SaxtonSnaps

05/05/2025

VE DAY 80🇬🇧

11/10/2024

The northern lights, or aurora borealis, occur when charged particles from the Sun, carried by the solar wind, collide with Earth’s magnetic field. These particles are directed toward the polar regions, where they interact with gases like oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere. This interaction releases energy in the form of light, creating the colorful, shimmering displays we see in the sky. Recluver Tower, Herne Bay, Kent 📍

30/09/2024

Woodpeckers are fascinating birds with several unique traits. Here are some interesting facts about them:

1. Shock-Absorbing Skulls: Woodpeckers can peck up to 20 times per second without injury. Their skulls are specially designed to absorb the impact, protecting their brains from damage.

2. Tongue Adaptations: Their tongues can extend far beyond their beaks, sometimes up to three times the length of the bill. Some species have barbed tongues to help catch insects, while others use sticky saliva to gather prey.

3. No Vocal Song: Unlike many birds, woodpeckers don't have a melodious song. Instead, they communicate by "drumming" on trees or other surfaces, often to establish territory or attract mates.

4. Zygodactyl Feet: Woodpeckers have two toes facing forward and two facing backward, giving them a strong grip when climbing trees. This foot structure is known as "zygodactyl."

5. Pecking for Food: They drill into wood to find insects like ants and beetle larvae, and some species even eat fruit, nuts, or sap. The constant pecking also helps create nesting cavities in trees.

6. Territorial Drumming: Woodpeckers drum on resonant objects like dead trees, metal poles, or even house siding to amplify sound. This is often done to mark territory, especially during the breeding season.

7. Species Diversity: There are over 200 species of woodpeckers around the world, with most found in forests and woodlands. They range in size from the tiny piculets to the large pileated woodpecker.

8. Unique Nesting Habits: Most woodpeckers are cavity nesters, meaning they excavate holes in trees to lay their eggs. They prefer dead or decaying wood for easier drilling.

9. Non-Migratory Behavior: Many woodpecker species are non-migratory and live in the same area year-round, as they can find food in their territory through various seasons.

10. Conservation Symbol: The ivory-billed woodpecker, once thought extinct, is considered a symbol of conservation efforts as scientists continue to search for any surviving populations.

These birds are not only skillful climbers but also key contributors to forest ecosystems by controlling insect populations and creating nesting sites for other species.

29/09/2024

Probably my most favourite photo… just looking out over the views of mevagissey, Cornwall, UK.

25/09/2024

Thank you 🙌📸

A kingfisher having a spot of breakfast at Stodmarsh Nature Reserve. Today's was supplied by Ashley Saxton. 📸

22/09/2024

The Nymph’s Fountain, Hever Castle’s very own Trevi Fountain was created in 1908. It overlooks the Hever Lake and the bowl contains two supporting female figures in white Pentelic marble.

The Pentelic marble was quarried near Athens. The crystals of this marble are somewhat larger than those in the white marble quarried from Carrara near Florence which was used by Michaelangelo in many of his greatest work. Pentelic marble therefore gives a less smooth surface than Carrara marble.

It was carved by William Silver Frith. Frith’s work can also be seen inside the Castle as well as the front of the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Edward VII fountain in Whitechapel and at the Victoria Law Courts

21/09/2024

Every rose has its thorns….

20/09/2024

A lone Cormorant perched in the trees of stodmarsh nature reserve at sunrise…

Cormorants are large, black waterbirds. They feed on fish, which they catch with their long, hook-tipped bills while swimming underwater. Cormorants nest on low cliffs around the coasts, or in colonies in trees on lakes and flooded gravel pits. Cormorants can often be spotted perched on a rock or bank with their wings held out. In this stance, they are able to dry their feathers off which are not waterproof.

20/09/2024

Knole Park in Sevenoaks, Kent, is home to a historic population of wild deer, which have roamed the park for over 500 years. The park itself spans over 1,000 acres and is part of the Knole estate, a site of historical and natural significance managed by the National Trust. Here are some key details about the wild deer at Knole Park:

Deer Species:

Knole Park is home to two main species of deer:

1.Fallow Deer: These are the more common species in the park. Fallow deer are known for their beautiful, dappled coats and impressive antlers in males (bucks). Their coat changes with the seasons, becoming darker in winter and lighter in summer.

2. Sika Deer: Less common than fallow deer, Sika deer are native to East Asia and were introduced to the UK in the 19th century. They are slightly smaller and have darker, less spotted coats compared to fallow deer.

Behavior and Habitat:

- The deer at Knole Park are semi-wild. Although they are accustomed to the presence of humans, they remain largely independent and forage naturally in the park.
- They can be seen grazing in the open grassy areas or resting under trees.
- During the autumn rutting season (September to November), male deer can be heard and seen competing for territory and the attention of females. This is one of the most dramatic wildlife spectacles in the park.

Interaction with Visitors:

- While the deer are an iconic feature of Knole Park, visitors are encouraged to observe them from a distance to avoid stressing the animals.
- Feeding the deer is discouraged as it can disrupt their natural diet and behavior.

Conservation:

- The deer are part of a carefully managed population to ensure that they do not overgraze the land and that their numbers remain healthy.
- The presence of these deer adds to the park’s biodiversity, supporting a range of ecosystems within the parkland.

Knole Park is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its wildlife and historic significance, making it a unique spot for observing these majestic animals in a natural setting.

19/09/2024

Tonight’s rising moon, (19/09/24) waning gibbous.

The Moon can appear orange due to atmospheric effects, most commonly during a moonrise or moonset. When the Moon is low on the horizon, its light has to pass through a larger portion of Earth's atmosphere. This increased distance scatters shorter wavelengths of light (like blue and green), allowing the longer wavelengths, such as red and orange, to dominate. This is the same reason sunsets and sunrises often appear red or orange.