An odd day this one: 18th May and a cycle to Saltoun. I didn't stay long but enjoyed getting some in-flight shots of 4-spotted chasers. Something missing though, maybe variety. However, good exercise in two senses, a workout on the bike and good practice with the camera trying to get shots of these dragonflies flying above the ponds. (Any fool can get shots of them sitting on a reed.)
Maybe I was tired. This was the day I bumped before going North to Aberdeenshire and the day after we returned. We had such a good time there it might have been the inevitable comparison. Also the cycle there was hard work. Into a pretty stiff headwind. I am not prepared to say how long it took to cycle the 16miles but the return journey was nearly 20minutes faster and usually I just chug home slowly, a bit broken. However today the wind on my back on the return journey was urging me to pick the pace up and race it. I was wondering how the pace compared to the bus speeds shortly before I overtook the 113 in Tranent and it did not catch me on the long descent to Musselburgh. Which felt like flying. Must have been doing the reverse on the way there for what might be a slowest ever.
I have been trying to be focussed of late - when I approach a project (in this case dragonflies in flight) I will try not to get distracted by orange-tips and newts and tadpoles. No sir, just ignore those cuties and stick to the chosen subject. Okay well maybe a couple of extraneous subjects are allowed, you'd have to be hard-hearted not to be amused by the comical newts or impressed by large swirling circles of tadpoles migrating. (They are not migrating anywhere.)
Okay enough distractions! I padlocked my bike behind the old car-park and walked to the first pond. The weather was okay but not outstanding. I could only see 4-spotters with no sign of hawkers. Can't remember when they appear but the 4-spotters would be enjoying being kings of the ponds until then. Not huge numbers - maybe a handful. They are a helpful dragonfly that likes to stop for a breather so if you can't get flying photos they will oblige by perching on a pondside reed or twig.
I gathered a few sticks from the nearby logging operations and planted them in the shallows at regular intervals round the pond perimeter. There wasn't much immediate up-take. Maybe the chasers need a while for the sticks to bed in before they accept they can use them as perches. I was trying to discern what makes the difference between a good perch that they will return to repeatedly, and the ones they don't use. If I ever find out I'll let you know. Maybe they'll be using my planted perches by next trip.
female ovipositing
a swirl of tadders
impressed the camera focussed on the foreground not the background
I set the camera to a fast shutter speed. Generally between 1/4000 and 1/8000. I was using the 100~400mm lens but all of the flying shots were under 200mm and around the 140mm mark. There wasn't a huge amount of available light which sometimes meant the ISO was above 6000, but I am lucky that my camera doesn't seem to generate to much visible noise at that ISO. Which pleases me no end - there is a tendency to take all this amazing tech for granted but I only have to think of the results I used to get from the bridge camera (especially flight shots) and these photos seem miraculous by comparison.
drone fly having a mud-smoothie
The next issue is focussing on the insect not the background. Which means trying to place the insect in the centre of the frame where the autofocus is looking. In the fractions of a second this is going on I push a button on the front of the camera with my middle finger which pulls the focus back to the nearest thing in the frame which would be the dragonfly and almost instantly I hit the shutter release with index finger. If the shot is successful I keep my finger on the shutter release and shoot several more shots in burst mode, trying to remember the amount of space on my hard drive is finite.
dragonflies will keep their heads still while moving their bodies to change direction in flight (like kestrels)
I spent most time at the little beach on the North side of the first pond. The downside is you are shooting into the sun, the upside, bokeh, reflections and the sun catching the wings of these fascinating creatures. Sometimes I go round to the South side where hawkers and black darters favour a corner, later in the year. Alistair's favourite spot at the far end is pretty much under water although covered in a layer of floating sphagnum tempting you to go home with wet feet. I'm not sure if there an ideal outfit for dragonfly hunts; maybe chest waders although they have to be a bit sweaty for warm Summer days. I wonder if wearing open sandals and running tights you don't mind getting wet would be better. (I have waded into Bluestone Ford like this chasing bandies.) Something to allow you to get in the water. Although last couple of dragonfly ponds I have waded into were horrible soft muddy bottoms and a really good chance of slipping under the water with an armful of expensive (non-waterproof) camera.
one of the best shots today 161mm (then cropped in), f/8, 1/6400sec, ISO 3200,
body changing direction, head still level
slowest flight shot at 1/1600
173mm cropped in, f/6.3 1/5000sec, ISO 3200
I was grateful to this specimen who seemed to work out I wasn't a problem. Not only was it continually landing close to where I was standing, but it would hover on the approach and is probably in several flight photos here. It was keeping an eye on me but not shy and I could easily get to the minimum focus distance when it was perched. No real need to get out the macro lens.
I had a quick look at the other pond but there wasn't anything other than 4-spotters. Rather than take a walk round the usual paths I felt I'd be better just to cycle home. (Had the weather deteriorated?) Not like me but there seemed to be no butterflies about worth any further investigation. Maybe next time. I'll certainly be back soon to see if the hawkers and darters have shown up.
14 ~ 17-05-25 Another trip to Monymusk. Sadly Mary's mum had, not long out of hospital, fallen and cracked her pelvis. She was now back in hospital. Not how she planned spending her 98th year. We cleared a few days and headed in the "new" car up to Aberdeenshire to commiserate and do some hospital visits. Inverurie this time, nice and near. We were staying again with Karen and Andy, Mary's sister and bro-in-law.
wren dawn all day chorus
The big news (other than Margaret's prognosis and recovery) was a pine martin had been seen locally and Andy had put up a trail cam pointed at a feeder on a tree at the end of his garden. He showed us the stills and footage of this almost monkey-like mustelid, the size of a skinny cat with a fluffy tail and allegedy so fierce they will take lambs. There were timestamps on the trail-cam footage and 6.30am seemed to be optimal. Imagine being up at that time and seeing this amazing russet coloured ferret taking food from the feeder. A challenge I rose to!
We got an early-ish night and when I got up for a pee I noticed it was light and something like 6.15am. I washed my face and got my camera out while still asleep. I threw the cammo ponch over my head and made my way quietly to a spot maybe 35 yards from the trail cam and feeder and sat on the garden wall slightly hidden behind a telegraph pole and small shrub. I didn't imagine I was invisible but hoped at least for insignificant and that might be enought to capture some pine martin action.
poncho Pedro
the tree and pine martin feeder tray on left red squirrel feeder to the right
To my disappointment the polecat missed its six-thirty appointment. Must have been partying the night before. It was a glorious morning and not awful to be up, but still a bit sad the PM did not turn up to have their photo taken. Also: Mary was feeling a bit below par. Not a hangover, maybe tiredness, we postponed the Great Snake Hunt and stayed local (apart from a hospital visit.)
wren, also doing early morning shouty
bog bean
I spent a lot of time just mooching around the garden and nearby, taking photos and poking about the wee pond which was totally transformed from last visit and had many flowering things happening in and around it.
buzzard being discouraged by corvid
Andy has grown some really attractive flowers and plants in the garden as well as leaving certain areas going a bit wild for the pollinators. These large and striking meconopsis certainly attracted the insects. There were several rhododendrons gloriously in flower down beyond the pond. With loads of insects in attendance.
I think there was a recently fledged family of long-tailed tits but didn't get many decent photos as they flew through
pleased to see this yellowhammer gathering grubs (for offspring?)
quite a few mistle thrush making weird calls I shot some video and will put it together below
the willow warbler again
rhingia campestris
and again
green veined white
rhagio - snipe fly
another rhagio
large red damselfly
cheilosia
speckled wood
red admiral a few flying vigorously not stopping for long
Mary began to feel a bit better so we went for a local walk along the river near Monymusk. It was really nice and we earmarked this for a decent flat 5 mile run on future occasions. Normally we run over the local hills when here, but this was a good flatter alternative.
mallard with young family
longhorn moth of another variety than usual
gvw
sparrow
orange-tip
rhododendron in back garden
cropped peacock!
new large red damselfly which allowed me to get very close without it flying off
you can see the short depth of field on the leaf
just amazing colours!
gvw stops for a sip of water at the pond as well as a constant stream of honey bees from the neighbouring hives
Helophilus pendulus
by the pond
megaloptera; something like an alderfly or caddisfly
thricops?
female damselfly ovipositing while male no doubt mansplains
Mary found this OT in the greenhouse getting tangled in spiderweb
Friday morning we headed to Muir of Dinnet 24 miles away for the Great Snake Hunt 2.0. You'll remember last visit we failed to see any adders at the snake wall but Mary saw one cross her path. I felt we arrived too late last time and everything was too well warmed up and going about its business. This time we set off earlier. However it was possibly just after 10am when we arrived and again it was properly warm. I felt we may have arrived too late again. Oh well, it is still a really nice 5mile walk in very pretty surroundings. Who cares about adders? (I do!)
When we stepped out the car the first thing I saw while Mary went off to find the toilets was a Pearl-bordered fritillary! Just a few yards from where we parked the car. Right enough there was bracken and dandelions and no dampness (otherwise it might have been a Small-pearl the more common of the two.) When I wandered into the warden's house they had a list of wildlife spotted recently and right enough PBFs were up there. And no SPBFs. I didn't get any shots of the car park PBF as it was scooting about looking for female PBFs. But it took the pressure off snakes to be the only thing of value to hunt today. I had no idea the place was so full of interesting wildlife. Again thanks to Simon who highly recommended it.
Again there were not any immediate sign of snakes. We walked the wall twice in full and slowly but I still could not find any reptiles in all the many places that looked most likely. However we did see a PBF and it landed on a dandelion which allowed for photos. In fact we saw several of the orange butterflies but few were landing long enough to get any photos. But it was great compensation for the lack of snakes. Last time at the place I left in quite a grump as I felt shortchanged for lack of snakes. This time I was more excited by the butterflies and what else we might see - high hopes for the dragonfly ponds, although it was really too early in the season.
unexpected PBF - how often does that happen?
shredded peacock
dunnock
other dunnock
greylag
We passed a few folk out walking a couple of dogs. The dogs were not on leads. In a nature reserve! I was a bit gobsmacked but it does seem to be a place for folk fishing, hiking and walking dogs. The dogs did seem to be well behaved, but all the same! I'm glad I didn't say anything as one of the blokes said to us there were goslings just round the corner. He did seem pleasant, but dogs off the lead in a nature reserve in Springtime?!
A couple of corners later and we came across several greylags and their goslings. They all got into the water when they saw us coming but they didn't go far and were within range for photos. We didn't stay long, not wanting to disturb them unduly.
Just after that splendid encounter, the highlight of a very rewarding day was an adder crossing the path directly in front of us. I wasn't sure Mary had seen it and had to point and splutter in order for her not to walk right over it. It was going at a moderate pace and was about to speed off into the undergrowth when I deliberately blocked its path. It hesitated and looked for a different line. I was superkeen to get a few photos before it disappeared. I have been trying to see a snake in Scotland for - I was going to say 20 years - but that's only in recent times. I suppose all my life. Mainly because you see signs saying beware adders but never the adders themselves.
It was a delight to see this one at long last and I wanted to savour the experience before it left. I also didn't want to upset it, so didn't push my luck and stood out the way after a short while and let it slide off. I took loads of pics and clever Mary shot some video which gives a better idea of how fast it could move when it got the chance. I have seen snakes (alive) on maybe 3 occasions and this, although far too brief, was the best encounter in terms of photos and getting a decent view. I'd say it was about 20" - nearly 2 feet long. I think the colouring suggests it was a female, the males being light silver with dark zigzags. But could be totally wrong. I never see enough of them to become familiar with looks and habits.
finally after years of searching fruitlessly!
okay don't want to block its path and end up upsetting it!
So that was the unexpected highlight of the day. Especially after no appearances at the signposted wall. It won't be the last time we visit here so I hope to see more, preferably sunbathing by the wall where I can get decent photos. But this was a lot better than last time when I felt we were promised much (by the signs) and given nothing. I was pleased!
another mistle thrush, I think
We went to the dragonfly pond but it wasn't that great. Well it was fine but after the snakencounter it couldn't possibly compete! There were a couple of four-spotters and some large reds. I took hundreds of photos of the 4-spotter who was remarkably obliging, coming over to pose right in front of me, and I managed not to get soaking wet shoes and feet which I was surprised about. I had a look round the far side but it was all getting very swampy so backed off as there wasn't anything other than the odonata I'd already photo-ed. Again we will be back and hopefully there will be some treats and exotica. If they have gone to the trouble of signposting it as a dragonfly pond there has to be more.
this robin came over to have his photo taken
sang a wee song too!
When we got back to Monymusk things were afoot. Andy got the ozpig out! A small pot-bellied woodburning stove with a long chimney that belched smoke into the blue sky. Apparently they are an Australian device for having a BBQ with less risk of sparks lighting up the surrounding countryside. It was an impressive addition and just right for such a glorious early evening. We sat around drinking beer and pink wine as the sun slowly set behind us. I got out my 12~60 street lens and relly enjoyed taking dozens of photos into the sun to produce ridiculous flare and bokeh. Andy kept the ozpig well stoked and Karen came out with some amazing food - chicken and vegetable stirfry and egg noodles which were cooked in a wok over the ozpig. It was amazing. Actually it was better than that; it was out of this world good!
ozpig in action
Andy built that wooden building which has plumbing and full electric inside!
this is the good life!
Before I got too intoxicated I set up the moth trap. I bought this second hand a few years ago but rarely use it as it is quite cumbersome and we don't have the sort of garden to set it up in - our neighbours might freak. Last time was years ago at Caroline's place over in the West (Mary's other sister.) Andy suggested I put it by the pond. It has a large battery to keep the tube lit all night until the light detector cuts out the light at dawn. By this time it should have attracted all sorts of moths who fall into the silver box and crawl into dark crevices of packaging in there. I was hoping for poplar and elephant hawk moths but not sure what it would catch. I looked forward to examining and releasing the moths next morning. A bit like Christmas!
Meanwhile back at the stirfry BBQ people were dressing in large warm items. Not sure what they are called but you'd get them on the internet. For all the day was really warm, the temperature really dropped like a stone under a clear bright starry sky. I took more photos but forgot to photo the night sky which was lovely. If a little dark! I suspect there was a bit of intoxication although we ate some much it would have absorbed the worst of the damage. Andy brought out whiskys. Can't remember much else.
mesmeric!
a last check of the moth trap before heading to bed
goodnight johnboy!
yellowhammer again
Not too hungover next morning and up bright and early to see what the moth trap has collected. Not quite early enough for the 6.30 spider monkey breakfast but hey, not too bad. I think we might have been up for the red squirrel breakfast which the trail cams had recorded at 8.30 but that was a no show as well. Which shows the value of a trail-cam. Andy had pics of red squirrels, the pine martin (top guest and super star) but also jays and woodpeckers. Just splendid to know all this is going on in your back garden. Apart from distant woodpecker drumming Mary and I got none of the above. There were the bumps in the night though. Actually not just in the night. The chalet - a toolshed and mancave these days - has a partitioned ceiling below the roof making a space just about large enough for a small mammal. Every time we passed we could hear traffic of sorts. Like a beanbag being pulled on a string over joists. And occasionally thrown. Andy reckoned squirrels. I thought he was being optimistic and was sure it would turn out to be rats. When we had our outdoor stirfry we could hear the anonymous occupants were also having quite a party and muffled thumps and bumps were heard over our partying. This must have inspired Andy to change the position of the trail cam to find out wtf was making such a racket. Results (far) below. What do you reckon?
But first, after another dawn chorus that lasted all day, let's have a look in the moth trap and see if santa left us anything nice...
small phoenix
It was a glorious day again, yet another in this fabulous Springtime. I slowly lifted the top off the box and things fluttered from within and from underneath. No hawk-moths alas, nor anything large and impressive. Similar to last time - a pretty collection of buff, white and brown jobs all looking a bit sleepy and some of the smaller pugs making a dash for it before I could get their pictures. Okay that's allowed after a night's incarceration.
brown rustic?
Nut-tree tussock
Lesser swallow prominent
Early thorn
White ermine
black sexton beetle this chap and his mite consorts was the only non-moth
ermine and nut-tree tussock
scalloped hazel
another nut-tree tussock
same again
lesser swallow prominent
white ermine
2 nut-tree tussocks
flame carpet
hebrew character
type of pug; grey, common or brindled
coxcomb prominent
same
We cleared away the moth trap. I was disappointed there were no moster moths but not a bad haul of modest chaps. And then packed some sandwiches for the trip home. There was one last stop at Tentsmuir on the way home but first the answer to the question of what was banging in the chalet roofspace. Andy re-positioned the trail-cam and got the following stills and videos. There's more in the pipeline but here is the outcome, and it wasn't rats!
video - click twice
On Saturday we drove back home. We usually stop around halfway for soup or sandwiches and having packed sandwiches, ate them at Leuchars. Not exactly on the way home but a nice spot to get some steps in, checking the Fife Coastal Path en route to Kinshaldy where there are SPBFs towards the end of May. We were possibly a few days early. (A pal, Colin found a couple at boardwalk 3 on Saturday 24th May.) We did a mile or 2 in, saw a red admiral in the woods and then returned to the car. Not the worst motorway service station alternative.
Well that was a great trip in spectacular weather. We finally had a decent encounter with an adder and the pine martin family was a fabulous turn up for the books, although the reveal was only a little later. Latest news is Mary's mum is home from hospital (again!) and so we may well be going up soon for another visit. With all those wildlife and culinary delights, it feels more like a joy than a duty. Thanks to Karen and Andy for looking after us so well.
thanks to Mary for taking the adder video clips shown here along with
a wren, treecreeper, willow warbler, mistle thrush, coal tit, 4-spotted chaser, adder and ozpig!
