https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/ https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/links.html https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/about.html https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/otheritems.html https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/gallery.html https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/news.html https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/page63786.html https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/page63810.html https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/british-birds https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/creative https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/coast-and-marine https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/kenya-safari-2013 https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photography-by-tom-yaxley https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/puffins-of-skokholm-island https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photography-by-kate-yaxley https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/amphibians https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/butterflies https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/best-of-british-wildlife https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/latest-work https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/reed-and-water https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/british-wildlife-photography-awards-2009 https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/black-white https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/sparring-coots https://photos.on-this.website/wm/08qaTxG1pM8zQGPccc29hq7e2NY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_77187531350bb1a753e59c.jpgSparring Coots Two male Coots (Fulica atra) sparring to protect their territory on Whittlingham Broad, Norwich, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/bellowing-stag https://photos.on-this.website/wm/JdpY3CUnHmC6LwOC_n2v0uEFyY8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_259973212647ad910a9e06.jpgBellowing Stag A Red Deer Stag full of testosterone suddenly appeared out of bracken during the rutting season in Richmond Park. It stopped, looked me straight in the eye and bellowed. Although I knew this wasn’t aimed at me it felt like it was because of the intense eye contact between me and the Stag. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/rana-temporaria https://photos.on-this.website/wm/BT3aG3Qlo64Mfn_M-hk_d1l2MSc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_445917211516cecc9dcda4.jpgRana Temporaria Common Frog (Rana temporaria) at Vinegar Pond, Mousehold, Norwich, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/ice-breaker https://photos.on-this.website/wm/sfmwmQOyfqgb6t3Ysm_kd-2Q_PY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_19361095016003149d5a6df.jpgIce Breaker Whilst walking on Winterton Dunes, Norfolk, I heard a cracking sound coming from a frozen freshwater pool below. At first, I couldn’t see what was causing the ice to break but then the unmistakable shape of a young Grey Seal’s head popped up through a hole in the ice. I went for a closer look and watched unobserved as the pup swam under the ice re-emerging at a different air holes. After a while it had cleared a small area of ice, which floated on the surface, and I watched as it played, nosing chunks of ice around the pool. I captured this image of our meeting as it surfaced amongst the broken ice and looked straight at me. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/bow-wave https://photos.on-this.website/wm/1ZVUqAoCMkzeldhCb05-hLUY6rU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_618631619647980d834301.jpgBow Wave I was photographing seals playing in the surf when his huge Grey Seal Bull emerged from the water out of nowhere and hauled itself through up the beach. As it moved forward it created a bow wave of bubbles which took on a life of its own and looked amazing. I converted to black and white to help bring out the structure of the water and the texture of the seal’s fur. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/gold-finch-perched-on-spring https://photos.on-this.website/wm/j--pnNLZddjDNDM_ixm9_sPJ1uw=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_21351602455013e29322c3.jpgGold Finch perched on Spring Blossom Gold Finch (Carduelis carduelis) perched on spring blossom. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/1-mute-swan-courtship https://photos.on-this.website/wm/lR4rT4frycDEnvZ2NoZIqt8rsG4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_37780472850bb19162a87d.jpg1 Mute Swan Courtship Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) at Whittlingham Great Broad, Norwich, England. They start their courtship ritual by alternately dipping their heads into the lake. This is the first in a series of four images. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/puffin-with-plastic https://photos.on-this.website/wm/DPFQ1TD31ywu_Qy38Pj2p83hIbE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_114014009854627b1a402ce.jpgPuffin with Plastic An Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) on Skokholm Island carrying orange and blue strands of plastic to use as nesting material. The volume of plastic floating in our seas is a real problem and is responsible for increasing numbers of sea bird fatalities. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/silver-studded-blue-on-heather https://photos.on-this.website/wm/-1hrmGONOg-1J3TwVI_y6hssWZQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_208238612351d7fc0ee5e6f.jpgSilver Studded Blue on Heather Silver Studded Blue on Heather at Buxton Heath, Norfolk, England. The scene is cast in shadow which has brought out the soft pastel colours of this beautiful little Blue Butterfly and pink Heather. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/liveforever https://photos.on-this.website/wm/uUCIMRIZcY0vvWBbpqP-smN-10M=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_21197243795ab51329d46aa.jpgLiveforever I found this Common Houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum) growing out of a crack in the concrete drain by my outside tap. The wind chill factor was -7 degrees and as the tap dripped the water froze on impact with the plant and the concrete. The image was taken as the ice started to melt revealing the rosette looking fresh and green despite the freezing temperatures and living up to one of its other common names; liveforever. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/little-egret-jumping https://photos.on-this.website/wm/VMdUE7ZNoJc-niTlK3j8TxxjNIs=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_80012637250d40e314ec17.jpgLittle Egret Jumping Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) jumping at Sunrise at Daukes Hide, Norfolk Wildlife Trust Reserve, Cley, North Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/reservoir-puffins https://photos.on-this.website/wm/OaQOi9thrQG_lYCiW75_PHYsclo=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_11460514875464ef6599a89.jpgReservoir Puffins A gang of Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica) stand together on Skokholm Island. It reminds me of a scene from the film Reservoir Dogs! Maybe they have decided to fight back against the Herring Gulls! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/claws-2 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/1QqHlcV-PPRH6I9vjjq-WGqcLYE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1140566170511fb2344e184.jpgClaws 2 Grey Seal Pup (Halichoerus grypus) resting after getting its first taste of the sea. Pups are unable to swim until they have lost their white baby fur. However, it won't be long before this incredibly cute and cuddly pup will be fending for itself and not reliant on its mothers milk. This shot is intended to contrast this cuddly image with the realities of life in the wild. Its fine set of claws demonstrate that its well equipped for the challenges of life ahead. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mute-swan-motion-blur https://photos.on-this.website/wm/fVPmhAfMCZUK1ILu3AM6tVe-Dts=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_84455422253196dfaee39c.jpgMute Swan Motion Blur A Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) taken at 1/30sec shutter priority to create motion blur and capture a sense of movement. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo24380009.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/n50JGOigfYvV0UIwk9Wf7vQKFqU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_59080477955644afd679ba.jpgLittle Egret at Thornham Staithes A Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) fluffs up its pristine white feathers as it stands in the muddy waters of Thornham Harbour, Norfolk, England. I composed the image to include the reflection of three posts which form part of the staithe (landing stage) The reflections have the effect of encouraging the viewer to explore the background but quickly lead the eye back to the main subject and adds interest to the image. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/spoonbill-at-dawn https://photos.on-this.website/wm/S85RzF64mYudYRp76RsOpPWbGqw=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_89937608050d40e393bfd2.jpgSpoonbill at Dawn An Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) silhouetted against the early morning sky flying passed Dourkes Hide at Norfolk Wildlife Trusts Cley Reserve, England. The blue sky has been enhanced in Photoshop by changing the colour temperature to tungstun. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/sweet-dreams https://photos.on-this.website/wm/rBZiGmyCWi4goXIFY8hHKJx_QGI=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_118070872952bc519c1237c.jpgSweet Dreams Grey Seal Pup (Halichoerus grypus) asleep on Winterton Beach, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/reflections https://photos.on-this.website/wm/DYPwEiZauoPu1k3E11z6LX_g-HU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1897368513574ad4fb8b927.jpgReflections An Egyptian gosling (Alopochen aegyptiacus) drinks from a still pool of water which provides a perfect reflection of itself and a pleasing palette of spring colours. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/little-egret-at-thornham-staithes https://photos.on-this.website/wm/_MuM8LZp-AIvnSAvdPH2f-VrLEY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_31987433953fb5c2ead888.jpgLittle Egret at Thornham Staithes Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) fluffs its feathers at Thornham, North Norfolk, England amongst the reflections of the harbour staithes. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/young-hippo https://photos.on-this.website/wm/z7QTTq4c0_mOrA5_Uu5teImTkRw=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_48350905552cf9cf58c70a.jpgYoung Hippo A young Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) stares up from the Mara River. This was the only time I had taken photographs out of the seurity of the land cruiser and had to remain extremely vigilant at all times. Later I saw a fiully grown adult and got a better understanding of why the Hippo is responsible for more deaths than any other animal in Africa. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/inquisitive-squirrel https://photos.on-this.website/wm/CQlHVSg7Rotut5F0wIp0IM7WJ48=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_7379404485fb7f1a0064f7.jpgInquisitive Squirrel An inquisitive Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) climbs up a dead tree stump at Postwick, Norfolk to survey its surroundings. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mother-child https://photos.on-this.website/wm/C0LHkCW3RgtRsPaIEdBc-G92Apo=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_8429225685778cf99164c5.jpgMother Child A Mute Swan cygnet (Cygnus olor) rises up from Whittlingham Lake to greet the start of a new day. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/bubbles https://photos.on-this.website/wm/ih0w_ptucsqB_5qhfEmsAdIiADU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_125816100352f7aebaefa4e.jpgBubbles Common Frogs (Rana temporaria) at Vinegar Pond, Mousehold Heath, Norwich, England. The Pond is filled with old spawn and algae which has given the water this mustard colour. To add to the evil look of this brew a large bubble has formed on the surface. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/greylag-gosling-portrait https://photos.on-this.website/wm/1XqNUddlNnK7kwhN3m63G7XZQ_I=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1533663024554f516c86470.jpgGreylag Gosling Portrait A Greylag gosling (Anser anser) looking fluffy and angelic at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich, England. I took the image in a rare moment when the gosling didn't have its head down feeding on grass and daisies and its parents were not standing guard. Understandably they were very protective of this chick especially when they had already lost 7 of the 8 born who had probably been eaten by Pike https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/dancing-cheek-to-cheek https://photos.on-this.website/wm/KcKAk5s5woJuN7gDH3sHljyOEh4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_18447214756012c8f530ef8.jpgDancing Cheek to Cheek A pair of Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) post mating, rise from the water as one, turning slowly as if they are dancing cheek to cheek. Despite the frantic paddling below the water what’s seen above is one of the most touching, graceful and elegant rituals in British wildlife. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/sanderling-portrait https://photos.on-this.website/wm/3rwT18YZsn3iD_LFQ9KS-I6lJpQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_13827812865e2c5d73a31a9.jpgSanderling Portrait A Sanderling (Calidris alba) takes a break from its frantic foraging to pose in the surf at Winterton Beach, Norfolk. I love watching these energetic little wading birds as they search the shoreline for marine worms, crustaceans and molluscs. I converted the image to black and white to emphasise the markings on its feathers. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo50219751.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/hUxY2BjDqnU6YWU1lHC9SLYEMUk=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1262945059653fc8e4ce8d5.jpgMute Swan Bathing Bizarrely, some wildlife photographers seem uninterested in capturing images of common species of British Wildlife and won’t even point their lens at something ordinary like a Mute Swan. It would appear that for some unless it’s rare it’s not regarded as worthy of their attention! However, I believe that our most familiar wildlife can make brilliant subjects equal to, or if not better than, any rarity. Showing the ordinary in a new or extraordinary way is definitely a challenge worth pursuing! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/papilio-machaon-britannicus https://photos.on-this.website/wm/jKFHQ9b04PV1ILpZPPHZVExRgjc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_19813653455890623033fd.jpgPapilio machaon britannicus A Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio machaon britannicus) at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. The butterfly was flitting from flower to flower nectaring on a small patch of flowers. It was soon surrounded by photographers jostling for the best position like paparazzi. It was the luck of the draw where the butterfly would land. Finally my patience was rewarded and I managed to get this image despite the crowds. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/ruminant-amongst-the-grass https://photos.on-this.website/wm/ba2MuYYu0OkXJ4igedCdSmGMKpM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_20393048795cc068c09e0a1.jpgRuminant Amongst the Grass I found a herd Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) eating grass and chewing the cud in Richmond Park, London. They were randomly spaced out respecting each other’s social space and ruminant amongst the bleached grass. The grass not only provided food but cover for the younger Deer who almost disappeared from view with only the tips of their ears on show. I’m always looking out for order and patterns in nature and was able to find the ideal position and angle of view to make these Deer line up in perfect order. Perspective has made the young Deer in the background appear even smaller in the frame and hidden from view. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/grey-heron-feeding-young https://photos.on-this.website/wm/gfAJWM9eRhg-r68SOR_cL3ScDuo=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_150245622962ab4167af562.jpgGrey Heron feeding Young I was privileged to photograph a family of Grey Herons (Ardea cinerea) at their nest. This allowed me the opportunity to witness a lot of really interesting behaviour but my favourite was feeding. This didn’t happen very regularly, maybe once in a 4 hour photography session, and often didn’t last very long. However, the interaction was always very entertaining. As soon as the young birds saw the adult flying towards their nest it sent them into a frenzy, beaks wide open and head feathers standing to attention. In this image, the adult bird is looking larger than normal with its feathers fluffed up as the young Herons jostle for position and access to the adults beak. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/close-encounter https://photos.on-this.website/wm/6ajlXGjvFB4IRaAqUMVd4xUP1sk=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_147067383664bbac44baae8.jpgClose Encounter I must admit to have become a little bit obsessed with capturing images of Barn Owls recently and I’m following up on as many leads as possible to capture what I have pre visualised. So far, my experiences have been mixed! Very occasionally I’ve been lucky enough to photograph an Owl for an hour whilst it quarters the field in search of Field Voles or Shrews. However, more often than not my experience has involved staring at an empty field or meadow for hours on end with only the most distant sight of one. Of course every time I’ve moved to another location where I can see the Owl flying its always flown back to the original field where I’d been waiting. In this case I’d waited by one of the Owls favourite perches for 3 hours when I saw an Owl flying in an adjacent field. I walked away from my position and managed to capture this close up image as it flew by me. I watched as it landed in the distance on the post that I’d been waiting by. I was lucky on this occasion but next time I’ll wait for the Owl to fly to me! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/long-eared-owl-portrait-2 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/XJTg-CH6_pPeYmu2aKCdp8DicaI=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_121277226664b15c40617b9.jpgLong Eared Owl Portrait 2 I found this Long Eared Owl perched between the split trunk of a tree warming itself in the morning sun. It was really difficult to spot as it’s feathers blended in so beautifully with the bark. Initially it was facing away from me and I contemplated trying to get a better position to take my shots but decided this wasn’t possible. Every now and again a train would hurtle passed on the nearby railway line and I noticed that every time it did so the Owl would become quite agitated and turn its head to face me. Making sure that all my camera settings were correct I waited for the warning siren from the level crossing and the train to pass through. Right on queue the owl turned its head and I was able to capture this image. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/cooling-the-blood https://photos.on-this.website/wm/AS5R8i0YMcQGEzVao2YpLrSZWGE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_14067161896478ae041ad4f.jpgCooling the Blood I was photographing Red Deer in Richmond Park during the rut on a particularly bright and warm October day. In the afternoon, I decided to move out of the harsh unflattering light to photograph in the shade of the woods when I came across a Stag with its harem. The Stag was taking a well-deserved break wallowing in a cool mud bath when another Stag entered the scene. The calmness turned to frantic activity as the Stag dragged itself out of mud to chase off its rival sending Hinds off in all directions. I was photographing the action from a safe distance when the Stag came towards me, looked me straight in the eye and bellowed. Where it stopped a shaft of sunlight fell across its face illuminating its eye and I was able to capture this frame filling image. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/regal-stag https://photos.on-this.website/wm/1qEGrxwAFd9v1cW9kGQtjg5Tryc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_6862991415b239dd00d4b7.jpgRegal Stag A battle weary Red Deer Stag (Cervus elaphus) rests in the shade of a tree in Richmond Park. Occasionally he would bellow but was showing very little interest in the rut and looked happy to sit it out. I positioned myself to frame the Stag within the backdrop of the silhouetted tree trunk and branches and dappled sunlight shining through the leaves. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/duma-and-cub https://photos.on-this.website/wm/_gs95qMz-KvSGSciwDf_KEkGIWU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_176466433452c3dae1cc9d6.jpgDuma and Cub The cry of Duma, the Swahili for Cheetah, rang out on the landcruiser radio and we were driven at speed to this location. Amongst an expanse of open Savannah we found this mother Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) and her cub keeping look out for larger predators. Their superb camouflage blending beautifully with the golden grasses around them. Despite this one of her cubs had already been taken since being seen the previous day. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/marsh-harrier https://photos.on-this.website/wm/Q5ItM9obuWPs5zwewpWhxHrRChg=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_756637550517ee0535ead2.jpgMarsh Harrier A male Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England hunts the reed beds below for prey. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/simba-2 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/M0Nb4oXa1pwfzJGCqd0YyoYKvYQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_123185870152c27e8181fb4.jpgSimba 2 The male Lion (Panthera leo) makes it way to the shade of the bush where it will sleep off its large breakfast of Zebra. It pauses briefly to look back towards the carcass which it has left for the lioness. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/the-eyes-have-it https://photos.on-this.website/wm/zzKp0RU8AF6sXBv98dPBjt7bBZs=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_38051207365c5ce3502c6c.jpgThe Eyes Have It Short-eared Owls get their name because of the short ear tufts on top of their head. These are not actually the bird's ears but feathers which usually sit flat to its head and are often only visible when the owl is excited or alert. Although the Owl’s ears do a lot of the work when hunting from a photographic perspective the eyes are the real stars of the show! Piercing bright yellow jewels accentuated by a ring of black feathers! Most of the time when its quartering its territory, in search of prey, it looks downwards and there’s no eye contact with the photographer. Fortunately, in this image it looked straight at the camera and I was lucky enough to capture this special moment of engagement. Within a fraction of a second it had turned on its lowered wing and flown away. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/emung-of-the-bush https://photos.on-this.website/wm/BJBqTL-LpFcjCSPLzJEtrnEYL3E=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_137450585352aeba9a85751.jpgEmung - of the bush The Maasai name for the Black Rhinocerus (Diceros bicornis) is Emung which means 'of the bush.' Despite the fact it is the second largest land mammal it is elusive and sightings are relatively scarce. However, I was very fortunate to get photographs of this critically endangered animal 'up close and personal.' As it sleeps amongst the bush the scene is one of utter peace and tranquility which contrasts strongly with the latent threat of its rapier like horn and irritable reputation. As my uncle used to say "she's no trouble when she's asleep!" He was of course referring to my Aunt and not the Black Rhino! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo20352046.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/F16VnqY4w2iZsRH0lEyl5ChLs-M=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_62688673052f87a6972f59.jpgAncient Toad A Common Toad (Bufo bufo) rests on a log at Stiffkey, Norfolk, England. It looks ancient sqinting its eye and straining to hear by using its foot as an ear trumpet. I captured the shot using a macro lens, tripod and remote shutter release. I used spot metering to correctly expose the toad and underexpose the background shadow. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/pygmy-hippopotamus https://photos.on-this.website/wm/fOoDinT7qn11wC0oD6ag4IK7xSk=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_108240814052e52715f3f2f.jpgPygmy Hippopotamus A Pygmy Hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) asleep at Nairobi, Safari Walk, Kenya. Their current status on the IUCN Red List is endangered with fewer than 3000 remaining in the wild. However, their survival is assured through those held in zoos and their ability to breed successfully in captivity. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/great-crested-grebe-courtship https://photos.on-this.website/wm/EuQ85ue2RdFVgDoGmRBDQq4ff4M=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_213803488550bb19c854e32.jpgGreat Crested Grebe Courtship Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) courtship amongst the gold and fire of water and reed at Whittlingham Little Broad, Norwich, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/light-bulb-moment https://photos.on-this.website/wm/jhGxfnqdtwGZfJXk_id1o-1SrZA=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_19063204966478ae1a7f8dc.jpgLight Bulb Moment Many times I’ve watched Grey Seal pups play a game where they nuzzle pebbles with their nose across the sand but this was a new twist! This time it was a light bulb that had washed up on the beach intact! It made me think about man’s insatiable need for energy and the irresponsible way we dispose of waste which is often at the expense of the natural world and its wildlife. Ironically the light bulb appeared to be illuminated as the rays of early morning sun reflected off the glass. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/yellow-horned-poppy-website https://photos.on-this.website/wm/t2sHTIePFbZ9HyOCBnDCcpmoHr4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1726744044594e559e159c2.jpgYellow Horned Poppy Website Close up view of the horn which gives the Yellow Horned Poppy (Glaucium flavum) its name. These fragile plants are only found on the coast of East Anglia. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo35210979.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/X5Xx7LfCewmHNTXDW5GISB2t5uc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_8947712305b239e5854307.jpgSwallowtail Caterpillar feeding on Milk Parsley A Swallowtail Butterfly Caterpillar (Papilio machaon Britannicus) feeds on the seed heads of Milk Parsley. The caterpillar is totally reliant on this food plant so I wanted to show the importance of this relationship and the Fenland habitat where Milk Parsley thrives. As all the flowers had been shed I was able to show the spoke like structure of the plant which forms a pleasing design. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo35238606.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/klla-bDRBvC7O3pIjX8-p_K-9b4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_15086057555b2741c97a1f7.jpgSedge Warbling This Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) had established its territory amongst this patch of reeds. I tried to keep track of it as it flitted from stem to stem looking for a prime position to sing for a mate. The difficulty in capturing this image was positioning myself to get a clear shot of the bird, without too many distracting details, whilst at the same time revealing its reed bed habitat. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/rock-a-bye-baby https://photos.on-this.website/wm/0FlgB9w3y8SM1gYUolHbZD16a98=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1119290165934f953f0fcc.jpgRock-a-bye Baby A young Grey Seal Pup (Halichoerus grypus) drifts off to sleep against the granite sea defences at Winterton, Norfolk, England. The rocks don’t look like the most comfortable place to sleep but they play a vital role in protecting this important breeding ground from coastal erosion. I like the way that the vulnerability of the pup is contrasted by its powerful fore flipper and claws and the solidity of its granite bed. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/on-the-edge-of-darkness https://photos.on-this.website/wm/MB6AaLrZNhg5WZPg_8-EBhFZ8ZA=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1190656762518c8c0a903db.jpgOn the Edge of Darkness A Common Lizard (Zootoca vivipara) warming its cold blooded body on a rusty piece of corrogated iron at Waxham Dunes, Norfolk, England. Beneath, Adders can be found taking advantage of the conducted heat from the iron and gathering energy to hunt their prey. The Common Lizard sleeps seemingly unaware of the threat that lurks in the darkness. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/seal-pup-at-low-tide https://photos.on-this.website/wm/5qzU5ktliMh-xHW6e9DkCC5W7dQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_90790418252c122723c918.jpgSeal Pup at Low Tide A Grey Seal Pup (Halichoerus grypus) hitching across the wet sand left by the retreating tide at Winterton, Norfolk, England. Its baby fur (lanugo) is shedding revealing patches of mottled adult fur. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/swallowtail-caterpillar-on-stem-of https://photos.on-this.website/wm/cQC0kN3A2uQnNatsiO3pTwH9xNI=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_186838602652f65b75769b4.jpgSwallowtail Caterpillar on Stem of Milk Parsley A Swallowtail Butterfly Caterpillar (Papilio machaon) crawls along the stem of Milk Parsley at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/little-grebe-fishing https://photos.on-this.website/wm/3afFo9GvZ8PEEn3bMHAyifl5v4Y=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_4958410495cc0682ebd8fb.jpgLittle Grebe Fishing I watched this Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) repeatedly dive at Snipes Marsh, Cley, Norfolk before emerging with a stickleback. They are fascinating to watch as they expel all the air from their feathers prior to diving they appear to half in size. Once the fish is caught a series of frantic head movements ensures that the it is despatched as quickly as possible prior to eating. In this case the catch was for one of its offspring who was still in the process of learning to fish for itself. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/swan-heart https://photos.on-this.website/wm/gTxBG0BQ1Pxza6gRVgLvOEGXbsA=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_21372465305561e54f52a0d.jpgSwan Heart Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) rise up together during their courtship ritual at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich, England. Silhouetted against the golden lake they form a perfect heart shape as dance beak to beak. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/swallowtail-and-burdock https://photos.on-this.website/wm/lksYhvmIYGr-ZP8tsoa_z6lc79g=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_104917608352f9cd9b7e190.jpgSwallowtail and Burdock The rare and elusive Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio Machaon Britannicus) rests on Burdock at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. It's backlit against the sunshine which penetrates the trees and creates a bokeh of spotted light. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/sanctuary https://photos.on-this.website/wm/wQRba43KIeGsKNrzzAeX6SKMBz8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_2128323045b239e3eba7db.jpgSanctuary A Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) takes time out in the dunes at Winterton, Norfolk. The dunes offer a valuable place of shelter especially for pups who are unable to swim, and want to avoid a rising tide, and for adults seeking sanctuary from the constant fighting and mating on the beach. On this occasion I found this bull hiding amongst the Marram Grass and took this image to show the importance of the dunes in the life of Grey Seals. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/the-duck-test https://photos.on-this.website/wm/zmC9ttVFXbaF3ojkKatmrlDweig=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_2049314264518c8de717222.jpgThe Duck Test A bunch of female Shoveler Ducks (Anas clypeata) preening at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. The ducks are silhouetted against the bright morning light reflected off the water. I captured the image from the high perspective of Tower Hide and this has revealed the circular formation of this sociable gathering. In the middle of the activity one duck stands out from the crowd and reveals the identity of the others. If it walks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck then it probably is a duck! If it has an oversized bill then its probably a Shoveler Duck! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/marram-grass-whiskers https://photos.on-this.website/wm/z2YkssBjPTAuATz2U_4mNas4d3Q=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_129560974155644b446ad93.jpgMarram Grass Whiskers A dead Grey Seal pup (Halichoerus grypus) at Winterton, Norfolk, England. At the height of the Pupping Season there can be in excess of 500 pups on the beach but many were born that did not survive. This image highlights this event and shows that there can be beauty in death as well as life. Despite the fact it's lost its eye to a Herring Gull I think it looks peaceful. Sand has partially buried its body which mimics the dunes that surround it with whiskers of Marram Grass. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/floating-on-air https://photos.on-this.website/wm/e6QvI68T0kHslIMPlmBdzuh9AYQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_10008056075147f5390a668.jpgFloating on Air Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) flies past some Black Headed Gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) floating in and above the water at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. The blue background at first appears to be sky but this is refuted by the reflections of the Gulls that reveal the watery truth. But after alll, isn't flying just floating on air? https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/great-white-egret-landing https://photos.on-this.website/wm/oAbTxAA8SvPs-rNw_N5S9FIZc90=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_713460329652954722e524.jpgGreat White Egret Landing I love photographing Little Egrets but hadn’t had the opportunity to photograph their less common relative the Great White Egret (Ardea alba) I’d had several unconfirmed sightings in the past but always too far away to capture. On this occasion I was sat in a hide at a local bird reserve when just after sunrise I got my first proper close up view. I was lucky enough to capture this image as the Egret spread out its wings to control its landing. The backdrop of water and reflected clouds provide a nice clean background. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mute-swan-amongst-the-silent https://photos.on-this.website/wm/Bd0jo5OKcxwC5xvIFVhQ_0hLzB4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_300538485428068fb651b.jpgMute Swan amongst the Silent Reeds Shortlisted BWPA 2013 (Top 300) - Habitat Category Early one Autumn morning this male Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) appeared in front of Fen Hide at Strumpshaw Fen in Norfolk. The wind was non-existent which left the mist hanging around the silent reeds and the water undisturbed. Perfect conditions for an atmospheric reflection. Most people were waiting for Otters, Kingfishers and Bittern and ignored this common bird. I converted the image to black and white which helped lift the Swan out of the doldrums of the breathless atmosphere and into a clear vision of beauty. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo22553049.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/_3Ro5OJQLrEHmIuFo0KHD2Do7Jo=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1480162798542806741ad54.jpgMarram Grass Whiskers Shortlisted BWPA 2014 - Close to Nature At the height of the pupping season there are usually in excess of 500 Grey Seal pups on the beach between Horsey Gap and Winterton in Norfolk. Unfortunately, not all survive! I found this one partially buried under a blanket of wind-blown sand. It seemed to mimic the dunes that surrounded it with tufts of fur and whiskers of Marram Grass. I got in close with my wide angled lens and focussed on the whiskers. I converted to black and white to emphasise the texture of the fur and sand. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/inquisitive-seal-pup https://photos.on-this.website/wm/rF1JoRx2E7cZTgQB7HwusV7gnBc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1323527198647ae00c3ccef.jpgInquisitive Seal Pup Grey Seal Pup’s are naturally inquisitive and this can put them in danger especially when playing in the surf. Until they’ve malted their creamy white fur (laguno) they can become waterlogged, get swept out with the backwash and drown. I ‘ve often seen them in pools left by the retreating tide practicing for the day they will swim away from the beach. A much safer option! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/suckling-pup https://photos.on-this.website/wm/23WlsNF1ksxpdlrTRMsNnySxUgY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_6358133756479dbecc5745.jpgSuckling Pup I waited patiently in the Dunes at Winterton beach whilst a female Grey Seal and her pup moved close enough to me to get this intimate image of the pup feeding. It looked very content and relaxed as it suckled the fat rich milk from its mother’s teat. It takes approximately 3 weeks for these pups to be fully weened and until then they are wholly reliant on their mother’s milk for survival which enables them to increase their body weight by 2 Kilograms each day. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/1-chalk-hill-blue-at https://photos.on-this.website/wm/5ZZOy0KRcCTxntdqZOb-4PiMNTA=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_14157331515bf92f8a271cf.jpg1- Chalk-hill Blue at Dawn A Chalk-hill Blue butterfly (Polyommatus coridon) rests on a Cornflower head in North Norfolk, England. It’s backlit against the orange sky of dawn emphasising the warmth of summer. The silhouette simplifies the image and highlights the importance of the relationship between the butterfly, the flower and the sun. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/bird-bath https://photos.on-this.website/wm/_j4iZ_mbrzzgCp1YQG4VWf6quvE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_13849231235440b7159f626.jpgBird Bath A Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) takes its morning bath at Whittlingham Country Park, Norwich, England. This is part of the swans elaborate preening regime to kepp its feathers in pristine condition. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/regenerate https://photos.on-this.website/wm/sUHLkkcZwZi1mM0XI8l64c6qfXc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_442878455cc068b1a7f53.jpgRegenerate A juvenile male Bearded Tit (Panurus biarmicus) climbs up the reeds in search of its family group at Cley next the Sea, Norfolk. The reed bed is in a continuing cycle of change and renewal as the old bleached reed is replaced by lush new growth securing the habitat for future generations. This is a hopeful scene of renewal and growth and reminds me of nature’s incredible ability to regenerate and sustain new life. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/peace https://photos.on-this.website/wm/9TX-pa-QJNxfOcgiSQRQXRfNb-s=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_6746580695ac0fc2e12edf.jpgPeace A Grey Seal pup (Halichoerus grypus) takes time out from the busy beach to rest in the dunes at Winterton, Norfolk. Some welcome winter sunshine creates golden threads of Marram Grass and warms the seal against the cool shadows of the dunes. I underexposed by 2 stops to correctly expose the highlights and emphasise the rim-lit effect which illuminates the seals fur, whiskers and claws. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/little-egret-fishing-at-sunrise https://photos.on-this.website/wm/FCdz0F3GhAgryfVRq_0c0kcnmWY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_23735532559a2bf82a8856.jpgLittle Egret Fishing at Sunrise A Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) fishes for small fish and invertebrates in a shallow scrape of water at NWT reserve at Cley-Next-The-Sea. The sun had risen directly behind the Egret making a silhouette the natural choice for the image and illuminating the splash as its beak strikes the water. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/reed-warbling https://photos.on-this.website/wm/kLQ8gMG4xgjrbC_-mqNC07qCBfY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_4667737805b239e285b412.jpgReed Warbling A Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) sings to attract a mate at Cley Next the Sea, Norfolk. Usually it sings from within the reedbed rather than from a perch, so it is often heard rather than seen. I heard this particular bird singing from the same patch of reeds for several days in a row but only managed to see fleeting views of it as it hopped from reed to reed. Although I wanted to show the bird singing in its natural habitat I also needed to achieve a clear image where the reeds where not obscuring the bird. On my final visit the wind was incredibly light and although the sun was bright it was diffused by some light cloud. The stillness of the reeds and the bright weather encouraged the bird to climb to a higher vantage point enabling me to capture the shot free from distracting reeds and ugly shadows. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/a-rock-and-a-hard https://photos.on-this.website/wm/JQjuXKqbsP9PsH4kkthF-IVL-hY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1229188035ac1dba688390.jpgA Rock and a Hard Place After straying into the wrong territory this Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) decided to escape by taking a short cut through the granite sea defences at Winterton, Norfolk. I’ve seen seals climb over these rocks when determined enough but on this occasion it was caught between a rock and a hard place trying to find a way through. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/curious-seal-pup https://photos.on-this.website/wm/LydZRvOn14-oFhtAKLq6Q62qf8Q=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_9155638635b239d7dd4687.jpgCurious Seal Pup A Grey Seal pup (Halichoerus grypus) keeps a watchful eye open in the dunes at Winterton Beach, Norfolk. I took a low position and waited for the pup’s curiosity to get the better of them. Focussing on the eye closest to the lens I took the image as soon as the pup looked directly at me to create this intimate portrait. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/flamingo-reflection https://photos.on-this.website/wm/g8R_Lo0Cap_IFDzxLSN5liEzfHo=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_166804079152c7b79b46f70.jpgFlamingo Reflection A Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor) filter feeding in the saline alkaline waters of Lake Bogoria, Great Rift Valley, Kenya. Its specialized beak with its gummy membrane, lamellae, and the powerful pumping action of its tongue enable it to filter its food. This one was sweeping its beak backwards and forwards across the surface of the water in a 180 degree arc. It mainly feeds on small invertebrate species which it stirs up from the muddy bottom of the lake with its feet. The Flamingo's distinctive coloration comes from the beta-carotene found in the shrimp and plankton it eats. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/gold-seal https://photos.on-this.website/wm/_0NqRWuD1Iq0docGDIBK3rtF54M=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_54401844163f1d7625c664.jpgGold Seal A Grey Seal Bull (Halichoerus grypus) resting amongst the Marram Grass in the dunes at Winterton, Norfolk, England. I captured the image using a shallow depth of field, with the aperture wide open, which helped create a painterly effect and draw the viewer into the scene. The warm colours were provided by the golden light of sunrise and enhanced by the cloudy white balance setting on my camera. The challenge was to capture the seals eye in focus, as the grass swayed back and forth, and to avoid any distracting grass appearing in the plane of focus in front of the seals face. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/bon-appetit https://photos.on-this.website/wm/SO3LxhW3T_R7Afnm9iKxt7a0tBM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_20855584715b239e119a675.jpgBon Appetit A Water Vole (Arvicola amphibious) nibbling on a leaf at Strumpshaw Fen in Norfolk. Water voles are generally herbivores and need to consume 80% of their body weight every day. They eat a wide range of vegetation, especially the lush stems and leaves of waterside plants but will also consume fruits, bulbs, twigs, buds, and roots when given the opportunity. After several hours waiting I finally captured this image of the Water Vole in its natural habitat surrounded by the vegetation essential to its survival. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/the-kiss-2 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/xc54-OiOtsAfDU0iLsBaR97FzQ0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_12872953615cc067392927d.jpgThe Kiss 2 Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus) kiss in the surf touching noses and whiskers in an intimate embrace at Horsey, Norfolk. Looking at this image you’d be forgiven for thinking that they were life-long partners. However, the mating strategy of Grey Seal Bulls is to mate with as many females as possible. Who said romance was dead? https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/long-eared-owl-portrait https://photos.on-this.website/wm/P2881bbcEkENYCcetWuIGrCrOfE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_119977435664a7ea5e1d5f2.jpgLong Eared Owl Portrait One morning in July I went to my local nature reserve and was amazed to see this juvenile Long Eared Owl perched on one of the information signs. I managed to get a few images before it flew off and I went to explore the rest of the reserve. On my way back to my car I saw it again on the same perch and photographed on various perches as it moved around the reception area. I captured this image when it flew up on to the post used to support the birdfeeders and was delighted when it turned to look straight at me with its amazing orange eyes. I positioned myself so that it stood out against the dappled green background of leaves and light and framed it between a dark tree trunk and dark shadows on either side. I was informed that this was the first Long Eared Owl to fledge in over a decade in the Waveney Valley. It was a privilege to have seen and photographed this rare and secretive bird. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/exhausted-stag https://photos.on-this.website/wm/tHlHDKkDyAr34_EmmhM-yqyyQJ4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_8552615436479a0c99f742.jpgExhausted Stag I’d watched this Stag lose its harem of Hinds to a rival. After his exhausting attempts to defend them failed he wearily walked away from the scene alone and defeated. Eventually he sat down in the bleached grass by a copse of Silver Birch Trees to lick his wounds and take a well-earned rest at the end of a very long day. Just before the sun dropped below the trees the soft light transformed the scene giving it a fairy tale appearance. The peace and quiet was punctuated by the mournful bellows of the Stag in the direction of his former Harem. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/discretion-is-the-better-part https://photos.on-this.website/wm/PhIqQ9BgMX5bY5UTpUvs0BDBPR4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_13536155295cc0681b1bb6a.jpgDiscretion is the better part of valour A young Red Deer Stag (Cervus elaphus) rests having just been chased off by a dominant stag, protecting his harem, during the rut at Richmond Park, London. All he can do for now is spectate from the side-lines and wait for his opportunity to mate. Sometimes discretion is the better part of valour. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo38100792.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/B_lBt17SF7AqBHHsX57IOQ9MCvM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_3518198855cc067a3d8f1d.jpgCall of the Wild A Red Deer Stag (Cervus elaphus) bellows in the grass to proclaim its territory in Richmond Park, London. In between its calls I focussed on the Stags eye whilst its antlers were out of the frame and waited for it to reply to the call of other stags. As it started to bellow it would stretch its neck lifting its chin into the air and push its antlers down towards its body and back into the frame. This was the cue I needed to take a burst of shots. The point when its call reached maximum volume coincided with the point when its head was fully extended upwards to ensure its call was projected the greatest distance. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/the-splits https://photos.on-this.website/wm/co3VlZghRAqOoU5VjVkT2spqNX4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_20233001665b93d7b328f38.jpgThe Splits Over the course of some bright and calm July mornings I had a number of opportunities to photograph Bearded Tits (Panurus biarmicus) at Cley next the Sea, Norfolk. Each morning I returned to the same reed bed and listened out for their distinctive pinging call. Sometimes I would only hear these iconic little reedlings or catch a fleeting glimpse of juveniles as they flitted from reed to reed. On a few lucky occasions they would gather in a small family group, close enough to photograph, and climb to the tops of the reed to feed. On this occasion they were joined by an adult male who struck a classic pose by doing the splits between two old stalks of reed. The main challenge was capturing clean images when the birds were not obscured by the reeds or their shadows. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/water-colour-swan https://photos.on-this.website/wm/em_fphZHu2jMLaHBtAzUErwG2NA=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_2229301875b24a8718343d.jpgWater Colour Swan A Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) at the Whitlingham Lake, Norwich. As an Outdoor Education Centre Whitlingham has a lot of equipment for messing about on the water. I noticed that the boats, canoes, buoys, flags, barrels, and sails stored on the opposite bank created an array of brightly coloured reflections in the water. All I had to do was to wait for a subject to show up so I could utilise these colours in my images. It wasn’t long before a Mute Swan glided towards a patch of weed and after repositioning myself, to ensure I maximised the water colour effect, I was able to get this image. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/seal-of-disapproval https://photos.on-this.website/wm/cnGuP6YrNONEykcb7crmioZvVi8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_14339854075a9b9a79e0b1b.jpgSeal of Disapproval A female Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) barks her disapproval at a bull seal at Winterton, Norfolk. During the pupping season these interactions are not uncommon as bulls get too close to pups, stray into the territory of other social groups or make unwelcome advances to mate with cows whose pups are not yet weaned. The behaviour ranges from what resembles “a good telling off” to biting and scratching with vicious claws. Although the female’s main priority is to protect and feed her pup there comes a point where she is receptive to mating and this behaviour may form part of her mating strategy. By drawing attention to herself in this way she is likely to attract other potential mates, increasing her chances of being impregnated by a more dominant bull and improving the life chances of her offspring the following season. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mute-swan-mono https://photos.on-this.website/wm/xt5W2Y0gjvtrnrnADq_oY5yJ5Gk=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_145516399590315ddc3359.jpgMute Swan Mono A young Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) asleep at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich, England. I took the shot at the minimum focussing distance to fill the frame with feathers. This ensured the foreground was out of focus and drawing attention to its peaceful eye. I converted to black and white to reveal the various textures of its feathers. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/misty-expectations https://photos.on-this.website/wm/4tUAS_5RbQw79m_wNCuP_rYhucM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_6451288866544f5f4e1295.jpgMisty Expectations When I take photographs on misty mornings I’m always full of expectation that something amazing will appear out of the murk. For me, this is the triumph of hope over experience as often the image I want to capture never materialises and only exists in my imagination. However, on this occasion I was not disappointed as the rising sun, diffused through water droplets, warmed the scene with beautiful orange light. A Red Deer Stag emerged from the mist bellowing his superiority over rival stags and hoping that hinds would be attracted by his calls. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/grey-on-grey https://photos.on-this.website/wm/eEh5Nfb6NziqRHd8NZUcsNtyqNc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_5938885575121071b64861.jpgGrey on Grey A solitary Grey Heron at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. The water levels at Strumpshaw are carefilly managed to protect this fresh water habitat from the brackish water of the River Yare that flows close by. At the time of capturing this image the water levels in the scrape had been lowered to reveal a muddy habitat for waders and filter feeders such as Snipe and Shoveller Duck. The low directional light of early morning reflects off the muddy shoreline, the surface of the water and the feathers floating on its surface. It backlights the Heron throwing it into silhouette and empasises the solitude and isolation of the bird. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/banded-damoiselle-onteasel-leaf-2 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/8-CeE6SkeUF3bqQhKk3anSZzEXY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_85394428950bb19613b898.jpgBanded Damoiselle onTeasel Leaf 2 Male Banded Damoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) on a Teasel Leaf by the bank of the River Tas, Caistor St Edmund, Norfolk, England. This image was taken at dawn using a flash to provide enough light to expose the Damoiselle and underexpose the background.The Background appears completely black, eliminating any distraction and placing the focus on the subject. At this time of the morning Damoiselles are usually covered in dew and are too cold to fly. In this image the gorgeous metallic colours shine through the dew and appear as if the Damoiselle is encrusted in gem stones. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/common-darter-preying-on-headstone https://photos.on-this.website/wm/qKF8QBhm3oR73v9OqHnJ4s689GA=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_143031607850b9af7fb53a2.jpgCommon Darter Preying on Headstone Shortlisted BWPA 2011 Living Landscape/Connectivity Category Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) at rest on a head stone in the Rosary Cemetery in central Norwich, Norfolk, England. The Cemetery is part of a chain of green areas connected by the gardens of the houses around it. For instance, the Cemetry is connected to Lion Wood which in turn is connected to Mousehold Heath via less significant green spaces. The Cemetery is a beautiful shambles of granite and rusty ironwork, brambles and mature trees. It is a haven for many species of wildlife from urban Foxes to Woodpeckers. It is ironic that a place of death for man is one of life for other creatures. It is a place that I visit to be in touch with the cycle of life; human and animal. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/eye-opener https://photos.on-this.website/wm/gVCGjDglN4JSXoud20JeuOKYCzM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_5676481206560be28a939c.jpgEye Opener It was 5 minutes after sunrise at my local nature reserve when I was lucky enough to have a totally unexpected encounter with this young Long Eared Owl dozing on a perch. To my surprise it just sat there and opened one eye to reveal a fully dilated pupil set in a beautiful orange coloured iris. Luckily, I was able to capture a couple of images before it flew off silently through the trees. As the available light was so low I could only achieve a slow shutter speed of 1/50 sec even with the aperture wide open at f5.6 and the maximum ISO of 12800. Luckily, the Owl was motionless and my camera was on a tripod which enabled me to capture a sharp image. I did need to apply some noise reduction to ensure high image quality. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/aerial-mugging https://photos.on-this.website/wm/0Gl4NJtAc4ZJ3H8RClwqbHjsvqE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_18149808465bd02943c806.jpgAerial Mugging Being in the right place at the right time is an important element of wildlife photography which sometimes relies on a good deal of luck. However, as someone pointed out to me luck is an acronym for Living Under Correct Knowledge which reminds me that sometimes you can make your own luck! Through an understanding of the behaviour of your subject matter, how it interacts with other wildlife and it’s environment you can start to anticipate what may happen next. Prior to capturing this image I’d seen this Barn Owl dive into the grass and catch a Field Vole. As I watched it eating I observed it constantly lifting its head between bites and surveilling its surroundings. Having previously seen Kestrels trying to steal Barn Owl’s prey I understood the Owls furtive behaviour as I saw one heading in its direction. I focussed on the Owl and waited in anticipation. Sure enough the Kestrel attacked the Owl and in the ensuing action I managed to get this image. However, despite the Kestrel’s attempted mugging the Owl escaped with its prey firmly clamped in its beak. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/salutations-on-a-sedum-roof https://photos.on-this.website/wm/SDoGYqX2ufh7WsY4T7-FExn8RLw=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_2721963226479c929aac7b.jpgSalutations on a Sedum Roof Sedum Roofs provide an important habitat that can help offset the environmental impact of buildings. I observed this male Pheasant pecking for insects on the roof of a bird hide that overlooks Salthouse Broad on the Cley-next-the-Sea Nature Reserve. Taking full advantage of the additional habitat and vantage point that the roof provided it crowed and flapped its wings to announce its presence to the world. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/rough-and-tumble https://photos.on-this.website/wm/P0sJ2XXgTuCBjMN6OzQHegcsjys=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_34226304564b14800c9053.jpgRough and Tumble I went to my local nature reserve on a particularly dull and damp morning in July with the intention of photographing Barn Owls when I saw some movement in the grass in front of me. I quickly lowered my tripod and moved in for a closer look and was delighted to discover it was a female Stoat play fighting with two of its offspring. It wasn’t long before one of the young Stoats ran off to explore further afield leaving the mother and its slightly smaller sibling to continue plat fighting. The young Stoat was clearly being put through its paces to prepare it for hunting its own food. The action was frantic as the Stoats wrestled with each other, leaping and pouncing in a breathtaking performance of speed and agility. The unpredictable and erratic nature of their rough and tumble made capturing a decent image very challenging. As the weather was poor there was no one else on the reserve and I was able to enjoy a private show of this amazing spectacle for 45 minutes until eventually they retired into the grass for a well-deserved rest. This image is the best of the action shots with the young Stoat on the left attacking its mother with its razor-sharp teeth on display. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/sedge-warbler https://photos.on-this.website/wm/epLUHSSmIzmjrj11Xhj0YUJZIL0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_189181534062ab420311b72.jpgSedge Warbler A Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) singing to attract a mate at Cley Next-The-Sea, Norfolk. I set out to find my subject on a May morning in ideal conditions; a bright overcast day with a gentle breeze. By following the sound of the noisy, rambling, warbles coming from the reed beds it wasn’t long before I had found not just one but a number of possible subjects. Each one with its own unseen territory that it would fiercely protect from rivals. I decided to concentrate on this Sedge Warbler in particular because it was the most visible and liked climbing to the top of the tallest reeds. The main difficulty I had was getting a clean image free from distracting reeds. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/cygnet-reflection https://photos.on-this.website/wm/J6X-YNzOFcyd_wtO_AnTjjO-gkU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_17766321915d0e4bbcb7f46.jpgCygnet Reflection Whilst photographing this cygnet (Cygnus olor) at Whitlingham Lake, Norwich, I noticed brightly coloured reflections of rolled up sails in the water. Unfortunately, there were no reflections where the Cygnet was swimming but as I waded into the lake, to get a lower angle of view, the reflections elongated, just like shadows cast by a low sun, and I was able to get this image. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/the-long-necked-contortionist https://photos.on-this.website/wm/mgmN-YVNrGMOZt-NAFGvst4oigQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_9479911835d1b5cc04c7fb.jpgThe Long Necked Contortionist You’d be forgiven for thinking that this Mute Swan has the longest neck in the world however not everything is as it seems! The illusion was created when one male Swan attacked another for no apparent reason. The victim took evasive action by diving under the water but was quickly located and stood upon, its neck held tightly in the others beak and held down. When the victim resurfaced from its ducking it appeared as if its head belonged to the others body and instead of two Swans there was just one long necked contortionist. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/water-colour-swan-2 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/geq1cdOL-LYb3daR_Wo_DSD3cSU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_9905744785b239e7c003d6.jpgWater Colour Swan 2 A Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) at the Whitlingham Lake, Norwich. As an Outdoor Education Centre Whitlingham has a lot of equipment for messing about on the water. I noticed that the boats, canoes, buoys, flags, barrels, and sails stored on the opposite bank created an array of brightly coloured reflections in the water. All I had to do was to wait for a subject to show up so I could utilise these colours in my images. It wasn’t long before a Mute Swan glided towards a patch of weed and after repositioning myself, to ensure I maximised the water colour effect, I was able to get this image. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/egyptian-goose-landing https://photos.on-this.website/wm/zrJh3fOb7ND6S-wfWAsbZzAzGj0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_16267650465b239d9e749f8.jpgEgyptian Goose Landing An Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) comes in to land at Whitlingham Lake. Of all the British Geese I think the Egyptians are the most feisty and will suddenly take flight to see off other Egyptian Geese that stray into their territory. I noticed that after this behaviour they normally return to the same spot which makes it slightly easier to predict their flight path. On this occasion I captured the image as the goose returned from one of these aerial sorties. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/aerial-agility https://photos.on-this.website/wm/2r00TNCj7_eqi6SBDRQ2oJvcM8w=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_15557990515b273f5fcc685.jpgAerial Agility A Swallow fledgling (Hirundo Rustica) is fed as it perched on a TV aerial at Stiffkey in North Norfolk. Most of the time it sat patiently waiting as adult birds hunt the skies for insects. Every time an adult flew close it became animated frantically flapping its wings in anticipation. This was the behavioural cue that indicated that it was about to be fed. I set my camera to continuous shooting mode, leaving enough space in the frame for the adult bird, and as soon as it opened its beak wide I took a series of shots. The feeding took place with such speed and precision that within a split second the adult bird had flown into the frame, fed its young and flown out again in search of more food. An amazing feat of aerial agility! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/bearded-tit-portrait https://photos.on-this.website/wm/kkpj3zrqJ8i1LOxff7aPvSJgvPk=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1522052333647a062a8483c.jpgBearded Tit Portrait I went out to photograph Sedge and Reed Warblers but was hoping to see Bearded Tits. They’re actually not Tits at all but Reedlings and the beard is a moustache but apart from the that the description is quite accurate. They’re more often heard, making their distinctive pinging call, rather than seen. Fortunately, on this occasion the light winds and bright conditions encouraged then to climb higher up the reeds and I was lucky enough to catch this image of a male looking straight at me. A split second later and it had flown off! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/1-protection-racket-greylag-goose https://photos.on-this.website/wm/rGUsjd7cqBjhV-G-gQppTc5vsHk=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1857130535b24a89f868eb.jpg1 Protection Racket Greylag Goose and Goslings A Greylag Goose (Anser anser) lowers its neck to protect its goslings from a territorial Mute Swan swimming close by. Its body language is a warning of an imminent attack and is accompanied by hissing to further reinforce its message. Life is far from peaceful for the Spring chick with a host of predators looking for their next meal but its chances of survival are greatly increased by remaining close to the protection of its parents. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/rabbit-in-buttercup-meadow https://photos.on-this.website/wm/arFiobSdMqjchwL5eprg7UDlOj8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_13833793786479f136f05f9.jpgRabbit in Buttercup Meadow Rabbits used to be a very common sight and so I’ve mainly ignored them from a photographic point of view. However, in recent years their numbers have declined dramatically and that sparked my interest in capturing some images. Whilst out to photograph Great Crested Grebes I was delighted to find a small population close by and it wasn’t long before I decided to take up the challenge of photographing them. With super senses and a keen sense for danger they are not the easiest subjects to get close to. This mainly involved inching may way on my hands and knees through soaking wet grass in the early morning. This image was taken close to the ground with a wide aperture. Part of the frame was obscured by grass and Buttercups which helped create a blurred foreground and draw the eye to the Rabbit as it nibbled on some stalks of grass. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/dew-drop-demoiselle-at-dawn https://photos.on-this.website/wm/64jwglCdrnMkfQQW0a7sxs2J_Jw=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_170384495555657b04ef834.jpgDew Drop Demoiselle at Dawn A female Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) covered in dewdrops at dawn at Venta Icenorum, the remains of a Roman Town, Caistor St Edmund, Norfolk. It's slowly climbing the reed to gain a higher position and to take advantage of the rising sun. Until it is sufficiently warm it will not be able to fly. If threatened it's only tactic is to simply let go of the reed and fall to the safety of thick undergrowth beneath. The image was captured at Venta Icenorum founded by the Romans in 60 AD at the confluence of the River Wensum and Yare. These days it is the beautiful but tiny River Tas that flows through the site which continues to provide the habitat for the Demoiselle. It is strange to think that Romans 2000 years ago would have been able to see the Demoiselle behaving in exactly the same way. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/orkinyaekuo-of-the-tree-top https://photos.on-this.website/wm/ja7P0tQuXzLwowQKRyEJQsTSz04=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_25930332552aebae222c24.jpgOrkinyaekuo - of the tree top Orkinyaekuo, of the tree top, is the Maasai name for the Leopard (Panthera pardus) The name describes their behaviour of resting, sleeping and storing their prey in the tops of trees. When I arrived on the scene this one had just woken up. A few minutes later after licking its paws, and yawning several times, it decided to leave the shade of the tree canopy and climb down into the relative cool of the late afternoon. I captured this image shortly before it disappeared into the bush and was not to be seen again. I was extremely lucky to get this opportunity as 70% of Africans have not seen a Leopard in the wild and many tourists leave the Maasai Mari without seeing one. The greatest challenge was being ready to respond to its sudden decision to leave the tree top and to ensure that the exposure was correct against the strong backlight. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/ovum https://photos.on-this.website/wm/oLoe1Xa1PQ1lcHtwA97hr641D2E=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_87100160555644b80dce1a.jpgOvum A female Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) plunges into a pool left by the retreating tide at Winterton, Norfolk, England. She's built up her reserves of blubber throughout pregnancy to sustain herself and her new born pup. The reflection forms an egg shape which seems to symbolise her motherhood. The image was captured just before the reflection was lost to the splashing water. I converted to black and white to emphasise the shape of the seal and the texture of its sandy skin. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/flehmen-response https://photos.on-this.website/wm/vA8L0Jb0hdz7HrOL5pBCUgtWMfs=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_19402014695b239cf105877.jpgFlehmen Response A Red Deer Stag (Cervus elaphus) emerges from the bracken during the rut with a strange sneering expression and a crazy look in its eye at Richmond Park, London. Stretching its neck, lifting its nose in the air and curling its top lip it is maximising the exposure of its vomeronasal organ, located in the roof of its mouth, to air containing pheromones and other scents. At this time of the year it is most interested in detecting an estrous doe. This triggers the stag’s reproductive instincts to go on high alert in preparation for opportunities to breed. This behaviour is known as the Flehmen Response originating from the German verb Flehmen meaning “to curl the lip.” https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/grey-seal-pup-amongst-the https://photos.on-this.website/wm/RdphwKzxjLyXqTOeuVA1EDm-rW8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_5837996362ab41bee781d.jpgGrey Seal pup amongst the golden Marram Grass I found this Grey Seal Pup (Halichoerus grypus) sheltering amongst the Marram Grass on Winterton Dunes, Norfolk, during the Golden Hour just after sunrise. This special light transformed the scene bringing out the warm tones in the grass and reflecting a golden hue onto the Pups white fur. To avoid distraction from my subject I used the widest aperture possible to achieve a shallow depth of field and positioned myself to get an unobstructed image of the seals face framed by the golden grasses. I like the way that the grass in the foreground and the seals whiskers mimic each other. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/grey-seal-at-sunrise https://photos.on-this.website/wm/rTRXVyAuyT-MZ5i4lQ7bi1hVUww=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_6986592985c19f1f10125d.jpgGrey Seal at Sunrise A female Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) tentatively hauls itself onto the beach at Winterton, Norfolk. The sunrise turning the wet sand into a mirror of golden light. Now it must find its pup through a territorial minefield of bull seals, who will try to mate with it, and cows who will fiercely protect their pups from any seal that strays too close. I took this image from a low angle of view to capture the golden colour of the sky, surf and beach. I waited for the wash of the waves to retreat to its furthest point to fully reveal the beauty of the golden sand. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/june-beetle-on-may-tree https://photos.on-this.website/wm/zAn_zCV-LU2C1QMJ0rwCuIh8pE0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_20656374725bf97fc5812a9.jpgJune Beetle on May Tree A European June Beetle of Summer Chafer ( Amphimallon solstitiale) on a May Tree (Crataegus monogyna). When I was a kid I must confess that I was a little bit afraid of these slightly sinister beetles which emerged at dusk in order to look for a mate. I knew them as Blind Bees because of their buzzing flight and their habit of repeatedly banging into windows. At the same time bats would leave their roost looking for prey. This added to my anxiety and made me scuttle in doors for safety. As I was working in very low light conditions I needed to shoot with the aperture wide open and introduce an artificial light source. This gave a very shallow depth of field so in order to photo-stack I needed to take 30 images to achieve front to back sharpness. The challenge was taking that number of shots with speed and accuracy before the insect moved. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/ring-necked-parakeet-eating-sweet https://photos.on-this.website/wm/fMwmHlIFFnTZyMSIScRKBsJY7AY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_13646562995bd5a215caf10.jpgRing-necked Parakeet eating Sweet Chestnuts I was photographing Fallow Deer in Richmond Park, as they foraged under Sweet Chestnut Trees, when I became aware of some movement in the tree in front of me. On closer inspection I was delighted to see this beautifully camouflaged Ring-necked Parakeet (Psittacula krameria) eating Chestnuts. These birds are a non-migratory species, native to Africa and the Indian Subcontinent, so these British Parakeets are thought to have bred from birds that escaped from captivity. They are now naturalised to the UK with their population mostly concentrated in suburban areas of London and the Home Counties of South-East England. During my stay in Richmond I’d seen numerous flocks of Parakeets but had not been able to get close enough to get an intimate shot of their behaviour. I watched whilst it skilfully peeled back the prickly outer casing of the Chestnut with its formidable beak, remove chunks of the sweet nut using its tongue and feed itself with its dexterous clawed foot. This was the best of a series of shots showing this feeding behaviour. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/red-deer-stag-at-sunrise https://photos.on-this.website/wm/pZHt90Ce4nWyC42LoUs8dM1Ed6A=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1404483505bb78afbbf45d.jpgRed Deer Stag at Sunrise After a clear and cold night I arrived at Richmond Park to be greeted by a misty morning and the opportunity to get some atmospheric images of Red Deer (Cervus elaphus). As I headed out across the fields at Roehampton Gate my quarry was nowhere to be seen but I could hear the eerie bellowing of a stag in the distance. I walked towards its call and suddenly within a few steps the stag and its harem of Does emerged out of the mist. I positioned myself so that my camera was pointing at the area of the field where I expected the first rays of sunrise to fall. Unfortunately, all the Deer were grazing in the dark shadows of an adjacent wood. As the sun came up it was a soft orange ball and illuminated the mist with a beautiful light. The conditions were perfect, the stage was set but there were no subjects where I needed them to be. Just when I thought I was going to be unlucky the stag wandered away from the herd and into the light. I managed to take a few frame filling images as he walked passed bellowing before returning to the shadows. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mad-july-hares https://photos.on-this.website/wm/BDgvqYiIZzihEwBwwsJo-R7q0Ow=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_16620511755b5812362449b.jpgMad July Hares A pair of Brown Hares (Lepus europaeus) boxing in a stubble field in July. After an unsuccessful early morning photography session I headed to a local farmers field on the lookout for Hares. Despite using my car as a hide two hares ran off immediately but fortunately two others remained behind feeding on the remains of Barley and new green shoots which had sprung up amongst the sun-bleached stubble. Suddenly, without warning the Hares started to box and I was treated to a fantastic display of pugilism and gymnastics. I’d thought this mad behaviour was confined to the month of March. However, later I discovered that this happens throughout the mating season, between January and September, as the Doe fights off the unwelcome attention of Bucks. Using a fast shutter speed of 1/2000sec, and two stops of positive exposure compensation, I was able to capture this image which was the best of lot of near misses. A tricky subject to photograph but an incredibly enjoyable experience. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/little-egret-landing https://photos.on-this.website/wm/him7UGoFK_q_5xTj-I5-XT68bPw=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_19639206325f7026b78cae7.jpgLittle Egret Landing A Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) comes in to land before sunrise at Snipes Marsh, Cley, Norfolk. I’d noticed the Egret repeatedly flying from one side of the marsh to the other, to find the best fishing spots, but the light was to low to capture any sharp high quality images. I decided to use the low light conditions to my advantage and capture some shots using a technique called motion blur. I set the camera to shutter priority and selected a slow shutter speed. As the Egret flew passed I panned the camera and took a series of shots to blur motion and convey a sense of movement. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/portrait-of-a-red-deer https://photos.on-this.website/wm/wqsT8XrcY9jtHhiqjDAZxbs_F-M=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_2382534605cc0685bbf791.jpgPortrait of a Red Deer Stag A Red Deer Stag (Cervus elaphus) bellows to proclaim its territory in Richmond Park, London. In between its calls I focussed on the Stags eye whilst its antlers were out of the frame and waited for it to reply to the call of other stags. As it started to bellow it would stretch its neck lifting its chin into the air and push its antlers down towards its body and back into the frame. This was the cue I needed to take a burst of shots. The point when its call reached maximum volume coincided with the point when its head was fully extended upwards to ensure its call was projected the greatest distance. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/road-kill https://photos.on-this.website/wm/avwtJwe3UOnf0fN4zO4-2ddysSE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_13711753385b5b0b8cec56e.jpgRoad Kill I was sitting in my car in a lay by on a quiet country lane waiting for a Little Owl to land on its favourite perch when suddenly a Rabbit ran out into the road. It soon became apparent it was being attacked by a Stoat (Mustela erminea). The drama unfolded as the Rabbit desperately tried to shake the Stoat off its back as it sunk it’s razor sharp teeth into its neck. Although it had some success the Stoat was persistent and kept up the attack. The sound of the Rabbit in distress cut through the quietness like the cry of a baby with cholic. With a final fatal bite everything fell silent as the Stoat put the rabbit out of its misery leaving its prey dead in the middle of the road. Whilst all this was going on I moved in as close as possible to the action and lay in a prone position on the road resting the foot of my camera on the tarmac. The Stoat was a little uneasy about my presence at first however after working so hard to kill its prey it had no intention of abandoning it. Instead, it took on the Herculean task of dragging the carcass across the road. It achieved this inch by inch by adopting a series of techniques one of which was locking its jaws onto the Rabbit’s fur and jumping backwards whilst kicking out its hind legs. I took several more images as it fed in the relative safety of the verge. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/grey-seal-pup-exploring-the https://photos.on-this.website/wm/kk2OaZ1s9hXwqMs3e0fg8wPf6zA=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_7610921815a2d15fd68cae.jpgGrey Seal Pup Exploring the Surf A Grey Seal pup (Halichoerus grypus) explores the surf at Winterton Beach, Norfolk. This playful scene looks harmless enough but until the pup has moulted its white baby fur (lanugo), and developed a dense waterproof pelt, it’s unable to swim. The pup is actually playing a very risky game where it could get swept away from the protection of its mother and her life sustaining milk. Worst still it could drown! However, curiosity always gets the better of these adorable pups who are drawn into danger, by the lure of the sea, as they explore the habitat which they will quickly learn to master. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/leaping-deer https://photos.on-this.website/wm/-MbdCNu--HrxXN1ku3WW4WQvnyE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_57279865c63d472407c.jpgLeaping Deer Wildlife is unpredictable and elusive so it pays to do your research and plan your trips carefully. I learnt a long time ago that turning up somewhere on the off chance that something might happen often led to disappointment. But, however much you prepare to photograph a specific subject you must also be prepared to expect the unexpected. On this occasion I was waiting patiently to photograph Barn Owls but they were no-where to be seen. Just as extreme boredom was ‘kicking in’ a male Chinese Water Deer casually walked out of the reeds and started grazing. I took a few images but it wasn’t long before it sensed my presence and bounded through the undergrowth to safety. I captured this image mid leap just before it disappeared again into the vegetation. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/hairdryer-effect https://photos.on-this.website/wm/-lQ4mw_MaFHG2bPTiMRqneNux2E=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_16274013735b24dc609cb96.jpgHairdryer Effect A Grey Seal cow (Halichoerus grypus) protects her pup from the unwelcome advances of a bull who has strayed too close to her pup at Winterton Beach, Norfolk. The larger bull shy’s away from this confrontation as the cow makes her feelings clear by giving him the hairdryer treatment. The beach is covered by invisible territories which are constantly being intruded upon. By observing the seals movement from one territory to another I was able to predict when this behaviour would occur and was ready to capture the moment. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/whiskers-of-light https://photos.on-this.website/wm/l4lsH5qhIxSRJrXhb7U9W-a8Y1U=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_20325717095a474bb1f047e.jpgWhiskers of Light A Grey Seal pup (Halichoerus grypus) looks for a place to hunker down amongst the Marram Grass highlights and deep sandy shadows of the dunes at Winterton, Norfolk. As it ascends the dunes it pauses from its struggle to look hopefully upwards it’s fur and whiskers illuminated with bright winter sunlight. I stopped down to correctly expose the highlights and converted to black and white to emphasis the rim-lit effect. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/4-silver-studded-blue-on https://photos.on-this.website/wm/TslpO90pxuVh5mvN1ZCH2WffWro=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_20312000495bf92fc79e2b2.jpg4 - Silver Studded Blue on Purple Bell Heather A Silver Studded Blue butterfly (Plebejus argus) rests on Purple Bell Heather (Erica cinerea) at Buxton Heath, Norfolk, England. During the summer months the heath is bright with pink and purple heather and rich with soft earthy tones of soil and foliage. In this image the butterfly is set against a beautifully diffuse and muted background of Pink Bell Heather in the soft light of early morning. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/about-to-swallow https://photos.on-this.website/wm/2dkW97yAT_cf2lRYGEtRKv_RkSw=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_6683386550bb19399c311.jpgAbout to Swallow Swallow Fledgling (Hirundo rustica) on a TV aerial about to be fed by its mother at Stiffkey, North Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/little-owl-perched-on-a https://photos.on-this.website/wm/5Gn8FUJAsUfgdtx-mxIldtFqfgU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_2940675935b6a9a10b7f10.jpgLittle Owl perched on a Digger I drove slowly around some old farm buildings where I had previously seen a pair of Little Owls (Athene noctua) when I spotted this one perched on the hydraulic arm of a digger. I turned off the ignition and slowly positioned my camera resting on a bean bag placed on the open window of my driver’s door. As the Owl looked straight at me I dialled in some positive exposure compensation to correctly expose my subject against the relatively bright sky. I only managed to take one shot before the Owl flew away. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/fighting-grebes https://photos.on-this.website/wm/31RFIh7m-QLxufSKrnYLx7OGYnY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_19921513746478ae37e5577.jpgFighting Grebes A pair of Great Crested Grebes swam outstretched and low to the water towards another Grebe that sat on a nest close by. The intimidating behaviour forced the Grebe to abandon its nest which revealed a clutch of 4 eggs. I watched for 90 minutes as the drama unfurled with the Grebe and its mate making repeated attempts to return to the nest but each time they were thwarted by this threatening behaviour. On one occasion one of the Grebe’s managed to return only to be forced off the nest again. Eventually two of the Grebes met each other face to face with beaks wide open and a vicious fight broke out. This involved a wrestling match where one Grebe bit down on the head or beak of the other. After a few minutes of frantic activity, which included attempts to drown one another, one of the Grebes emerged victorious and was able to return to its nest. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/flamingo-ballet https://photos.on-this.website/wm/wLnWjw0V1i0swrqM8HNFM6ZV4Lw=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_35364697052c69ac557622.jpgFlamingo Ballet A Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor) taking off with the grace of a ballet dancer at Lake Bogoria, Great Rift Valley, Kenya. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo38091472.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/4IaZHUJuNXFiwvmbZa2HQ437P80=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_7109581775cbf2a023c6ca.jpgPuffin amongst the Maritime Grass An Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) emerges from its burrow and cautiously surveys its territory at Crab Bay, Skokholm Island, West Wales. I used a wide aperture to transform the Maritime Grass into a beautiful bokeh of green and red which merges into the light brown colour of the cliffs behind. The muted tones of these hardy coastal plants and cliffs compliment the vibrant colours of the Puffin’s beak and reveal the subtle beauty of this cliff top habit. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/birds-of-a-feather https://photos.on-this.website/wm/QykQI-LyR6YfxfRKCWMJfersNyc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_2301337575bfcf1b8d3cd6.jpgBirds of a Feather A yawning Black Headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) heads up a gang of preening birds on a dull and misty morning at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich. They are sociable birds and tend to stick together in groups usually all facing the same direction. Unlike a weathervane their bodies, and particularly their feathers, are optimized to face into the wind so usually they indicate the direction the wind is blowing from. However, on this occasion the air was so still I was able to capture this unusual image of tail feathers pointing in different directions. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/bearded-tits https://photos.on-this.website/wm/goKAQLvTGld25WIYCF2KJQU5oXY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_104432988559c7ad722f754.jpgBearded Tits A small group of Bearded Tits (Panurus biarmicus) congregate on reeds at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. In late September and early October these elusive reedlings start to congregate in numbers and on sunny windless days can be seen climbing to the tops of the reeds to socialise and display. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/autumnal-stag https://photos.on-this.website/wm/slbcdhyOvwjzmWASwR3qmAjf7Lw=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_6720449345e5120230eb2e.jpgAutumnal Stag A Red Deer Stag (Cervus elaphus) bellows in Richmond Park, London during the rut. On a number of occasions he left the relative safety of the woods to challenge a nearby rival for his harem. Each time he was chased off and forced to retreat to lick his wounds. After another unsuccessful challenge he thrashed about in the undergrowth before sitting down camouflaged amongst the autumnal bracken bellowed defiantly. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/sailing https://photos.on-this.website/wm/OygfqXZIgZWSC6xcN5n-QipvISI=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_14291334645b24a83157910.jpgSailing A male Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) serenely sails across the lake at Whitlingham Outdoor Education Centre in Norwich. The shallow depth of field has reduced the canoes, boats and sails, in the background, to a blur of bright colours. This contrasts with the pure white Swan, drawing attention to its orange beak, and helps to create a sense of movement. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/brown-hare-eating-dandelion https://photos.on-this.website/wm/wXMtvnHyxKOZlvFe_LY4B8ze3zQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_736124860a7d0537a19c.jpgBrown Hare eating Dandelion I was waiting to photograph Buzzards on top of Mole Hill Stiffkey, Norfolk when this Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) appeared over the brow of the hill and sat perfectly still amongst the vegetation. Luckily I was downwind and the Hare didn’t notice me. I watched as it grazed the grasses and munched on a delicious looking Dandelion stalk capturing this image when only the seed head was left sticking out of its mouth. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/seeing-red https://photos.on-this.website/wm/RpcOGXdTpjIsOZHIr6QVi4NJq58=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_901968753607129505d1ca.jpgSeeing Red A male Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) clucks from its bright red beak as it chases off a Mallard in a flurry of rainbow feathers. Despite its slightly smaller size it can still stand up for itself against its more aggressive cousins. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/yawning-with-laughter https://photos.on-this.website/wm/72Q4Y5AHfcT12NTCWtCrp8nzbRo=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_857127852518c8c2498707.jpgYawning with Laughter A Grey Seal Pup (Halichoerus grypus) yawning after a well deserved sleep on Horsey Beach, Norfolk, England. Yawning sums up the life of the Grey seal pup at this stage of their development. Most of their time is spent feeding or sleeping. They are unable to swim and totally reliant on their mothers milk. After a good feed there's nothing better than a sleep! However, for the more fanciful minded there's nothing better than a good laugh! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/drying-before-flying https://photos.on-this.website/wm/BQ100iN8px6HpIbn20V-p5ZVOjY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_67475117655657db9c6fc4.jpgDrying before Flying A female Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) drying the dew from its wings prior to take off at Venta Icenorum, Caistor St Edmund, Norfolk. I used positive exposure compensation to correctly expose the Demoiselle against the bright sky. The Demoiselle was side lit so I used a reflector to ensure the light was evenly distributed. I also used a tripod and remote shutter release to ensure that the image was pin sharp. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/marsh-harrier-in-flight https://photos.on-this.website/wm/tcJAMXB5b6ToV8ZPWvwiLE0v-vA=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_210066395364c234fb35e0b.jpgMarsh Harrier in Flight I was photographing a pair of Marsh Harrier flying over the Reed Beds at Cley-next-the-Sea, Norfolk when I got this image of a male in flight. In my opinion the male Marsh Harrier is a lot more photogenic than the female with lighter and more attractive plumage. As it was flying against the sky I applied some positive exposure compensation to ensure the subject wasn’t underexposed and captured the moment when the Harrier turned into the light with its wings fully extended. In bright conditions shadows can be a problem but in this case I like the shadow of the Harriers head on the underside of its wing which emphasises his sharp beak. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/dream-puffin-2 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/BbSzLvwDKW4GKVwgMcHBmsE35Z0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_128269545db0835a737.jpgDream Puffin 2 An Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) debates whether or not to take flight on Skokholm Island, South West Wales. The low sun of evening provided soft light and the shallow depth of field helped create a dreamy effect blurring the foreground vegetation. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/boxing-hares https://photos.on-this.website/wm/G7E4CAsbiPlTdzN-1pDX6AeP8CA=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_7990959175b780e096d356.jpgBoxing Hares A pair of Brown Hares (Lepus europaeus) boxing in a stubble field. I’d thought this mad behaviour was confined to the month of March. However, later I discovered that this happens throughout the mating season, between January and September, as Does fight off the unwelcome attention of Bucks. Using a fast shutter speed of 1/2000sec, and two stops of positive exposure compensation, I was able to capture this image. This was very challenging behaviour to photograph but an incredibly enjoyable experience. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/brown-hare-in-black-and https://photos.on-this.website/wm/lsBRRkS2n-akPAVuBFyQGGKQBfs=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1506688923536a7765cdd86.jpgBrown Hare in Black and White A Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) on Havergate Island off the coast of Suffolk. This is Suffolk’s only island and home to a colony of Brown Hares who are quite approachable. Trips to the Island are infrequent and need to be booked in advance. I was really looking forward to the trip but on the day the weather was overcast and drizzly. However, the weather seemed to suit the scruffy looking Hare and bleak environment. I converted to black and white to enhance the mood of the image and bring out the texture in the Hares coat. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/stasis-under-starlight https://photos.on-this.website/wm/Ny6wJVbxHOfBCSmLiQT7b-9Qav4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_2662802905147f549c4f17.jpgStasis Under Starlight A pair of Greylag Geese (Anser anser) silhouetted against and reflected in the bright water of Tower Scrape, Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. With the trickery of perspective they appear beak to beak but their reflection gives away their true positions. Whether they stand in opposition or harmony depends on your viewpoint! Floating feathers mimick the stars and the reflected reed bleeds the shadows into the waters light. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo46266113.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/vqWg2ZfEytSq4Ks-D1a8AmdOzQM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_191052927962ab418001b1f.jpgGrey Wagtail feeding Young I watched a Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) catching insects and feeding it’s young on the bank of the River Wensum at Sweet Briar Marshes, Norwich. I noticed one of the fledglings repeatedly landing on this exposed tree root at the edge of the river. By making itself more accessible to the adult it gained an advantage over its siblings by getting more regular feeds. By applying negative exposure compensation I was able to correctly expose the image and isolate the subjects from the background. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/short-eared-owl-fly-by https://photos.on-this.website/wm/sYThv1a0xHKn91a5gWnUvGprdGI=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1660099625662cc63722bb5.jpgShort Eared Owl Fly By Short Eared Owl fly by! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mute-swan-with-bunting https://photos.on-this.website/wm/E1oGe37scGU0Kss5fc0hx0GWm_c=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_11822685665e9c681b46566.jpgMute Swan with Bunting A Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) reflected in the Great Broad amongst the bunting on Whitlingham Boat House, Norwich. I watched as the Swan gently drifted towards the reflections slowly turning towards and away from the early morning light. The challenge was getting the shot when the Swan was fully illuminated and achieving a pleasing composition of reflections that arch up and over the resting Swan. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/short-eared-owl-hunting https://photos.on-this.website/wm/suEZh4oCSOrJi2Tv-tvpaHPWi0E=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_2629668796560bcddd961e.jpgShort Eared Owl Hunting A key element of wildlife photography is research. Knowing where and when your likely to encounter a specific species is an essential part of the process. However, despite how well you prepare wildlife is unpredictable and often elusive so it’s important to be persistent and patient in order to capture the images you want. In this case it wasn’t until my fifth visit to St Benet’s Abbey, after staring hopefully into empty fields, that I got my first sighting of Short Eared Owls and was lucky enough to capture this image. On reflection, it makes it all the more satisfying when you realise that all the planning, time and effort has inextricably led to this moment. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/snorting-seal https://photos.on-this.website/wm/fRhlGzKe24bw15dmOJOH7hzCDRE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_85689480536a778708c29.jpgSnorting Seal I watched as this Bull Grey Seal settled into a pool of water left by the retreating tide at Winterton, Norfolk, England. It was dozing off and thoroughly relaxed. Every now and then its nose would surface and expel a snort of water. It reminded me of the Grey Seals ability to control its nostrils and keep them tightly closed when diving. At other times they are wide open and it’s clear to see how it got its Latin name, Halichoerus grypus, meaning hook-nosed sea pig. I took a series of shots of this behaviour but this one was my favourite. I converted to black and white to focus attention on the explosion of water. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/great-crested-grebe-on-green https://photos.on-this.website/wm/zww4jPdwQ_mBg0mOiDErhBhHbaM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1777078342593a9a0907e2d.jpgGreat Crested Grebe on Green and Blue A Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich pauses between diving for fish. Green and blue canoes stacked up on the bank behind have created two colourful blocks of reflected light which contrast with the Grebe and its reflection helping it to stand out from its surroundings and providing a lead in line to the scene. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/snow-swan-monochrome https://photos.on-this.website/wm/rLHB0_tuGoOmSxLiCRdmsJXeYdc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_83419504650ba1abe8d330.jpgSnow Swan Monochrome My son is a reluctant photographer. One winters day 3 years ago, when Tom was 9 years old, we went to Whittlingham Lake so he could take pictures for the EDP Nature Watch competition. He only took 18 shots before retreating to the warmth of the cafe and the lure of cake. Amazingly one of the images was this picture of a Mute Swan which won the competition. Usually, successful wildlife photography takes a huge amount of time, perseverance and dedication. This shows that, when all the elements come together, this isn’t always the case and gives hope to us all! You can have your cake and eat it! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo32505142.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/X92_Xv8oPpWKOKU4cVUeAnT3kV4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_20948697815997e477cefb1.jpgStonechat on Bramble A male Stonechat (Saxicola torquata) on guard at Horsey Dunes, Norfolk, England. I spent some time observing its behaviour as it flew from one prominent perch to another. When people approached it would lead them away from its territory by flying down the track, from fence post to fence post, before circling back to its own ground. Any rival birds who entered its territory were quickly challenged and were forced to retreat. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo49473741.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/A9zl45eghKSUdnmhh51W5Psuc1c=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_20112596364be96d232ebb.jpgWingspan I was stood near one of this Barn Owl’s favourite perches when I saw it fly into some bushes close by to rest. It was totally hidden from view so I had no idea if it was still there or any indication when it would fly out again. The challenge was keeping alert and ready for it especially when it remained there for over 40 minutes. It’s so easy to lose concentration and in that split second it’s flown away and all you get is a shot of its tail feathers. Luckily when it did reappear it flew directly towards the perch and me and I captured this image which shows off the extraordinary length of its wingspan which is over 3 times its body height. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/hearts-of-gold https://photos.on-this.website/wm/N-kDTKAA0OxwfQc-4WIuBxWkGxU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_19729411995eb76f83de948.jpgHearts of Gold A pair of Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) form a perfect heart shape backlit against the golden light of dawn at Whitlingham Great Broad, Norwich. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/what-the-fkc https://photos.on-this.website/wm/FRSRIwtIVW00eGdo_uAj3J6AgRg=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_10123790335aca049ea0a9b.jpgWhat the FKC An uncomfortable looking Greylag Goose (Anser anser) at Whitlingham Country Park, Norwich, England. I initially thought the goose had a plastic pipe stuck around its neck. I later discovered that this was in fact a neck collar fitted as part of research into Greylag Geese movements after their annual moult. Although, marking birds provides important information about survival and movements it’s to the benefit of both the researcher and the bird itself this is done in a way that minimizes the risk of altering normal behaviour and ecology and is most importantly safe for the bird! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/duma https://photos.on-this.website/wm/F9eyN8lcGUzT2wI9de4MtK7NKeE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_12518179652df751d6523a.jpgDuma Duma is the Swahili name for the Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) I came across this one being hunted by a Lioness in the Maasai Mara, Kenya. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/grey-heron-reflection https://photos.on-this.website/wm/5u-oKc2t8_Um0ajGBWbjLRXEGlc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_16002921245b5c57b009379.jpgGrey Heron Reflection A Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) stalks the shallow edges of Snipes Pool, Cley Next-The-Sea, Norfolk. I took a series of images as the Heron lowered its neck until its beak gently broke the water’s surface. As it prepared to strike it raised its translucent third eyelid (nictitating membrane) enabling it to keep its eyes open to see its prey whilst protecting itself from the imminent impact with the water. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/hide-and-seek https://photos.on-this.website/wm/4W8hmMUNF4xFjekelo0YnACbCqA=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_11327264615ac1c9a48f66e.jpgHide and Seek A bull Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) hides in the dunes after being chased off the beach when he strayed into another bull’s territory. Occasionally he would look up to make sure he hadn’t been followed, peering tentatively through the Marram Grass before disappearing again. The difficulty was capturing the image in the rare moments when he looked up and wasn’t too obscured by the grass. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/wren-with-orb-spider https://photos.on-this.website/wm/eZPMbP61unXLKn965k3dXa8yN-o=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_104535615759872deeb64bc.jpgWren with Orb Spider A Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) surveys its territory, from a lichen covered perch, at Cley-Next-The-Sea holding an Orb Spider between its beak. It kept returning to the same perch with a variety of food for its young. When it was satisfied it was safe to do so it flew down from its vantage point and disappeared into some brambles to feed its young. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/sanderlings-on-wet-sand https://photos.on-this.website/wm/7F63unoUg4oOygnx4xQg4vdMYB4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_3176508725e4038f5c8eb6.jpgSanderlings on Wet Sand A pair of Sanderlings (Calidris alba) pick their way across the newly revealed shoreline as the tide retreats at Winterton Beach, Norfolk. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly this little wading birds move as they frantically forage for food. Their speed and constant twist and turns makes them a challenging subject to photograph. I needed a very fast shutter speed of at least 2000/sec and a fair amount of luck to capture a sharp image. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/foreshore-play https://photos.on-this.website/wm/27lWP7sBFZbN39gtX2Xc8aQ5AWU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_13901081455b239d0e77433.jpgForeshore Play Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus) fight in a pool of water left by the retreating tide prior to mating. These encounters can be quite vicious with the claws and teeth of the female often drawing blood. The cow appears to be reluctant to mate but this behaviour may form part of her mating strategy. By drawing attention to herself in this way she is likely to attract other potential mates increasing her chances of being impregnated by a more dominant bull. Alternatively, it could simply be a test of the bull’s strength and virility prior to mating. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/swallowtail-caterpillar-on-milk-parsley https://photos.on-this.website/wm/RmZSWI_Czd6EQGzl4BVoAbu47mY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_7451214485992b0b99e02e.jpgSwallowtail Caterpillar on Milk Parsley A rare Swallowtail Caterpillar (Papilio machaon Britannicus) feeds on Milk Parsley at RSPB Strumpshaw Fen. I used a wide aperture to create the painterly effect to present this stage of the Swallowtails life cycle in a way not normally seen by the naked eye. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/orngatung-brave https://photos.on-this.website/wm/TsrSET2sRmDjWB80IedNlO_cuPM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_117686741252aebafa335cd.jpgOrngatung - brave Orngatung, meaning brave, is the Maasai name for the Lion (Panthera leo). Lions spend large amounts of their time inactive or asleep. This can be as much as 18 hours a day which makes it tricky to photograph them. Often, I found them asleep on the edge of the bush surrounded by grasses and shrubs. However, on this particular evening it was raining and the relatively cool and damp conditions encouraged the lions to be more active and visible. This particular male was in the process of courtship which was keeping him more alert and attentive than usual. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mute-swan-reflection-echoes-of https://photos.on-this.website/wm/6mymvbDWYcH08zXM9LtsLd7OQvg=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_580038054542806a8ae227.jpgMute Swan Reflection - Echoes of Narcissus Shortlisted BWPA 2013 (Top 300) - Portrait Category A reflection of a Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) in Little Broad at Whittlingham Country Park, Norwich, England. Reflections usually include the subject to provide context but in this case I decided to leave the actual Swan out of the frame. The reflection looks like the subject in places but the distortion around the Swans head and face reveal that this is in fact reflected light on water and not the Swan itself. Although the reflection cannot exist without its subject this looked strong enough to break free from reality and gracefully swim across the lake. However, like Narcissus the Swan appears captured by its own reflected beauty. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/fkc https://photos.on-this.website/wm/JxblyLKAyugmftCIO1LnICZCmvM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_7997421655b24a7f0e5d4d.jpgFKC An uncomfortable looking Greylag Goose (Anser anser) at Whitlingham Country Park, Norwich, England. I initially thought the goose had a plastic pipe stuck around its neck. I later discovered that this was in fact a neck collar used to help monitor the movement of geese after their annual moult. Although, marking birds provides important information about survival and movement it’s to the benefit of both the researcher and the bird itself that this is done in a way that does alter normal behaviour and is safe for the bird. I’m not sure what the goose thinks but I think the letters on the neck collar sum up the situation perfectly. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/fallow-deer-buck-by-twisted https://photos.on-this.website/wm/ldg1Mh4ud2dfx-8fIN3VSpN9rJo=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_162027444059f494ac0a100.jpgFallow Deer Buck by Twisted Oak A Fallow Deer (Dama dama) steps out of the deep shadows of the wood to be illuminated by the early morning light. It stands solidly next to an ancient twisted oak which contrasts strongly with the virile young buck. The decaying bark has revealed brown and bleached white wood which reflects the colours of the deer’s coat. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/hummingbird-hawk-moth-feeding-on https://photos.on-this.website/wm/91pBe8wSmscjiEeRUGVxc4LdmJE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_4673378375b5b232ba8093.jpgHummingbird Hawk Moth feeding on Lavender A Hummingbird Hawkmoth (Macroglossum stellatarum) hovers over Lavender whilst its incredibly long proboscis probes each individual flower for nectar with military precision. The main challenge of capturing this image was the incredibly quick and erratic movement of the moth. Even with a minimum shutter speed 1/2000sec there’s still some blurred movement in the wings which shows just how fast they are beating. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/3-silver-studded-blue-on https://photos.on-this.website/wm/5sfoOmU7jd2STex2dFtY7sZHCVA=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_17554987925bf92facc2a73.jpg3 - Silver Studded Blue on Wild Honeysuckle A Silver Studded Blue (Plebejus argus) rests on Wild Honeysuckle. The image was shot against the shadows of the wood behind. The butterfly and honeysuckle were correctly exposed to underexpose the background and to show off the beauty of both this fragrant summer flower and delicate butterfly. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/golden-barn-owl https://photos.on-this.website/wm/8a7w5KQbmKs9tUKC2zZl6rOR5RM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_110650570664be96d388727.jpgGolden Barn Owl I captured this image of a female Barn Owl as it flew past me back lit by the sun. With her wings down it really shows off the beautiful Golden Hues of her wing feathers. By contrast the male Barn Owl is much more ghostly in appearance than the female with a white chest and legs and lighter coloured feathers on its back and wings. Often the plumage on male birds is more attractive than their female counterparts but in this case the opposite is true. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/sedge-warbling https://photos.on-this.website/wm/8dpZw3Z-mB8y0m92VBCOektHS74=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_16333031905bfc08d41be2c.jpgSedge Warbling This Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) had established its territory amongst this patch of reeds. I tried to keep track of it as it flitted from stem to stem looking for a prime position to sing for a mate. The difficulty in capturing this image was positioning myself to get a clear shot of the bird, without too many distracting details, whilst at the same time revealing its reed bed habitat. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/vervet-monkey-grooming https://photos.on-this.website/wm/m-Y5s1lzBDPKU-vuEncuM2NtrUU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_59930322852e0ba6b34ad6.jpgVervet Monkey Grooming A Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) grooms it's young at Lake Bogoria, Kenya. It keeps its deep amber eyes open for signs of danger. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo27635767.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/BI5xus7d8B2-4kwWGydM4Gyq6eY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1900350863574ad56af1881.jpgBrown Hare in Black and White A Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) in a stubble field at Stiffkey, Norfolk, England. I converted the image to black and white to show off the tonal range of the scene, the texture of the fur and the contrasting stubble. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo20105802.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/-DP5XQBBUCi_r3LuyqFWMFlT_gk=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_204343189752b3eb9bcd512.jpgHarem Plains or Common Zebras (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) on the banks of Lake Bogoria, Kenya. The male stands guard over his harem who continue to graze, rumps in the air and tails swishing from side to side oblivious to my prescence. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/veil-of-feathers https://photos.on-this.website/wm/wadnC-ilUN-z6j1cD4wiT5Lr7L4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_891763583546ee5fd5d9e7.jpgVeil of Feathers A Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) preens its feathers on Whittlingham Great Broad, Norwich. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/two-for-one https://photos.on-this.website/wm/kSNGikC59qoKceMAGg0_YC-odpU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_15864063905303c28c7d7cc.jpgTwo for One A Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) wades through the water at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England with its catch of Roach. Fortunately, its managed to skewer a second fish with its beak. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/grey-seal-pup-asleep https://photos.on-this.website/wm/Bw6bPKiRN_dPS_iuTLBhlKofyVk=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_68698810150bb19dc9a2c1.jpgGrey Seal Pup Asleep Grey Seal Pup (Halichoerus grypus) asleep on Horsey Beach, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/the-undertaker https://photos.on-this.website/wm/xjViTruiddS9wKFBRLbV9RoSeug=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_34465972752b34bf62a72b.jpgThe Undertaker A Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus) wades through the shallows at Lake Bagoria, Kenya, clearing a path through the Lesser Flamingos who scurry out of its way. They are wise to be fearful of the Marabou who scavenge their dead and steal their living chicks. Sometimes it is called the "Undertaker Bird" due to its shape from behind: cloak-like wings, skinny white legs and whispery white hair. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/turnstone https://photos.on-this.website/wm/PPYZ5bf_JBjLiAQ_G5FCct0qvWk=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_84748439650e1b2c61e29c.jpgTurnstone Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) amongst the shingle bank at Salthouse, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/the-key-fits-the-lock https://photos.on-this.website/wm/0WCCI8RbtkIDI-OpLVqVRJAXb_Q=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_163278771155d5f4314ce1f.jpgThe Key fits the Lock A pair of Chalk Hill Blue butterflies (Polyommatus coridon) mate on a stem of grass at Warham, Norfolk, England. Their genitals are clearly visible locking them together in the act of coitus. This bond is so strong that if disturbed they can take flight still attached to each other. Lepidoptera have some of the most complex genital structures of all insects. The uniqueness of these organs to specific species led to one of the most important keys in taxonomic identification. With the advent of DNA analysis this has now become just one of the techniques used in taxonomy. The genitalia in male and female, of any particular Lepidopteran, species are adapted to fit each other like a lock (female) and key (male). This unique arrangement of genitalia is important in courtship and mating as it prevents cross-specific mating and hybridisation. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mallards-in-flight https://photos.on-this.website/wm/d8e2kqqpXNcaL7gwnvlDlLk4Wmk=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_180028679452490ee6183c4.jpgMallards in Flight Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) in flight at Dawn https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/flying-without-wings https://photos.on-this.website/wm/Vl9oKJjqHH_MTQIk0E3-47tLbNE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_403057665f7055a617be3.jpgFlying without Wings A Mute Swan Cygnet (Cygnus olor) stretches out its stubby wings at Whitlingham Country Park, Norwich. One day this little Cygnet will develop into a powerful adult with one of the largest wingspans of any British bird but in the meantime its happy just looking cute and cuddly. I hope no one’s told it about the ugly stage! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/common-darter-on-wheat https://photos.on-this.website/wm/JODGO1fwt_0At_NfPzaupwTcdRA=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_170260169850b9af7b78311.jpgCommon Darter on Wheat Sortlisted BWPA 2011 Living Landscape/Connectivity Category Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) resting on a head of wheat at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. The cultivated field occupies an area between the Nature Reserve and the village providing a valuable transitional habitat, especially at its fringes, bordered by hedgerow and copse. The Wheat provides a sturdy perch on which to prey on small insects. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/portrait-of-a-mandarin https://photos.on-this.website/wm/HApjeyrWNg6BNe4orWRSuLsX-7s=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_187733259460807e8797e64.jpgPortrait of a Mandarin A male Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) has found a new home at Whitlingham Great Broad, Norwich. A wild descendent of an escapee from a private collection. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/wren-on-fern-frond-2 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/cMzWN9fS1l6QDn-tW1-tNre3I-g=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1635637584550aa7ad8cc4f.jpgWren on Fern Frond 2 A Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) surveys its territory on Skokholm Island, South West Wales. Its mouth is full of insects as it heads back to its nest to feed its chicks. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/preening-swan https://photos.on-this.website/wm/jcPKsQqx55EY5Rb9frKcGD2zmh8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_81615290654bbe2296ab19.jpgPreening Swan Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) preening at Whittlingham Lake. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo50929339.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/tuVJNY6S3XJSOVX5iUmCOYwvd-E=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_12255390886626790084797.jpgGolden Barn Owl I captured this image of a female Barn Owl as it flew past me back lit by the sun. With her wings down it really shows off the beautiful Golden Hues of her wing feathers. By contrast the male Barn Owl is much more ghostly in appearance than the female with a white chest and legs and lighter coloured feathers on its back and wings. Often the plumage on male birds is more attractive than their female counterparts but in this case the opposite is true. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo22200348.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/frmVTN5Si0FUtU1FLREXWDDLLc8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_133504126653fb5c575b1f9.jpgLittle Egret Fishing Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) fishing at Thornham Harbour. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/common-frog https://photos.on-this.website/wm/CBb5oG1_H0m0Irq8QV2xK8zuUIY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_543725821574ad56e1a47c.jpgCommon Frog A Common Frog (Rana temporaria) at Vinegar Pond, Mousehold Heath, Norwich, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/cygnet-portrait https://photos.on-this.website/wm/XE0CGA53NDwlpEw8WvsA0WcsW0k=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_115926801574ad57111966.jpgCygnet Portrait A Cygnet (Cygnus olor) taken at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich, England. Last spring I regularly photographed a family of Mute Swans. Although they were very protective at first they soon got used to my presence which allowed me to get close enough to get this image without causing any distress. I converted the image to black and white to emphasise the texture of the feathers. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/reed-warbler-singing https://photos.on-this.website/wm/g9D4kRFL-4sVCvftSPxah5SHnoM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_163408286750bb1a4e940a2.jpgReed Warbler Singing Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) singing amongst the reeds at Whittlingham Country Park, Norwich, England. This furtive and elusive little bird was doing its best to keep concealed but constantly gave away its location through elaborate and ever changing mating calls. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/little-egret-fishing https://photos.on-this.website/wm/S5zTntUXpoFYtA7VCLKVFzgmoPs=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_4495480395301acdccd6d1.jpgLittle Egret Fishing A Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) fishing in a shallow scrape at Strumpshaw Fen. It moves with great stealth and keeps its eye focussed on any movement below the water. It has paused tp agitate the muddy bottom of the scrape with its feet. This releases small fish and invertebrates into the water, making them easier to catch. and has caused the ripples which have appeared on the surface. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/zebra-family-portrait https://photos.on-this.website/wm/o2a-yNAlzfR3mF2Ru5pkrypnmeo=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_17631606252e5f4e992234.jpgZebra Family Portrait A family of Plains Zebra (Equus quagga) in Maasai Mara, Kenya their mains standing to attention like centurians helmets. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/dew-drop-damoiselle https://photos.on-this.website/wm/cy7yn6SPb6U4Vk0vtEAJyvXXzcQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_7472332135120e1e99481b.jpgDew Drop Damoiselle A Banded Damoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) at rest on the stem of a Teasel plant at Caistor St Edmund, Norfolk, England. Too cold to fly and covered in droplets of dew the Damoiselle waits for the early morning sun to raise the temperature and provide energy to fly, feed and mate. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/phoenix-puffin https://photos.on-this.website/wm/rFGe_ho_nKvFPkrQQo_uhy1cyXg=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_7935069895464ee3da50bd.jpgPhoenix Puffin An Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) rises up Phoenix like from flames of grass on Skokholm Island, South Wales. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/bearded-tit-amongst-the-reeds https://photos.on-this.website/wm/wTUhQHiFK49jcstsmoNlqMtYmJ4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1633212248574ad4f78a33c.jpgBearded Tit amongst the Reeds A male Bearded Tit (Panurus biarmicus) briefly perches amongst the reeds at Cley, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/launch-pad https://photos.on-this.website/wm/kH8aN6g7L5ZuDN9B2YwmEFINRVw=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_82825962350d6e1ac839d6.jpgLaunch Pad Common Darter Dragonfly (Sympetrum striolatum) preying on a gravestone in the Rosary Cemetry, Norwich, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/cygnet https://photos.on-this.website/wm/xANaww6iyO3BWYObQLpWA90mHV8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_84098895650b9af8872666.jpgCygnet Shortlisted BWPA 2009 - Portrait Category Mute Swan Cygnet (Cygnus olor) nestled under it's mothers wing at the Little Broad, Whittlingham Country Park, Norwich, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/grey-heron-in-flight https://photos.on-this.website/wm/IU9pH9Nar1KY801mIZyj6DC2y-8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_162499503552490f703a01e.jpgGrey Heron in Flight Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/polkadot-amplexus https://photos.on-this.website/wm/kHqXJ7mpu9kXiOFg9NtKTA2L9NU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_76897951452f7aecaa9164.jpgPolkadot Amplexus Common Frog (Rana Temporaria) in amplexus at Vinegar Pond, Mousehold Heath, Norwich, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo34445838.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/zrdCzPMOoayScxdlVqIAOsbG-8g=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_3635605455ac880cd8c53a.jpgSeal and Surf A Grey Seal pup (Halichoerus grypus) testing the water at Winterton Beach, Norfolk. I converted to black and white to highlight the texture of the surf which is about to wash over the unsuspecting pup. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/regal-pheasant https://photos.on-this.website/wm/JelmH8DUdmpAdp56QmoBTLF6UKQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_74036063750bb1a5438a70.jpgRegal Pheasant Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) at Strumpshaw Fen, Norrfolk, England. Its head is raised as it looks down its beak in a haughty way. It's rich and colouful plumage exudes a regal presence. Who said this was a common pheasant? https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/heron-in-flight-2 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/BJd1c0y8yZA6UCean-azqfcQMrM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_409177060524d6067615a5.jpgHeron in Flight 2 Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/anointed https://photos.on-this.website/wm/pveSgHIJqHzNdKG8fAKJRflBTuc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_9899637286418671146ef8.jpgAnointed A breeding pair of Great Crested Grebes (Podiceps cristatus) present weed to each other during their courtship dance. I like the placing of the weed as the female bows her head as if being anointed in some religious ceremony. The mist adds atmosphere to this special moment of bird behaviour. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mute-swan-on-red-water https://photos.on-this.website/wm/qbdJOTWIfjZFI8IG3hvyIu6tCsQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_98870426359a946b014dcd.jpgMute Swan on Red Water A Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) glides past the reflection of a red sail at Whitlingham Lake, Norwich. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/filter-feeder https://photos.on-this.website/wm/CJi4S4kt2H2sxCndeqtl2aKIkyE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_83972771052b694e620f7a.jpgFilter Feeder A Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor) filter feeding in the saline alkaline waters of Lake Bogoria, Great Rift Valley, Kenya. Its specialized beak with its gummy membrane, lamellae, and the powerful pumping action of its tongue enable it to filter its food. It mainly feeds on small invertebrate species which it stirs up from the muddy bottom of the lake with its feet. The Flamingo's distinctive coloration comes from the beta-carotene found in the shrimp and plankton it eats. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/common-seals-basking-at-blakeney https://photos.on-this.website/wm/h553X2oyGwAJG2SFIwejnRskMLU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_95379813050bb19aa5a399.jpgCommon Seals Basking at Blakeney Harbour Common Seals (Phoca vitulina) basking on a sandbank at the edge of Blakeney Harbour, North Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/grey-heron-on-blue-1 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/5P0g9rB5UzJ3CWWFCWX-vqBQ1hc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_94313181350d40df9054e9.jpgGrey Heron on Blue 1 Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) landing on a scrape at RSPB Strumpshaw Fen opposite Tower Hide. I created the silhouette by underexposing the Heron against the light reflecting off the water. I converted the raw file to a Tungsten colour temperature to create the blue background. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo24397065.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/uvtAWLtgVOOjayu-cWC4r2AsWig=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_15800700855657ac863602.jpgChalk-hill Blue on Scabious 2 A male Chalk-hill blue (Polyommatus coridon) opens up its beautiful blue and brown wings as it rests on a pink Scabious flower in Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/heron-on-reed-and-water https://photos.on-this.website/wm/21ARZWUgzj5zQzvtPLb6tDw076g=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_16069642315428065cc0e27.jpgHeron on Reed and Water Shortlisted BWPA 2014 - Habitat Category A Grey Heron reflected in its Broadland habitat of reed and water. The wind was light and the water was still which was perfect for reflections. Patiently, I watched as the Heron silently emerged from the shadows. I captured the image as it became illuminated by a spot light of early morning sun like an actor entering stage left. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/king-of-the-swingers https://photos.on-this.website/wm/rBgkCED-_XnSq2pTVSxYFwC3pjE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_32450793352b69dd402ac5.jpgKing of the Swingers A Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) swings from a tree at Lake Bagoria, Kenya. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/nesting https://photos.on-this.website/wm/EkvfxZR6X16yzsbY0p2vNJyLJ_0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_276965488664b63959fb1a.jpgNesting As the female Marsh Harrier drops down into the reeds with nesting material the male takes off having already delivered his to the nest hidden deep in the reed bed. The perfect synchronisation and team work required to raise a successful brood! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo35917069.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/lKDgpObY3f4_7yFniGJXUOBGg_Q=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_15923647495b70433fe04ae.jpgHunkered Down As I slowly approached in my car this Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) hunkered down amongst the stubble laying down its tell-tale ears tight to its body. I pulled up as close as possible and turned off my ignition. Using a bean bag balanced on my open car window I managed to get two shots as it stared right at me with its beautiful brown eye. As soon as I tried to change position it ran off across the field. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mute-swan-and-cygnets https://photos.on-this.website/wm/n0zeQBb6UA3SJrCEcWVo_oqloAk=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_186884048550bb1a1f02a8f.jpgMute Swan and Cygnets Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) and swanlings in their nest on the shoreline of the Little Broad, Whittlingham Country Park, Norwich, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo16871487.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/qGgCUy_kRvdiBQ8Dc2W0smtPUJE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_202581763050b9afa23fd48.jpgGrey Seal in Winter Dunes 2 Shortlisted BWPA 2011 - British Seasons Category Young Grey Seal Pup (Halichoerus grypus) in the sand dunes and Marram Grass at Horsey, Norfolk, England. This is the second image in a series of four. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mute-swan-preening https://photos.on-this.website/wm/-o8efdrcFcntz4m2xzMXsQZNb0w=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_16812959252eb3ca51e117.jpgMute Swan Preening Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) preening on the River Yare, Strumpshaw, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo19594890.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/06SbcSOW7p0NRnMKj2B7ulEkJpo=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_209426781152616adfc5d64.jpgSilver Studded Blue on Wild Honeysuckle 3 Female Silver Studded Blue (Plebejus argus) on Wild Honeysuckle. The image was shot against the shadows of the wood behind. The butterfly and honeysuckle were correctly exposed to throw the shadow area into a black background. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/hippopotamus-amphibius https://photos.on-this.website/wm/YdXqBKaMVvR_a5YopZWhrPdihuA=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_205239401252b6d5ca2f037.jpgHippopotamus Amphibius Four young hippo's (Hippopotamus amphibius) break the surface of the Mara River curious of my prescence lying on a fallen tree at the waters edge. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/swallowtail-caterpillar-feeding https://photos.on-this.website/wm/8AQ26IqOUfSRpfpUBYRY_7xvY60=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_124583030552f65b663eefb.jpgSwallowtail Caterpillar Feeding A Swallowtail Butterfly Caterpillar (Papilio machaon) feeding on the remains of a Milk Parsley flower head at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/vole-in-a-hole https://photos.on-this.website/wm/AWnnctEez4IfiNEiFUUyFmU0Qu8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_204424058050bb1a83d409a.jpgVole in a Hole Bank Vole (Myodes glareolus) emerging from its bolt hole in the woods at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England pausing for a split second, from its hectic routine, to check for predators. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/lion-portrait https://photos.on-this.website/wm/cdHyd2qb7BrSJaWvYREugEWMcjE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_101761556052e215eed4ab9.jpgLion Portrait A Lion (Panthera leo) poses for a portrait at the Safari Walk, Nairobi, Kenya. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mute-swan-charging https://photos.on-this.website/wm/QUcK-WxfRvfmCRg0jMRAkwpYWAQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_198991430655478110d53f3.jpgMute Swan Charging A male Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) charges another swan at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich, England. Mute Swans are fiercely territorial especially during the Spring males can often be seen charging opponents who stray into their area. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/1-alone https://photos.on-this.website/wm/pD7gLuuvFXMhjvhyKPg5qlsCRPk=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_193804541050b9af6309f22.jpg1 Alone Category Winner BWPA 2010 - British Seasons Male Common Frog (Rana temporaria) waits alone for a mate at Vinegar Pond, Mousehold Heath, Norwich, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/after-fishing https://photos.on-this.website/wm/ihK6lZAO8LTk-GXQJcS4KDWpTcU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_127883722352d6cff565cc3.jpgAfter Fishing After fishing a Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) dries its outstretched wings, like a Roman standard, in the rising sun on Winterton Beach, Norfolk England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/marsh-harrier-hunting-above-the https://photos.on-this.website/wm/vsxIUZ3lfbuT3a4Lu1WBu4_J4Fw=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_66943381053569816dee94.jpgMarsh Harrier hunting above the Reeds A Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) hovers temporarily above the reeds at Cley next the Sea, Norfolk, England before descending onto its prey; eyes down and talons at the ready. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/on-golden-pond https://photos.on-this.website/wm/RoMdXDCTwX9yCT8OohgSHCIa8-w=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_8066492455fc32e7174288.jpgOn Golden Pond A pair of Great Crested Grebes (Podiceps cristatus) exchange weed in their courtship ritual on the golden water of Whitlingham Lake. Part of my “With a Hint of Wildlife” series. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/egyptian-goose-portrait https://photos.on-this.website/wm/a7wXD9jjrBYptVFchTDz9oD09tQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_616145525554b8d3caa0e1.jpgEgyptian Goose Portrait A portrait of an Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich, England. I converted to black and white as it seemed to suit the seriosness character of the goose. It also helped to highlight the texture of the neck feathers and the subtle speckled pattern on the chest. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mute-swan-abstract https://photos.on-this.website/wm/dOTkux8YDQDcxFdPeTICboCnAp4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_2995324595d1db79d593f0.jpgMute Swan Abstract A Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) peers out from under its wing. I like the strong contrast between its white feathers and it’s black and orange beak. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo17609704.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/4Sc7bvNUMKRW364EiXugH-_wBBQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_192877550751583e2b96205.jpgKingfisher 5 King Fisher (Alcedo atthis) on perch at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/sandstorm-seal https://photos.on-this.website/wm/mbu8VfRVj9OA2qJXzT3IwlDjuUY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_172612917950bb1a67b69c1.jpgSandstorm Seal Female Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) getting blasted in a sandstorm at Blakeney Harbourtt, Stiffkey, Norfolk, England. The seal is facing the oncoming wind and lifts its head above the more intense part of the sandstorm. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/stripey-trough-shells https://photos.on-this.website/wm/9GKTilPsWTbmH5_yPobL8HJMxHo=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_129377432257e686db870a8.jpgStripey Trough Shells Trough Shells worn by the sea reveal their beautiful stripey colours at Stiffkey, North Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/affection https://photos.on-this.website/wm/t9Ic2PZbX0sXCB8ZA9I9NXxD_aI=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_9107785965c13eb3b132ec.jpgAffection A Grey Seal pup (Halichoerus grypus) affectionately rests on its mother’s cheek whiskers intertwined at Winterton Beach, Norfolk. Nostrils flared it soaks up its mother’s scent and cements their bond. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo16871491.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/2GOCd_omIYuVkiqLRkf-H-_S7HM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_128928744250b9afae237dc.jpgGrey Seal in Winter Dunes 4 Shortlisted BWPA 2011 - British Seasons Category Young Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) in the sand dunes and Marram Grass at Horsey, Norfolk, England. This is the final image in the series. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/marabou-stork-landing https://photos.on-this.website/wm/PXnHmg97Gv1giDNu1GMfE9gSBf8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_54653473652e0ba7d6fcbd.jpgMarabou Stork Landing A Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus) comes in to land at Lake Bogoria, Kenya its glossy grey wings contorted as it brakes against the air. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/grazing-gosling https://photos.on-this.website/wm/fnNUCOb_DCnZ9qzy_mfS9ZRG5GI=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_14840148045565a4fff0b00.jpgGrazing Gosling A Canada gosling (Branta canadensis) grazes the bank at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo19594892.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/kzzjW1eWi25TFxToEUIOT4jPd_k=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_17032450952616af346b10.jpgSilver Studded Blue on Wild Honeysuckle 5 Male Silver Studded Blue (Plebejus argus) on Wild Honeysuckle. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/kingfisher-5 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/beFvuwRxjc8V9P5uqjrm05pYcO0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_211761529516cf3af44f35.jpgKingfisher 5 Male Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England searching the sluice pool for fish. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/turnstone-reflection-2 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/GPv_yYsLVzdGtV4YNyPLCb7vfTs=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_127703769850e1b41316b87.jpgTurnstone Reflection 2 Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) reflected in a muddy puddle behind the shingle bank at Salthouse, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/the-tree-of-life https://photos.on-this.website/wm/ByLMGxa9Ap10XZaZG8EBUC5ZBkg=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_58844915153ad20385362a.jpgThe Tree of Life Black Headed Gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) both adult and young lay claim to a dead tree submerged in the Tower Hide Scrape Strumpshaw, Norfolk, England. It reminds me of the vital part that death plays in the cycle of life. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/lookout https://photos.on-this.website/wm/6yMyR10YpyJvV_mW0fheTbmmkAQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_3215521105cc0683eb2ec9.jpgLookout A Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) acts as lookout for the colony whilst the other seals rest like boulders on the beach at Horsey, Norfolk . https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/2-chalk-hill-blue-at https://photos.on-this.website/wm/pq3z2TL6zZmjtYQ9tVmQMRMBswQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_17326680175bf92f9e56ff6.jpg2 - Chalk-hill Blue at Sunrise A Chalk-hill Blue butterfly (Polyommatus coridon) rests on grass rim-lit by the rising sun in North Norfolk, England. The grass has turned a beautiful golden colour like a stem of wheat ripened in the summer sun. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/egyptian-reflection https://photos.on-this.website/wm/cSF6p8ryvT9aPxpb664p7xux6UQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_143199476358f4a6bd22f90.jpgEgyptian Reflection An Egyptian Gosling (Alopochen aegyptiacus) reflected in Whittlingham Lake, Norwich. The reflection is enhanced by a pool of reddish brown light reflected from the adult who stands guard above. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/egyptian-goslings https://photos.on-this.website/wm/_lBqp7AysaCtRnaFVgWX5ZKwLnE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_84936985050bb19bc64993.jpgEgyptian Goslings Egyptian Goslings (Alopochen aegyptiacus) at Whittlingham Country Park, Norwich, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/marabou-stork-building-its-nest https://photos.on-this.website/wm/_R_x4z4eLfYtbU8DUZh0jua1lKo=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_94867810052e0ba477c002.jpgMarabou Stork building its Nest A Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus) comes in to land at Lake Bogoria, Kenya landing with nesting material in its beak. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/turnstone-reflection-1 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/B3SC6P-vBzyrYKTVtg5famjU2m4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_132567814650e1b2b0b82e5.jpgTurnstone Reflection 1 Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) reflected in a muddy puddle behind the shingle bank at Salthouse, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/supermoon-april-2020 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/Ox3ng-6lctMLiucvRsSVmjDtXRY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_5795706835e94437fc3fcc.jpgSupermoon - April 2020 Full moon taken at Stoke Holy Cross Church carpark, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo26336896.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/4tQXuj8Wbr2PJyzrIJi-fCb11BQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1963192969566fb5d6a4ce5.jpg https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo42104961.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/kP_kCAAleBsQcJ9RuJjcLgwv5PM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_10521992325fc3330c6fdf1.jpgPheasant in the Fog Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) stakes its claim to the foggy riverbank with its territorial display at Strumpshaw, Norfolk, England. Its feathers are backlit against the sun which struggled to burn through the fog and appeared in the sky as a white disk of light. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/atlantic-puffin-with-mackerel https://photos.on-this.website/wm/wt_EseFF2_YBk2AaeZe3VRyJjNk=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_163239298250bb194cabcdd.jpgAtlantic Puffin with Mackerel Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula artica) with Mackerel flying in to land its catch on the Inner Farne Islands, Northumberland, England. It makes a change from its usual diet of Sand eels ! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/tug-of-war https://photos.on-this.website/wm/ZzYgl-v7ibMS-TQ6y4yf9H75YLE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_19536326815b24d52c61593.jpgTug of War Published BWPA 2017 - Behaviour Category A Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) at Postwick, Norfolk battles to collect wool to line its nest. Straining every sinew it almost bends the barbed wire, in this epic tug of war, but on this occasion the wool won! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/common-pochard https://photos.on-this.website/wm/YeD4yyu8JtnCI7Kc3kSfptxxo7E=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_10732119752f1e3dc8f854.jpgCommon Pochard A male Common Pochard (Aythya ferina) makes its familiar call, a hoarse nasal whistle, as it silently glides on a drainage dyke at Buckenham Marshes, Norfolk, England https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mute-swan-bathing https://photos.on-this.website/wm/KIPGz7FKwklw1tPJUI-ibCBtfJw=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_298539847518c8c05086d3.jpgMute Swan Bathing Young Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) washing in the Great Broad, Whittlingham Country Park, Norwich, England. The Swan rolled from side to siide and slapped its wings on the water. It looked like it was having a thoroughly enjoyable time and generally showing off. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/pre-dive-warm-up-4 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/BSe-031Xfs4bprm7ZbC1QQxBMO8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_207542996950c03f6b1f217.jpgPre Dive Warm Up 4 Male Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England stretching prior to diving into the sleuce pool beneath. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/2-mating-ball https://photos.on-this.website/wm/PMjh7ITkOnMtqmKzeMGliILIh9Y=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_159641551850b9af672fbe7.jpg2 Mating Ball Category Winner BWPA 2010 - British Seasons Common Frogs (Rana temporaria) in a mating ball at Vinegar Pond, Mousehold Heath, Norwich, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/squabbling-goslings https://photos.on-this.website/wm/XDxM8e23-7cIpPWwrmdgoSgMp6Y=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_3728717915905cd7c4e008.jpgSquabbling Goslings Greylag goslings (Anser anser) at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich. Just when you thought they couldn't get any more adorable they started squabbling and a vicious fight broke out. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mute-swan-at-dawn https://photos.on-this.website/wm/dyKxtBZWI03l_Z-eL0lhX2_qReE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_101676717450bb1a296ee28.jpgMute Swan at Dawn Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) in golden light and mist at Whittlingham Country Park, Norwich, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/swan-song https://photos.on-this.website/wm/AdW8-7PIeFcejb00iExSkZLXD-U=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_116012079250d7f9568de28.jpgSwan Song Skeleton of Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) at Whittlingham Great Broad, Norwich, England. This image was selected for Elements, a Regional Art Exhibition for the East of England, on the theme of Man and the Environment. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/water-colour-grebe https://photos.on-this.website/wm/UwZsciZX-hslxyafXnKbKuo89qw=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_2127889636593d40a459a03.jpgWater Colour Grebe A Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) swims through the colourful reflections of boats, canoes and trees at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/red-deer-stag-portrait https://photos.on-this.website/wm/uNrzhJoKXD1dpKuHw4_7AGq72oI=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_6858293945cc0686ec2640.jpgRed Deer Stag Portrait A young Red Deer Stag (Cervus elaphus) rests having just been chased off by a dominant stag, protecting his harem, during the rut at Richmond Park, London. All he can do for now is spectate from the side-lines and wait for his opportunity to mate. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/rainbow-cygnet https://photos.on-this.website/wm/guXjLDH6ImDrQ-Rozf_YMjq0HmE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_21039286860ba4847183c5.jpgRainbow Cygnet I followed a family of Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) at Whitlingham Lake, Norwich, for a week and was saddened as one by one five of the six cygnets were predated until only this one remained. As it swam across this rainbow coloured water, covered with the reflections of boating paraphernalia, I managed to capture this image. The scene gave me hope that this one would survive and grow up to be a beautiful adult Swan. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/muted-river https://photos.on-this.website/wm/S5vyV5qaK_wg88QfWENmLMrK1IM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_30394012452e0bb11921b8.jpgMuted River Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) flying down the Yare River, Strumpshaw, Norfolk, England. The low light conditions were perfect to enable a slow enough shutter speed to create motion blur emphasising the graceful movement of the Swan's flight over the muted tones of the river. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/bouncing-bomb https://photos.on-this.website/wm/mENSfRIWs87ui9pQpBHJam7EvMA=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_172821612650bb197ac39a4.jpgBouncing Bomb Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) coming in to land on the Great Broad at Whttligham Country Park, Norwich, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/barn-owl-flying-out-of https://photos.on-this.website/wm/I8Eor115fzExVxz89Njel0HS-fc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_13949139366491c66fa4201.jpgBarn Owl flying out of the Green Smokey Woods The Barn Owls were flying quite late into the morning in search of food for their hungry chicks at one of my local Nature Reserves. However, on this occasion I‘d waited for hours with no sign of any activity when silently this Barn Owl took flight from the woods sharply contrasting with the dark background. Knowing that it was likely to be over-exposed I quickly dialled in some negative exposure compensation on my camera settings. As a consequence the darkest shadows in the background turned completely black and where light was catching the leaves it transformed them into dark green clouds of smoke which I think gives the image a mysterious and other-worldly appearance. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/greylag-sunrise https://photos.on-this.website/wm/wFL319FAB3V9lpXokFV68huw9_8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_98465891850d40e21d7f4a.jpgGreylag Sunrise Greylag goose (Anser anser) exercising its wings as the relection of the rising sun falls across the scrape. The image was captured at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/swallowtail-nectaring https://photos.on-this.website/wm/MumL1tL53f2ybFVX8Bz0wIQY1Xw=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_184604849550b9afc9ab8eb.jpgSwallowtail Nectaring Shortlisted BWPA 2009 - Hidden Britain Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio machaon) nectaring on Marsh Thistle at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/no-more-photos-please https://photos.on-this.website/wm/ihEnJD5aZHyNm9eR2DIOcfe5D9E=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_145831512652c96f6fdcba3.jpgNo more photos please A female Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) striking poses on the beach at Winterton, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/pebble-dash-seal-2 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/fu50ILiM9CqdrEMuKcaFihBsnsI=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_240295688511f3a67254cc.jpgPebble Dash Seal 2 Young female Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) on the beach at Horsey, Norfolk, England. She rests beside a giant granite block designed to prevent coastal erosion whilst her belly is pebble dashed with eroded material. She is oblivious to the efforts made to preserve her habitat. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo30869364.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/feaBN1_-yRBKO_2RQs9NuFtbv_c=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_210358121258f84de09c834.jpgTwo Hearts Dicentra (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/puffin-on-blue https://photos.on-this.website/wm/JQWENZ-IxphFMcf7Vv7gP4eQaIk=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1271374647545ddae303001.jpgPuffin on Blue An Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) perched at the cliff edge on Skokholm Island, South West Wales. As it turned to look back it was illuminated by the soft evening light against the deep blue of the sea. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/flamingo-a-go-go https://photos.on-this.website/wm/ucVKLPlDDEdouW1b8zlHSy0-zz8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_99176688852c7aa5a87052.jpgFlamingo a go-go Lesser Flamingoes (Phoeniconaias minor) preening in the shallow waters of Lake Bogoria, Great Rift Valley, Kenya. One stretches up flexing its wings to show off the beauty of its pink and scarlet plumage and its long legs reflected in the water. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/shades-of-greylag https://photos.on-this.website/wm/vzovviaoX7RlpzTXU1ipAnWZRM0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1379818065561c5060223f.jpgShades of Greylag A Greylag Goose (Anser anser) bathing at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich, England. I converted to black and white to show off the tonal range and texture of the feathers and to highlight the explosion of water droplets as it washes itself. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/grey-seal-pup-yawning https://photos.on-this.website/wm/uMJF3ruFWIVAmAtIxFmsG9yjQjo=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1727859228549ed6c7ce96b.jpgGrey Seal Pup Yawning A Grey Seal pup (Halichoerus grypus) yawning agaisnt the backdrop of the granite sea defences at Winterton Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/avocet-attack https://photos.on-this.website/wm/gBMODIdUT1S6UFEeVjxYvzRmamE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_365226187535663ceda468.jpgAvocet Attack An Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) chases off rivals for its territory at Cley next the Sea, North Norfolk, England, I took advantage of the low light conditions to create an impression of the action. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/shoveler-fly-past https://photos.on-this.website/wm/j4Rd_MLTMywCjw8PQFbSMeElh3s=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_590874774518c8de1ce33e.jpgShoveler Fly Past A flight of female Shoveler Ducks (Anas clypeata) at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. The ducks were spooked by a Marsh Harrier and took off en masse across the scrape. I took the image from Tower Hide. The higher than usual perspective meant that I was able to capture a mixture of birds and their reflections as their world is temporariliy turned upside down. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/marsh-harrier-collecting-nesting-material https://photos.on-this.website/wm/nG2oI2VhVkSNkYTJlZWcjYs1GFw=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_204401110053346c29718d9.jpgMarsh Harrier collecting Nesting Material A male Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) collects nesting material at Strumpshaw Fen, Nortfolk, England. I watched as it made repeated journeys with reed and sticks to the same location hidden amongst the reed bed. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/seal-defences https://photos.on-this.website/wm/7HHm82e1L5o1JrGTXYV6dwrkRm0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1138125403574ad4f3a63f7.jpgSeal Defences A Grey Seal (Halichoerus Grypus) reaches the boundary of its territory at Winterton, Norfolk, England. She rests up against the solid concrete sea defences which divides and protects her fluid and shifting habitat from our own. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/trough-shells https://photos.on-this.website/wm/h7TNso6VUmLBa2h4oglvKnHDFM0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1210578971575ad35d5006f.jpgTrough Shells Rayed Trough Shells (Mactra corallina) at Stiffkey, North Norfolk, England worn by the relentless action of the sea and sand. The abrasive action has revealed beautiful brown, white and blue bands formed as the shell has grown. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/dew-drop-demoiselle-on-reed https://photos.on-this.website/wm/_13pmw_zqwhz_aSOW5Am4-_qUtI=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_207424312055657b2840f38.jpgDew Drop Demoiselle on Reed A male Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) encrusted in pearls of dew at Venta Icenorum, Caistor St Edmund, Norfolk. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/water-margins-a-tale-of https://photos.on-this.website/wm/uo9dWbAy2V_MHlDSqEstaG1yg04=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_2173600145167ca212bec3.jpgWater Margins - A Tale of the Marshes A Male Chinese Water Deer (Hydropotes inermis) looks up from feeding on new shoots of reed on the bank of the River Yare at Strumpshaw, Norfolk, England. The deer stands solid at the precarious margins of its territory. The habitat reminds me of a Mangrove with trees rising from the water and the muddy bank which has beed undermined by passing Pleasure Cruisers. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo46266065.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/4Gbn3uHD-dPZLUbSqv4FCpZaVMY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_87976020962ab40c617df2.jpgBlue Tit feeding on Bulrush I noticed a Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) feeding on a Bulrush at Whitlingham Lake, Norwich but it flew off before I could get a shot. I decided to wait in case in came back and took the opportunity to dial in some appropriate camera settings. After a while my patience was rewarded when the Blue Tit returned and started frantically feeding occasionally lifting its head for a split second and enabling me to get this shot. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mute-swan-cygnet https://photos.on-this.website/wm/-1OwAf2kUr7xvaA7buvw05gUnoU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_519439995557c4e9ed9c05.jpgMute Swan Cygnet A female Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) gracefully glides across the dark water in the shadows of the trees at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich, England. I applied negative exposure compensation to ensure the highlights were correctly exposed and the dark water turned black. The cygnet, riding on its mothers back, kept a low profile safe and warm in its mother wings. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/redshank-silhouette https://photos.on-this.website/wm/JRlcK4N9csqZG2bRlZiVkh62lQM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_61506365059a2c3d1d20d0.jpgRedshank Silhouette A Redshank (Trnga totanus) picks its way through the mud looking for food at Cley Next The Sea, Norfolk, England. The image was heavily backlit emphasising the texture of its muddy habitat. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/claws https://photos.on-this.website/wm/sKZ_BjMnbB718DnYPch5yN2fakY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_95025173050bb198dcb50e.jpgClaws Grey Seal Pup (Halichoerus grypus) at Horsey, Norfolk, England resting after getting its first taste of the sea. Pups cannot swim until they are 6 to 7 weeks old and have lost their white baby fur. However, it won't be long before this cuddly pup will be fending for itself and putting its fine set of claws to good use. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/grey-heron-on-blue-3 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/taodelZsRR69146nYWaeuFfBvfI=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_64855493350d40e0572747.jpgGrey Heron on Blue 3 Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) landing on a scrape at RSPB Strumpshaw Fen opposite Tower Hide. I created the silhouette by underexposing the Heron against the light reflecting off the water. I converted the raw file to a Tungsten colour temperature to create the blue background. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/poser https://photos.on-this.website/wm/mEJMHh-Wl46BJ3y0SzlwT30BFME=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_128160058252d63609b8198.jpgPoser A female Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) poses on the beach at Winterton, Norfolk, England showing off its impressive array of claws. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/bathing-swan https://photos.on-this.website/wm/-IHOBXl9rjdJy9rDuLfFUyfBV58=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1310776499604ce00e8a86d.jpgBathing Swan A young Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) puts on a dramatic display as it bathes in Whitlingham Lake, Norwich. I imagine it washing away the brown feathers of its youth and transforming itself into a snowy white adult Swan. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/egyptian-gosling https://photos.on-this.website/wm/ehfTFQwMOm-xxVJqf4YJvu9Gwp4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_591760534647b469d70d9b.jpgEgyptian Gosling An Egyptian Gosling keeps one eye open whilst it rests at the side of Whitlingham Great Broad ever vigilant for predators. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/silver-studded-blue-on-bracken https://photos.on-this.website/wm/RxUbhI43QsNEAmtsBrjjE0OBdpY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_195235374352616ab3a95f4.jpgSilver Studded Blue on Bracken Male Silver Studded Blue (Plebejus argus) on dry bracken. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo24397071.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/CP13I7zyF6wyK9K6lV3qyfX_gBo=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_15291255155657ae63f402.jpgChalk-hill Blue on Scabious Seed Head A male Chalk-hill Blue (Polyommatus coridon) on Scabious Seed Head in Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/common-frogs-in-mating-ball https://photos.on-this.website/wm/KbDUJicvy3lZyb0YFZamQo6nWf8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_43318388850bb199fea146.jpgCommon Frogs in Mating Ball Common Frogs (Rana tempoaria) in a mating ball at Vinegar Pond, Mousehold Heath, Norwich, England. These male frogs are competing to mate with a single female buried beneath them. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/bald-eagle-screeching-monochrome https://photos.on-this.website/wm/6cuIdahBxLRYmY7ORzpEvohdifc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_63766507650deb12c5e841.jpgBald Eagle Screeching Monochrome Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) screeching at Banham Zoo Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/bald-eagle-1-monochrome https://photos.on-this.website/wm/Rg_q5WiYxeYnjoFeNiLj0W7e4KE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_128376113050deb12750656.jpgBald Eagle 1 Monochrome Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) at Banham Zoo, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo35213608.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/E8pE-6OzHcM47haJkqdB2C7QOg0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_9499182695b24d50ce8c19.jpgLife on a Ledge Shortlisted BWPA 2015 - Habitat Category A small group of Guillemots (Uria aalge) perched on a ledge at Skokholm Island, South West Wales. I was able to get a different perspective by taking the image from the cliff top and reveal the precarious nature of their habitat. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/rim-lit-gosling https://photos.on-this.website/wm/2dInAFyZEHT5Oh9fhzFei7kQa80=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_14401066805561bedf24fc7.jpgRim Lit Gosling A Greylag gosling (Anser anser) picks its way along the bank of Whittlingham Lake, Norwich, England. Its downy feathers rim lit against a backdrop of reed and dappled sunlight. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/hiss https://photos.on-this.website/wm/oJkcp2X_lEBKGQsuaIlE-aV0VII=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_423681900517d17a252210.jpgHiss A male Greylag Goose (Anser anser) at Cley, Nofolk, England protecting its territory. As it opens its beak and sticks out its tongue to hiss it shows off a fine set of teeth. If you thought a gooses hiss was worse than its bite think again! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/marsh-harrier-1 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/uhIm1hgz4qPV336lJPv8SuhQnoU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_236778125515d0f503d2f2.jpgMarsh Harrier 1 A male Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England hunts for twigs to build its nest amongst the reed beds. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/harvest-hare https://photos.on-this.website/wm/nI-fb35VeC3GIEpAVZoMuPQZVnY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_181658626955b365d0860aa.jpgHarvest Hare A Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) looks out across the stubble field at Stiffkey, Norfolk, England. Its super senses alert to the slightest movement or sound that could mean danger. I used my car as a mobile hide to get in the right position to capture this image. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/pheasant-in-the-fog https://photos.on-this.website/wm/lZU0W48HGOurl20KxW1dLRK_oM8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_4332853315335211f1baed.jpgPheasant in the Fog Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) stakes its claim to the foggy riverbank with its territorial display at Strumpshaw, Norfolk, England. Its feathers are backlit against the sun which struggled to burn through the fog and appeared in the sky as a white disk of light. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/greylag-bathing https://photos.on-this.website/wm/9h_Jus0q2mG0MiyzJL6ky6XuYYI=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_149320762554511ac4b43fc.jpgGreylag Bathing Greylag Goose (Anser anser) bathing in Whittlingham Great Broad, Norwich, England. I didn't know having a bath was such a serious matter! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/wipe-out https://photos.on-this.website/wm/P1pVDL7SV8cWNZK7Qk1OH_AiI3U=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_17040543245cc06893b67f9.jpgWipe Out A Grey Seal bull (Halichoerus grypus) looks relaxed on the shoreline at Horsey, Norfolk. The female, in the background, has almost been totally consumed in the surf as the wave breaks. In a split second the same will happen to the bull and the scene will be a total wipe out of frothing foam. The contrast between calmness of the seal and crashing wave emphasises how comfortable seals are in the sea compared to their awkwardness on land. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/young-herons-on-the-nest https://photos.on-this.website/wm/zQcu3AePIbNmlBDVceDx8-_ErlI=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1742864265647c512b2704a.jpgYoung Herons on the Nest Two young Grey Herons wait patiently on the nest for one of the adults to return with food. Despite their size they’re still dependant on being fed but it won’t be long before they will fledge the nest as their older sibling has already done. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/stuck-like-glue https://photos.on-this.website/wm/I5w2oFUL8h7gF-cfoFhi1kH5K9I=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_196708349852f7aed31953f.jpgStuck Like Glue Common Frogs (Rana temporaria) at Vinegar Pond, Mousehold Heath, Norwich, England. The Pond is filled with the jelly from 1000's of spawn and has turned the water to glue. The frogs are in amplexus, the frog embrace, and will remain stuck together like glue until the male fertlises the females eggs. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/the-national-bird-of-kenya https://photos.on-this.website/wm/Z8tcGpOJsXQNeTlbfqhpLWotC3Q=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_186480910452b924b63ec6f.jpgThe National Bird of Kenya A Lilac Breasted Roller (Coracias caudatus) surveys its territory from a knarled perch in the Maasai Mara. The colours of its plumage are exquisite so it is no surprise to discover it is the national bird of Kenya. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/fallow-deer-fawns https://photos.on-this.website/wm/FtNtypApkzCMyCHII4lTy9gbQjA=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_197462180859f753618f498.jpgFallow Deer Fawns Three Fallow Deer fawns (Dama dama) at Holkham, Norfolk, take a break from grazing in the shade of the trees, ears pricked up and alert to the presence of predators. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/blue-tit-on-blossom https://photos.on-this.website/wm/H8FTGdD_JfNvQvtc2sQYvYD7o_E=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_2959369058f08243cb46d.jpgBlue Tit on Blossom A Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) perched on a bough of blossom at Postwick, Norfolk. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/snow-swan https://photos.on-this.website/wm/HfkS_KDrSBCO_r6rPBFOB3FETD0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_135023516950ba1ab50d256.jpgSnow Swan My son is a reluctant photographer. One winters day 3 years ago, when Tom was 9 years old, we went to Whittlingham Lake so he could take pictures for the EDP Nature Watch competition. He only took 18 shots before retreating to the warmth of the cafe and the lure of cake. Amazingly one of the images was this picture of a Mute Swan which won the competition. Usually, successful wildlife photography takes a huge amount of time, perseverance and dedication. This shows that, when all the elements come together, this isn’t always the case and gives hope to us all! You can have your cake and eat it! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/water-colour-cormorant https://photos.on-this.website/wm/hkeKM7qBtW3lX5ouP0YE-D4bQoo=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_16817045562ac35786e946.jpgWater Colour Cormorant A Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) cruises the water through coloured reflections of boats, sail boards and nautical paraphenalia at Whitlingham, just over 2 miles from Norwich City Centre. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/long-tailed-tit-on-lichen https://photos.on-this.website/wm/zbvpOCBb3v2ljqaxcvm5Qz4tXw4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_20123850675a9b9b52db41a.jpgLong-tailed Tit on Lichen Covered Branch A Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus) pauses briefly to pose on a beautiful lichen covered branch at Postwick, Norwich. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/3-mute-swan-courtship https://photos.on-this.website/wm/R810eUBIYNUXFkxM5CGzrR9cPnA=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_191820080050bb192d5c4e4.jpg3 Mute Swan Courtship Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) mating at Whittlingham Great Broad, Norwich, England. The cob (male) firmly grips the pens (female) neck as she becomes limp and puppetlike. This is the third in a series of four images. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/blue-tit-perched-on-spring https://photos.on-this.website/wm/48DEc4kfIZ8flGGnczjfYi3zPAs=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_126871708754fd407eed2ac.jpgBlue Tit perched on Spring Blossom Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) perched on spring blossom. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/reed-warbler-feeding-cuckoo https://photos.on-this.website/wm/ydzMzsn3YH-1vR6alc7ztKo11HI=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_5629704835985cb29987ea.jpgReed Warbler feeding Cuckoo A young Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) being fed by a Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) at Cley-Next-The-Sea, Norfolk. It looks as if it could swallow the Reed Warbler whole as it sticks its head in the Cuckoos gaping red beak. I’d only ever seen this behaviour before on natural history programmes but seeing this first hand was even more amazing. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/egyptian-gosling-amongst-the-daisies https://photos.on-this.website/wm/pIBlA9C11exlaqPcFkUIwyu_BCU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_18303916305369df7782a14.jpgEgyptian Gosling amongst the Daisies An Egyptian Goslings (Alopochen aegyptiacus) on the bank of the Great Broad, Whittlingham, Norwich, England. I was photographing a gaggle of goslings grazing and waiting for one to explore a patch of daisies close by. My patience paid off and I managed to capture this image which I think sums up the esssence of Spring. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/into-the-light https://photos.on-this.website/wm/qaptEODwZGSQqQ_X4wNNSP4gfDU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_7285055645561d1f492a76.jpgInto the Light An Egyptian gosling (Alopochen aegyptiacus) steps out of the shadows and into the light at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich, England. The backlighting helps create atmosphere and evoke a sense of the cautious personality of the gosling. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/red-legged-partridge https://photos.on-this.website/wm/NXMmnIIDuaNLGcgYw9jAKSldSHU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_24100637650b9afc1c9f56.jpgRed Legged Partridge Shortlisted BWPA 2009 - Habitat Category A Red Legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa) picking its way through the undergrowth at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/busking https://photos.on-this.website/wm/okLZK2U4WDCujOtmOuk0qiuRS18=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_287543453574ad502be58c.jpgBusking A busking cygnet (Cygnus olor) creates a bow wave as it ploughs through the water mimicking the aggressive behaviour of its parents who are busy chasing off everything that enters their territory to protect their young. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/sandstorm-seal-1 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/HijRfTtq2JxcERLP1UEcP203ALQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_31784014050bb1a5d92bbf.jpgSandstorm Seal 1 Common Seal (Phoca vitulina) hauled out for an intertidal rest on a sandbank at Blakeney Harbour, Stiffkey, Norfolk, England. Its been disturbed by the sand blasting against its face and has raised its sleepy head above the storm. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/great-crested-grebe-feeding-young https://photos.on-this.website/wm/66AT8LqaixPgw_rUe7phbJva69E=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_74523773262ab414f4a523.jpgGreat Crested Grebe feeding Young A family of Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) on the River Yare, Norfolk, at Surlingham Church Marsh. One of the three chicks, riding on its mothers back, stretches out its neck, beak wide open, to take the fish from its father. It never ceases to amaze me the size of the fish that Grebe chicks are able to consume! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/a-gander-with-its-hackles https://photos.on-this.website/wm/f6apIVWan4jjw4v94LQ7Bh7Ye00=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1088572614536c765d70664.jpgA Gander with its Hackles Up An adult male Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) keeps a watchful eye for preditors at Great Broad, Whittlingham, Norwich, England. The feathers on its neck, hackles, are up indicating that it senses danger. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/grey-heron-monochrome-1 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/daYxWwXXt4tnV9cCs73Sf7womPU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_195169516650d40e13b6ab0.jpgGrey Heron Monochrome 1 Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) in low flight across the Tower Hide scrape at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/turnstone-and-barnacles https://photos.on-this.website/wm/NsG6dbxDDdZRaECPNO5_K5u_l_Q=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_35718088352c0521557a05.jpgTurnstone and Barnacles Turnstone (Arenaria interpreson) at Winterton Beach, Norfolk, England. I watched as it sytematically worked its way along the encrusted rock pecking and picking out the soft flesh inside the barnacles. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/first-light https://photos.on-this.website/wm/dJgQW9IV0155EdFHR00WKmGLHew=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_204549441650cad750d79b2.jpgFirst Light Grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) at first light at Horsey, Norfok, England. The image was captured with strong directional backlighting from the rising sun. I underexposed the seal and strengthened the simplicity of the image by converting to black and white. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/2-mute-swan-courtship https://photos.on-this.website/wm/bcTkTYbcJLlgFiBeeIz8MM20Tuo=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_150379644350bb1926dde72.jpg2 Mute Swan Courtship Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) at Whittlingham Great Broad, Norwich, England. Their courtship ritual continues with their chests and necks held close together. This is the second in a series of four images. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/eye-ball-soup https://photos.on-this.website/wm/w6YQcjfxKQSCQy0Y-Q6pGfAGEwQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_166679850050b9af9275d59.jpgEye Ball Soup Shortlisted BWPA 2012 - Portraits Category Common Frog (Rana temporaria) and frog spawn at Vinegar Pond, Mousehold Heath, Norwich, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/hunting-over-the-cow-parsley https://photos.on-this.website/wm/nboCLzWr0o4fXjIBSBRLZk6qDVg=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_12154519746626789ce09af.jpgHunting Over the Cow Parsley When this Short Eared Owl suddenly appeared over a clump of Cow Parsley I don’t know who was more surprised, me or the Owl! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/silver-studded-blue-on-bell https://photos.on-this.website/wm/XGpSuE7y0siCCGh3mQALgwzJXJc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_57842303652616aa637612.jpgSilver Studded Blue on Bell Heather Male Silver Studded Blue (Plebejus argus) on Bell Heather before sunrise. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/circling-circus https://photos.on-this.website/wm/Kr_hiY4LGLne5wn88luD2c1DwBo=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_153235396951678ff51e57b.jpgCircling Circus A male Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England riding the thermals above the reed beds. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/4-embryo https://photos.on-this.website/wm/Y38fv4PH6DqIIgH69nXUaVOxwLM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_94988345650b9af6ddf051.jpg4 Embryo Category Winner BWPA 2010 - British Seasons Common Frog (Rana temporaria) stands guard over frog spawn at Vinegar Pond, Mousehold Heath, Norwich, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/feat-of-agility https://photos.on-this.website/wm/OZPZ7sLxVfHS98y9zBiDSrNfwp8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_19111798805b24d51e85f8f.jpgFeat of Agility Highly Commended BWPA 2017 - Behaviour Category A Long Tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus) shows off its amazing gymnastic skills on the high bar by hanging from a twig with one foot whilst holding a seed in the other. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/simba-3 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/GkJD6pCkicUqNkMEw1sCYny8Zj0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_86861219352c27e94d7626.jpgSimba 3 Now that the Lion has had his fill and moved off to sleep off his breakfast the Lioness (Panthera leo) is able to eat. Unfortunately, she only gets the slim pickings of the remains of her kill. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/common-darter-on-umbrelliform https://photos.on-this.website/wm/P1-1oWkks-_1c6dRD_sKusFc1wI=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_111791833550bb19954967c.jpgCommon Darter on Umbrelliform Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) at rest on an umbrelliform preying for its next meal at Branodunom, Brancaster, North Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/nuthatch-1 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/MzKw-w9AjsAc31IIXBstrsgjyUs=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_27036487050e52582d2367.jpgNuthatch 1 Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) working its way down a dead tree stump at RSPB Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/imperious-stag https://photos.on-this.website/wm/egvk6RvhWTc7qP-6v7a_kIZ4w7Q=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_15032939647aec458065b.jpgImperious Stag This Stag had been seeing off a challenger by a mud pool in Richmond Park. In this image he’s in the process of rounding up his harem who had scattered during fight. Chin raised and antlers back he looks imperious as he smells the air and scans the woods for his lost Hinds. His muddy antlers add to the macho appearance of a proud, arrogant and dominant Stag. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/robin https://photos.on-this.website/wm/tN9VWB9dr8C7L_XhvejR5DI5GG0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_146212069350e52e2aa4572.jpgRobin European Robin (Erithacus rubecula) perched at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/grey-seal-pup-feeding https://photos.on-this.website/wm/-TkHMWl12mlfq5ouncdYBgW4R-Y=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_810091317574ad4e7a077c.jpgGrey Seal Pup Feeding A Grey Seal Pup (Halichoerus grypus) feeding at Winterton, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/scholarly-owl https://photos.on-this.website/wm/6b7a-yEvrEDFnF_My4No6amXcLg=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_147557912564a94b3885c0d.jpgScholarly Owl I captured this image of a Juvenile Long Eared Owl perched on an information board at my local nature reserve. It looks like it’s about to give a lecture on bird identification to its audience of ornithologists and wildlife photographers who had gathered around it to get a closer look. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/puffin-silhouette https://photos.on-this.website/wm/iUQJRfWMvErlWHKP4mK9Aa7mSw0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_4336157595464ee830ebe1.jpgPuffin Silhouette An Atlantic Puffin on Skokholm Island, South Wales (Fratercula arctica) silhouetted against the golden light of sunset reflected off the Celtic Sea. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo20377079.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/_ZP1FylB2T0YAmMQI5wgvfJaOEs=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_9985543252ff0338d441c.jpgGrey Heron on Kingfisher Perch 2 A Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) resting on a Kingfisher perch at Fenn Hide Scrape, Strumpshaw, England. The image shows off some of its typical characteristics very well. The large feet, long bill and flash of ermine like feathers which adorn its neck and chest. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/splash https://photos.on-this.website/wm/mSOEqfj301NlGDdf3amYN-Kz2g8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_14604961556155cc85eb4fa.jpgSplash A Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) escapes into the sea at Horsey, Norfolk. As the wave hits the seal’s body it explodes into froth and foam. I used a fast shutter speed of 1/2500 sec to freeze the impact of the water as the Seal turns to leave. A split second later and it was gone. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/crown-of-thorns https://photos.on-this.website/wm/DfFE9OkhQVM8uIxnuqLdtcKj6GY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1688493188653297eab6b4e.jpgCrown of Thorns This Red Deer Stag has adorned his antlers with thorns and bracken, in an attempt to make himself look larger and more dominant, as he tastes the air for Hinds who are ready to copulate. He was already the most dominant male in Richmond Park with the biggest harem of females but I guess he didn’t want to lose his crown. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/playing-in-the-surf https://photos.on-this.website/wm/0kaJJrnyCW7yx7yi_bwrZbSg7To=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_8913825855cbf2bbc7d096.jpgPlaying in the Surf A pair of Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus) play in the surf at Horsey, Norfolk. I converted to black and white as it suited the subject matter and the dull weather conditions. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/3-amplexus https://photos.on-this.website/wm/wCwc1lFBFczXUTGYUNfA_dVU0Rc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_127001572050b9af6acfb0e.jpg3 Amplexus Category Winner BWPA 2010 - British Seasons Common Frogs (Rana temporaria) embrace at Vinegar Pond, Mousehold Heath, Norwich, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/grey-heron-on-kingfisher-perch https://photos.on-this.website/wm/qyE4eByoZ-dWuvFYRYv4-YEwKZA=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_57066384552ff03335e8fe.jpgGrey Heron on Kingfisher Perch 1 A Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) resting on a kingfisher perch at Fenn Hide Scrape, Strumpshaw, England. It's monotone plumage contrasting with the rich greens and browns of the reeds in early morning light. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo20302837.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/P0khQvbMctYoJVkn67fIdARMRGI=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_172469052152ee4038399ae.jpgChalk-hill Blue on Grass Chalk-hill blue (Polyommatus coridon) on grass head Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/battle-scars https://photos.on-this.website/wm/u_YR345fxhTgNU2z-_HIGGMtFL0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_873671735b239d2b7e18b.jpgBattle Scars A young Grey Seal Bull (Halichoerus grypus) bloody and exhausted takes a breather from the endless round of battles at Winterton Beach, Norfolk. I waited until he looked up to survey his territory and to make sure he wasn’t attracting the attention of another rival bull. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/bedraggled-herring-gull https://photos.on-this.website/wm/YSkr1xfJBiXyKBwjWQ0c4QThIIs=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_14203638525e3694f80945b.jpgBedraggled Herring Gull A bedraggled Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) reflected in the still waters of Whitlingham, Great Broad, Norwich. I converted to black and white as it suited the mood and look of the Gull. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo20377080.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/fK-349l9pafI02KwMAvfAIA4J4o=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_171122612552ff033e118d9.jpgGrey Heron on Kingfisher Perch 3 A Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) resting on a Kingfisher perch at Fenn Hide Scrape, Strumpshaw, England. The image reveals the birds environment which in this case consists of mainly reed beds and water. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/harem https://photos.on-this.website/wm/pazThjqyxUV94b-puumd-YRZy8g=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_22902950252b3eacd07f1c.jpgHarem Plains or Common Zebras (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) on the banks of Lake Bogoria, Kenya. The male stands guard over his harem who continue to graze, rumps in the air and tails swishing from side to side oblivious to my prescence. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/egyptian-gosling-portrait https://photos.on-this.website/wm/VwuOsiAZe-f52O0oNpvMarKihgI=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_466501248536a76f5e6050.jpgEgyptian Gosling Portrait A pair of Egyptian Goslings (Alopochen aegyptiacus) on the shore of the Great Broad, Whittlingham, Norwich, England. They haven’t been out of their eggs for long and still have their egg teeth and downy feathers. The focus of the image is their eyes which absorb their surroundings and reveal their curiosity for the new world into which they have been born. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/spot-billed-pelican https://photos.on-this.website/wm/r5uxXadUl5p05ZWhB3z7qQK-dvY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_145702465052ca5795ad2d4.jpgSpot Billed Pelican A Grey or Spot Billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) perched on a fallen tree on the flooded shores of Lake Navasha, Kenya. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/life-on-a-ledge https://photos.on-this.website/wm/VeRFP1M4IVTZrZsfOequmLU-kO8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1608516535565622e8364f.jpgLife on a Ledge A small group of Guillemots (Uria aalge) perched on a ledge at Skokholm Island, South West Wales. I was able to get a different perspective by taking the image from the cliff top and reveal the precarious nature of their habitat. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/procession-of-lesser-flamingo https://photos.on-this.website/wm/DWxWtJp-zSNqmnQbOwF3RUifHrE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_145456476152b2a0f8510cc.jpgProcession of Lesser Flamingo A procession of Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor) preening and stretching in the shallow waters of Lake Bogoria. This is one of a group of saline alkaline lakes, within Kenya's Great Rift Valley, which provides a temporary home to these beautiful birds. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/barn-owl-with-field-vole https://photos.on-this.website/wm/Df_6WVSn4-jiFctnwqRvzzVM8Ow=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1118842848649fe3450d0f8.jpgBarn Owl with Field Vole I saw this Barn Owl quartering the field when it suddenly dived towards the ground and disappeared into the long meadow grasses. I remained focussed on the spot where it had last been seen hoping that the Owl would reappear with prey and luckily it did. However, as it took off from the grass its wings were high so in the first image the wings shot out of the top of the frame. The second image wasn’t much better as the Owls wings were in a forward position and completely obscured its face. This is the third image of the series when everything came together to reveal the Owls face, the Field Vole in its mouth and the beautiful patterns of its wings. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/the-stubble-stag https://photos.on-this.website/wm/ACxnThNdghgLY50OWWpfb1S_IZM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_197292826155b4e99bea4bd.jpgThe Stubble Stag A Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) in a stubble field at Stiffkey, North Norfolk, England. The furrows, between the stubble, act as thoroughfares and provide a convenient route across the field. Sometimes, when seen at a distance, perspective can trick the eye into thinking they are deer. Hence the name Stubble Stag one of its many local nicknames. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mating-ball https://photos.on-this.website/wm/Bo3oYBmFkWthGEOx9HIUdMYG4KI=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_7980439850bb19fdb105f.jpgMating Ball Common frogs (Rana temporaria) in a mating ball during the annual Spring frenzy at Vinegar Pond, Mousehold Heath, Norwich, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/simba-4 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/QRje4MHHnrp6GaF34C5Z-44SAVI=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_174083431352cc6a22eb295.jpgSimba 4 A male Lion (Panthera leo) rests amongst the grasses in the Maasai Mara, Kenya. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/dream-puffin https://photos.on-this.website/wm/ZzueyPLqQ0Uwv--ql9qmnDaYsBk=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_362470554556561211719f.jpgDream Puffin An Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) emerges from its burrow and cautiously peers through a gap in the grass at Crab Bay on Skokholm Island, West Wales. Using a shallow depth of field I managed to blur the soft red and green maritime grass, which frame the Puffin, and create a painterly effect. A dream puffin on an Island of Dreams! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/puffin-with-nesting-material https://photos.on-this.website/wm/poWfnpF3JMF7YeJziri5c_C62Wo=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_4059294335465a5b37d052.jpgPuffin with Nesting Material An Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) on Skokholm Island looks a little embarassed by its poor excuse for nesting material. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/alien-eyes https://photos.on-this.website/wm/frqZ0jzGokdxrzxgXt8CYNepMXs=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_64795195150bb193e13965.jpgAlien Eyes Albino Common Frog (Rana temporaria) peering out of the murky water of Vinegar Pond, Mousehold, Norwich, England. The light was dull which has added to the eerie appearance this rare creature and enhanced the intensity of its alien red and gold eyes. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/put-em-up https://photos.on-this.website/wm/9W6bebsUo312uO5al2RThA-IG9E=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_75343018552bc28686d4e2.jpgPut Em Up This Female Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) was stretching and flexing its muscles on the beach at Winterton, Norfolk, England. It was striking lots of interesting poses. In this one it looks like a boxer; its left paw raised in order to jab and its right paw to deliver a powerful uppercut challenging the viewer to a fight. Put 'em up! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/headbutt https://photos.on-this.website/wm/S1sVIvsCVSceVSmkk24iTSmrcVc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_2956616775cc067c6b139b.jpgHeadbutt Following a fight between two Fallow Deer bucks (Dama dama) the victor chases off its rival determined to make it’s point felt. The points of its antlers that is! Luckily for the escaping buck it managed to avoid this indignity. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/amplexus https://photos.on-this.website/wm/T3dmh3pveffUAX28Yp9YMdnmOYU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_113090375852f7aeb47af0c.jpgAmplexus Common Frogs (Rana temporaria) in amplexus at Vinegar Pond, Mousehold Heath, Norwich, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/black-swan-reflection https://photos.on-this.website/wm/Bq7VSSw8j7pAj4dN5VFWR0jhBdc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_88606851059be8b3d8f8c4.jpgBlack Swan Reflection A Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) reflected in a scrape at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. I exposed for the dark feathers of the Swan to create a bright background of water. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/bellowing-in-the-rain https://photos.on-this.website/wm/8Ul4gBQ1MVlgBi7Y5UMfZRhaaz0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_9186079495e4960d6b0685.jpgBellowing in the Rain A Red Deer Stag (Cervus elaphus) bellows in Richmond Park, London to proclaim its territory and assert its position over its harem. At the same time it started to rain which helped add atmosphere and drama to the image. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo20302827.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/2Nk9J2uSLk-ORhbKFgI_TEW-cjw=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_14302756452ee3fef7ca23.jpgA Couple of Chalk-hill Blues A pair of Chalk-hill blues (Polyommatus coridon) warming up in the early morning in Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo24264390.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/kkumw7zNJhK8QfxNrLSpx8Znn0M=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_82182635555589d4f263a5.jpgEgyptian Gosling Portrait An Egyptian Gosling (Alopochen aegyptiacus) at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich, England. I converted to black and white to highlight its immature feathers which look threadbare and ragged. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/tagliatelle-verdi https://photos.on-this.website/wm/K5RMObdPPg5JdA0aS5DVoLRzHy4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1602584307516cecb1637a5.jpgTagliatelle Verdi Common Frog (Rana temporaria) at Vinegar Pond, Mousehold, Norwich, England wrapped in a strand of pond weed like Tagliatelle Verdi. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/moorhen-silhouette https://photos.on-this.website/wm/od-dSe_qcO46CsNnjJRoE5dIrFo=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_89703181450bb1a129d4dd.jpgMoorhen Silhouette Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) running across the surface of Whittlingham Broad, Norwich, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/long-tailed-tit https://photos.on-this.website/wm/hCG-y95pmRSysFMGA56-k1a-JcY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_2352215065934f93dcd343.jpgLong Tailed Tit A Long Tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus) poses on a perch in a rare moment of inactivity for these busy little birds. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/bull-seal https://photos.on-this.website/wm/i4XLSUKspt2deZ5ioa0qrMvODk8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1249215811647c322c3658f.jpgBull Seal A Bull Seal emerges from the surf roaring at a rival who had encroached on his territory and revealing a formidable set of teeth. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/atlantic-puffin https://photos.on-this.website/wm/j_QanUCXFBvmkw5NmLgtqo3jO_M=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_56337155454630b0c78612.jpgAtlantic Puffin An Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) comes in to land on Skokholm Island, South West Wales. With curved wings, splayed tail and oustretched feet it uses its whole body as a brake to slow down its approach. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo27635771.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/OA--qeGPqfFRVrliUbDAevGARYM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_359503702574ad57422e59.jpgYawning Gull A yawning gull heads up a gang of Black Headed Gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) perched together on a dull and misty morning at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich, England. Converting to black and white seemed to suit the subject matter and atmosphere. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/all-puffed-up https://photos.on-this.website/wm/DqVen-_5HRQfUcB5rRCcG9ebYQY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_2020138110647c1c8f16692.jpgAll Puffed Up During the breeding season securing a prime location for nest building is vital and this generates a lot of territorial disputes between Great Crested Grebes. In this image the Grebe has puffed up it’s feathers to make itself look bigger to deter rivals who want to encroach on its patch. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/herring-gull-chess-board https://photos.on-this.website/wm/Zq2K8hNEM1s-kKkFyga-Rjr5qmM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_167709255054d39b2f6d7ef.jpgHerring Gull Chess Board A Gerring Gull (Larus argentatus) on granite chess board. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/territorial-dispute https://photos.on-this.website/wm/jUP6Zwh8b5SvR-Ow2OgcXuIsIHQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1186023659647c0e082bf7f.jpgTerritorial Dispute A female Grey Seal makes her feelings clear when a Common Seal strayed too close to her and her pup. It wasn’t long before the smaller Seal beat a hasty retreat towards the Sea. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/flamingo-marionette https://photos.on-this.website/wm/mKNd-nHZJs6eTeToJMuYgzEhD4w=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_17101736052c7aa8a7d89b.jpgFlamingo Marionette During my visit to Kenya in October/November 2013 the lakes of the Great Rift Valley had flooded. Lake Bogoria was no exception; the tarmac road, that ran the length of the shore, was sumberged and the trees that had grown on the banks rose like Mangroves from the lake. These new and unexpected obstacles had caught some Flamiongoes by surprise as they took off and came in to land. This image shows a Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor) which hangs limp and lifeless like a discarded marionette barbed in the thorns of a tree. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/common-frog-portrait https://photos.on-this.website/wm/L4HU7erX-0XJ-XMbgs4xTJjnxAw=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_39145376852f7aebff35c7.jpgCommon Frog Portrait Common Frog (Rana temporaria) at Vinegar Pond, Mousehold Heath, Norwich, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/egyptian-goose https://photos.on-this.website/wm/fuYjwOJIIoD3L3TBJXvm5SL_HZc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_210975099250bb19b551e05.jpgEgyptian Goose Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich, Norfolk, England. It hisses agressively as it comes under attack from a rival Goose. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mute-swan-on-parade https://photos.on-this.website/wm/A61CTbHWpYvZW-9hbQqZMnhPGjQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_66712232854b3720a4d778.jpgMute Swan on Parade A male Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) bathes on the Great Broad, at Whittlingham in Norwich. It threw some fantastic body shapes but this one was one of my favourites. Its chest pushed out to bursting point with an explosion of water droplets. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/grey-seal-pup-monochrome https://photos.on-this.website/wm/84l9UlUnQP3QtxAWFQzDOdOzuFc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_197312002350bb19e3ae41a.jpgGrey Seal Pup Monochrome Grey Seal Pup (Halichoerus grypus) posing at Horsey, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/chalk-hill-sunrise https://photos.on-this.website/wm/GqT-FhyR-LKTdPb8WdcwgUat3bk=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_67598693555cc2be209baa.jpgChalk Hill Sunrise A Chalk Hill Blue butterfly (Polyommatus coridon) rests on Scabious as the sun rises at Warham, Norfolk, England. I shot into the light to create a silhouette highlighting the shape of the seed head which resembled the sun.The orange sky provided a striking contrast to the silhouette as the cold butterfly started to warm up in the first rays of morning light. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/call-of-the-wild https://photos.on-this.website/wm/VQyjQFLFBrQOdlUhEjhuTZmCfrc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_21218546765aca20e099c63.jpgCall of the Wild A Red Deer Stag (Cervus elaphus) roars amongst the grasses in Richmond Park, London. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/frogs-and-spawn https://photos.on-this.website/wm/wtsJzE1NhD5zhveVxIsFLV-bAms=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_156990117852f7aec5cbaba.jpgFrogs and Spawn Common Frogs (Rana temporaria) at Vinegar Pond on Mousehold Heath, Norwich, England. This is a natural rain filled pond which has suffered in recent years from leakage. As frogs always return to their place of birth to spawn this has caused many tadpoles to die as the pond has reduced to no more than a puddle. In response a clay like substance has been used to line the bottom and it is this that gives the water a tinge of Salmon colour.The frogs are in amplexus, the frog embrace, as the male fertlises the females eggs. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/pebble-dashed-seal https://photos.on-this.website/wm/lAHzoQSrL8JDJgZ5Pm_Fkd0Q4Uk=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_23564555050bb1a38cf384.jpgPebble Dashed Seal Young Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) at Horsey, Norfolk England looking very relaxed after a sleep on the beach. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/silver-studded-blue-on-wild https://photos.on-this.website/wm/Ls5yXS7WvPJ-O8UY91Q--rfXTxE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1361249486521b80da37de8.jpgSilver Studded Blue on Wild Honeysuckle Male Silver Studded Blue (Plebejus argus) on Wild Honeysuckle. The image was shot against the shadows of the wood behind. The butterfly and honeysuckle were correctly exposed to throw the shadow area into a black background. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/oltome-huge https://photos.on-this.website/wm/pedkwDpGyWVqRYN5YVQMLgI1gCc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_151428136552aebacd6b35f.jpgOltome - huge Oltome, meaning huge, is the Maasai name for the African Elephant (Loxodonta africana.) This abstract image was the result of a very close encounter with an adult female. The rest of her family group were happily grazing and drinking water, all around our vehicle, whilst she kept a suspicious eye on us. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/kingfisher-4 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/ZAM1Cg0--hDplRRW3uEufC3A6EQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1823237373515845d0214ce.jpgKingfisher 4 King Fisher (Alcedo atthis) on perch at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/damoiselle https://photos.on-this.website/wm/Hremp_Krmji0vOr1QjXqC71F_bk=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_171432191650b9af8ec9a69.jpgDamoiselle Shortlisted BWPA 2009 - Hidden Britain Category A Female Banded Damoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) on the bank of the River Tas, Caistor St Edmund, Norwich, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/robin-on-winter-flowering-cherry https://photos.on-this.website/wm/OZVCW-FTue45SvGCAQ8nNzZHFG0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_21312228015a9b9bb8b4ad3.jpgRobin on Winter Flowering Cherry A Robin (Erithacus rubecula) poses on a branch of Winter Flowering Cherry at Postwick, Norfolk. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/sunrise-goose-3 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/K_D1dhY-THq0h299CCoFl6WK7rs=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_58631171851174ffdc0182.jpgSunrise Goose 3 A Greylag Goose (Anser anser) exercising its wings as the relection of the rising sun falls across the misty scrape. The image was captured at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/long-tailed-tit-amongst-winter https://photos.on-this.website/wm/zj5g3uLYIL6vgHq4nKKhCKv6kRk=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_9222886315a9b9c3431179.jpgLong-tailed Tit amongst Winter Blossom A Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus) perched amongst the Winter Flowering Cherry blossom at Postwick, Norwich. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/sore-paws https://photos.on-this.website/wm/5ZYAbwLCdw5CeLP_vycnG2aF0FY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_15420853866267ac53cb78.jpgSore Paws The Brown Hare is the fastest land mammal in the UK and can run at speeds of 40 mph. I’m not sure why it stopped to lick its front paw but I can only imagine that constantly running over rough terrain its feet must need regular care and attention. I converted to black and white to emphasise the texture of its fur and the harsh surface of the stone road on which it had been running. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/bearded-tit-feeding-on-reed https://photos.on-this.website/wm/yJuJuDeJXbkiDRF67maaTu0RvYM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_2001239350b9af74cb94c.jpgBearded Tit Feeding on Reed Shortlisted & Published BWPA 2012 - Habitat Category Male Bearded Tit (Panurus biarmicus) feeding on a reed head at RSPB Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. The reed bed is not looking at its finest but it is providing vital food for this beautiful little Reedling. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo25193384.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/2eHvdgBHmb1mJeUVmOtLE8n0oMw=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_210564450555c8934600719.jpgChalk Hill Blue on Scabious Seed Head A Chalk Hill Blue butterfly (Polyommatus coridon) cold and covered in dewdrops at Warham, Norfolk, England. The colours on it wings are complimented by the warm yellow of Ragwort flowers. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/atlantic-puffin-amongst-sea-campion https://photos.on-this.website/wm/s2rIQ2DfykIVLJ5O1-PkAOid-U0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_72339256850bb1943f0ae6.jpgAtlantic Puffin amongst Sea Campion Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) sheltering from the marauding Seagulls amongst the Sea Campion (Silene maritima) on the Inner Farne Islands, Northumbria, England. Tsanctuary from marauding Gulls attempting to steal its food. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/dandelion-clock https://photos.on-this.website/wm/LK_DTCDKwOxw24ILPyjw9LXsK2U=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1386261193594e55b6677ae.jpgDandelion Clock Some seeds are about to take flight from a Dandelion Clock (Taraxacum officinale) transported by the wind to start a new colony. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/4-mute-swan-courtship https://photos.on-this.website/wm/Imhcojcgcw8FYF23gWFZHjhRF4o=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1219556350bb193484b9f.jpg4 Mute Swan Courtship Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) at Whittlingham Great Broad, Norwich, England. This shows the most beautiful part of the courtship ritual where both swans rise up as one as if dancing cheek to cheek. Their chests and heads pressed close together to form a love heart shape in the space between them. This is the final image of a series of four. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/marabou-stork-scavenging https://photos.on-this.website/wm/52RJy097kZeQ3MrGu0l8GDTZ4A8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_72803500552e6012283350.jpgMarabou Stork Scavenging A Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus), in the Maasai Mara, Kenya, eyes up the remains of a Wildebeest in the aftermath of a lions kill. It approaches the carrion with caution as the Lions were still near by. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo51012595.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/IqCQKK6en8Z7b7oXLX480si58Dw=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_564470513663a56d8441bf.jpgThe Splits A male Bearded Tit doing the splits. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mother-and-child https://photos.on-this.website/wm/4PM64c4FJXgHmmxVtGWrASo-HnI=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_163578524562ab41d5a0764.jpgMother and Child A Mute Swan Cygnet (Cygnus olor) swims close by its mother’s side at Whitlingham Country Park, Norwich. Its hard to believe that it will grow up to be one of the UKs largest water birds. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/seal-and-surf https://photos.on-this.website/wm/g-PcV5NNjKnLXzE5Ow_unniVr_0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_245470365496e6d78fcde.jpgSeal and Surf A Grey Seal Cow (Halichoerus grypus) in the surf at Winterton Beach, Norfolk, England. The image was captured before sunrise with a slow shutter speed to show the fluid movement of the waves. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/grey-seal-in-winter-dunes https://photos.on-this.website/wm/sPNlxPIjJU6qZdMygaA4ByJ6Saw=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_207692418350b9af96c5555.jpgGrey Seal in Winter Dunes 1 Shortlisted BWPA 2011 - British Seasons Category Female Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) in the sand dunes and Marram Grass at Horsey, Norfolk, England. This is the first image in a series of four. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/test-of-strength https://photos.on-this.website/wm/ClX7oaM9tuhcjxG-Cvb1nPf7edg=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_12258598752e4b5df700c7.jpgTest of Strength A male Impala (Aepyceros melampus) is challenged by a rival in a test of strength. The victor will take over the herd of females and the loser will leave to join a bachelor herd. You can almost feel the tension as they are about to lock horns! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/heart-to-heart https://photos.on-this.website/wm/J6S7Sbdga1lwrDEG3kiN7iY5se0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1361419052b3eb0acb6af.jpgHeart to Heart Male and female Lions (Panthera leo) cuddle each other, in the Maasai Mara, as part of their courtship ritual. They are lying chest to chest and to my imagination appear to be listening to each others beating hearts. They look extremely content. Shortly after this the female walked off, followed by the male, and they mated. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/misty-mute-swan https://photos.on-this.website/wm/V6wagXULzsxLzDN5D7jKSVv17KI=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_81377357750b9afbcc2d24.jpgMisty Mute Swan Shortlisted BWPA 2012 - Portraits Category Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) on a misty morning at Fen Hide, RSPB Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. The Swan has reached the end of a series of violent wing movements and looks like it is paying homage to the rising sun. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/metallurgy https://photos.on-this.website/wm/bBl-FfCF0KMOK-kEjBAUeEc9eUg=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_20220703885cc06d96ee189.jpgMetallurgy A Common Frog (Rana temporaria) at Vinegar Pond, Mousehold Heath, Norwich. The diffused side lighting and low angle of view has turned the water to mercury, the frog to bronze and the spawn to steel ball bearings. I converted to black and white to emphasise the metallic quality of the image. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/chalk-hill-blue-on-seed https://photos.on-this.website/wm/Sw9_YHVwwM4dLiTMS-PDNXXi9Kc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_45668583574ad4eba5990.jpgChalk-hill Blue on Seed Head A Chalk-hill Blue butterfly (Polyommatus coridon) rests on a dewdrop covered seed head at Warham, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mute-swan-in-the-mist https://photos.on-this.website/wm/1rZLS7PZik17vQDxRrW9lhsLk-4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_4564665115ad9eb70dfaac.jpgMute Swan in the Mist A Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) peers backwards as it glides away into the mist on Whitlingham Lake, Norwich, England. I converted to black and white and increased the contrast to reveal the structure of the feathers. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/yawning-gull https://photos.on-this.website/wm/3OyHJO-T0dzy9EbHGy_E90UtFG4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_177278981555656381ece15.jpgYawning Gull A Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ribibundus) balances on a slippery railing at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich, England. It yawns unimpressed that it’s having its picture taken! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/swallowtail-caterpillar-feeding-on-milk https://photos.on-this.website/wm/5_SSURmSZiHnrglbBvcrhX-f42A=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_78244333852f65b6e32cbb.jpgSwallowtail Caterpillar feeding on Milk Parsley A Swallowtail Butterfly Caterpillar (Papilio machaon) feeding on Milk Parsley at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mute-swan-bathing-2 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/AmyfkPCzlgACjngGLCRhrHWHji8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_213299999154572f2ba3cef.jpgMute Swan Bathing 2 A Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) takes its morning bath at Whittlingham Country Park, Norwich, England. I love the explosion of splashes and the joyous look on the Swans face. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/puffin-lookout https://photos.on-this.website/wm/UW2sVyW9pFQKNsVNFq-W_yZfqss=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_19703000335464ee5b1ea60.jpgPuffin Lookout An Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) looks out to sea, from its vantage point, on the lichen encrusted rocks of Skokholm Island, South Wales. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/grebe-chick https://photos.on-this.website/wm/YajwkSmfwtjAdRvOwdAUoZIVzOo=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_18744102659a41aefba93c.jpgGrebe Chick A Grebe chick (Podiceps cristatus) waiting for its parent to return with fish at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/duckling-reflection-on-flag-iris https://photos.on-this.website/wm/rfu10zdpQ_jH9owZko4Atux__KQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_18368833425934f9036e28a.jpgDuckling Reflection on Flag Iris A Mallard Duckling (Anas platyrhynchos) goes about its busy lifestyle at the lake. Along the shores of the lake Flag Iris had just come into flower and provides a colourful green and yellow reflection which really adds to the feeling of Spring. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/simba-5 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/jnG-mEOli11qxGSBp7pfHP6BuWk=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_139448244252cc6a4eadbb3.jpgSimba 5 A male Lion (Panthera leo) rises from his rest amongst the grasses in the Maasai Mara, Kenya. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/simba-1 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/9zZISDvYVwYTONb_J7yGeFA2NoU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_5513647752c27e6eb453f.jpgSimba 1 A male Lion (Panthera leo) replete after his large breakfast of Zebra. The lioness has caught the prey but the male always eats first. He guards the remains from the attention of scavengers like the Golden Jackel and Vultures. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo24380118.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/JmLBtYCuUpJCGLo3zlymQr81Oj8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_6971521955644bb16e250.jpgPreening Swan A Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) preens itself on Whittlingham Lake, Norwich, England. I converted to black and white to focus attention on Swans feathers and those floating away from the bird. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/turnstone-bathing https://photos.on-this.website/wm/ifeTt-i_oLDRr2Aty6VntTawl64=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_2047085248518c8c1893e73.jpgTurnstone Bathing A Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) washing in a muddy puddle on the car park at Salthouse, North Norfolk, England. This was one of a number of Turnstones at this location that have become so used to human activity they will happily go about their normal routine in the presence of people. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo21722414.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/qDzMACTxdPxGXu8B6GtOtLexDVg=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_94597681753be2b1ff10eb.jpgWarming Up A female Banded Damoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) warming up at Venta Icenorum, Caistor St Edmund, Norfolk at sunrise. I took this image backlit against the golden sky to emphasise the form of the insect and the beauty of its transparent wings. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/african-spoonbill https://photos.on-this.website/wm/oWrRRyp2i9zYc75Atz0hZSGu9SA=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_198108956452d635c559cfd.jpgAfrican Spoonbill An African Spoonbill (Platalea alba) balances on one leg on a fallen tree on the flooded shore of Lake Navasha. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/heavenly-swan https://photos.on-this.website/wm/X5v_hwRfDLjkYee16qEyI5Gbi8U=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_63720614557c4b959cd6f.jpgHeavenly Swan An angelic Male Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) emerges from the mist at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich, England. The mist and low cloud diffused the light and made this ethereal looking image possible. The Swan was backlit so I applied some positive exposure compensation to ensure the highlights retained detail. If Mute Swans go to heaven they must look like this! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/gray-lag-goose-at-dawn https://photos.on-this.website/wm/5ro3T-jL_oPU0aDAGkkyeRID_Wc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_182396343752490ec8ddc1d.jpgGray Lag Goose at Dawn Graylag Goose (Anser anser) at Tower Scrape, Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. The water has turned to molten gold as the sun rises above the horizon. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo19594891.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/wDDUh9wu0JSZhpy7Y9o6FT2TEQ8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_28393188352616ae9a5e6b.jpgSilver Studded Blue on Wild Honeysuckle 4 Male Silver Studded Blue (Plebejus argus) on Wild Honeysuckle. The image was shot against the shadows of the wood behind. The butterfly and honeysuckle were correctly exposed to throw the shadow area into a black background. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/party-crasher https://photos.on-this.website/wm/zq8LmWGw39ShnI3PnIA4YLHvQbg=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_16437767155496e60b655e9.jpgParty Crasher A bull Grey Seal (Halychoerus grypus) dives on top of a pair of mating seals before being engulfed in the surf at Winterton, Norfolk, England. You can just see the other bull peering out at his rival. The female is buried under the party crasher and the crashing waves. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/avocet-at-sunrise https://photos.on-this.website/wm/lGra5PjEchuDca-6bFUY04YovdQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_161486910150d40deddfa60.jpgAvocet at Sunrise Adult Avocet (Recurvirostra acocetta) surveying its territory at Sunrise. The image was taken from Daukes Hide at Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Reserve at Cley, North Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/swallow-in-flight https://photos.on-this.website/wm/WFc5EIN6rsKF9d6ykMDnuqyvEdQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1491445630663a56a8825d3.jpgSwallow in Flight Getting a sharp image of a Swallow in flight is a challenge as they are fast and erratic flyers. Even with 1/4000 sec shutter speeds and shooting at 20 frames per second luck needs to be on your side. With practice I’m sure that my technique will improve and I’ll capture some more interesting shots. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/silver-studded-blue-on-yellow https://photos.on-this.website/wm/zfLiJyzfLuk2rJNTHJTfOBXDJb8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_203051259052616afdf028c.jpgSilver Studded Blue on Yellow Bracken Male Silver Studded Blue (Plebejus argus) on Yellow Bracken https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/tai-chi https://photos.on-this.website/wm/rr6h4RY7-x5a7HhsyUZaJn34VpU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_210638059050d40e417d862.jpgTai Chi A little Egret (Egretta garzetta) lands with delicate accuracy in the scrape in front of Dourkes Hide at Norfolk Wildlife Trusts Cley Reserve, Norfolk, England. With great stealth it silently moves through the water with the grace of a Tai Chi master. The soft light of sunrise backlightis its wings and illuminates its pristine white feathers with a golden glow. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/young-buck https://photos.on-this.website/wm/B8LTM6ukuoQZ2edVLrLSlkaKEh4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_4764915366529612ec2085.jpgYoung Buck Young Fallow Deer Buck resting in the golden grass at Bushy Park, Richmond upon Thames, London. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/ancient-toad https://photos.on-this.website/wm/9xH7nfZo_H73Wc3CDqj56ATT2Po=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_360109077518c8bf8e4c03.jpgAncient Toad A Common Toad (Bufo bufo) at Stiffkey, Norfolk, England. It looks ancient and decrepid sqinting its eye and appears to be straining to hear by using its foot as an ear trumpet. I captured the shot using a macro lens, tripod and remote shutter release. I used spot metering to correctly expose the toad and underexpose the background shadow. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/crossing-the-line https://photos.on-this.website/wm/clFfX7-Cu9P9hFjg5pk0_TfoXsc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_101283305751480ac4a609c.jpgCrossing the Line A Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) at Little Broad, Whittlingham Lakes, Norwich, England silhouetted against the reflection of the setting sun. Its about to cross the line of intense golden rays into the darker copper coloured water beyond and will soon blend in perfectly with the darkness that is about to fall. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/banded-damoiselle-on-teasel-leaf https://photos.on-this.website/wm/LD21LSLQrR5wlta11gLxyXRuduY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_58955580750bb1952cc7b7.jpgBanded Damoiselle on Teasel Leaf Female Banded Damoiselle (Calopteryx slendens) on Teasel Leaf by the bank of the River Tas, Caistor St Edmund, Norfolk, England. First light is the best time to photograph these beautiful creatures when they are covered in dew and are too cold to fly. Shortly after this image was taken the temperature rose and this and other Damoiselles took to the wing. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/chalk-hill-blue-on-scabious https://photos.on-this.website/wm/-IX6wiWTVQ5sPINlxQGd9MvfxPo=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_101085944255657a98d0a4a.jpgChalk-hill Blue on Scabious A male Chalk-hill Blue (Polyommatus coridon) covered in dew drops rests on a pink Scabious flower in Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/misty-broad-at-dawn https://photos.on-this.website/wm/B3xrdF-CY3OBzZLCZMQGBTZhT8A=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_41470498250bb1a0b00b22.jpgMisty Broad At Dawn Gray Lag Goose (Anser anser) stretching its wings on the Great Broad at Whittlingham Country Park in Norwich, England. A magical mix of mist and golden light. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/grey-seal-foreshore-play https://photos.on-this.website/wm/CBozWLdxS4IDcCN37e9hatp38CM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_11740369250bb19d3ef8fe.jpgGrey Seal Foreshore Play Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus) play in the surf prior to mating. This image was taken at Horsey, Norfolk, England. The male is biting the females neck as he pins her down with his powerful paw. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/the-kiss https://photos.on-this.website/wm/70TG1ablUhKP1ayR1zSknZTv9qo=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1341282586574ad4e281d93.jpgThe Kiss A Grey Seal pup (Halichoerus grypus) kisses its mother at Winterton, Norfolk, England. In reality the pup is probably searching for its mother’s teat because it’s hungry. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo32624142.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/rHbAR71u0d8RBgcbhWf6cQfq2uY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_135158706059a41c8e58ff1.jpgMute Swan Reflection A reflection of a Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) preening at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/joie-de-vivre https://photos.on-this.website/wm/cri7Jt5uleWUSV7XmUHxqwB0edQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1110855908536b30079c700.jpgJoie de Vivre An Egyptian Gosling (Alopochen aegyptiacus) rises up out of the Great Broad at Whittlingham, Norwich, England full of the joys of life and flapping its stubby wings. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/panurus-biarmicus-what-a-mouthful https://photos.on-this.website/wm/rIlQoT6YvwCUyJur8xuQndt0bGg=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_9813033115cbee0c99ca6d.jpgPanurus biarmicus - What a Mouthful I was lucky enough to see Bearded Tits (Panurus biarmicus) at close quarters collecting insects to feed their young at Cley Next the Sea, Norfolk. They expertly flitted from reed to reed collecting a beak full at a time before flying back to their nests. The challenge was capturing a clear shot in low light as they frantically went about their business. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/otter https://photos.on-this.website/wm/GXhXdMuNVGHnlXavykxUZKcqKTU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_119809950758f3518e5ab23.jpgOtter An Otter (Lutra lutra) swimming at Whttlingham Lake, Norwich. It was aware of my presence but as soon as it heard the click of the shutter it dived below the surface and was gone. In post processing I cropped the image, increased exposure and converted to black and white. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/weed-dance https://photos.on-this.website/wm/ze4PH9NolDIxMu1Ru7H7GRbTBa0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_45601613162ab41a24912c.jpgWeed Dance A pair of Great Crested Grebes (Podiceps cristatus) present weed to each other as part of their elaborate courtship display. Both birds dive down into the water and resurface carrying weed in their beaks. They then rush across the surface of the water towards each other. I captured this image at the point where the Grebes rear up out of the water, paddling frantically whist performing their display. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/sleeping-seal https://photos.on-this.website/wm/A0XUyOSFQByUzaenCcS4WXtSjKw=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1470061854518c8c14381d4.jpgSleeping Seal A Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) asleep on the beach at Horsey, Norfolk, England. The ability to close it's nostrils tight shut is useful, on land land as well as in the sea, to keep out unwanted grains of sand. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/fighting-red-deer-stags-website https://photos.on-this.website/wm/T-gQTXqJsGvEeW1dgP8_bjlsEYg=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1907272514670e8c9b50433.jpgFighting Red Deer Stags Website During the rutting season in Richmond Park I saw two of the larger stags parallel walking and eyeing each other up for a fight. Usually, fighting takes place when both animals feel evenly matched in size and strength as the antlers can cause serious injury. Often after a lot of posturing and bellowing they will part company peacefully. However, on this occasion they locked antlers and I was able to capture this image of the fight. Quite quickly the stag on the left emerged victorious chasing the other from its territory with only its pride injured! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/saddle-billed-stork https://photos.on-this.website/wm/kJmeQQzZvjZTATeAYYo5tObmXag=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_29622090552cf94f4cf380.jpgSaddle Billed Stork A Saddle Billed Stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) poses for the camera in the Mara, Kenya. The brown eyes and dangling yellow wattles indicate that this is a male. The female is easily distinguishable by her golden yellow iris. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mute-motion-3 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/zurc0sOr3IkcQyxtgZm2mkDRGiQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_134502702153346c45309d1.jpgMute Motion 3 Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) at Claxton Marshes, Norfolk flying past trees on the bank of the River Yare at Claxton Marshes at dawn. A slow shutter speed was set to enhance movement and create motion blur. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/hunkered-down https://photos.on-this.website/wm/QUPzq6ZSThAmf_0mBFfBab_CbBc=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_440036651574ad567781ce.jpgHunkered Down A young Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) hunkers down to avoid detection at Stiffkey, Norfolk, England. I converted the image to black and white to emphasise the contrast between the stiff vertical stubble and soft horizontal lines of its fur. The camouflage is only broken by its dark eye which peers out from its hiding place alert to potential threats and danger. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/backlit-barn-owl-in-flight https://photos.on-this.website/wm/3-46l-hJbYdc22gBFPIXimGwGL4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_86435599864a03c55512c3.jpgBacklit Barn Owl in Flight I captured this image of a Barn Owl backlit by strong sunlight as it flew out of the deep shadows of the wood. Not the easiest of conditions but one that meant I needed to apply a couple of stops of negative exposure compensation to ensure the Owls light feathers were properly exposed which had the effect of plunging the woods into pitch darkness. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo16871489.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/Y1fOIOYeOj9WfiiPuzpSl2bjkwg=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_61204316250b9afa8039e8.jpgGrey Seal in Winter Dunes 3 Shortlisted BWPA 2011 - British Seasons Category Young Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) in the sand dunes and Marram Grass at Horsey, Norfolk, England. This is the third image in a series of four. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/gladwall-flock https://photos.on-this.website/wm/0kX4YlmmOzBW0KADlHOlzIO3I4Y=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_504251785524b2290e16f7.jpgGladwall Flock Gladwell ducks (Anas strepera) in flight at Tower Scrape, Strumpshaw, England. The image was captured at 1/30 sec to create motion blur and a sense of movement. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mothers-milk https://photos.on-this.website/wm/tpZAGQh1l1kGRzJ6RGvB4cyfgGE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1349622538518c8bfe9da6d.jpgMothers Milk A Grey Seal Pup (Halichoerus grypus) feeds on its mothers milk at Horsey, Norfolk, England. Feeding time is vitally important to the pup as this is its only source of nourishment. I kept as far away as possible to ensure I did not interupt its meal. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/busking-mute-swan https://photos.on-this.website/wm/lgbcHWDlYRJ_D1zEYpgA1tfiY0E=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_78476785662ac277d4bdb1.jpgBusking Mute Swan A male Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) fluffs up its neck feathers and arches its beautiful wings as it powers through the colourful reflections of boating paraphernalia in Whitlingham Great Broad, Norwich. This behaviour is known as busking and is a warning to Swans, and other larger water birds, to keep their distance and exit its territory. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/exhausted-seal-pup-in-sandstorm https://photos.on-this.website/wm/5_mVtRpqqeJ6BnvKv9QGe7tJA9M=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_166699614553fb5c08270da.jpgExhausted Seal Pup in Sandstorm A Common Seal Pup (Phoca vitulina) hauled out on a sand bank at the edge of Blakeney Pit. The pup is lying in line with the wind but facing away from the fine sand which is being viciously propelled across the Stiffkey Flats. The sand has accumulated around the the seals tail and has coated its body. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/the-conductor https://photos.on-this.website/wm/3UsB-_-b3mC7f9hbVajK6wC8dEE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_119405075952b694d73c4f9.jpgThe Conductor A Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor) oversees a mass preening in the shallow waters of Lake Bogoria, the Great Rift Valley, Kenya. Like the conductor of an orchestra he is poised to start but the other Flamingos are not paying any attention. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/chaise-longue https://photos.on-this.website/wm/8UHd9Z5Gi2RQtH4kbixPGHBztVY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1215188873574ad4efcf7c1.jpgChaise Longue A bull Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) recumbent like a chaise longue sprawled out in front of the sea defences at Winterton, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/sandstorm https://photos.on-this.website/wm/oUJHxfloE7DgfMZ4V6CXazTQJR8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_96238112950bb1a6d1efb9.jpgSandstorm Common Seal (Phoca vitulina) hauled out and hunkered down at Blakeney Harbour, Stiffkey, North, Norfolk, England. Imagine that the tail is fanning the sand and creating the sandstorm! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/territorial-crowing https://photos.on-this.website/wm/sn63HhlB4T52zHMascp8tmvWbpw=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_124331896050b9afceedadb.jpgTerritorial Crowing Shortlisted BWPA 2012 - Aninal Behaviour Category Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) at StrunpshawFen, Norfolk, England crowing at dawn to establish his territory. It looks like its parted the clouds as it stretches its neck up to the heavens. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/gathering-moss https://photos.on-this.website/wm/v-JC87PWbi93RmDzltixtH0Gud4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_17521738445167c9585cbed.jpgGathering Moss Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) gathering moss to line its nest at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. Gradually revealing more of the dead wood beneath with each visit. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/deaths-sweet-embrace https://photos.on-this.website/wm/eKOz5-G4v8BuQK-03JwgUTLwRwM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_15449924515b5c485b154c8.jpgDeaths Sweet Embrace A Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is embraced by a Stoat (Mustela erminea) as it lies dead in the road. Just minutes before the rabbit had desperately tried to shake off the persistent attack of the Stoat. As the Stoat sunk its razor-sharp teeth deep into the Rabbits flesh it screamed out its distress like a baby crying out in pain. With a final fatal bite everything fell silent as the Stoat put the rabbit out of its misery and was overcome by death’s sweet embrace. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/backlit-puffin https://photos.on-this.website/wm/Si2Ada9WDlCiKBluY8tA-Kuczvs=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1415527765464ee15121dc.jpgBacklit Puffin An Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) stretching its wings at the edge of a Clover covered cliff on Skokholm Island, South Wales. The backlighting shows off its translucent beak and wing feathers, https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/herring-gull-silhouette-at-morston https://photos.on-this.website/wm/qD08x1T-hH4D0_xjs6psvkqvizM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_191068305750bb19f133830.jpgHerring Gull Silhouette at Morston Quay Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) at Morston Quay, North Norfolk, England. The Gull was defending his territory from other seagulls by screeching as they approached his perch. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/hot-pursuit https://photos.on-this.website/wm/7JIm7bU9Gg5FGOr2bzH3b_qH96w=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_4121162305cc06d89d7cc8.jpgHot Pursuit A Fallow Dear buck (Dama dama) gives chase to a doe during the rutting season who is trying to escape his unwelcome sexual advances. The image shows off the agility and turn of foot of these magnificent mammals as the buck is able to precisely mirror the doe’s movements at each twist and turn of the pursuit. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/new-dawn https://photos.on-this.website/wm/OHxaSvT5QT484fC-sU26GCUUCuM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_9682132575561beae4015f.jpgNew Dawn A Greylag gosling (Anser anser) rim lit by the rising sun at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich, England. By applying 2 stops of negative exposure compensation I ensured that the highlights were correctly exposed. A wide aperture created a pleasing background of diffused foliage and misty light. The challenge was to find a subject isolated from other birds and in the right position to achieve this effect. A new dawn on a Spring day! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/hands-up https://photos.on-this.website/wm/bPQGQk8KkNBmvgSQVRVYhcPd4Ps=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_37737198550b9afb20fe61.jpgHands Up Highly Commended BWPA 2012 - Behaviour Category Common Frogs (Rana temporaria) mating in Vinegar Pond, Mousehold Heath, Norwich, Norfolk, England. The male is the main subject but all that can be seen of the female are the front feet and toes which look like hands held up in an act of surrender. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/grey-heron-on-blue-2 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/drQeZaKC1C47cEtYOVsURxoDHM0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_186920996150d40dfeb39c3.jpgGrey Heron on Blue 2 Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) landing on a scrape at RSPB Strumpshaw Fen opposite Tower Hide. I created the silhouette by underexposing the Heron against the light reflecting off the water. I converted the raw file to a Tungsten colour temperature to create the blue background. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/dewdrop-demoiselle https://photos.on-this.website/wm/okJWKo89CuI2-s6q_pzyC2O1uCY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_4970879255644ac53efca.jpgDewdrop Demoiselle A female Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) at dawn clings to a reed at Caistor St Edmund, Norfolk, England. As a silhouette the image was already simple but by converting to black and white I have reduced it further to its most basic elements to emphasise its delicate lattice work wings and the dew which cover its wings and body. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/play-fighting https://photos.on-this.website/wm/1ve6n22aWdQi40i3YNVK7h1bdlg=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_16142619396479f9e180e8c.jpgPlay Fighting Two young Stags lock antlers in a rehearsal for the big day when they will be competing with rival stags to control a harem of Hinds. For now they will have to stand on the sidelines and grab any opportunity that presents itself to sneak in and mate with a female. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/foreshore-play-2 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/QfdNgslNG7k6uINgnK0kQI76bbg=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_6232021225cc0671f5c193.jpgForeshore Play 2 As a precursor to mating a pair of Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus) wrestle amorously on the foreshore at Horsey, Norfolk, England. With only eyes for each other they are oblivious to the crashing waves and my presence. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/silver-studded-blue-on-pink https://photos.on-this.website/wm/UvJF4v8rw02bEXqp9Xr_-7jrmi0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_34106538152616ac09694c.jpgSilver Studded Blue on Pink Bell Heather Male Silver Studded Blue (Plebejus argus) on pink Bell Heather in the rain before sunrise. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/king-cob https://photos.on-this.website/wm/Xp93P8-XTnihTJ-Cbay2IIbGuFY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1903515275934f924c47c1.jpgKing Cob A male Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) washing in Whittlingham Lake, Norwich shows why he is the alpha male. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/lion-flies https://photos.on-this.website/wm/_wkPgRIeSkqwHr10jXgsFRcVtHU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_193540002152e5f39454391.jpgLion Flies A female Lion (Panthera leo) yawns in the Maasai Mara, Kenya forcing hundreds of flies to take off. However, the respite from their constant irritation was only temporary. As soon as the yawning stopped the flies were drawn back to her face as if magnetised. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/stoat-portrait https://photos.on-this.website/wm/A4Hn7MiCV2OHAuFP0RIEFdc9Uno=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_177510778464b55364a0d29.jpgStoat Portrait I was watching a family of Stoats play fighting when this youngster ran straight towards me leaping and pouncing along the track. It suddenly stopped in its tracks and posed for the camera before running back to its family. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/two-hearts https://photos.on-this.website/wm/PdY3wvLFJxK_VWcelXp92Y5ZbrE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_4360598650bb1a7d0b421.jpgTwo Hearts A pair of Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) sharing an intimate meal of weed at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich, England. Their reflections create two heart shapes which echo the fact that Swans are assocated with love and romance and that they mate for life https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/warming-up https://photos.on-this.website/wm/c2Sj6US4OLd-TXZeZh1D3eGXPEQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_2113632854518c8c1e04dcc.jpgWarming Up Female Damoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) on a Teasel Leaf by the bank of the River Tas, Caistor St Edmund, Norfolk, England. It was early morning and at this time Damoiselles are too cold to fly and often covered in dew. This image shows the Damoiselle hauling itself up onto the leaf with the last dew drops clinging to the hairs on its thorax. It will soon be warm enough to fly. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mute-swan-silhouette https://photos.on-this.website/wm/CYAf_U8lg68O64SEacoxcPPT1y8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_190042529552e9f9a0b71ed.jpgMute Swan Silhouette Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) silhouetted against the golden waters of sunrise at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk England. The Swan gracefully slides into the scene to complete the picture. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo34445837.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/7BkV0GPLYkvXXbkR6tlTuj4ZkZU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_2088513895ac880592337b.jpgGrey Seal Pup A Grey Seal pup (Halichoerus grypus) poses for the camera at Winterton Beach, Norfolk. The pup looks at its most cute and cuddly with a full coat of baby fur (lanugo) I converted to black and white to highlight the texture of its sandy fur which needs to moult before it can swim. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/puffin-landing-3 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/bknC6urOm88TTYjcE9EHSXTzarE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_213052847654630b4822103.jpgPuffin Landing 3 An Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) landing on Skokholm Island, South West Wales. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/water-colour-swans https://photos.on-this.website/wm/l_o4YazSykxNY-d8ERB5-u4t7X4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1061213685557c2d4b7b675.jpgWater Colour Swans Mute Swan mother and cygnet (cygnus olor) at Whittlingham Lake , Norwich, England. I framed the shot in portrait style to capture the reflected colours of the green netting and the red and yellow canoes stacked on the bank. I think it gives the image a painterly effect. In Photoshop I used curves to enhance contrast and increased saturation to make the most of the colours. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/poppy https://photos.on-this.website/wm/UBFGPc8JJA5oaPHQ0B3N8AteFrw=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1597923153575ad3274f5ae.jpgPoppy https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/rim-lit-cygnet https://photos.on-this.website/wm/VxI0ZzGb7qxCIZcxt_coy_Zx1J0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_648807921574ad5788344e.jpgRim-lit Cygnet A Cygnet (Cygnus olor) rim-lit by the early morning light at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich, England. I waited until the Cygnet entered an area of shadow where the light was still illuminating the bird. I crouched down in the lake at an angle to the light to maximise the effect. I underexposed to ensure the highlights were not blown out. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/small-tortoiseshell-on-lavender https://photos.on-this.website/wm/Nbft0F6zA1h6wsmMJIiKE_6p1OM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1436043207594f97eded69a.jpgSmall Tortoiseshell on Lavender A Small Tortoiseshell butterfly (Aglais urticae) feeding in the cool shade of a bed of Lavender. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/cooling-the-blood-2 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/bblfcR9U-oTY_jywAKzdABRV7EA=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_124023489465295471b0828.jpgCooling the Blood 2 Just back from the October Red Deer Rut in Richmond Park! The temperatures were unseasonably high and on the day I captured this image it reached 25 degrees. To escape the heat the Deer sought sanctuary in the shade of the trees and in this case a muddy pond in the woods. This is one of my favourite images from the trip of a Hind cooling herself in the muddy boarders of the pond. A shaft of light pierced through a gap in the tree canopy illuminating the Deer against the shadows and dark brown mud. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/snails-eye-view https://photos.on-this.website/wm/0YnpTNpIFgnkePfhRMe41XEghAE=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_148736493250b9afc576874.jpgSnails Eye View Shortlisted and Published BWPA 2012 Wildlife in my Backyard Category Grove Snail (Cepaea nemoralis) in my backyard garden in Norwich, Norfolk, England. A snail’s eye view of the world that most of us rarely see. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/dreaming-of-pillows https://photos.on-this.website/wm/KaTqHNv8aJtwbRiJVW_qJNos-kY=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_2226885615a5b823bd05a2.jpgDreaming of Pillows A female Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) sleeps resting its head on the hard granite sea defences at Winterton Beach, Norfolk. If only it had a soft pillow but where would it find one of those? https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/great-crested-grebe-with-jack https://photos.on-this.website/wm/ekpCjRbBZ-ZicPuzw7OAMoeQrjU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1697440801647c2669632ac.jpgGreat Crested Grebe with Jack Pike Great Crested Grebe’s are one of my favourite wildlife subjects because of the range of interesting behaviour they exhibit. Usually I see them catching Roach which are sometimes so large I’m amazed they can manage to swallow them. On this occasion I saw it dive at the margins of the lake and emerge with a Jack Pike. After numerous attempts to manoeuvre it into position to swallow it gave up and abandoned its catch. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mute-reflections https://photos.on-this.website/wm/Cc7o98iuCpZj_80HDAuVZZ5lTTI=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_3945062555e9443651809c.jpgMute Reflections A Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) bathes in the soft early morning light as it glides through the reflection of the boat houses of Whitlingham Adventure Centre, Norwich. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/erithacus-rubecula https://photos.on-this.website/wm/-KlM6HnxcT1k0xbir9POCGDsTnU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_120621403851557a28680c1.jpgErithacus Rubecula Robin (Erithacus rubecula) perched on a snow dusted tree stump at Strumspshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/silent-assassin https://photos.on-this.website/wm/XKi7m6EFmPTNaQYsJsIwIWlCcOk=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_45189067865cdcbd4924f5.jpgSilent Assassin A Short Eared Owl silently glides towards me with its eyes firmly fixed on its prey! https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/pheasant-foraging-amongst-fallen-leaves https://photos.on-this.website/wm/f2p_43f_RxwRSNr7fPpFCClSfp0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_36753086550bb1a469ecf2.jpgPheasant foraging amongst Fallen Leaves Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) foraging amongst the fallen leaves at RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/gosling-on-the-run https://photos.on-this.website/wm/onoM40T_lRuS4kbqUfV-xDsF8_I=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_19110278175560278283160.jpgGosling on the Run A Canadian Gosling (Branta canadensis) running across the due covered grass at Whittlingham Lake, Norwich, England. Its exuberant outline is emphasised by the rim lighting and adds to the feeling of joie de vivre. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/a-lizards-tail https://photos.on-this.website/wm/inr2_xi7CvYT73hnKRm34dvtt5E=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_903276163518c8bf1b0ca8.jpgA Lizards Tail A Comon Lizard (Zootoca vivipara) on a boardwalk at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England. If caught by the tail it will snap off at a joint near the base leaving the predator holding just the tail which continues to wriggle after separation. Amazingly, it can grow another which is usually shorter and thicker. This one seems to be contemplating whether or not this is true. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/oystercatcher-at-thornham-harbour https://photos.on-this.website/wm/tvbyzwvs-y0s_1WS4_JZMJBL6m4=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_121311475150bb1a314f1a2.jpgOystercatcher at Thornham Harbour Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) nesting on old stump at Thornham Harbour, North Norfolk, England. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/olaro-strong https://photos.on-this.website/wm/eDIeFx40JEWqu81eYj4BBKRcgFA=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_79229661352aebab1edc31.jpgOlaro - strong Olaro. strong, is the Maasai name for the Cape Buffulo (Syncerus caffer) This large male was peacefully grazing with the rest of the herd. However, you should not be lulled into a false sense of security. They are unpredicatable and can charge for no apparent reason. Despite the muddy horn and vacant expression they are extremely dangerous. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/albino-amplexus https://photos.on-this.website/wm/KZvsLJx-M8qJ6X8BbWqAxIs6OQk=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_5401067050b9af713389f.jpgAlbino Amplexus Shortlisted BWPA 2012 - Animal Behaviour Category A male albino and female Common Frog (Rana temporaria) at Vinegar Pond, Mousehold Heath, Norwich, England. Of the hundreds of frogs that had emerged from the woods to mate this was the only albino. It is holding the female in amplexus, the frog embrace, whilst fertilising the spawn. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/ruppells-vulture https://photos.on-this.website/wm/fgAW5SvMAk4UlJeIqgnTY0CPfrU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_76979908852de162fe1b20.jpgRuppells Vulture Ruppells Vulture (Gyps rueppellii) flies in to join other vultures descending upon the abandoned carcas of an Elan, Maasai Mara, Kenya. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/sedge-warbler-take-off https://photos.on-this.website/wm/i2DJs3qKABcmM-tk_GOh-3Wva-8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1427357394662cc61fbb68e.jpgSedge Warbler Take-Off I spent some time photographing this Sedge Warbler singing to attract a mate in the reed beds at Cley-next-the-Sea, North Norfolk. Every now and again it would fly off to feed, chase off a rival or to carry out a spectacular aerial display. By repeatedly observing this behaviour I was able to anticipate the moment of “take-off” and captured this image at the start of its flight just as it was launching itself from its perch and about to beat down its raised wings. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/cheetah-portrait https://photos.on-this.website/wm/Kx9wqabWhcJ_X8TNMaLSadzdsv8=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_21222155952e52705dd3e3.jpgCheetah Portrait A Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) at Nairobi Safari Walk, Kenya. It was looking longingly at a Thompsons Gazelle in the neighbouring enclosure. Cruelly the Gazelle is its main source of prey in the wild but it is destined never to catch this one. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/demoiselle-sunrise https://photos.on-this.website/wm/H30t4bzmkPCu1uG-tuxubJIJskQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_1957678327556564c98d9fe.jpgDemoiselle Sunrise A female Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) covered in dewdrops at dawn at Caistor St Edmund, Norfolk, England. It looks out at the rising sun which provides the energy it needs to take flight. The silhouette reveals its beautiful latticework wings covered in dewdrops. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/zootoca-vivipara https://photos.on-this.website/wm/87KtJowNarrzCvsZ8sbBsEJ8wjQ=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_12730191450bb1a8a4d421.jpgZootoca Vivipara Common Lizard (Zootoca (Lacerta) vivipara) taking advantage of the conducted heat from a wooden boardwalk, at Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, England, to warm its cold blood. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/turnstone-2 https://photos.on-this.website/wm/JZBOVCdC3cyAkyIWmnzwYpa10a0=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_16959790935302685876fbc.jpgTurnstone 2 A Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) picks its way over the shingle bank at Salthouse, Norfolk, England. Its beak is encrusted with sand and salt from repeatedly turning the pebbles in search of food. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/mute-swan-reflection https://photos.on-this.website/wm/JAS-eG5aEfcbQ1ZRV5s9QVdjQhk=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_50457384536a77789a9d1.jpgMute Swan Reflection A Young Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) waking up on Whittlingham Broad, Norwich, England. The still water was perfect for reflections and the brown juvenile feathers made converting the image to black and white the natural choice. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/frog-and-duck-weed https://photos.on-this.website/wm/1NmdwIeoL6D42bnpzgxJ0kggJFg=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_131087871516ba723cf6d6.jpgFrog and Duck Weed Common Frog (Rana temporaria) at Vinegar Pond, Mousehold, Norwich, England sitting amongst the Duck Weed. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/liquid-gold https://photos.on-this.website/wm/uyIOFng-7jqYarwXCpfp-5yMwLU=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_11743983575af80d98ca4ad.jpgLiquid Gold An Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) pauses from feeding at the edge of a scrape at Cley Next the Sea, Norfolk, England. Shooting into the light I underexposed the scene isolating the scrape from the surrounding mud, creating a silhouette of the Avocet and revealing the golden colour of the early morning sky reflected in the water. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/photo20083617.html https://photos.on-this.website/wm/B5l5LChj3ljqkRtzfzORnNbrJnM=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_114668652252ae022a22848.jpgOvum A Female Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) plunges into a pool left by the retreating tide at Horsey, Norfolk, England. She's built up her reserves of blubber throughout pregnancy to sustain herself and her new born pup. As she reaches the height of her undulations she appears at her most rotund. Her roundnes is empahasised by her symbolic egg shaped reflection just before the image is lost to the splashing water. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/little-egret-preening https://photos.on-this.website/wm/zBpeKcjAXHU3XPnJo6fVFfgWbbA=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_178099486665be1a2337b56.jpgLittle Egret Preening A Little Egret takes a break from fishing to preen the underside of its wing forming this beautiful umbrella like pose reflected in the water. https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/wingspan https://photos.on-this.website/wm/H4bHMbL1o0rraZUbY45b8U_4vWg=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_7598854845aeef6e32a010.jpgWingspan A Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) landing on Whitlingham Lake, Norwich, England. I cropped the image to emphasise the enormous wingspan of these gracious birds which can be as much as 2.4 metres. This is only slightly less than Britain’s largest Raptor the White-Tailed Sea Eagle https://www.jamesyaxleyphotography.co.uk/new-hope https://photos.on-this.website/wm/s1OuD_AttD_b8wUKeG_bgbkby6I=/fwcb/1543057229/18718_2095220395cc0684976854.jpgNew Hope A Grey Seal Pup (Halichoerus grypus) senses its new world at Horsey, Norfolk. Feeling the chilly air with its outstretched flipper and staring in wonder at the cloudy sky. The innocence of new life is a wonderful thing and I love the feeling of hope which this image engenders.