Graffiti Takes Shape

Recently on Brownsea Island, Dorset, I came across some red lines painted seemingly randomy on trees and logs.

However, if you stand EXACTLY in a certain spot, the lines take shape.

This heart is painted across five trees some distance apart:

(taken with iPhone)

Little Bittern Puts On Big Show

A female Little Bittern that has been present at Stocker's Lake in Herts for over a week was located after being missing the previous day.

I first saw a Little Bittern 28 years ago at Potteric Carr in South Yorkshire.  I never expected to get better views of this beautiful bird. 

Over the morning it was almost always visible, but in typical behaviour was generally skulking in the reeds.  After working it's way along the river bank, it climbed up into a Willow tree before flying down river. It then fed actively and despite the large crowd it finally came out into the open on a couple of occasions.  By this time I was in prime position to capture this beautiful and elusive visitor:

This may work in a pale reedbed, but the 'merge into background' pose doesn't quite cut the mustard here!

Dorset Coast June 2012

Mediterranean Gull found feeding regularly near Bournemouth pier:

And a pair nesting on Brownsea Island:

Red Squirrels on Brownsea Island:

Sandwich Terns:

Common Terns:

Sandwich Tern fishing: