Banded demoiselle
The Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) is a common sight along the banks of the Gt Ouse. It has a graceful butterfly-like slow wing beat.
A black swan
A black swan photographed just outside of Ely.
Red Darter
The Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) is a common sight in summer and autumn
Dragonfly
A southern Hawker dragonfly (Aeshna cyanea) very kindly poses for a photo. Actually I think this one had just emerged, and was drying its wings.
Ely Duck
A juvenile Muscovy duck photographed at Ely. The pretty duckling that turns into an ugly adult!
Basking fish
Fish warming themselves in the shallow water. The Great Ouse is teaming with fish. I don't know anything about them, so couldn't tell you what they are.
Flag irises
A loveley clump of flag irises
Geese at sunset
A flock of geese flying at sunset. A very common, and noisy spectacle.
A pair of Canada geese with their goslings. Photographed just upstream of our marina at St Ives.
Prehistoric
The Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) is a common sight along the river bank. Often, as here, standing motionless in the water while fishing. They look almost prehistoric in flight.
We can see you
The unmistakable Kingfisher. It's our ambition to get a good close up, but it's not easy. The characteristic streak of metallic blue, as they whizz past low over the water, is always a pleasure to see. Watching them dive and surface with a fish is a rare treat.
Mating
A pair of Azure, or perhaps Common Blue, damselflies mating.
Ox-eye daisies
A patch of ox-eye daisies in bloom. Photographed near Brampton Lock.
A snail
A snail photograhed at Wicken Fen. Wicken Fen is a magical place and well worth a visit.
Swan & Cormorant
A swan and cormorant photographed together near Earith.
Swan & cygnet
A swan and cygnet
Sunset teasel
A teasel in the sunset. Photographed at Hundred Acre near the Fish and Duck Marina at the junction of the River Cam and Gt Ouse.
Waterlillies
A patch of yellow water-lilies photographed in the Old West River.
White geese
Domesticated white geese like these can often be seen mixing with wild birds.
Willow tree
A knarled old willow tree with fungus on its trunk. No matter how broken, battered and lighning-struck these trees become, they always seem to continue to grow.
