David Element
@davidelement.bsky.social
Photographer, naturalist, author, film-maker, webmaster, ex-chartered scientist. All photos and videos © David Element. No AI! https://www.davidelement.net/ https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPElement https://www.avalon.red/editorial?blob=at.DAVID+ELEMENT
Pinned
Another personal favourite photograph, part of a sequence taken on 8th June 2019. This shows a Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus tiercel 'passing' a freshly killed Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri to one of his recently fledged youngsters.
An overwintering Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita searching for food on the fallen tree in a small London park early this morning #birds. One of several that have been seen there recently.
December 13, 2025 at 11:15 PM
An overwintering Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita searching for food on the fallen tree in a small London park early this morning #birds. One of several that have been seen there recently.
The dark patterns on the inside of the mouths of Red Foxes Vulpes vulpes are useful for confirming identity, particularly if they have been away. These photos of the 2022C vixen were taken two days ago and in July 2024 respectively. She once disappeared for 14 months. Her ears are distinctive too!
December 13, 2025 at 4:13 PM
The dark patterns on the inside of the mouths of Red Foxes Vulpes vulpes are useful for confirming identity, particularly if they have been away. These photos of the 2022C vixen were taken two days ago and in July 2024 respectively. She once disappeared for 14 months. Her ears are distinctive too!
The 2022C Red Fox Vulpes vulpes was showing off her teeth when yawning on 11th December. She was born in February 2022, so she is 3 years and 10 months old. She has worn or broken canines and she is only missing 3 upper incisors - not bad for a fox of her age, and a useful reference photo.
December 13, 2025 at 2:54 PM
The 2022C Red Fox Vulpes vulpes was showing off her teeth when yawning on 11th December. She was born in February 2022, so she is 3 years and 10 months old. She has worn or broken canines and she is only missing 3 upper incisors - not bad for a fox of her age, and a useful reference photo.
Looking uncannily like a teddy bear in her winter coat, the 2022C Red Fox Vulpes vulpes made a rare early morning visit on 11th December. The (unrelated) 2024B dog fox, 2 years her junior, appears to have paired up with her, so she may breed for the first time early next year.
December 13, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Looking uncannily like a teddy bear in her winter coat, the 2022C Red Fox Vulpes vulpes made a rare early morning visit on 11th December. The (unrelated) 2024B dog fox, 2 years her junior, appears to have paired up with her, so she may breed for the first time early next year.
A Red Admiral Butterfly Vanessa atalanta enjoying the winter sunshine (albeit briefly) in a small London park this morning.
December 10, 2025 at 10:15 PM
A Red Admiral Butterfly Vanessa atalanta enjoying the winter sunshine (albeit briefly) in a small London park this morning.
Reposted by David Element
I have just published this new large-scale book illustrating Common Kingfishers Alcedo atthis, printed on photographic quality paper #birds. The book may be previewed in full (for free) by using this link: www.bobbooks.co.uk/bookshop/com....
October 3, 2025 at 3:15 PM
I have just published this new large-scale book illustrating Common Kingfishers Alcedo atthis, printed on photographic quality paper #birds. The book may be previewed in full (for free) by using this link: www.bobbooks.co.uk/bookshop/com....
I had one opportunity to photograph the female Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis emerging from a dive today before the massive shadow cast over a small London park by a nearby tower block stole the sunlight, preventing any further attempts. I trust that plans to build several more will be resisted!
December 3, 2025 at 3:30 PM
I had one opportunity to photograph the female Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis emerging from a dive today before the massive shadow cast over a small London park by a nearby tower block stole the sunlight, preventing any further attempts. I trust that plans to build several more will be resisted!
Thoughtfully, the female Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis, previously partly obscured by twigs or their shadows, flew to a much closer branch this morning so that she could be photographed from close range in bright sunshine. At least, that is how I would like to see it #birds!
December 3, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Thoughtfully, the female Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis, previously partly obscured by twigs or their shadows, flew to a much closer branch this morning so that she could be photographed from close range in bright sunshine. At least, that is how I would like to see it #birds!
There is plenty of ongoing Red Fox Vulpes vulpes activity going on as the breeding season gets under way, most of it during the hours of darkness. The only remaining juvenile from this year's litter is the 2025D vixen, and she turned up early this morning. Her white-tipped tail is like her dad's.
December 3, 2025 at 2:26 PM
There is plenty of ongoing Red Fox Vulpes vulpes activity going on as the breeding season gets under way, most of it during the hours of darkness. The only remaining juvenile from this year's litter is the 2025D vixen, and she turned up early this morning. Her white-tipped tail is like her dad's.
The female Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis, having a fourth stretch during her 20-minute preening session yesterday. She had turned to face the opposite direction on the same twig by this time #birds.
December 3, 2025 at 2:17 PM
The female Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis, having a fourth stretch during her 20-minute preening session yesterday. She had turned to face the opposite direction on the same twig by this time #birds.
Little Egret Egretta garzetta No. 7 landing on the stone bridge in a small London park with some panache yesterday, having earlier seen off veteran Little Egret No. 1. Dominant Egrets can be very possessive & territorial, although I have yet to see an actual physical fight between these #birds.
December 3, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Little Egret Egretta garzetta No. 7 landing on the stone bridge in a small London park with some panache yesterday, having earlier seen off veteran Little Egret No. 1. Dominant Egrets can be very possessive & territorial, although I have yet to see an actual physical fight between these #birds.
The female Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis stretching after preening in a small London park today #birds. She perched for 20 minutes, and stretched 4 times. None of her feathers contain any blue pigment - the colours are produced by white light interacting with their intricate surface structures.
December 2, 2025 at 9:01 PM
The female Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis stretching after preening in a small London park today #birds. She perched for 20 minutes, and stretched 4 times. None of her feathers contain any blue pigment - the colours are produced by white light interacting with their intricate surface structures.
Reposted by David Element
I have just published this new book illustrating Little Egrets Egretta garzetta #birds - it may be previewed in full (without any commitment to buy) by using this link: www.bobbooks.co.uk/bookshop/lit....
November 10, 2025 at 6:11 PM
I have just published this new book illustrating Little Egrets Egretta garzetta #birds - it may be previewed in full (without any commitment to buy) by using this link: www.bobbooks.co.uk/bookshop/lit....
The female Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis photographed in a small London park yesterday was also quite hungry. This was one of two similar sized Common Dace Leuciscus leuciscus that she swallowed in relatively quick succession #birds. Not quite sure how she managed to accommodate them! Cropped.
November 27, 2025 at 3:36 PM
The female Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis photographed in a small London park yesterday was also quite hungry. This was one of two similar sized Common Dace Leuciscus leuciscus that she swallowed in relatively quick succession #birds. Not quite sure how she managed to accommodate them! Cropped.
The male Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis (right) was only seen perching for a short while, but later he was spotted pursuing the female at high speed across the small London park where these photographs were taken yesterday. She on the other hand was much more visible #birds.
November 27, 2025 at 3:29 PM
The male Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis (right) was only seen perching for a short while, but later he was spotted pursuing the female at high speed across the small London park where these photographs were taken yesterday. She on the other hand was much more visible #birds.
Nice to be able to confirm that there is now a pair of Common Kingfishers Alcedo atthis present again in a small London park after a breeding season hiatus #birds. This female has been showing well. Photographs from yesterday.
November 27, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Nice to be able to confirm that there is now a pair of Common Kingfishers Alcedo atthis present again in a small London park after a breeding season hiatus #birds. This female has been showing well. Photographs from yesterday.
Temporarily blocking the stone bridge above the chalk stream passing through a small London park on 25th November, Little Egret Egretta garzetta No. 7 and one of the Grey Herons Ardea cinerea #birds. Looks of bewilderment are commonly seen on the faces of confused oncoming pedestrians!
November 27, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Temporarily blocking the stone bridge above the chalk stream passing through a small London park on 25th November, Little Egret Egretta garzetta No. 7 and one of the Grey Herons Ardea cinerea #birds. Looks of bewilderment are commonly seen on the faces of confused oncoming pedestrians!
