With the jet stream slipping southward once again, our weather has become unpredictable (and highly variable). So it was a day of cold breezes, warm sunshine, clouds and some rain. It was beginning to improve by early afternoon which is when we visited Woods Mill. To be honest it was quiet… wildlife-wise. There were lots of young children out enjoying the place, and getting involved in supervised pond-dipping and so on; but the bird life was sporadic (I spotted a kestrel), and the dragonfly count was low. The carp were pretty active though, mainly because of children feeding them from the bridge. 
As for more conventional subjects, the only worthwhile sighting was of a pair of beautiful demoiselles. They were in an awkward spot below another bridge, in heavy shade. This is the male.
The female was busy egg-laying in the slow running water.
As the afternoon brightened we headed over to the nearby RSPB reserve at Pulborough Brooks. Pulborough is a place mainly for long distance viewing, and is famed for its wetland birds, such as this flock of lapwings taking to the air along with a large group of starlings (of all things).
(Click for large version)
The lapwings were spectacular, but equally exciting to me was a much more sedate photo. I'd spotted a fallow deer in a nearby field, and then my eye was drawn to a tiny speck of movement in the far distance. This is a fairly hefty crop.
(Click for large version)
For close-up shots at Pulborough you can always rely on the rabbits, which excelled themselves today.
And I think my favourite rabbit shot…
Finally (and I'm getting near the end of this marathon post), the best bird sighting was outside the visitor centre as we were leaving. There were several greenfinches feeding on a bird-feeder.
They're always nice to watch, but the main event was just to the right of them: a nuthatch. This is one of those species that, while not uncommon, I very rarely get to see; let alone photograph in decent conditions. 
Camera note: carp photographed with the EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens. All the other shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens.
gdare
3 Aug 2012Great photo of damselfly. If you didn't say I would not even think that she is in a water at all 😆
And of course, that rabbit photo 😎
derWandersmann
3 Aug 2012Superb shots, Words … I'm not even going to try to pick out a favourite.
SittingFox
3 Aug 2012Love the fox 😀 They have a habit of sneaking into photos like that.
The nuthatch is pretty. I haven't seen any at all up here.
Words
6 Aug 2012Darko, thanks. The damselfly was directly beneath me. The reeds were under the water which gives that strange background.
Words
6 Aug 2012Adele, they're definitely sneaky, but as you know only too well they are not quite as good at hiding as they think they are.
Words
6 Aug 2012dW, thanks! I actually quite like the fish!
derWandersmann
6 Aug 2012It's true that one most often sees a fox when one is actually looking at something else.
innitlike
6 Aug 2012Originally posted by derWandersmann:
Indeed. >>>> http://weknowmemes.com/2012/03/when-you-are-in-deep-shit/
😮 :left: :right: 😀
Words
7 Aug 2012Innitlike… I love that photo! Thanks 😀
gdare
7 Aug 2012😆
derWandersmann
7 Aug 2012