David Element

Not sure that it contributed much. Probably there to assist if there are adhesion problems, and also to carry out any necessary manoeuvres in the absence of turntables, as there was only a 30 minute gap scheduled between arrival and return. At least it was at the rear, not behind the tender.

Just uploaded...

As promised, a link to the full-length film of 'Clan Line's departure from London Victoria earlier today: youtu.be/StpfxbIM9j8

An excerpt from a film, shortly to be posted on YouTube in its entirety, of Rebuilt 'Merchant Navy' Pacific
No. 35028 'Clan Line's spirited departure from London Victoria this morning, as seen from Wandsworth Road. I shall post a link to the full version once the film has been uploaded.

This was the unexpected sight of a Grey Heron Ardea cinerea indulging in gular pouch fluttering (a thermoregulatory mechanism that equates to panting) yesterday - in October #birds!

Little Egret Egretta garzetta No. 7 has returned to a small London park for the 6th consecutive winter #birds. Although 'he' (gender presumptive, but based on aggression against other Egrets) was only sighted occasionally during the first two winters he has ruled the roost ever since.

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis - the colour of the feet and slightly faded appearance suggest that this is a juvenile bird, as does the partially orange lower mandible. The bill has not yet been blunted by contact with stones during dives. Taken yesterday in a small London park #birds.

A rare daytime visit this am from the 2022C Red Fox Vulpes vulpes vixen, now 43 months old. Her ears were abbreviated during an over-enthusiastic play-fight by a half-sister (the 2021A vixen) that looked after her when she was young. She is unrelated to the current social group.

Thank you - she did!

Thank you for your kind comment - much appreciated!

The 2025A juvenile Red Fox Vulpes vulpes vulpes vixen really likes apples. Here is a photograph of her really liking one yesterday afternoon.

The anxious expression on the face of the 2025A Red Fox Vulpes vulpes tells you all that you need to know about the strength of the wind today, which must sound like a raging torrent to a fox. She probably got soaked overnight too. Her mum and two of her sisters got very wet!

I think that this type of activity might need to happen elsewhere!

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....

There is also a possibility that he might have been showing an interest in the (unrelated) 2022C vixen, two years his senior, as they were seen together without any antagonism earlier this week. She is unrelated, and spent 14 months away before she returned. She is not tolerated by the 2023G vixen.

Unprecedented - he is the first locally born male to have moved away (as is usually the case) and then returned. He was already over a year old when he moved on. Some young females may stay around as (usually non-breeding) members of a family social group, or sometimes return after moving away.

Clockwise, the 2025A, 2025D and the (exclusively nocturnal) 2025B Red Fox Vulpes vulpes juvenile vixens, born on 19th Feb, and their recently returned older brother, the 2024B dog fox, born 10/2/24, back after a 7-month hiatus. He also only appears at night, and he is still tolerated by his dad.

There would be fights!

Bureaucracy in a nutshell!

I have just updated this web page illustrating Cetti's Warblers Cettia cetti #birds to include some new photographs of this camera-elusive species: www.davidelement.net/birds228.htm.

A cropped view of the Sun from this morning as seen (safely) through cloud, with Photoshop auto haze removal adjustment applied to highlight the sunspots.

A Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti on a branch of the storm-felled Horse Chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum in a small London park this morning. Since this tree was toppled by Storm Henk on 2nd January 2024, I have photographed 30 species of #birds on its branches.

Their parents are still around, so with a bit of luck they will produce another family next February.

All 8 of the cubs produced in the last two litters (in each case three girls and a boy) are full siblings, and at least 5 of them have been visiting recently. An (unrelated) 2022-born vixen has also been seen, but she will be chased away by their mum.

I have just published an updated version of my book 'In My Natural Element... The Wildlife of Wandle Park'. This may be previewed in full on-line (for free!) by using this link: bobbooks.co.uk/bookshop/in-...

Portrait of the 2024A Red Fox Vulpes vulpes vixen from last night, one of last year's litter, and full sister to this year's family. Her habits have been exclusively nocturnal for quite some time. Her brother, the 2024B dog fox was also present, but I couldn't get a picture.

Always good to see them John. An enduring and very well designed aircraft.

The 2025A juvenile Red Fox Vulpes vulpes vixen catching some rays in yesterday afternoon's warm sunshine.

She would be aware of the camera, but unaware of what it was being used for. Some foxes (including her and the 2024A vixen) seem to be able to sense the infra-red autofocussing systems of cameras and mobile 'phones, whereas others ignore it. They perceive the world around them very differently to us

The 2025D juvenile Red Fox Vulpes vulpes vixen casually watching a jet flying over this afternoon.