That time of the year

I took a trip down to see the peregrines this afternoon and arrived just in time to hear the female calling and every now and then looking up to the sky.

 It wasn't long before I realised what the fuss was all about when the male flew in.

 I have photographed mating peregrines before but never this close. Again these shots were taken from the drivers seat of my car.

 When he had done his duty she tipped foreward and he slid down her back.

After a few minutes to tidy herself up she flew of  to look for her supper.

Surprise surprise !

 Being a nice afternoon again I went for a drive to get used to my new car and as always took my camera with me. I am a bit of a fuss pot when it comes to my transport, everything must be perfect.
 and so it gets a good check over. I pulled of the road to see if everything under the bonnet was as it should be and glancing over the hedge this is what I saw.

A pair of egyptian geese lounging on the grass as if they owned the place. I have seen them before in wetland centres but never on a farmers field with sheep grazing

Small fry

 Another glorious evening I just had to go out in the cold and see what I could find. On the way to see the peregrines I spotted this little shape in the long grass some 40m off the side of the road. I stopped the car and took this shot through the window at which the bird took off it was then I recognised it as a kestrel.

I sat in the car and waited for a few minutes and luckily for me it returned and sat on a branch in the open.

 The light was fading fast and I was able to get a few shots off before it went altogether.

This made a nice change from peregrines, buzzards and kites.