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GrahamC75

@grahamc57.bsky.social

34 followers 72 following 74 posts

Amateur wildlife 'tog. Aspiring author. Mother Nature. Rugby. Cricket. Radio3. Detectorists. Apolitical. Practising agnostic. Reading. Writing. Tea. Twitter-quitter/ex-X.

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GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 9h

European Water Vole Arvicola amphibius, from the family Cricetidae. It was a rare occasion for it not to dive for cover as I approached.

#UKWildlife #WaterVole #Rodent

A photo of a Water Vole. Or, 'Ratty'. Sadly, in the wild, on average, water voles only live for about five months. It's rare for them to see a second winter.

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 1d

I must be a tad strange, as I don't feel it's a lonely process. I'm happy to think up new stories, research them, write and then edit them. Rinse and repeat.

I'm usually busy doing that, rather than trawl SNs.

My only problem is getting not just feedback, but constructive criticism...

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 1d

Good advice. I particularly liked Rule 8...😆

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 1d

European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur, of the family Columbidae. Sadly, their status has been classified as 'Vulnerable'.

#UKWildlife #TurtleDove #Bird #UKBirds

A photo of a Turtle Dove. Populations are in rapid decline across Europe, and they have a red-listed global conservation status.

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 1d

And, if they're lucky enough to do so, they often die after the event...😱

Reincarnation tip: Don't come back as a male bee. Actually, don't come back as a male spider, either. Or...

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 1d

I try to write but no one reads. I post wildlife photos instead.

it could be worse, it could be X…🤷‍♂️

🍾

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 2d

It's lunchtime! Eurasian Treecreepers Certhia familiaris, of the family Certhiidae.

I only had a few seconds to photograph them in the sunshine, catching the light and the feeding.

#UKWildlife #Treecreeper #Bird #UKBirds

A photo of a pair of Treecreepers, with the adult feeding the youngster. Oddly, the female forages primarily on the upper parts of tree trunks, while the male uses the lower parts.

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 3d

Hmm, it's actually rejuvenated me…? I'm still grey-haired, wherever I can find them...

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 3d

A murmuration of Starlings, seen down in Somerset. It was a spectacular sight, and I recommend paying a visit.

#ukwildlife #Starlings #Murmuration #Birds #UKBirds

A photo of a Starling murmuration. There must have been in excess of one million birds in the sky around us. Not just the sights, but the sounds.

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 4d

Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus, in the family Accipitridae, posing in the sunshine. I was idly sat in the Hide when it flew in to say hello...

#UKWildlife #Sparrowhawk #Bird #UKBirding

A photo of a female Eurasian Sparrowhawk.
Factoid: In the UK, Sparrowhawks living further north are bigger than their more southerly counterparts.

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 5d

A Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago, of the family Scolopacidae, seen on one of my local Reserves.

#ukwildlife #Snipe #Birding #UKBirds

A photo of a Common Snipe, seen outside one of the Hides at RSPB Rye Meads. A lovely sight in the sunshine!

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 6d

Snake's Head Fritillary Fritillaria meleagris, of the family Liliaceae. One of my favourite plant species.

#Fritillary #Flora #Flower

A photo of a field of Snake's Head Fritillaries.
Fun Fact: It was also called a Leper Lily, because its shape resembled the bell once carried by lepers.

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 7d

Just caught up with
@bettanyhughes.bsky.social "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World"

A wonderful, informative series made magical by Ms. Hughes' enthusiastic and infectious knowledge.

More, please…!👍😀

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 7d

Slow Worm Anguis fragilis of the family Anguidae.

#ukwildlife #Lizard #SlowWorm

A photo of a Common Slow Worm. It's a species of legless lizard. It's thought to be the longest-living lizard, living upto 30 years in the wild.

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 8d

A Sanderling Calidris alba, from the family Scolopacidae.

I love to see these guys attempting to evade the incoming tide as they feed.

#UKWildlife #UKBirds #Birding #Wader

A photo of a Sanderling, posing in the sunshine. They can be found mainly around coastal areas, usually in flocks.

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 9d

Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum from the family Libellulidae. Seen earlier in the summer.

It was one of those hot days, and this little guy was feeling the heat. It's in an obelisk position to try to cool down.

They could always find a shady area?

#UKWildlife #Dragonfly #Odonata

A photo of a male Ruddy Darter dragonfly, in an obelisk position. So called, because it's trying to lessen the area of sunlight covering its abdomen.

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 10d

Common Redshank Tringa totanus, from the family Scolopacidae.

#Redshank #ukwildlife #birding

A photo of a Common Redshank, stood atop a rock, calling out. Seen a few years ago, in the Norfolk area.

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 11d

A Flash Fiction story, entitled 'The Red Ribbon - A Tale of Love.'

#FlashFiction #WritingCommunity #writing #writers

A Flash Fiction story, entitled 'The Red Ribbon - A Tale of Love.'

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 11d

Red Scabious. Fabulous flower. Can't get enough of it, especially in its wine red colour.

#Flowers #Flora

A photo of a Red Scabious flower. Insects love it.

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 12d

A Raft Swamp Spider Dolomedes fimbriatus, of the family Dolomedidae, seen down in Dorset.

Not usually found in bathrooms.😀

#ukwildlife #RaftSpider #Arachnid

A photo of a Raft Swamp Spider, seen at RSPB Arne, whilst on holiday to Dorset. Semi-aquatic, it typically hunts on the surface of the water.

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 13d

Puffin. What can I say? Cute? Adorable?🤷‍♂️

#UKWildlife #Puffin #UKBirds #Birding

A photo of a Puffin, amongst a few flowers, with nesting material in its beak. Seen whilst visiting the Shetland Islands.

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 14d

A Peacock butterfly in the sunshine. They had another good year, this year.

#ukwildlife #Lepidoptera #Butterfly

A photo of a Peacock butterfly, basking in the sunshine.

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 15d

A lovely day in the sunshine was had with a visit to Mistley Walls. Lots of waders on show...

#ukwildlife #waders #birds

A photo of a Black-tailed Godwit, one of scores around the area.

A photo of a Redshank, one of dozens on show.

A photo of a Turnstone, one of only three. I think they were crowded out the other waders...

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 16d

Is it worth having Home Contents Insurance? In the few times I've tried claiming, I've been refused. Is it just another tax?

GrahamC75 @grahamc57.bsky.social · 16d

A Parent Bug Elasmucha grisea. A species of shield bug or stink bug belonging to the family Acanthosomatidae.

Sadly, I've not seen one for ages...

#UKWildlife #ShieldBug #StinkBug #Invertebrate #Bug

A photo of a Parent Bug. A species of shield bug/stink bug. It possesses metathoracic and abdominal glands, which discharge a foul smelling secretion. This secretion is used to deter potential enemies and is sometimes released when the bug is disturbed.