The weather is currently playing with us. Much missed downpours interspersed with long periods of warm sun. Is Autumn here yet? It’s certainly knocking on the door, and before we let it in - there’s some field work wrapped in an adventure that we need to undertake.

And so it was that last Friday, Carole and I took a pair of binoculars, a camera, a packed lunch and headed to Barnes to spend much of the day at The London Wetland Centre. Even before we arrived, a heron was on hand to signpost the way. This was our first visit to the centre - I love that sense of newness, not knowing what you might find - and just being curious and open to the possibilities.

On arrival we learned there are, somewhat aptly, two wings to the centre. We headed out along the South Route, after it was described to us as slightly…wilder? As we head off, a quick note on accessibility. The centre is largely flat, and while there are some pathways which require careful navigation - we noticed accessible alternatives pretty much right across the centre. Even one of the taller hides has a lift - and we concluded this felt like a well designed wheelchair friendly space (I don’t have any special mobility needs myself so this is just a lay person’s observation).

It was a fine sunny, warm day, and immediately we became aware there are dragonflies and damselflies everywhere - neither of us can recall seeing so many in one place before now. Apart from the one Common Darter which settled briefly at our feet, and a Migrant Southern Hawker which Carole spotted - most of the dragonflies we saw were airborne - impossible to track for any length of time - let alone photograph. We wandered on, fascinated by how much more diverse the insect population becomes when you add water into the mix.

We stopped at a hide to look out over the main lake. I love how much less visible we become in these places. The wildlife is familiar with the hide and with care, windows can be silently opened and closed without disturbing the birds.

As we looked over the water - someone else arrived into the space - we said hello, admired their huge camera and chatted a while. I explained that my current camera is new to me - and that I’ve more or less taken it out of the box and started shooting. I’m happy enough with the results and conscious I need to learn much more about how to operate this technology. The person offered to give me a couple of immediate tips, and after some quick settings adjustments - a hobby sped past the hide. These birds can move, and it was a fair distance away - but I managed to get a passable shot.

As we chatted - the hobby returned and this time, a gull pursued it. This aerial battle took place right at the very limits of where my camera lens can reach - and while none of my hobby v gull pics are award winners, once again I was pleased enough with what I captured. We said thanks for this brief yet extremely useful piece of tuition and went our separate ways.

The rest of our visit was enjoyable - so much so that we joined the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, who run this and several other centres. Not long before we left - we spotted another Common Darter. This one was settled on a wooden railing and it kept flying off, and returning. We watched a while and carefully approached. The next time it flew, I pressed the shutter button.

I can’t quite believe this is the photo I took. I’ve been trying to capture a dragonfly in flight for years, but they’re crazy fast and all I normally get is blurs. I appreciate this photo isn’t ‘perfect’ and the insect is flying away - but still - to capture a dragonfly mid wing beat is something else, huh?

A fascinating day out - and thanks to the kindness of a stranger willing to gently offer me some tips, a chance to learn more about the amazing technology I carry around with me.

Curiosity : Patience : Persistence - and lest we forget, kindness. A powerful combination. indeed

Curiosity, Patience, Persistence, Kindness

Brief Encounters

Traveling The Landscape : Dreaming and Reality