David Element
@davidelement.bsky.social
Photographer, naturalist, author, film-maker, webmaster, ex-chartered scientist. All photos and videos © David Element. No AI! https://www.davidelement.net/ https://www.youtube.com/@DavidPElement https://www.avalon.red/editorial?blob=at.DAVID+ELEMENT
Pinned
Another personal favourite photograph, part of a sequence taken on 8th June 2019. This shows a Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus tiercel 'passing' a freshly killed Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri to one of his recently fledged youngsters.
Rebuilt 'Merchant Navy' Class No 35028 'Clan Line' passing through Haydons Road earlier this morning with a UK Railtours special en route to Portsmouth with an unidentifiable Class 67 diesel at the rear.
November 15, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Rebuilt 'Merchant Navy' Class No 35028 'Clan Line' passing through Haydons Road earlier this morning with a UK Railtours special en route to Portsmouth with an unidentifiable Class 67 diesel at the rear.
This confiding European Robin Erithacus rubecula often inhabits deeply shaded areas, so it was nice to have seen it venturing. albeit briefly, into sunshine in a small London park yesterday afternoon #birds.
November 14, 2025 at 11:33 AM
This confiding European Robin Erithacus rubecula often inhabits deeply shaded areas, so it was nice to have seen it venturing. albeit briefly, into sunshine in a small London park yesterday afternoon #birds.
Although it had some damage to both hindwings, this Red Admiral Butterfly Vanessa atalanta was otherwise in good enough condition to have brought a welcome splash of additional colour to an already autumnally tinted (and very warm) small London park yesterday afternoon.
November 14, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Although it had some damage to both hindwings, this Red Admiral Butterfly Vanessa atalanta was otherwise in good enough condition to have brought a welcome splash of additional colour to an already autumnally tinted (and very warm) small London park yesterday afternoon.
Shirtsleeves November weather encouraged spiralling activity from these Speckled Wood Butterflies Pararge aegeria tircis in a small London park yesterday afternoon. They were accompanied by a Red Admiral Butterfly Vanessa atalanta.
November 14, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Shirtsleeves November weather encouraged spiralling activity from these Speckled Wood Butterflies Pararge aegeria tircis in a small London park yesterday afternoon. They were accompanied by a Red Admiral Butterfly Vanessa atalanta.
With Xmas approaching, this might be a timely opportunity to provide a link to my wildlife books: www.bobbooks.co.uk/bookshop?pag.... All may be previewed in full for free.
Bob Books
www.bobbooks.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 9:34 AM
With Xmas approaching, this might be a timely opportunity to provide a link to my wildlife books: www.bobbooks.co.uk/bookshop?pag.... All may be previewed in full for free.
Reposted by David Element
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....
October 3, 2025 at 3:15 PM
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....
I have just published this new book illustrating Little Egrets Egretta garzetta #birds - it may be previewed in full (without any commitment to buy) by using this link: www.bobbooks.co.uk/bookshop/lit....
November 10, 2025 at 6:11 PM
I have just published this new book illustrating Little Egrets Egretta garzetta #birds - it may be previewed in full (without any commitment to buy) by using this link: www.bobbooks.co.uk/bookshop/lit....
Portrait of the 2025A juvenile Red Fox Vulpes vulpes vixen from yesterday. Best not to try this at home!
November 10, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Portrait of the 2025A juvenile Red Fox Vulpes vulpes vixen from yesterday. Best not to try this at home!
A submissive greeting from the 2025D juvenile Red Fox Vulpes vulpes vixen to her passing sister, the 2025A juvenile vixen on 8th November. Using the appropriate body-language is very important as it will minimise the risk of physical conflict.
November 10, 2025 at 3:10 PM
A submissive greeting from the 2025D juvenile Red Fox Vulpes vulpes vixen to her passing sister, the 2025A juvenile vixen on 8th November. Using the appropriate body-language is very important as it will minimise the risk of physical conflict.
The 2025A juvenile Red Fox Vulpes vulpes vixen, the only diurnally active member of the family social group, was keeping her sister company yesterday. These images were taken just seconds apart, as she rolled over whilst grooming herself.
November 9, 2025 at 12:31 AM
The 2025A juvenile Red Fox Vulpes vulpes vixen, the only diurnally active member of the family social group, was keeping her sister company yesterday. These images were taken just seconds apart, as she rolled over whilst grooming herself.
The 2025D Red Fox Vulpes vulpes juvenile vixen, now just shy of 9 months old, having a snooze yesterday lunchtime. She is the only member of the family group to be active during both day and night, so it is no surprise that she was tired!
November 9, 2025 at 12:19 AM
The 2025D Red Fox Vulpes vulpes juvenile vixen, now just shy of 9 months old, having a snooze yesterday lunchtime. She is the only member of the family group to be active during both day and night, so it is no surprise that she was tired!
Little Egret Egretta garzetta No. 7, looking for surfaced earthworms in a puddle earlier today #birds. Back for a 6th consecutive winter in a small London park (the dominant Egret there for the last three), and demonstrating why I find this species an irresistible subject for photography.
November 4, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Little Egret Egretta garzetta No. 7, looking for surfaced earthworms in a puddle earlier today #birds. Back for a 6th consecutive winter in a small London park (the dominant Egret there for the last three), and demonstrating why I find this species an irresistible subject for photography.
A belated posting of a photo of Little Egret Egretta garzetta No. 7 from 6th October, nicely sculpted by low winter sunshine, and recently returned to a small London park for the 6th successive winter. He (presumptive, based on behaviour) has been the dominant Egret there for the last 3 years #birds
November 1, 2025 at 1:21 AM
A belated posting of a photo of Little Egret Egretta garzetta No. 7 from 6th October, nicely sculpted by low winter sunshine, and recently returned to a small London park for the 6th successive winter. He (presumptive, based on behaviour) has been the dominant Egret there for the last 3 years #birds
Newcomer Little Egret Egretta garzetta No. 13 may well be a juvenile, judging from the amount of yellow on its legs, so these markings may darken with time (and it may not show up again, or be seen off by an adult). Photographed in a small London park on 24th October #birds.
November 1, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Newcomer Little Egret Egretta garzetta No. 13 may well be a juvenile, judging from the amount of yellow on its legs, so these markings may darken with time (and it may not show up again, or be seen off by an adult). Photographed in a small London park on 24th October #birds.
Delighted to be able to report @everyheron.bsky.social that veteran Little Egret Egretta garzetta No. 1 has just returned to a small London park for an 11th consecutive winter #birds.
October 30, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Delighted to be able to report @everyheron.bsky.social that veteran Little Egret Egretta garzetta No. 1 has just returned to a small London park for an 11th consecutive winter #birds.
A juvenile Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis, photographed (within a minute) on fully-sunlit and side-lit perches, illustrating how the shades of blue alter according to the angle of incident light #birds. The blue colours are caused by the refraction of white light from the surface of the feathers.
October 23, 2025 at 9:07 AM
A juvenile Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis, photographed (within a minute) on fully-sunlit and side-lit perches, illustrating how the shades of blue alter according to the angle of incident light #birds. The blue colours are caused by the refraction of white light from the surface of the feathers.
The 2025A (left) and 2025D juvenile Red Fox Vulpes vulpes vixens participating in a noisy squabble yesterday. Standing on hindlegs, forelegs placed on the opponent's chest, ears flat, gaping, and basically shouting at one another, but usually no injuries will be inflicted during these contests.
October 22, 2025 at 7:53 AM
The 2025A (left) and 2025D juvenile Red Fox Vulpes vulpes vixens participating in a noisy squabble yesterday. Standing on hindlegs, forelegs placed on the opponent's chest, ears flat, gaping, and basically shouting at one another, but usually no injuries will be inflicted during these contests.
The 2025D juvenile Red Fox Vulpes vulpes vixen indulging in a brief stand-up dispute with her sister, the 2025A juvenile vixen yesterday. The latter's forepaw is visible on her chest. These noisy squabbles reinforce social hierarchy, and they rarely cause any injuries.
October 22, 2025 at 7:45 AM
The 2025D juvenile Red Fox Vulpes vulpes vixen indulging in a brief stand-up dispute with her sister, the 2025A juvenile vixen yesterday. The latter's forepaw is visible on her chest. These noisy squabbles reinforce social hierarchy, and they rarely cause any injuries.
Dignity restored, although the 2025A juvenile Red Fox Vulpes vulpes vixen was still quite wet after her shake-downs in the pouring rain earlier today! It takes a lot of water to undermine the natural water-proofing of their fur.
October 20, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Dignity restored, although the 2025A juvenile Red Fox Vulpes vulpes vixen was still quite wet after her shake-downs in the pouring rain earlier today! It takes a lot of water to undermine the natural water-proofing of their fur.
It was too dull this morning to have been able to freeze the action (other than by using stratospheric ISO settings), but as you might have gathered by now, the 2025A juvenile Red Fox Vulpes vulpes vixen was absolutely soaked by a heavy shower, and she needed to shake herself dry!
October 20, 2025 at 10:35 AM
It was too dull this morning to have been able to freeze the action (other than by using stratospheric ISO settings), but as you might have gathered by now, the 2025A juvenile Red Fox Vulpes vulpes vixen was absolutely soaked by a heavy shower, and she needed to shake herself dry!
This appears to have been the same Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis that I photographed earlier this month. It was the only photo that I took in a small London park today on yet another tediously gloomy morning! There are many better photos of them in my new book!: www.bobbooks.co.uk/bookshop/com....
October 19, 2025 at 12:43 PM
This appears to have been the same Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis that I photographed earlier this month. It was the only photo that I took in a small London park today on yet another tediously gloomy morning! There are many better photos of them in my new book!: www.bobbooks.co.uk/bookshop/com....
The 2025A juvenile Red Fox Vulpes vulpes vixen having a snooze on 24th September.
October 18, 2025 at 8:50 AM
The 2025A juvenile Red Fox Vulpes vulpes vixen having a snooze on 24th September.
The 2025D juvenile Red Fox Vulpes vulpes vixen's tail (brush), photographed on 7th October. Juveniles don't moult prior to their first winter, but the coat thickens as it approaches. You can see why foxes like to use their tails as pillows!
October 18, 2025 at 8:45 AM
The 2025D juvenile Red Fox Vulpes vulpes vixen's tail (brush), photographed on 7th October. Juveniles don't moult prior to their first winter, but the coat thickens as it approaches. You can see why foxes like to use their tails as pillows!