Tessera

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · 3d ago

Darter Delight #ShareMondays2026 A vibrantly coloured, immature #red-veined #darter #dragonfly seen in the #ruins of the #AncientAgora of #KosTown last week 🇬🇷💙 #nature #wildlife @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @greenwingstours.bsky.social @dailykos.com #Greece #KosIsland #FujifilmUK #odonata

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · last wk.

Reposting for #fsprintmonday @fotospeed.bsky.social

Sarah Longes@sarahlonges.bsky.social · last wk.

The Berry Banquet #ShareMondays2026 #FoxOfTheDay Enjoyed watching this dog #fox snuffling up #YewBerries last week! They’re #poisonous to people & most animals but NOT foxes 🦊 More info in Alt! #nature #wildlife #mammals @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social @rbgkew.bsky.social @chrisgpackham.bsky.social

This is a photograph of a male red fox foraging on a path for red berries. They’re from a mature yew tree! Yew berries have a sticky, sweet, jelly-like flesh that is technically edible for humans, but the hard seed inside is deadly poisonous! Apparently the flesh tastes like lychee, but there’s no way I’d try it them! Foxes, however, CAN eat yew berries, and they often do. The sweet, red outer part of the yew berry (called an aril) is fully digested by the fox. The seed inside the berry contains dangerous toxins, poisonous to many animals and humans. A fox's digestive system passes these toxic seeds completely intact and undigested. The hard seed coat prevents the poison from releasing into their bodies. They usually suffer no serious ill effects from eating the berries, though eating a large amount can sometimes lead to messy, brightly coloured scat full of the hard seeds! And this mature dog fox, known to many as Sebastian (I didn’t name him 🤣) was absolutely hoovering them up! Here’s the image description for the visually impaired:

The fox dominates the upper left and centre of the frame, leaning his body forward to forage. His head is tilted down, with his eyes narrowed and his snout to the ground. A tiny red berry is visible right under the tip of his black nose as he scoops it up with his tongue. His fur is a rich mix of bright orange and russet tones on the head and back, contrasting with a patch of white fur along the jawline and under the chin. His large, upright ears are lined with dark fur on the outer edges. The front legs are covered in brown to black fur, ending in claws resting on the ground. The ground is a rough, textured grey pavement. It’s densely littered with small, crushed and intact red berries, along with tiny green pine needles. The background is softly blurred. It transitions from a dark, shadowed area behind the fox into a brighter, soft green grassy patch on the upper right, keeping the main focus entirely on the fox's activity.

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · last wk.

Reposting for #fsprintmonday @fotospeed.bsky.social

Sarah Longes@sarahlonges.bsky.social · 2w ago

Alert #FoxOfTheDay I’m as alert as this young #fox for the final entries to #ShareMondays2026 this week!! Beautiful work everyone 👏🏻 you’ve given me much to think on tomorrow!! I’ve liked ❤️ all the entries I’ve seen! #nature #wildlife #redfox @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social @rbgkew.bsky.social

The photograph features a close-up, portrait of a young male red fox (Vulpes vulpes), capturing its head, neck, and upper shoulders. He’s known as Fudge and is almost 7 months old. He’s the latest decedent of the foxes featured in my FSPrintMonday award winning image “The Last Dance” that was announced last week. The cub or Star, grandcub of Grey. Of course their familial bonds are not the same as those of humans! The ongoing social structures of foxes within the area is decided amongst them through tests of strength and condition. Dispersal season is approaching and Fudge will leave the territory he’s grown up in. I never know if I’ll have the opportunity to see where the youngsters move to. But the time spent watching them develop is a privilege and wonderful learning experience. Here’s a description for those with visual impairments:

The fox is looking off to the left of the frame with a focused, alert expression. His bright, amber-coloured eyes are wide and clear. The black nose is moist, and a subtle dark line extends back from his mouth, giving him a calm appearance. His coat is a rich palette of colours. The upper face, forehead, and outer ears are covered in vibrant, reddish-brown fur. A stark patch of white fur highlights the muzzle, contrasting with a patch of dark grey and black fur covering the throat and lower neck. Two large, triangular ears point upward, showcasing a soft, pinkish-white interior rimmed with dense, orange fur. The background is a soft, completely blurred (bokeh) wash of muted olive green and earthy brown, which ensures the fox remains the sharp, central focus. The close-up composition highlights the intricate texture of the fox's fur.

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · last wk.

Reposting for #fsprintmonday @fotospeed.bsky.social

Sarah Longes@sarahlonges.bsky.social · 3w ago

Autumn’s Arrival #ShareMondays2026 The #hornbeam #trees are heavy with #seed in #colours that echo the rich tones of #vixen Red’s fur, which is thickening as we head into #Autumn 🍂 #nature #wildlife #redfox #mammals @rbgkew.bsky.social @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social @chrisgpackham.bsky.social

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · last wk.

Reposting for #fsprintmonday @fotospeed.bsky.social

Sarah Longes@sarahlonges.bsky.social · last mo.

Finding Balance #ShareMondays2026 I went to #ThursleyCommonNNR on Saturday to look for #BlackDarter #dragonflies. It was lovely to see the heather too 💜 @surreyhillsnl.bsky.social @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social @naturalengland.bsky.social #wildlife #nature #odonata

The image captures a detailed, close-up photograph of a black darter dragonfly (Sympetrum danae). It’s positioned facing slightly toward the camera, showcasing its large, dark compound eyes and intricate body texture. The black darter is the only small dragonfly that is almost entirely black. Males are black with dark yellow spots along the sides, while females and juveniles are brownish-yellow. This is an overmature male, its thorax and abdomen appear a dark, dusty blackish-grey colour. Its four clear, membranous wings are spread wide horizontally. The complex, lace-like vein structure of the wings catches the soft light. Small, dark patches (pterostigmata) can be seen near the tips of the wings. It clings tightly with its thin, dark legs to the very end of a bare, slender stick that curves upward from the bottom centre of the frame.
The background consists of a beautifully soft, completely blurred bokeh. It blends muted tones of earthy greens, soft oranges, purples, and browns, from a mix of plants in the natural heathland habitat of Thursley Common NNR, including heathers. Thursley renowned for dragonflies! The black darter is one of my favourites and this is the time of year to look for them. This is the UK’s smallest dragonfly and when they’re keeping still, perched on a twig or heather they’re really hard to spot without disturbing them!! Looking for them makes me completely slow down and take in every aspect of my surroundings, looking for the slightest hint of movement or the shimmer of light on an insect’s wing. That’s how I finally found this one. Much of Thursley is open lowland heath and boggy marshland. It’s internationally important habitat with some extraordinary flora and fauna. Although it’s tricky to access in the wheelchair, there’s a boardwalk that allows people to cross the marshes and ponds while protecting the habitat. It’s this type of habitat with damp moors, heath and bogs, where black darters are most likely to be found.

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · last wk.

The Berry Banquet #ShareMondays2026 #FoxOfTheDay Enjoyed watching this dog #fox snuffling up #YewBerries last week! They’re #poisonous to people & most animals but NOT foxes 🦊 More info in Alt! #nature #wildlife #mammals @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social @rbgkew.bsky.social @chrisgpackham.bsky.social

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · 2w ago

Thank’s for your patience everyone 🙏🏻 My #ShareMondays2026 winner this week is @rkphotographic.bsky.social for this beautifully balanced and exquisitely detailed view from Elgol! It just draws me right in 😊 Congrats Rob, and I hope you enjoy judging next week 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

RK Photographic / Rob Knight@rkphotographic.bsky.social · 2w ago

One from a moody Elgol, taken on last week’s Skye explorations, for the weeklies this week. #FSprintmonday #Sharemondays2026 #Appicoftheweek @fotospeed.bsky.social

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · 2w ago

My Top 4 for #ShareMondays2026 are: Lizzie @ledarville.bsky.social RK @rkphotographic.bsky.social Jonny @supergios.bsky.social Dammo @dammo.bsky.social I’ve put my comments in the Alt text for each image and I hope you’ll all read them 😊 I’ll announce my winner tomorrow but well done all 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

A fabulous example of using simple urban elements to create an eye catching abstract in a lesson on compositional excellence! It reminds me of the kind of challenges we were set in technical drawing at art college. Aspects of this image can underpin the way we look at composing any scene or subject!

Another example of compositional excellence! Every element of the scene has been thought through with such care. The crisp detail is present in every area of the image, allowing the viewer to become immersed in the scene. The foreground details are beautifully observed, especially vertical elliptical pool that draws the viewer’s eye upwards. Finished off with that moody slate toned sky with clouds that wrap around the far side of the highest peak, it’s imposing yet inviting!

The ability to capture birds in flight in such exquisite detail comes from years of studying a species, understanding its behaviour and knowing exactly when to press that shutter button! And it’s beautifully presented. I urge everyone to view the video sequence and stunning series that Jonny has also shared of this encounter.

Another great example of how to use compositional elements to link a scene together and tell a story. Damien is always clever with shadows from architectural elements, but to get a cyclist riding down that central shadow line whilst wearing light blue that links to the graffiti on the bridge and the blue sky must have taken a bit of patience and great timing!

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · 2w ago

Alert #FoxOfTheDay I’m as alert as this young #fox for the final entries to #ShareMondays2026 this week!! Beautiful work everyone 👏🏻 you’ve given me much to think on tomorrow!! I’ve liked ❤️ all the entries I’ve seen! #nature #wildlife #redfox @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social @rbgkew.bsky.social

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · 3w ago

Autumn’s Arrival #ShareMondays2026 The #hornbeam #trees are heavy with #seed in #colours that echo the rich tones of #vixen Red’s fur, which is thickening as we head into #Autumn 🍂 #nature #wildlife #redfox #mammals @rbgkew.bsky.social @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social @chrisgpackham.bsky.social

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · last mo.

Finding Balance #ShareMondays2026 I went to #ThursleyCommonNNR on Saturday to look for #BlackDarter #dragonflies. It was lovely to see the heather too 💜 @surreyhillsnl.bsky.social @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social @naturalengland.bsky.social #wildlife #nature #odonata

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · last mo.

Iridescent #ShareMondays2026 The few remaining green areas of #BushyPark are around the #ponds and #streams, where I found this #WillowEmerald #Damselfly on a wilting #nettle. @theroyalparks.bsky.social @britishdragonflies.bsky.social #wildlife #nature #odonata @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social

A crisp macro photograph captures a vibrant metallic green damselfly resting on a hairy green nettle stem, set against a stark, solid dark grey background. This is a willow emerald damselfly found on the edges of a pond in Bushy Park’s woodland gardens. The damselfly is positioned diagonally in the upper-right quadrant of the frame, facing left as it grips the vertical stem. Its slender, elongated abdomen stretches downward and to the right, showing distinct segmentation with subtle yellow or pale rings. The head, thorax, and base of the abdomen gleam with a brilliant, iridescent emerald-green colour. Two large, bulbous compound eyes dominate its head. Four transparent, membranous wings are spread outwards, revealing an intricate, net-like vein structure. Tiny, amber-coloured spots (pterostigmata) are clearly visible near the tips of its wings. The stem of the nettle cuts vertically through the left-centre of the frame. It is heavily covered in fine, hair-like prickles. A few small, serrated green leaves branch out near the bottom-left corner, while dried, brownish old plant material clings to the stem closer to where the damselfly is perched.

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · last mo.

Reposting for #fsprintmonday @fotospeed.bsky.social

Sarah Longes@sarahlonges.bsky.social · last mo.

Aflame #ShareMondays2026 A #CommonDarter #dragonfly perched on a #GiantCannaLily in #BushyPark. The only #flame like thing I want to see in park as the #drought continues 🔥 #nature #wildlife #odonata @theroyalparks.bsky.social @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · last mo.

Aflame #ShareMondays2026 A #CommonDarter #dragonfly perched on a #GiantCannaLily in #BushyPark. The only #flame like thing I want to see in park as the #drought continues 🔥 #nature #wildlife #odonata @theroyalparks.bsky.social @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · last mo.

Reposting for #fsprintmonday @fotospeed.bsky.social

Sarah Longes@sarahlonges.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Before The Re-Tern #ShareMondays2026 #CommonTerns gather on the #ponds at #BushyPark before the #AutumnMigration to #Africa. This is one of the #juveniles, noisily shouting to be fed by the adults. #nature #wildlife #birding @theroyalparks.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social

The image shows a juvenile common tern perched on a weathered wooden post, reflecting onto a calm body of water. Heron Pond in Bushy Park, Teddington, provides a staging ground for young common terns to learn how to hunt. Every year the adults bring their fully fledged young here to master the arts of drinking and eating on the wing, before the birds set off on their long Autumn migration back to sub-Saharan Africa. The young tern shows a distinctive grey and brown patterned plumage with a dark cap on its head and a white forehead and chest. Its sharp, black and orange beak is slightly open as it calls to the adults, demanding to be fed. The orange legs and feet are shadowed, clutching the top of a narrow, mossy wooden stump. The pond has a mirror-like surface on a calm day, creating a clear, slightly rippled reflection of the bird and the post below. The background is a solid, muted blue-grey of the water which fills the frame. A second, shorter wooden post emerges from the water to the left, also casting a reflection.

RSPB Common Tern Identification:
These delightful silvery-grey and white birds have long tails which have earned them the nickname 'sea-swallow'. Their plumage is black grey and white, with reddish orange legs and a beak that is black, orange and red. They have a wingspan of 77-98cm, body length of 31-35cm and they weigh 90-150g. They have a graceful, floating flight and frequently hover over water before plunging down for fish. They often gather and breed in noisy groups. The Common Tern is the tern species most often found inland.

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · last mo.

Reposting for #fsprintmonday @fotospeed.bsky.social

Sarah Longes@sarahlonges.bsky.social · 2mo ago

This Is Not Autumn #ShareMondays2026 #FoxOfTheDay This is #drought! Heartbroken for the loss of #habitat, #nature & #wildlife from #wildfires across the #UK & #World 😭 Read ALT for more info. #BeWildfireAware #redfox @chrisgpackham.bsky.social @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social @rbgkew.bsky.social

This image is a landscape oriented wildlife photograph of a juvenile male fox. At around five months old he’s now independent and his future in the territory will soon be decided as dispersal season approaches. The fox is lying down, positioned in the lower-left side of the frame, shown from the chest up, and looking toward the right. His fur is a mix of rich reddish-orange, brown, with coarser grey and black guard hairs prominent along the lower jaw, neck, and shoulders. His ears are pointed and alert, and a piercing, light-coloured eye is visible. He has an elongated, slender snout ending in a dark nose. His mouth is closed in a neutral expression while he rests peacefully in the shade, on a bed of green and dried brown grass blades that are slightly out of focus. The background is a soft-blurred bokeh with soft, dappled shades of green, yellow, and warm brown, making it appear like the lawn and woodlands during autumn. But it’s only the beginning of August. In London and the South East it’s been over fifty days without rain and the fifth heatwave of the year is about to start. This is drought conditions causing stress to trees that are dropping both leaves and branches. The once verdant green lawn is now hard baked earth and straw, the wind whipping up dust, reflecting and intensifying the sun’s heat. These autumnal-like colours are one of the saddest things I have seen in recent years. Those responsible for managing these gardens, and urban greenspaces across London, watch with growing dread as news reports of wildfires—many caused by human carelessness—continue to emerge from nature reserves across the UK and beyond.

Here is a message from my local Fire Service that they shared on social media:
The hot, dry conditions mean wildfire risk is extremely high. In Surrey, these fires can spread quickly, destroying wildlife habitats and putting people at risk. Last summer alone, we attended 518 outdoor fires.

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · last mo.

Reposting for #fsprintmonday @fotospeed.bsky.social

Sarah Longes@sarahlonges.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Watchful Waiting #ShareMondays2026 I had to #wait and #watch all around me for one of the #juvenile #kestrels to appear in a favourite area of the #grasslands to watch and wait for prey. @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social @theroyalparks.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social #nature #birding #BushyPark

The image features a detailed wildlife photograph of a small falcon, specifically a juvenile common kestrel, perched on a bare, textured tree branch against a stark white background. The bird is perched facing left but turning its head slightly toward the viewer. It has a hooked grey beak with a yellow cere at the base and large, dark eyes ringed with a distinctive yellow orbital ring. The plumage shows light buff underparts streaked with dark brown vertical bars. The back and upper wings are a warm, rufous-brown colouration heavily patterned with dark spots and bars. It has light yellow feet with sharp, dark talons firmly gripping the branch. The perch is composed of dry, leafless grey-brown branches of dead hawthorn. It’s stretching diagonally from the bottom-centre to the upper-right corner and has a highly textured surface, rough bark covered with lichens and smaller offshooting twigs. The subject is set against a clean, overexposed white background creating a minimalist, high key composition.

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · last mo.

Aflame #ShareMondays2026 A #CommonDarter #dragonfly perched on a #GiantCannaLily in #BushyPark. The only #flame like thing I want to see in park as the #drought continues 🔥 #nature #wildlife #odonata @theroyalparks.bsky.social @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Before The Re-Tern #ShareMondays2026 #CommonTerns gather on the #ponds at #BushyPark before the #AutumnMigration to #Africa. This is one of the #juveniles, noisily shouting to be fed by the adults. #nature #wildlife #birding @theroyalparks.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · 2mo ago

This Is Not Autumn #ShareMondays2026 #FoxOfTheDay This is #drought! Heartbroken for the loss of #habitat, #nature & #wildlife from #wildfires across the #UK & #World 😭 Read ALT for more info. #BeWildfireAware #redfox @chrisgpackham.bsky.social @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social @rbgkew.bsky.social

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Watchful Waiting #ShareMondays2026 I had to #wait and #watch all around me for one of the #juvenile #kestrels to appear in a favourite area of the #grasslands to watch and wait for prey. @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social @theroyalparks.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social #nature #birding #BushyPark

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Reposting for #fsprintmonday @fotospeed.bsky.social

Sarah Longes@sarahlonges.bsky.social · 3mo ago

The Wind Beneath His Wings #ShareMondays2026 My 1st #RuddyDarter #dragonfly of the year at #KewGardens on Saturday when a welcome #cool #breeze brought respite from the #heat 🥵 #nature #wildlife #odonata @rbgkew.bsky.social @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social #fujifilm_uk

The image features a male Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) dragonfly perched on a red-seeded plant against a soft, green background. The dragonfly is the central focus, positioned in the upper right quadrant of the frame, angled slightly downward, looking toward the empty space on the left.. It has a brilliant, blood-red abdomen, which is a characteristic of mature males. The thorax is a more muted brownish-red and yellow, and the legs are completely black. Its four translucent wings are spread open, revealing fine, dark veining and small, dark spots near the tips, known as pterostigma. They are typically seen between mid-June and early October, with a peak in activity during August. Known as "darters," these dragonflies often sit on vegetation and dart out to catch smaller insects, mid-flight, with incredible precision. The dragonfly is clinging to the tall, slender stalk of a curled dock plant covered in small, reddish-brown clusters of seed pods. There is a second, shorter stalk to the left. The entire background is a soft, out-of-focus, vibrant green from the leaves of reeds on the edge of the pond, which creates a clean bokeh effect that makes the red subject really stand out.

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Reposting for #fsprintmonday @fotospeed.bsky.social

Sarah Longes@sarahlonges.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Marbled Meadows #ShareMondays2026 I couldn’t wait to get back out to the grassy #meadows at #BushyPark over the weekend to see the wonderful #MarbledWhite #butterflies 🦋 #nature #lepidoptera #wildlife @savebutterflies.bsky.social @theroyalparks.bsky.social @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Coniferous Camouflage #fsprintmonday #FoxOfTheDay A #quiet moment with #vixen, Star, under the #canopy of a huge #conifer, away from the #heat of the sun. @rbgkew.bsky.social @chrisgpackham.bsky.social @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social @fotospeed.bsky.social #wildlife #nature #mammals #redfox

The image is a wildlife photograph of a female red fox (vixen) lying prone on the ground beneath a large conifer, positioned in the lower-middle foreground and looking back over her shoulder to the left of frame. She’s almost flat on her belly against the dirt, extending her front paws forward and hind legs backward. Full stretch! She’s resting on a bed of russet-brown dried pine needles, and mulch. She blends in perfectly!Soft, blurred blades of yellow-green grass sit at the very bottom edge of the frame, adding depth. The large, thick trunk of an ancient conifer with rough, textured grey-brown bark rises vertically behind the fox on the right side. The left and upper portions of the image feature a soft-focus, dense backdrop of the green canopy of the conifer which reaches all the way to the ground. This particular vixen is a year and half in age and known to us as Star. She had her first litter of cubs in March this year. Her 3 youngsters are now reaching full independence and some will soon disperse. Star is getting some well earned rest is an adjacent territory to where she gave birth and her offspring remain. It was lovely to have a bit of chill out time with her as she sought shelter from the heat of the sun under the expansive canopy of the conifer. She only looked up if the sound of other people coming close made her suspicious or when one of the incredibly pesky flies bit her!

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · 2mo ago

The Long Tongue of the Lawn #ShareMondays2026 #fsprintmonday Amazing to see this adult #GreenWoodpecker feed its young at #KewGardens Even more #amazing is that long #tongue!! @rbgkew.bsky.social @fotospeed.bsky.social @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social #nature #birds #wildlife See ALT

The image is a wildlife photograph of two green woodpeckers (colloquially known as yaffles) on a grassy lawn, capturing an interaction between an adult and a juvenile. The adult stands on the right, with olive-green plumage, a pale chest and a distinctive bright red crown. The absence of the red facial “moustache” identifies her as a female. She has a black mask around her pale eye and a long, dark beak with her remarkably long, sticky tongue extended. Several ant larvae cling to the outside of her beak.

Unlike other woodpeckers that feed on wood-boring grubs, green woodpeckers spend most of their time on the ground eating ants and their larvae. Their tongue can extend up to 10 cm—around a third of their body length—and is coated in sticky saliva to trap ants. Adults feed their young by regurgitating a semi-liquid paste of ants and larvae, with both parents sharing feeding duties for around 19 days in the nest. Once the chicks fledge at three to four weeks old, the brood is often divided, with each parent guiding their young to forage for ants until they become independent.

The juvenile, positioned on the left, faces the adult with an open beak, begging for more food. Its plumage is heavily speckled and barred over a greenish-grey base, and a small red patch is beginning to develop on its crown. The birds are angled towards each other, creating a strong triangular focal point in the centre of the frame, as the adult clears her beak after feeding the youngster.

The pair are on a dry patch of short grass, a mix of green and straw-coloured blades, in a well-maintained, irrigated area of Kew Gardens beneath the shade of mature trees. Elsewhere, much of the lawn is dry and barren, the ground baked hard after repeated heatwaves and 40 days without rain. These conditions must make life especially difficult for ground-feeding birds. Fortunately, yaffles are well equipped with their long, powerful beaks to penetrate the hardened soil and reach the ant nests below.

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Fledged #ShareMondays2026 What an absolute joy to watch the young #branching #kestrels finally take #flight at the end of the week and begin the next stage in their lives 🥰 @theroyalparks.bsky.social @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social #nature #wildlife #birding #fledgling #BushyPark

This is a wildlife photograph of a small bird of prey that is the central feature of the image, perched on a gnarled tree branch. The bird is a recently fledged Common Kestrel. It has a speckled brown and buff chest with dark vertical streaks, heavily barred brown wings, and a brown-streaked head. It’s perched upright, facing forward, with its gaze fixed directly toward the camera lens. It has a sharp, hooked beak, which is slightly open as it calls for the parent to bring food. It has a pale yellow cere and visible bright yellow talons gripping the branch. It’s perched on a thin, weathered, lichen-covered, dead hawthorn tree branch that extends diagonally across the frame. The background is a soft, completely out-of-focus mix of deep green and dark foliage, creating a smooth bokeh effect.

Kestrel description from the RSPB website: Both males and females have pale undersides with black speckles. Males have a slate-grey head and uppertail with a single black band at the tip. Females are browner all over, with bars all along the uppertail. Both males and females have dark ‘tear’ marks extending below each eye. Wing tips are more pointed than a Sparrowhawk’s. They have a longer tail than other falcons, with a black band at the end, fanned out while hovering. The beak is yellow and black. Legs are yellow. They are between 32 and 35cm in length.

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · 3mo ago

The Wind Beneath His Wings #ShareMondays2026 My 1st #RuddyDarter #dragonfly of the year at #KewGardens on Saturday when a welcome #cool #breeze brought respite from the #heat 🥵 #nature #wildlife #odonata @rbgkew.bsky.social @britishdragonflies.bsky.social @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social #fujifilm_uk

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Marbled Meadows #ShareMondays2026 I couldn’t wait to get back out to the grassy #meadows at #BushyPark over the weekend to see the wonderful #MarbledWhite #butterflies 🦋 #nature #lepidoptera #wildlife @savebutterflies.bsky.social @theroyalparks.bsky.social @ldnwildlifetrust.bsky.social

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · 3mo ago

When Is A Wall Not A Wall? #ShareMondays2026 When it’s a #butterfly of course 🤭🦋 I love finding nature at #TheAsklepieionOfKos when we’re in #Greece. I often see the #LargeWallBrown perched on the walls of the ruins in the temple area, #shaded from the #sun. #lepidotera #insects #nature #wildlife

The image features a medium-sized butterfly, identified as a Large Wall Brown (Lasiommata maera), resting on a light-coloured, textured rock surface in the ancient ruins of The Asklepieion. The butterfly is captured from an upper-side (dorsal) view with its wings spread open. The wings are primarily brown with vibrant reddish-orange patches. Each forewing apex features a large, prominent black eyespot containing a small white pupil. The outer edges of the hindwings are adorned with a row of smaller black eyespots, each surrounded by a yellowish-orange ring and containing a white centre. The butterfly's central body is brown and fuzzy, with two delicate antennae extending forward. The butterfly is perched on a dry, stony surface, which is characteristic of its habitat—typically open forests with rocky outcrops or dry, stony grasslands. The scene is brightly lit, casting a soft shadow beneath the butterfly's right wing, emphasizing the rough texture of the rock

Sarah Longes @sarahlonges.bsky.social · 4mo ago

True Blue #ShareMondays2026 Of all my #KosCatOfTheDay photos from our #holiday, this is the one that makes me #smile the most 😻 #cats #kittens #Greece #GreekIslands #KosIsland #catsofbluesky #catlovers #Kefalos @kosisland.bsky.social #iphonephotography #shotoniphone

This square cropped image features a grey kitten resting on the textured fabric surface of a sofa back, in a picturesque outdoor setting in front of a taverna. The composition focuses on the cat's serene expression as it gazes slightly upward and toward the left. The kitten has a plush, solid grey or "blue" coat, which is often characteristic of breeds like the Russian Blue or Korat. It has large, pointed ears and yellow-green eyes. Its whiskers are long and delicate, caught in the soft, warm light. The cat is in a relaxed, "loaf" position with its front paws tucked neatly under its chest, suggesting a sense of calm and comfort in its environment. The background depicts the traditional Greek island village of Kefalos on Kos Island. White-washed walls and stone stairs lead upward, partially obscured by soft-focus greenery. To the right, a glowing orange outdoor lamp provides a warm contrast to the cool blue and grey tones of the cat and the white-washed background. Various Mediterranean plants, including a small fig tree and bougainvillea on trellis, are visible in the background, adding to the local charm. The overall mood of the photograph is peaceful, using a shallow depth of field to keep the viewer's focus primarily on the kitten’s blissful expression.