Today was one of those days when taking a camera out is like being a child in a sweetshop. Too much to choose from, but all of it nice. It started early with this very pretty female blackbird sitting in woodland at the edge of Falmer Pond.

Everything else is from the middle of the day. I headed out in a different direction, taking in t he woodland and fields behind the rear of the campus. It’s an area I’ve wandered over to occasionally, but not explored to its full potential. Odds are I’ll be heading back in that direction while the weather’s fine.

I started with some shots of blue tits. Nothing spectacular, but catching one in flight is always something of a challenge.

I couldn’t get particularly close to them so explored some more accessible trees. I was attracted by the distinctive and persistent call of a wren. They are strongly territorial and sound a constant warning to other birds to keep away.

I couldn’t help but notice the large brimstone butterflies flitting along the edge of the field. They are a brilliant yellow in flight, but much harder to spot when they come to rest (when they mimic a leaf rather well).

That was down at ground level. High overhead another treat was waiting for me. A small group of buzzards came over. Four of them, though I could only manage three together in frame.

The fourth buzzard wasn’t faring so well. A pair of rooks had latched on to it and were intent on a quite persistent mobbing.

The final sequence of a lengthy post was somewhere between ground level and the sky… a lively squirrel negotiating its way through the treetops.

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.