There's a subtle change in the air at the moment as the warm summer days give way to autumn, birds are streaming out of the country, leaves are beginning to fall from the trees, wild flowers have gone to seed.
Those warm summer evenings are drawing in.
Some people find the winter months depressing, I love the changing seasons, and look forward to the winter visitors to our shores.
My tripod and birding scope have given way to my SLR camera and zoom lens for the moment, with a new found interest in wildlife photography.
Frustratingly, still can't get the razor sharp images of the professionals, I know that the answer is in part, to use a tripod, but I must admit, I like the freedom and spontaneity of the hand held shot, whilst walking through the countryside.
Stronger arm muscles would probably help, as those zoom lens are pretty hefty too.
Here a few images from my latest wander around Rainham RSPB
"The Hunter" ( Grey Heron ) in front of the Ken Barrett Hide.
"The Hunted" - ( Marsh Frog ) some of these frogs have reached a really impressive size and very variable in their colouring.
Grass snakes still elude me, but the Common Lizards are easy to see as they take in the warmth from the timber boardwalks.
Still plenty of Butterflies to be seen in the cordite store, mainly Red Admiral, the occasional 'Comma', a few Common Blues, Holly Blues, Small White and Speckled Woods, but sadly no more Clouded Yellows were seen or that elusive Painted Lady.
Four Spotted Orb Weaver
Garden Cross Spider
Wasp Spider
Nursery Spider
Still lots to see at this time of the year, plenty of waders passing through the reserve, passage migrants making brief appearances.
This mute Swan family have been in residence most of this year, one of the juveniles possessing the " Polish" gene.
No water voles seen on this trip, in fact the only mammal seen was this Grey Squirrel.
Grass snakes still elude me, but the Common Lizards are easy to see as they take in the warmth from the timber boardwalks.
Still plenty of Butterflies to be seen in the cordite store, mainly Red Admiral, the occasional 'Comma', a few Common Blues, Holly Blues, Small White and Speckled Woods, but sadly no more Clouded Yellows were seen or that elusive Painted Lady.
Damselflies have all but vanished, although one 'Blue Tailed Damselfly was seen.
As for Dragonflies, the Migrant Hawkers are still numerous, and a few Ruddy Darters were also seen.
September seems to be a good time to observe Spiders, these were a few that I managed to see as I walked around the reserve.
Nursery Spider
Still lots to see at this time of the year, plenty of waders passing through the reserve, passage migrants making brief appearances.
This mute Swan family have been in residence most of this year, one of the juveniles possessing the " Polish" gene.
No water voles seen on this trip, in fact the only mammal seen was this Grey Squirrel.
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