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The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel, or Old World kestrel. In Britain, where no other kestrel species occurs, it is generally just called "the kestrel".
See, this is why I spent mucho $$$ on a nice long lens, so I can take a close-up photo of a stupid fly on the wall.
Kinda cool, tho.
I wanted to capture Common Mergansers in flight before the sun got too bright. Unfortunately I only ended up with a series with a less than ideal set of backgrounds. I could change the background to something more natural but I do not like to do that, it kind of feels like cheating. I will think on it more.
Common Kingfisher / alcedo atthis. 16/05/19.
'CONCENTRATION.'
A splendid king of fishers!
In full hunting mode, he studied the water below for shadows, shapes or movement. On full alert, he showed exemplary concentration ... and had cause to. Nearby his mate tended a new brood ... there were mouths to be fed.
BEST VIEWED LARGE.
Common Bullfinch / pyrrhula pyrrhula. Derbyshire. 02/04/19
‘EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE, EVERY MOVE YOU MAKE … ‘
One of those moments when you sense you’re being watched!
It came as a very pleasant surprise to find I was being scrutinised by this gorgeous female Bullfinch. She was so close it was impossible to fit her in the frame !
BEST VIEWED LARGE.
A trip to WWT Slimbridge in Gloucestershire late October 2025.
A Common Shelduck the Tack Piece Lagoon.
The Common Shelduck is a big, colourful duck, bigger than a Mallard but smaller than a goose. Both males and females have a dark green head and neck, a chestnut belly stripe and a red bill.
A Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) perching on a plant in the gardens at RHS Hyde Hall! I love the way they always look like they are smiling!
Common Goldeneye! Latin: Bucephala clangula; Swedish: Knipa!
May 2025, Arvidsjaur, Lapland, Sweden!
Standing on the water! :-).
The Common Whitetail is literally a Pondhawk, that is, a dragonfly that will protect the female that he *thinks* is his mate though she may have mated with 10 other Common Whitetails just that morning. As I pointed out once before, the last male to mate will force out any previous partners' sperm and it is he who becomes the "father." In the meantime, since no one Whitetail knows who was last in line, no one knows who's really the mate. Therefore, you could have 10 males patrolling the territory after the female lays her eggs. If you're thinking, "hell of a system," you're not thinking like a dragon or damsel. Obviously, 300 million years of history says something about the success of the Dragonfly Draft. They only have six months, so gather ye rosebuddies and damsels while ye may and the line continues. You're no even around long enough to pick out names.
By the way, judging by the lack of color on the abdomen and the bright colors on the thorax, this male hasn't been around for more than a day or two. If he catches the light just right, it's almost as though there are prisms of color like diamonds where his wings meet. He will become whiter, glossier, and then light blue just before the end of his days. The dragonflies' lives as adults are highly compressed.