Smiling Memories

Listening to Countryfile stated me thinking about my encounters with flora and fauna over the years at FGC. Nature photography has always been az passion of mine, especially getting shots of the rarer species, such as finding a Rhinoceros Beetle, which at the time was a first for the reserve.

Whilst walking my dogs Lotti and Tolly through the Scrapes I spotted what appeared to be two white plants kin  the distance. Thinking nothing of this, I carried on, though as the dogs stopped and stared, the “plants” began to wander off. It was only a couple of Roe Deer who we had disturbed during their browsing! Later, at the lakeside hide, We saw a handsome buck Roe Deer, tucking into the brambles and the hawthorn.

I left the lakeside and, continuing along the boardwalk, I caught sight of something out of the corner of my eye. It was a doe with two kids, who, oblivious to my presence, followed their mother away slowly, stopping after a short distance to suckle. I quietly walked on with a smile on my face.

Moths are great, but I often wish they had barcodes so I could identity them more easily! They disobey instructions  to “Sit still on that leaf”, flying off to leave the photographer with an empty leaf or a blur! However, when I do capture one on camera, it brings a great big smile to my face. 

Back in another time, when the moor was wild and rough four Highland Cattle grazed there. It was difficult to get a decent picture, as catching them all facing the same way was rare. There was always at least one backside in the picture! Being sent to look the beast was always a task I looked forward to. However one day, I could only find two. We searched and searched for the other two, and you can imagine our relief when, first a glimpse of horn, then a patch of cream were spotted amongst the gorse, and then we had our four! I reckon they hid from me deliberately!!

One afternoon, on my way home I stopped to talk to the ponies, as they chomped their way through the gorse. The conversation and jokes we shared made Lark laugh!!

I love spiders! The heath paddocks glistening white with web on a dewy autumn morning is amazing. What's more amazing is once the dew burns off, there's not a web nor a spider to be seen!!

On my way to the wetland hide, I had my first exciting encounter with a Common Lizard. It scuttled out the way of me and my dog, and I regretted a photo opportunity missed. However, on the road back, there it was again. This time I got some amazing pictures. I will never forget the amazing sound the lizard made moving across the wire covered walkway as we walked away. Since then I have seen many baby lizards basking in the sun. A sight that always brings great pleasure.

Flora have brought great pleasure too. Searching for Yellows Rattle seedlings in February, was great fun. It was way too early, so I was overjoyed to find three only a few weeks later!!

I'm desperate for colour to appear after the winter. Marsh Marigolds I discovered in the Scrapes gave me great pleasure, as well as providing for the many early insects, I got some marvellous photos. I searched in vain for these same flowers a few days later, but they were not to be found. What I did find was a Mallard Duck sitting near where the clump had been!! Mallards obviously enjoy Marsh Marigolds!!

Once rare on Foxglove, Brimstone Butterfly numbers have increased over the years. Although difficult to capture on camera, I enjoy photographing them as they feed on Hemp

Agrimony, Devil's Bit Scabious and Saw wort.

I loved being a scribe in the ringing team. It was fantastic strolling round foxglove at four in  the morning as the nets were raised. The  dawn chorus and the bark of Roe Deer evoke vivid memories. Seeing birds up close, and helping with release remain treasured memories. The insight gained into the life and behaviours of previously ringed birds provided revealed so much that otherwise would go unknown forever. 

I have so many  wonderful "makes me smile" memories I could share here. These are just a few.

By Elizabeth Dickinson