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  • Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata Length 8-10m (Pronounced Minky). Smallest baleen whale but still large and impressive. Tail is not revealed when animal dives. Feeds on shoaling fish. Adult is streamlined with narrow, pointed snout. Upperparts are dark grey; underparts are whitish and broad bands of paler colouration extend up flanks and sometimes visible on animals at surface. Curved dorsal fin is set far back on body. Single ridge runs from nostrils to tip of rostrum. Has diagnostic, broad white spot or band on upper surface of flipper; easily seen in swimming animals.
    127974.jpg
  • Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae Length 12-15m Large cetacean that is often active at surface; breaches and engages in flipper- and tail-slapping on water surface. Feeds on shoaling fish and krill. Adult has streamlined, bulky body; broad head covered in lumpy tubercles. Pectoral fins are long and mainly white; dorsal fin is short and stubby. Tail is typically dark above and white with black markings below. Before deep dive, arches back strongly and tail stock and fluke come clear of water before deep dive.
    128003.jpg
  • Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae Length 12-15m Large cetacean that is often active at surface; breaches and engages in flipper- and tail-slapping on water surface. Feeds on shoaling fish and krill. Adult has streamlined, bulky body; broad head covered in lumpy tubercles. Pectoral fins are long and mainly white; dorsal fin is short and stubby. Tail is typically dark above and white with black markings below. Before deep dive, arches back strongly and tail stock and fluke come clear of water before deep dive.
    103536.jpg
  • Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata Length 8-10m (Pronounced Minky). Smallest baleen whale but still large and impressive. Tail is not revealed when animal dives. Feeds on shoaling fish. Adult is streamlined with narrow, pointed snout. Upperparts are dark grey; underparts are whitish and broad bands of paler colouration extend up flanks and sometimes visible on animals at surface. Curved dorsal fin is set far back on body. Single ridge runs from nostrils to tip of rostrum. Has diagnostic, broad white spot or band on upper surface of flipper; easily seen in swimming animals.
    109521.jpg
  • Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata Length 8-10m (Pronounced Minky). Smallest baleen whale but still large and impressive. Tail is not revealed when animal dives. Feeds on shoaling fish. Adult is streamlined with narrow, pointed snout. Upperparts are dark grey; underparts are whitish and broad bands of paler colouration extend up flanks and sometimes visible on animals at surface. Curved dorsal fin is set far back on body. Single ridge runs from nostrils to tip of rostrum. Has diagnostic, broad white spot or band on upper surface of flipper; easily seen in swimming animals.
    115474.jpg
  • Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae Length 12-15m Large cetacean that is often active at surface; breaches and engages in flipper- and tail-slapping on water surface. Feeds on shoaling fish and krill. Adult has streamlined, bulky body; broad head covered in lumpy tubercles. Pectoral fins are long and mainly white; dorsal fin is short and stubby. Tail is typically dark above and white with black markings below. Before deep dive, arches back strongly and tail stock and fluke come clear of water before deep dive.
    118006.jpg
  • Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata Length 8-10m (Pronounced Minky). Smallest baleen whale but still large and impressive. Tail is not revealed when animal dives. Feeds on shoaling fish. Adult is streamlined with narrow, pointed snout. Upperparts are dark grey; underparts are whitish and broad bands of paler colouration extend up flanks and sometimes visible on animals at surface. Curved dorsal fin is set far back on body. Single ridge runs from nostrils to tip of rostrum. Has diagnostic, broad white spot or band on upper surface of flipper; easily seen in swimming animals.
    121217.jpg
  • Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata Length 8-10m (Pronounced Minky). Smallest baleen whale but still large and impressive. Tail is not revealed when animal dives. Feeds on shoaling fish. Adult is streamlined with narrow, pointed snout. Upperparts are dark grey; underparts are whitish and broad bands of paler colouration extend up flanks and sometimes visible on animals at surface. Curved dorsal fin is set far back on body. Single ridge runs from nostrils to tip of rostrum. Has diagnostic, broad white spot or band on upper surface of flipper; easily seen in swimming animals.
    144653.jpg
  • Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata Length 8-10m (Pronounced Minky). Smallest baleen whale but still large and impressive. Tail is not revealed when animal dives. Feeds on shoaling fish. Adult is streamlined with narrow, pointed snout. Upperparts are dark grey; underparts are whitish and broad bands of paler colouration extend up flanks and sometimes visible on animals at surface. Curved dorsal fin is set far back on body. Single ridge runs from nostrils to tip of rostrum. Has diagnostic, broad white spot or band on upper surface of flipper; easily seen in swimming animals.
    115473.jpg
  • Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata Length 8-10m (Pronounced Minky). Smallest baleen whale but still large and impressive. Tail is not revealed when animal dives. Feeds on shoaling fish. Adult is streamlined with narrow, pointed snout. Upperparts are dark grey; underparts are whitish and broad bands of paler colouration extend up flanks and sometimes visible on animals at surface. Curved dorsal fin is set far back on body. Single ridge runs from nostrils to tip of rostrum. Has diagnostic, broad white spot or band on upper surface of flipper; easily seen in swimming animals.
    144629.jpg
  • Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus Length 25-30m World’s largest living animal. Feeds on tiny, swarming planktonic crustaceans (krill). Adult has huge, streamlined body; bluish grey overall but mottled with greyish white. Seen just below water surface, body looks very blue. Flippers are relatively small. Single ridge extends from nostrils to tip of rostrum. Throat has 70-90 pleats that allow a huge expansion when feeding. Tail stock is thick and dorsal fin is small and set far back. Decimated by 20th Century whaling and possibly recovering.
    103525.jpg
  • Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus Length 25-30m World’s largest living animal. Feeds on tiny, swarming planktonic crustaceans (krill). Adult has huge, streamlined body; bluish grey overall but mottled with greyish white. Seen just below water surface, body looks very blue. Flippers are relatively small. Single ridge extends from nostrils to tip of rostrum. Throat has 70-90 pleats that allow a huge expansion when feeding. Tail stock is thick and dorsal fin is small and set far back. Decimated by 20th Century whaling and possibly recovering.
    127933.jpg
  • Ocean Sunfish Mola mola Length to 1.5m or more<br />
Massive, unmistakable fish. Sometimes seen inshore, at surface, usually from W coast headlands or ferries, in late summer and autumn. Adult is flattened laterally and roughly circular in side profile. Has tall, narrow dorsal and anal fins, and frilled fringe at tail end. Occasional; mainly W Britain.
    140986.jpg
  • Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena Length 1.4-1.9m Our smallest cetacean. Lives in groups of 3-15 animals. Playful at surface. Adult has stout, streamlined body, blunt head and no beak. Flippers are small and oval and dorsal fin is triangular with concave trailing edge. Tailstock is thick and tail fin is broad. Upperparts are mainly dark grey while underparts are whitish. Has bluish grey patch on flanks, roughly between eye and start of dorsal fin.
    112662.jpg
  • Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus Length 25-30m World’s largest living animal. Feeds on tiny, swarming planktonic crustaceans (krill). Adult has huge, streamlined body; bluish grey overall but mottled with greyish white. Seen just below water surface, body looks very blue. Flippers are relatively small. Single ridge extends from nostrils to tip of rostrum. Throat has 70-90 pleats that allow a huge expansion when feeding. Tail stock is thick and dorsal fin is small and set far back. Decimated by 20th Century whaling and possibly recovering.
    123026.jpg
  • Long-finned Pilot Whale Globiocephala melaena Length 4-6m Medium-sized cetacean with distinctive head and dorsal fin shapes. Lives in sizeable groups (pods) and feeds mainly on squid. Head, back and dorsal fin are visible at same time when cruising at surface. Adult is mainly blackish with greyish saddle-shaped mark behind dorsal fin. Has white, thighbone-shaped mark from throat to vent, seen only when breaching. Head is blunt-ended, forehead is domed and flippers are long and sickle-shaped. Dorsal fin is broad-based and curved.
    142345.jpg
  • Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena Length 1.4-1.9m Our smallest cetacean. Lives in groups of 3-15 animals. Playful at surface. Adult has stout, streamlined body, blunt head and no beak. Flippers are small and oval and dorsal fin is triangular with concave trailing edge. Tailstock is thick and tail fin is broad. Upperparts are mainly dark grey while underparts are whitish. Has bluish grey patch on flanks, roughly between eye and start of dorsal fin.
    156901.jpg
  • Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena Length 1.4-1.9m Our smallest cetacean. Lives in groups of 3-15 animals. Playful at surface. Adult has stout, streamlined body, blunt head and no beak. Flippers are small and oval and dorsal fin is triangular with concave trailing edge. Tailstock is thick and tail fin is broad. Upperparts are mainly dark grey while underparts are whitish. Has bluish grey patch on flanks, roughly between eye and start of dorsal fin.
    156913.jpg
  • Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena Length 1.4-1.9m Our smallest cetacean. Lives in groups of 3-15 animals. Playful at surface. Adult has stout, streamlined body, blunt head and no beak. Flippers are small and oval and dorsal fin is triangular with concave trailing edge. Tailstock is thick and tail fin is broad. Upperparts are mainly dark grey while underparts are whitish. Has bluish grey patch on flanks, roughly between eye and start of dorsal fin.
    156914.jpg
  • Basking Shark Cetorhinus maximus Length to 12m<br />
Our largest fish, and the 2nd largest on the planet. It filter feeds surface plankton during summer months but little is know of its habits at other times. Adult has typical shark shape but disproportionately large mouth. Above water, nose, dorsal fin and top of tail fin are often visible. Most records come from SW England, N Irish Sea and NW Scotland, June-September. It is scarce in some years if plankton is poor.
    136619.jpg
  • Basking Shark Cetorhinus maximus Length to 12m<br />
Our largest fish, and the 2nd largest on the planet. It filter feeds surface plankton during summer months but little is know of its habits at other times. Adult has typical shark shape but disproportionately large mouth. Above water, nose, dorsal fin and top of tail fin are often visible. Most records come from SW England, N Irish Sea and NW Scotland, June-September. It is scarce in some years if plankton is poor.
    136621.jpg
  • Bottle-nosed Dolphin Tursiops truncatus Length 2.5-4m Bulky, muscular dolphin. Social, found in schools of 3-4 animals. Diet includes fish, crabs and shrimps. Playful at the surface. Adult is greyish-brown overall, darkest above and palest on throat and belly; mid-grey band is sometimes seen on flanks. Beak is rather short and blunt (fancifully bottle-like) with lower jaw extending beyond upper one. Flippers are rather long and pointed and dorsal fin is tall, curved backwards and almost shark-like.
    104482.jpg
  • Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus Length 25-30m World’s largest living animal. Feeds on tiny, swarming planktonic crustaceans (krill). Adult has huge, streamlined body; bluish grey overall but mottled with greyish white. Seen just below water surface, body looks very blue. Flippers are relatively small. Single ridge extends from nostrils to tip of rostrum. Throat has 70-90 pleats that allow a huge expansion when feeding. Tail stock is thick and dorsal fin is small and set far back. Decimated by 20th Century whaling and possibly recovering.
    109126.jpg
  • Bottle-nosed Dolphin Tursiops truncatus Length 2.5-4m Bulky, muscular dolphin. Social, found in schools of 3-4 animals. Diet includes fish, crabs and shrimps. Playful at the surface. Adult is greyish-brown overall, darkest above and palest on throat and belly; mid-grey band is sometimes seen on flanks. Beak is rather short and blunt (fancifully bottle-like) with lower jaw extending beyond upper one. Flippers are rather long and pointed and dorsal fin is tall, curved backwards and almost shark-like.
    128237.jpg
  • Bottle-nosed Dolphin Tursiops truncatus Length 2.5-4m Bulky, muscular dolphin. Social, found in schools of 3-4 animals. Diet includes fish, crabs and shrimps. Playful at the surface. Adult is greyish-brown overall, darkest above and palest on throat and belly; mid-grey band is sometimes seen on flanks. Beak is rather short and blunt (fancifully bottle-like) with lower jaw extending beyond upper one. Flippers are rather long and pointed and dorsal fin is tall, curved backwards and almost shark-like.
    128238.jpg
  • Long-finned Pilot Whale Globiocephala melaena Length 4-6m Medium-sized cetacean with distinctive head and dorsal fin shapes. Lives in sizeable groups (pods) and feeds mainly on squid. Head, back and dorsal fin are visible at same time when cruising at surface. Adult is mainly blackish with greyish saddle-shaped mark behind dorsal fin. Has white, thighbone-shaped mark from throat to vent, seen only when breaching. Head is blunt-ended, forehead is domed and flippers are long and sickle-shaped. Dorsal fin is broad-based and curved.
    136053.jpg
  • Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena Length 1.4-1.9m Our smallest cetacean. Lives in groups of 3-15 animals. Playful at surface. Adult has stout, streamlined body, blunt head and no beak. Flippers are small and oval and dorsal fin is triangular with concave trailing edge. Tailstock is thick and tail fin is broad. Upperparts are mainly dark grey while underparts are whitish. Has bluish grey patch on flanks, roughly between eye and start of dorsal fin.
    136056.jpg
  • Long-finned Pilot Whale Globiocephala melaena Length 4-6m Medium-sized cetacean with distinctive head and dorsal fin shapes. Lives in sizeable groups (pods) and feeds mainly on squid. Head, back and dorsal fin are visible at same time when cruising at surface. Adult is mainly blackish with greyish saddle-shaped mark behind dorsal fin. Has white, thighbone-shaped mark from throat to vent, seen only when breaching. Head is blunt-ended, forehead is domed and flippers are long and sickle-shaped. Dorsal fin is broad-based and curved.
    142343.jpg
  • Bottle-nosed Dolphin Tursiops truncatus Length 2.5-4m Bulky, muscular dolphin. Social, found in schools of 3-4 animals. Diet includes fish, crabs and shrimps. Playful at the surface. Adult is greyish-brown overall, darkest above and palest on throat and belly; mid-grey band is sometimes seen on flanks. Beak is rather short and blunt (fancifully bottle-like) with lower jaw extending beyond upper one. Flippers are rather long and pointed and dorsal fin is tall, curved backwards and almost shark-like.
    142553.jpg
  • Risso’s Dolphin Grampus griseus Length 3-3.5m Large, blunt-nosed and distinctive dolphin. Lives in ‘pods’ of 3-15 animals. Adult greyish brown overall, darkest on dorsal fin, flippers and tail, and palest on face, throat and belly. Older animals become very pale and upper surface is heavily criss-crossed with white scars. Head is blunt-ended and forehead is split down middle – from upper lip to blowhole - by a deep crease. Dorsal fin is tall, pointed and slightly recurved. Flippers are long and narrow and tail fin is broad.
    144341.jpg
  • Risso’s Dolphin Grampus griseus Length 3-3.5m Large, blunt-nosed and distinctive dolphin. Lives in ‘pods’ of 3-15 animals. Adult greyish brown overall, darkest on dorsal fin, flippers and tail, and palest on face, throat and belly. Older animals become very pale and upper surface is heavily criss-crossed with white scars. Head is blunt-ended and forehead is split down middle – from upper lip to blowhole - by a deep crease. Dorsal fin is tall, pointed and slightly recurved. Flippers are long and narrow and tail fin is broad.
    144343.jpg
  • Risso’s Dolphin - Grampus griseus. Length 3-3.5m Large, blunt-nosed and distinctive dolphin. Lives in ‘pods’ of 3-15 animals. Adult greyish brown overall, darkest on dorsal fin, flippers and tail, and palest on face, throat and belly. Older animals become very pale and upper surface is heavily criss-crossed with white scars. Head is blunt-ended and forehead is split down middle – from upper lip to blowhole - by a deep crease. Dorsal fin is tall, pointed and slightly recurved. Flippers are long and narrow and tail fin is broad.
    157160.jpg
  • Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus Length 25-30m World’s largest living animal. Feeds on tiny, swarming planktonic crustaceans (krill). Adult has huge, streamlined body; bluish grey overall but mottled with greyish white. Seen just below water surface, body looks very blue. Flippers are relatively small. Single ridge extends from nostrils to tip of rostrum. Throat has 70-90 pleats that allow a huge expansion when feeding. Tail stock is thick and dorsal fin is small and set far back. Decimated by 20th Century whaling and possibly recovering.
    109002.jpg
  • Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus Length 25-30m World’s largest living animal. Feeds on tiny, swarming planktonic crustaceans (krill). Adult has huge, streamlined body; bluish grey overall but mottled with greyish white. Seen just below water surface, body looks very blue. Flippers are relatively small. Single ridge extends from nostrils to tip of rostrum. Throat has 70-90 pleats that allow a huge expansion when feeding. Tail stock is thick and dorsal fin is small and set far back. Decimated by 20th Century whaling and possibly recovering.
    109129.jpg
  • Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus Length 25-30m World’s largest living animal. Feeds on tiny, swarming planktonic crustaceans (krill). Adult has huge, streamlined body; bluish grey overall but mottled with greyish white. Seen just below water surface, body looks very blue. Flippers are relatively small. Single ridge extends from nostrils to tip of rostrum. Throat has 70-90 pleats that allow a huge expansion when feeding. Tail stock is thick and dorsal fin is small and set far back. Decimated by 20th Century whaling and possibly recovering.
    126404.jpg
  • Long-finned Pilot Whale Globiocephala melaena Length 4-6m Medium-sized cetacean with distinctive head and dorsal fin shapes. Lives in sizeable groups (pods) and feeds mainly on squid. Head, back and dorsal fin are visible at same time when cruising at surface. Adult is mainly blackish with greyish saddle-shaped mark behind dorsal fin. Has white, thighbone-shaped mark from throat to vent, seen only when breaching. Head is blunt-ended, forehead is domed and flippers are long and sickle-shaped. Dorsal fin is broad-based and curved.
    136052.jpg
  • Long-finned Pilot Whale Globiocephala melaena Length 4-6m Medium-sized cetacean with distinctive head and dorsal fin shapes. Lives in sizeable groups (pods) and feeds mainly on squid. Head, back and dorsal fin are visible at same time when cruising at surface. Adult is mainly blackish with greyish saddle-shaped mark behind dorsal fin. Has white, thighbone-shaped mark from throat to vent, seen only when breaching. Head is blunt-ended, forehead is domed and flippers are long and sickle-shaped. Dorsal fin is broad-based and curved.
    142344.jpg
  • Risso’s Dolphin Grampus griseus Length 3-3.5m Large, blunt-nosed and distinctive dolphin. Lives in ‘pods’ of 3-15 animals. Adult greyish brown overall, darkest on dorsal fin, flippers and tail, and palest on face, throat and belly. Older animals become very pale and upper surface is heavily criss-crossed with white scars. Head is blunt-ended and forehead is split down middle – from upper lip to blowhole - by a deep crease. Dorsal fin is tall, pointed and slightly recurved. Flippers are long and narrow and tail fin is broad.
    144342.jpg
  • GREATER DUCKWEED Spirodella polyrhiza (Lemnaceae) Aquatic. Surface-floating, freshwater perennial that grows in still or slow-flowing waters of canals, ditches and ponds. FLOWERS are minute and seldom seen. FRUITS are seldom seen. LEAVES are up to 10mm across, flat and rounded or ovate with several dangling roots. STATUS-Locally common, mainly in the S.
    131564.jpg
  • GREATER DUCKWEED Spirodella polyrhiza (Lemnaceae) Aquatic. Surface-floating, freshwater perennial that grows in still or slow-flowing waters of canals, ditches and ponds. FLOWERS are minute and seldom seen. FRUITS are seldom seen. LEAVES are up to 10mm across, flat and rounded or ovate with several dangling roots. STATUS-Locally common, mainly in the S.
    131509.jpg
  • Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus Length 16-20m Huge, distinctive whale with large, bulbous head. Tail is raised clear of water prior to deep dive. Dives to 2,000m or more in search of giant squid and sharks. Females live in social groups. Adult is blackish grey with whitish scars from fights and violent encounters with prey. Head accounts for roughly 1/3 of body length and mass. Lower jaw is slender and armed with sharp teeth. Dorsal fin is absent but note dorsal ‘hump’ and series of knobbly lumps. Flippers are small while tail is large. Has a single blowhole (baleen whales have 2); sited at front of head and angled slightly forward and to left.
    127935.jpg
  • Short-beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis Length 1.8-2.3m Our most regularly encountered dolphin. Gregarious, living in schools of 10s or 100s of animals. Adult is streamlined, with pattern of overlapping stripes and bands of pigmentation. Body is overall dark grey above and whitish below with broad, tapering yellow band on flanks from eye and mouth to just behind dorsal fin; grey band continues along flanks towards tail. Overall, yellow and grey patches resemble an hourglass. Flippers are narrow and black, with a black line running forward from base to throat. Dorsal fin is broadly triangular and curved backwards slightly.
    157585.jpg
  • Short-beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis Length 1.8-2.3m Our most regularly encountered dolphin. Gregarious, living in schools of 10s or 100s of animals. Adult is streamlined, with pattern of overlapping stripes and bands of pigmentation. Body is overall dark grey above and whitish below with broad, tapering yellow band on flanks from eye and mouth to just behind dorsal fin; grey band continues along flanks towards tail. Overall, yellow and grey patches resemble an hourglass. Flippers are narrow and black, with a black line running forward from base to throat. Dorsal fin is broadly triangular and curved backwards slightly.
    157583.jpg
  • Short-beaked Common Dolphin - Delphinus delphis. Length 1.8-2.3m Our most regularly encountered dolphin. Gregarious, living in schools of 10s or 100s of animals. Adult is streamlined, with pattern of overlapping stripes and bands of pigmentation. Body is overall dark grey above and whitish below with broad, tapering yellow band on flanks from eye and mouth to just behind dorsal fin; grey band continues along flanks towards tail. Overall, yellow and grey patches resemble an hourglass. Flippers are narrow and black, with a black line running forward from base to throat. Dorsal fin is broadly triangular and curved backwards slightly.
    157579.jpg
  • Short-beaked Common Dolphin - Delphinus delphis. Length 1.8-2.3m Our most regularly encountered dolphin. Gregarious, living in schools of 10s or 100s of animals. Adult is streamlined, with pattern of overlapping stripes and bands of pigmentation. Body is overall dark grey above and whitish below with broad, tapering yellow band on flanks from eye and mouth to just behind dorsal fin; grey band continues along flanks towards tail. Overall, yellow and grey patches resemble an hourglass. Flippers are narrow and black, with a black line running forward from base to throat. Dorsal fin is broadly triangular and curved backwards slightly.
    157576.jpg
  • Short-beaked Common - Dolphin Delphinus delphis. Length 1.8-2.3m Our most regularly encountered dolphin. Gregarious, living in schools of 10s or 100s of animals. Adult is streamlined, with pattern of overlapping stripes and bands of pigmentation. Body is overall dark grey above and whitish below with broad, tapering yellow band on flanks from eye and mouth to just behind dorsal fin; grey band continues along flanks towards tail. Overall, yellow and grey patches resemble an hourglass. Flippers are narrow and black, with a black line running forward from base to throat. Dorsal fin is broadly triangular and curved backwards slightly.
    156909.jpg
  • Short-beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis Length 1.8-2.3m Our most regularly encountered dolphin. Gregarious, living in schools of 10s or 100s of animals. Adult is streamlined, with pattern of overlapping stripes and bands of pigmentation. Body is overall dark grey above and whitish below with broad, tapering yellow band on flanks from eye and mouth to just behind dorsal fin; grey band continues along flanks towards tail. Overall, yellow and grey patches resemble an hourglass. Flippers are narrow and black, with a black line running forward from base to throat. Dorsal fin is broadly triangular and curved backwards slightly.
    156929.jpg
  • Fen Raft Spider - Dolomedes plantarius
    156755.jpg
  • Tower Bridge reflected in the River Thames at dawn, London, Uk
    156237.jpg
  • Millenium Bridge over the River Thames looking towards St Paul's Cathederal at dawn, London, Uk
    156239.jpg
  • Eton College on the River Thames from Romney Lock Island, Windsor, Berkshire, Uk
    154525.jpg
  • Spring dawn on the River Thames in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, Uk
    154549.jpg
  • Sunset over Loch an Eilein and castle island, Cairngorms National Park, Scottish Highlands, Uk
    145506.jpg
  • Caledonian Pine Forest reflected in the still water of Loch Garten, Cairngorms National Park,  Scottish Highlands, Uk
    145519.jpg
  • Looking up Glen Dee towards Ben Macdui and The Devil's Point, Cairngorm and Grampian Mountains, Scotland, Uk
    145526.jpg
  • Silver Birch  Betula pendula Betulaceae Height to 26m<br />
Acquires weeping habit with age. Bark Thick, fissured at base, forming rectangular plates; smooth silvery-white higher up trunk. Branches Ascending; twigs and shoots pendulous. Leaves To 7cm long, triangular, toothed; turn yellow in autumn. Reproductive parts Male catkins terminal, yellow, pendulous. Female catkins greenish, in leaf axils; produce winged seeds when mature. Status Common, especially on heaths.
    133325.jpg
  • Common Larch Larix decidua Pinaceae Height to 35m<br />
Deciduous, conical conifer. Foliage turns golden before needles fall in autumn. Bark Greyish-brown, fissured with age. Branches Mostly horizontal. Needles To 3cm long, in bunches of up to 40. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow cones. Female cones are red in spring, maturing brown and woody. Status Native of central Europe, planted here for timber and ornament.
    133284.jpg
  • London Plane Platanus x hispanica Platanaceae Height to 44m. Deciduous tree with tall trunk and spreading crown. Bark Grey-brown, flaking in patches. Branches Tangled and twisted. Leaves To 24cm long, 5-lobed, palmate. Reproductive parts Flowers rounded, in clusters. Greenish, spherical fruits have spiky hairs. Status Widely planted hybrid in towns and cities.
    133283.jpg
  • Aspen Populus tremulus Salicaceae Height to 18m. Slender tree with a rounded crown. Suckers readily. Bark Ridged and fissured with age. Leaves Rounded to oval, with shallow marginal teeth, palest below; rustle in the slightest breeze and turn golden in autumn. Reproductive parts Reddish male catkins and greenish female catkins on different trees. Status Common on poor, damp soils.
    133281.jpg
  • Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Pinaceae Height to 60m<br />
Tall, slender, conical evergreen. Bark Greyish-green, often blistered. Branches in whorls. Needles to 3.5cm long, grooved above, with 2 white bands below. Reproductive parts Male flowers small and yellow. Female flowers resemble tiny pinkish shaving-brushes. Both sexes grow at tips of twigs. Status Native of W North America. Widely planted here for timber; thrives in Scotland.
    133282.jpg
  • Box Buxus sempervirens Buxaceae Height to 6m <br />
Dense, spreading evergreen shrub. Bark Smooth, grey, breaking into squares with age. Branches Numerous; young twigs green, angular and hairy. Leaves Ovate, to 2.5cm long. Reproductive parts Flowers small, green; males have yellow anthers. Fruit is a greenish capsule, 8mm long, with 3 spreading spines. Status Local native of chalk slopes; also widely planted.
    130417.jpg
  • Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus Aceraceae Height to 35m <br />
Vigorous, spreading deciduous tree. Bark Greyish, fissured and flaking. Branches Thick, with grey-green twigs and reddish buds. Leaves To 15cm long, with 5 toothed lobes. Reproductive parts Flowers in pendulous, yellow clusters, to 12cm long. Paired wings of fruits spread acutely, curve in slightly towards tip. Status Introduced, widely planted and naturalised.
    130414.jpg
  • Ash Fraxinus excelsior Oleaceae Height to 40m. Deciduous tree with open crown. Bark Grey, fissured with age. Branches Ascending; grey twigs flattened at nodes with conical black buds. Leaves Pinnate, to 35cm long with 7–13 lanceolate, toothed leaflets. Reproductive parts Flowers small, purple, clustered. Fruits are single-winged ‘keys’, in bunches. Status Common native; prefers calcareous or base-rich soils.
    130412.jpg
  • Lime Tilia x europaea Tiliaceae Height to 46m<br />
Hybrid between Small-leaved and Large-leaved Limes; suckers freely. Bark Grey-brown, ridged. Branches Ascending and arching; twigs green. Leaves To 10cm long, ovate with heart-shaped base; hairs in vein axils below. Reproductive parts Flowers yellowish, 5-petalled, clustered, with greenish bract. Fruit hard and rounded. Status Widely planted.
    130336.jpg
  • California Gray Whale Eschrichtius robustus Length to 15m Massive baleen whale, with greyish skin, the head usually covered with barnacles and other outgrowths (callosities). Entire population breeds in lagoons off west coast of Baja California, Mexico, and moves north in summer to feed in Arctic.
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  • Cuvier's Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris Length 6-7m. Deep-water cetacean that feeds on squid. Body is usually creamy-grey and scarred paler. Heada is proportionately large with a bulbous forehead. Lower jaw protrudes beyond upper jaw; in males the lower jaw has two protruding teeth.
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  • Northern Bottlenose Whale Hyperoodon ampullatus Length 7-9m Colour is blue-grey to buff and animal has a bulbous, rounded forehead, single blowhole and pronounced beak. It is a deep-water species and under normal circumstances it is seldom seen close to land.
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  • Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
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  • Spinner Dolphin - Stenella longirostris
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  • Sperm Whale - Physeter macrocephalus
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  • Sperm Whale - Physeter macrocephalus
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  • Short-beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis Length 1.8-2.3m Our most regularly encountered dolphin. Gregarious, living in schools of 10s or 100s of animals. Adult is streamlined, with pattern of overlapping stripes and bands of pigmentation. Body is overall dark grey above and whitish below with broad, tapering yellow band on flanks from eye and mouth to just behind dorsal fin; grey band continues along flanks towards tail. Overall, yellow and grey patches resemble an hourglass. Flippers are narrow and black, with a black line running forward from base to throat. Dorsal fin is broadly triangular and curved backwards slightly.
    157584.jpg
  • Short-beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis Length 1.8-2.3m Our most regularly encountered dolphin. Gregarious, living in schools of 10s or 100s of animals. Adult is streamlined, with pattern of overlapping stripes and bands of pigmentation. Body is overall dark grey above and whitish below with broad, tapering yellow band on flanks from eye and mouth to just behind dorsal fin; grey band continues along flanks towards tail. Overall, yellow and grey patches resemble an hourglass. Flippers are narrow and black, with a black line running forward from base to throat. Dorsal fin is broadly triangular and curved backwards slightly.
    157582.jpg
  • Short-beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis Length 1.8-2.3m Our most regularly encountered dolphin. Gregarious, living in schools of 10s or 100s of animals. Adult is streamlined, with pattern of overlapping stripes and bands of pigmentation. Body is overall dark grey above and whitish below with broad, tapering yellow band on flanks from eye and mouth to just behind dorsal fin; grey band continues along flanks towards tail. Overall, yellow and grey patches resemble an hourglass. Flippers are narrow and black, with a black line running forward from base to throat. Dorsal fin is broadly triangular and curved backwards slightly.
    157581.jpg
  • Short-beaked Common Dolphin - Delphinus delphis. Length 1.8-2.3m Our most regularly encountered dolphin. Gregarious, living in schools of 10s or 100s of animals. Adult is streamlined, with pattern of overlapping stripes and bands of pigmentation. Body is overall dark grey above and whitish below with broad, tapering yellow band on flanks from eye and mouth to just behind dorsal fin; grey band continues along flanks towards tail. Overall, yellow and grey patches resemble an hourglass. Flippers are narrow and black, with a black line running forward from base to throat. Dorsal fin is broadly triangular and curved backwards slightly.
    157580.jpg
  • Short-beaked Common Dolphin - Delphinus delphis. Length 1.8-2.3m Our most regularly encountered dolphin. Gregarious, living in schools of 10s or 100s of animals. Adult is streamlined, with pattern of overlapping stripes and bands of pigmentation. Body is overall dark grey above and whitish below with broad, tapering yellow band on flanks from eye and mouth to just behind dorsal fin; grey band continues along flanks towards tail. Overall, yellow and grey patches resemble an hourglass. Flippers are narrow and black, with a black line running forward from base to throat. Dorsal fin is broadly triangular and curved backwards slightly.
    157578.jpg
  • Short-beaked Common - Dolphin Delphinus delphis. Length 1.8-2.3m Our most regularly encountered dolphin. Gregarious, living in schools of 10s or 100s of animals. Adult is streamlined, with pattern of overlapping stripes and bands of pigmentation. Body is overall dark grey above and whitish below with broad, tapering yellow band on flanks from eye and mouth to just behind dorsal fin; grey band continues along flanks towards tail. Overall, yellow and grey patches resemble an hourglass. Flippers are narrow and black, with a black line running forward from base to throat. Dorsal fin is broadly triangular and curved backwards slightly.
    156908.jpg
  • Short-beaked Common - Dolphin Delphinus delphis. Length 1.8-2.3m Our most regularly encountered dolphin. Gregarious, living in schools of 10s or 100s of animals. Adult is streamlined, with pattern of overlapping stripes and bands of pigmentation. Body is overall dark grey above and whitish below with broad, tapering yellow band on flanks from eye and mouth to just behind dorsal fin; grey band continues along flanks towards tail. Overall, yellow and grey patches resemble an hourglass. Flippers are narrow and black, with a black line running forward from base to throat. Dorsal fin is broadly triangular and curved backwards slightly.
    156910.jpg
  • Short-beaked Common - Dolphin Delphinus delphis. Length 1.8-2.3m Our most regularly encountered dolphin. Gregarious, living in schools of 10s or 100s of animals. Adult is streamlined, with pattern of overlapping stripes and bands of pigmentation. Body is overall dark grey above and whitish below with broad, tapering yellow band on flanks from eye and mouth to just behind dorsal fin; grey band continues along flanks towards tail. Overall, yellow and grey patches resemble an hourglass. Flippers are narrow and black, with a black line running forward from base to throat. Dorsal fin is broadly triangular and curved backwards slightly.
    156911.jpg
  • Short-beaked Common - Dolphin Delphinus delphis. Length 1.8-2.3m Our most regularly encountered dolphin. Gregarious, living in schools of 10s or 100s of animals. Adult is streamlined, with pattern of overlapping stripes and bands of pigmentation. Body is overall dark grey above and whitish below with broad, tapering yellow band on flanks from eye and mouth to just behind dorsal fin; grey band continues along flanks towards tail. Overall, yellow and grey patches resemble an hourglass. Flippers are narrow and black, with a black line running forward from base to throat. Dorsal fin is broadly triangular and curved backwards slightly.
    156912.jpg
  • Short-beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis Length 1.8-2.3m Our most regularly encountered dolphin. Gregarious, living in schools of 10s or 100s of animals. Adult is streamlined, with pattern of overlapping stripes and bands of pigmentation. Body is overall dark grey above and whitish below with broad, tapering yellow band on flanks from eye and mouth to just behind dorsal fin; grey band continues along flanks towards tail. Overall, yellow and grey patches resemble an hourglass. Flippers are narrow and black, with a black line running forward from base to throat. Dorsal fin is broadly triangular and curved backwards slightly.
    156930.jpg
  • Short-beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis Length 1.8-2.3m Our most regularly encountered dolphin. Gregarious, living in schools of 10s or 100s of animals. Adult is streamlined, with pattern of overlapping stripes and bands of pigmentation. Body is overall dark grey above and whitish below with broad, tapering yellow band on flanks from eye and mouth to just behind dorsal fin; grey band continues along flanks towards tail. Overall, yellow and grey patches resemble an hourglass. Flippers are narrow and black, with a black line running forward from base to throat. Dorsal fin is broadly triangular and curved backwards slightly.
    156931.jpg
  • Tower Bridge reflected in the River Thames at dawn, London, Uk
    156236.jpg
  • Short-beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis Length 1.8-2.3m Our most regularly encountered dolphin. Gregarious, living in schools of 10s or 100s of animals. Adult is streamlined, with pattern of overlapping stripes and bands of pigmentation. Body is overall dark grey above and whitish below with broad, tapering yellow band on flanks from eye and mouth to just behind dorsal fin; grey band continues along flanks towards tail. Overall, yellow and grey patches resemble an hourglass. Flippers are narrow and black, with a black line running forward from base to throat. Dorsal fin is broadly triangular and curved backwards slightly.
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  • Dawn over the River Thames at Ham Island Weir, Old Windsor, Berkshire, Uk
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  • Spring dawn on the River Thames in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, Uk
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  • The Swan Hotel and Restaurant on the River Thames at dusk in Streatley, Berkshire, Uk
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  • Weir at Bellweir Lock on the River Thames in Egham, Surrey, Uk
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  • University Boat Houses on the River Thames in Oxford, Uk
    154501.jpg
  • Sunset over Loch an Eilein and castle island, Cairngorms National Park, Scottish Highlands, Uk
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  • Sunset over Loch an Eilein and castle island, Cairngorms National Park, Scottish Highlands, Uk
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  • Shore of Loch Garten looking towards the Cairngorm Mountains, Scottish Highlands, Uk
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  • Caledonian Pine Forest reflected in the still water of Loch Garten, Cairngorms National Park,  Scottish Highlands, Uk
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  • Panoramic view looking up Glen Dee towards Ben Macdui and The Devil's Point, Cairngorm and Grampian Mountains, Scotland, Uk
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  • Silver Birch  Betula pendula Betulaceae Height to 26m<br />
Acquires weeping habit with age. Bark Thick, fissured at base, forming rectangular plates; smooth silvery-white higher up trunk. Branches Ascending; twigs and shoots pendulous. Leaves To 7cm long, triangular, toothed; turn yellow in autumn. Reproductive parts Male catkins terminal, yellow, pendulous. Female catkins greenish, in leaf axils; produce winged seeds when mature. Status Common, especially on heaths.
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  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae Height to 25m. Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
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  • Silver Birch  Betula pendula Betulaceae Height to 26m<br />
Acquires weeping habit with age. Bark Thick, fissured at base, forming rectangular plates; smooth silvery-white higher up trunk. Branches Ascending; twigs and shoots pendulous. Leaves To 7cm long, triangular, toothed; turn yellow in autumn. Reproductive parts Male catkins terminal, yellow, pendulous. Female catkins greenish, in leaf axils; produce winged seeds when mature. Status Common, especially on heaths.
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  • English Elm Ulmus procera Ulmaceae Height to 36m <br />
High domed and lofty. BARK Dark, grooved with squarish plates. Branches Main ones ascending. Twigs reddish, hairy. Leaves Rough, rounded to oval; unequal base does not reach beyond petiole. Reproductive parts Fruits papery, to 1.5cm long, short-stalked. Status Fairly common but declining.
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  • Laburnum Laburnum anagyroides (Fabaceae) HEIGHT to 7m<br />
Deciduous tree with narrow, sparse crown and slender bole. BARK Smooth, greenish-brown, marked with blemishes. BRANCHES Often slightly pendulous; shoots grey-green with long, silky, clinging hairs. LEAVES Alternate, divided into three, each leaflet to 8cm long, elliptic and blunt-pointed at tip, on a 2–6cm-long petiole; hairy below when young. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellow, fragrant pea-like flowers appear copiously in 10–30cm-long pendulous racemes in early summer. Pods, to 6cm long, have smooth blackish-brown, dry outer skin. Persist on tree, twisting open to reveal pale inner skin and dark seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of S and central Europe, planted here for ornament; sometimes naturalised
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  • Laburnum Laburnum anagyroides (Fabaceae) HEIGHT to 7m<br />
Deciduous tree with narrow, sparse crown and slender bole. BARK Smooth, greenish-brown, marked with blemishes. BRANCHES Often slightly pendulous; shoots grey-green with long, silky, clinging hairs. LEAVES Alternate, divided into three, each leaflet to 8cm long, elliptic and blunt-pointed at tip, on a 2–6cm-long petiole; hairy below when young. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellow, fragrant pea-like flowers appear copiously in 10–30cm-long pendulous racemes in early summer. Pods, to 6cm long, have smooth blackish-brown, dry outer skin. Persist on tree, twisting open to reveal pale inner skin and dark seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of S and central Europe, planted here for ornament; sometimes naturalised
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