A Morning in the Forest!

A good morning out in the forest yesterday. Covered a lot of ground and the warm weather was just perfect.

I need a bit of help identifying these two butterflies. I think they are meadow brown's, but am not certain!
I was hand holding with my big lens attached, so shots are not sharp and couldn't get the best angle, but good enough for an id. Thanks.





A female broad bodied chaser. Again it was hard to get her whole body and head in shot, due to where she was resting.



I'm pretty sure this is a male tufted duck - or maybe a Goldeneye?



This is a mandarin duck. Only a few weeks old and having a scratch!




And finally, a juvenile female adder.



To see more adder and grass snake pics, facts and encounters, please visit and follow my dedicated "Snakes in the Forest of Dean" blog, by clicking the link below. Thanks.

Snake Blog Here

Rob

Birds

A few from earlier today, before the clouds rolled in and blocked out the sun!

Female Mandarin Duck
Male Mandarin Duck
Common Sandpiper (Large Crop)
Tree Creeper







Rob

Cannop Ponds

Had my new camera arrive today, Canon eos 7d, so I paid a visit to Cannop Ponds for an hour to put it through its paces. The sky went grey and the sun vanished, but it came back out and the sky turned blue as I left. Typical!
Never mind, will give me an excuse to do it again tomorrow, if the weather lets me that is.

Here are some pics from the grey day. I need help identifying a duck please, if anyone can help?

Reed Bunting

Robin

Long Tailed Tit

This is the duck I need identifying please.

Mandarin (male)


Rob

Forest of Dean Snow and Wild Boar

Wasn't going to venture out today, but my friend popped by with his 4x4 and this was all the encouragement I required to get my butt out the door.
We started off taking a look at some of our local lakes and ponds. All were virtually frozen solid, except for some clear areas near the shallows.

What shocked us, was the amount of "human" activity we could see on the ice. I am amazed that there are people still willing to risk their lives, especially after all the warnings!

Click images for lager size...


Lightmoor pond.



The following 4 are from Steam Mills Lake.

Two coots and a gull.

The water must be too cold!

We then moved on into the forest where we came across this print. Do you know what made it?

The print is facing forward, but look to the rear and you will see to indentations in the snow, at either side.

These were formed by dew claws, which can be found on various animals, including wild boar.

We decided to try out our tracking skills in the snow.

It wasn't long before we found our first one. Can you see her?

How about now?

Here they are. I only had my wide angle lens with me and this was taken at 55mm. Won't be making that mistake again!

However, I did take my video camera. Enjoy.

Rob