PntjERXnGORDnbOXr5XR-Eb1VQWnQ/s1600/DSC_0740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9VI0_VV3a8XeCd2zaM06BkVTDiLIYbSf1sZzxI5U11tmTeyG1pxIqYdSTxVFhYp6GjgSbqdzQYts-50NM2ypUlzBApi-mRbUt6cxpi_4HLxEp9PntjERXnGORDnbOXr5XR-Eb1VQWnQ/s640/DSC_0740.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same one as above....</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9SRpVK07tmSR4g18WNvZfF2QSQTPVo11p7oCWgtbcHtJeVWUsdyeqP1wLJJyHbBzkFeM8JnwHNF2nEcFVj-9sC3y4DfHa1_9bCk6KBMOI-KcP68dPcgtBQBdNRsdiyIi9O3ph-w0Smw/s1600/DSC_0749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9SRpVK07tmSR4g18WNvZfF2QSQTPVo11p7oCWgtbcHtJeVWUsdyeqP1wLJJyHbBzkFeM8JnwHNF2nEcFVj-9sC3y4DfHa1_9bCk6KBMOI-KcP68dPcgtBQBdNRsdiyIi9O3ph-w0Smw/s640/DSC_0749.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A young swallow wing flapping :)</td></tr>
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I am now so far behind that I will just post this and get round to posting some August photos soon! Sorry I haven't had a chance to catch up on all those lovely blogs you wonderful readers produce!<br />
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<br />Lou Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14933986820262509435noreply@blogger.com16