A Day out at Broaks and an Evening Safari

By Pablo | Posted in butterflies, dragonflies, wildflowers, woods
July 4th, 2010

It has been a while since I went to Broaks wood, so I thought I go for the day to see what was about.

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“There’s a an Azure damselfly over there!” said a familiar voice.

“ I know, I’ve seen it”.

“You’re getting good!” said the dragonfly-man.

“I’ve had a good teacher over the years,” I replied.

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The sticks were already put in at angles around the pond, making it easy to focus on the larger four-spotted chasers.

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Of course, there was an abundance of wildflowers around the woods, including these common spotted orchids.

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I’m not sure how this mole met his demise, but it’s not the first time I’ve seen a dead mole in this exact spot.

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It’s the first time I’ve seen a red admiral this year.

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Great willowherb was seen on the side of some the paths.

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Closer to home, I went on an evening safari around the local area. I’ve got some exciting news to tell you soon about this area.

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Freshly cut hay means wildlife like this hare is easier to spot despite him trying to stay hidden by laying his ears down flat.

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On the edges of the seldom used paths, there’s plenty of low lying biting stonecrop.

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Newly hatched burnet moths feed on the scabious (field scabious I think)

Little Owl Pair

I managed to sneak up to about 10 yards to take this shot of two young little owls.

And so ended a great couple of days in the woods and the fields of Essex.

I hope you have a good week ahead.

Pablo's-Psmall

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7 Responses to "A Day out at Broaks and an Evening Safari"

  1. hen says:

    WOW. Stunning pictures Pablo, that owl one is so special though it took my breath away.

    Thanks,
    hen
    x

  2. Badgerman says:

    Love the owls – brilliant picture!

  3. Mungo says:

    Ah! So that’s what it is, an Azure Damselfly. I thought it was a dragonfly. I took a photo of one a week or so ago!

    That is one seriously dead looking mole. Poor thing.

    Hope all is well!

    Mungo

  4. Pablo says:

    Mungo – Beware or confusing it with a common blue. Look for a black mark behind the thorax where the wings connect. A black spot will show you it’s a common blue and a ‘U’-shape will tell you it’s an azure. Even some pic on the internet are wrongly ID’d. All the best, Pablo.

  5. Scrivy says:

    Like the others said who beat me to it A brilliant picture of the owls

  6. Pablo says:

    Thanks, Scrivy

  7. Scrivy says:

    Those Owls are really quite cammoed and blend in well against there back ground – BRILL I would love to see that in the daylight that close

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