Nature Photographers Ltd

  • Portfolio
  • About
  • Contact
  • Archive
    • All Galleries
    • Search
    • Cart
    • Lightbox
    • Client Area
  • NPL Blog
Show Navigation

Search Results

Refine Search
Match all words
Match any word
Prints
Personal Use
Royalty-Free
Rights-Managed
(leave unchecked to
search all images)
Next
{ 1406 images found }
twitterlinkedinfacebook

Loading ()...

  • Black-browed Albatross - Thalassarche melanophrys - 3 week old chick on nest
    160482.jpg
  • Black browed Albatross - Thalassarche melanophrys - 3 week old chick on nest
    160485.jpg
  • Filbert Corylus maxima (Betulaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Very similar to Hazel except for the nuts, which are mostly solitary or in bunches of 2–3 and entirely enclosed in an undivided involucre, which is constricted over the nut and toothed at the tip. A native of the Balkans, but widely planted elsewhere for the superior quality of its nuts, and sometimes naturalized
    141305.jpg
  • Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    100170.jpg
  • Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus L 53-56cm. Similar to Herring Gull but adult has dark grey back and upperwings and bright yellow legs. Note, confusion possible with adult Yellow-legged (upperparts paler). Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has dark grey back and upperwings. Black wingtips are darker than rest of upperwing except for white trailing edge; plumage is otherwise white. Bill is yellow with orange spot. Iris is yellow and orbital ring is red. In winter, similar but with streaks on head and neck, and duller leg and bill colours. Juvenile and 1st winter have streaked and mottled grey-brown plumage, palest on head. Upperwings dark brown and whitish tail is dark-tipped. Eye and bill are dark. Adult plumage acquired over 3 years. 2nd winter similar to 1st winter but with grey back, pinkish legs and dark-tipped pink bill; 3rd winter resembles heavily streaked winter adult. Voice Utters a distinctive kyaoo and anxious ga-ka-ka. Status Locally common in summer, nesting colonially on seacliffs and islands. Most migrate S to Mediterranean outside breeding season; small numbers remain, often roosting on reservoirs.
    154277.jpg
  • Filbert Corylus maxima (Betulaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Very similar to Hazel except for the nuts, which are mostly solitary or in bunches of 2–3 and entirely enclosed in an undivided involucre, which is constricted over the nut and toothed at the tip. A native of the Balkans, but widely planted elsewhere for the superior quality of its nuts, and sometimes naturalized
    133112.jpg
  • COMMON DANDELION Taraxacum officinale agg. (Asteraceae) Height to 35cm. Extremely variable perennial. Experts recognise several sub-groups (sections), containing numerous so-called micro-species; however, for simplicity’s sake, here they are lumped together as a single species. Grows in a wide variety of grassy places. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 3-6cm across, with yellow florets; heads are solitary and borne on hollow stems that yield a milky sap if broken (Mar-Oct). FRUITS have a hairy pappus, arranged as a white ‘clock’. LEAVES are spoon-shaped and sharply lobed; arranged in a basal rosette. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    141299.jpg
  • Beech Fagus sylvatica Fagaceae Height to 40m <br />
Imposing deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Smooth and grey. Branches Ascending. Buds reddish, to 2cm long, smooth and pointed. Leaves To 10cm long, oval, pointed, with wavy margin. Reproductive parts Male flowers pendent, clustered. Female flowers paired with brownish bracts. Fruits are shiny 3-sided nuts, to 1.8cm long, enclosed in a prickly case. Status Common native in S England; widely planted elsewhere.
    134774.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.
    144293.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult male
    146656.jpg
  • Sage-leaved Pear Pyrus salvifolia (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 10m. Small, much-branched tree. BARK Rough and scaly. BRANCHES Spreading and spiny with blackish, almost hairless old twigs. LEAVES To 5cm long, elliptical, smooth above and grey and woolly below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS White flowers open with the leaves, followed by pear-shaped fruit, to 8cm long. Pedicel and young fruit are woolly; bitter fruit ripens yellow; used to make Perry. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Occurs in the wild from France eastwards; planted here occasionally. COMMENT Possibly a hybrid between P. communis and P. nivalis.
    134685.jpg
  • Hubei Crab Malus hupehensis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m<br />
Broadly domed and spreading tree. BARK Reddish brown with scaly plates. BRANCHES Long and spreading, lower ones with shoots that almost reach the ground. LEAVES Narrowly ovate, pointed at the tip, to 10cm long, shiny green above and borne on a rather long, downy petiole. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are white, arising from pink buds. Fruits are reddish and 1cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Scarce native of E Asia, planted widely here in parks and gardens.
    132894.jpg
  • Teal Anas crecca L 34-38cm. Our smallest duck. Forms flocks outside breeding season. Often nervous and flighty. In flight, both sexes show white-bordered green speculum. Sexes are otherwise dissimilar. Adult male has chestnut-orange head with yellow-bordered green patch through eye. Plumage is otherwise finely marked grey except for black-bordered yellow stern and horizontal white line along flanks. Bill is dark grey.  In eclipse, resembles adult female. Adult female has mottled grey-brown plumage. Bill is grey with hint of yellow at base. Juvenile is similar to adult female but warmer buff. Voice Male utters a ringing whistle, female utters a soft quack. Status Associated with water. Nests in small numbers beside pools and bogs mainly in N. Locally common outside breeding season on freshwater marshes, estuaries and mudflats.
    145322.jpg
  • Bean Goose, Taiga race - Anser fabalis fabalis
    145731.jpg
  • Brent Goose - Branta bernicla
    162946.jpg
  • Whooper Swan - Cygnus cygnus
    162264.jpg
  • Chough - Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
    160253.jpg
  • American Black Tern - Chlidonias niger surinamensis - Summer
    159977.jpg
  • Pintail - Anas acuta - male
    159897.jpg
  • Killdeer - Charadrius vociferus
    159474.jpg
  • Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa. L 38-42cm. Long-legged wader with long, straight bill. In flight, has black tail, white rump and white wingbars on upperwing. Sexes are dissimilar in summer. Adult male in breeding plumage has reddish orange face, neck and breast. Greyish back is spangled with reddish brown and belly is whitish with barring on flanks. Adult female in breeding plumage is similar but reddish elements of plumage are less intense. Winter adult is grey-brown, palest on belly; undertail is white. Juvenile recalls winter adult but has orange suffusion on neck and breast and pale fringes and dark spotting on back feathers. Voice Utters a kwe-we-we call in flight. Status Rare British breeder; Ouse and Nene Washes are strongholds and favours wet grassland. Icelandic migrants boost numbers outside breeding season; locally common on muddy estuaries.
    157153.jpg
  • Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla L 15-16cm. Dumpy, sandy-brown lark with a stubby bill, pale underparts and dark patch on sides of breast. Feeds unobtrusively and often found near coasts. Winters in Africa and usually breeds in S Europe.
    156325.jpg
  • Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix L 40-45cm. Bulky moorland gamebird. Males display at traditional leks to interest nearby females. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has mainly dark plumage with red wattle above eye. Displaying birds elevate and spread tails (which look lyre-shaped) and reveal white undertail coverts. In flight, tail looks long and forked; wings have white bars. Adult female has orange-brown plumage finely marked with dark bars. In flight wings show narrow white bar. Juvenile resembles a small female with subdued markings. Voice Displaying male utters a bubbling, cooing call. Status Scarce and declining in many areas. Does best on moorland comprising mosaic of grassland, heather moorland, bilberry stands and adjacent woodland.
    155973.jpg
  • Swift (Apus apus) in Flight. L 16-17cm. Invariably seen in flight: has anchor-shaped outline and mainly dark plumage. Catches insects on the wing. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blackish brown plumage with pale throat. Tail is forked but often held closed in active flight. Juvenile is overall darker but throat and forehead are paler. Voice Loud screaming calls uttered in flight. Status Locally common summer visitor. Nests in churches and loft spaces. Feeding birds gather where insects are numerous. Observation tips Easy to see in late spring in villages and towns. Most adults leave Britain in August.
    155945.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult male
    146626.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult male
    146627.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult male
    146631.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult male
    146635.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult female
    146638.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult female
    146639.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult female
    146640.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult male
    146648.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult male
    146650.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult female
    146651.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult male
    146655.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult male
    146657.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult male
    146658.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult male
    146659.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult female
    146660.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult female
    146661.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult female
    146663.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult male
    146664.jpg
  • Marsh Harrier - Circus aeruginosus - male - left and centre - female - right. Wingspan 110-125cm.Graceful wetland raptor. Adult male is mostly reddish brown with blue-grey head and grey tail. In flight, note patches of grey and reddish brown on wings, and black wingtips. Adult female is mainly dark brown with pale leading edge to wings and pale cap and chin. Tail is reddish brown. Juvenile is similar to an adult female but tail is dark brown. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Commonest in summer months, but some birds are present year-round. Usually seen in flight over marshes and reedbeds. Easiest to see in East Anglia.
    155902.jpg
  • American Three-toed woodpecker - Picoides dorsalis - Adult female
    146153.jpg
  • American Three-toed woodpecker - Picoides dorsalis - Adult female
    146157.jpg
  • American Three-toed woodpecker - Picoides dorsalis - Adult female
    146159.jpg
  • American Three-toed woodpecker - Picoides dorsalis - Adult male
    146160.jpg
  • American Three-toed woodpecker - Picoides dorsalis - Adult male
    146164.jpg
  • American Three-toed woodpecker - Picoides dorsalis - Adult female
    146166.jpg
  • Snipe Gallinago gallinago L 25-28cm. Distinctive, even in silhouette: has dumpy body, rather short legs and very long, straight bill. Feeds by probing bill in a sewing machine-like manner. Sexes and ages are similar. Adult and juvenile have mainly buffish brown upperparts, beautifully patterned with black and white lines and bars. Note distinctive stripes on head, streaked and barred breast and flanks, and white underparts. Voice Utters one or two sneeze-like kreech calls when flushed. Performs ‘drumming’ display in breeding season: sound caused by vibrating tail feathers. Status Locally common and invariably associated with boggy ground. In breeding season, favours marshes, meadows and moorland bogs. Winter numbers boosted by migrants and then found on wide range of wetland habitats. Sadly, tens of thousands of birds are shot each year.
    155779.jpg
  • Spanish Imperial Eagle - Aquila adalberti -  3th calendar year
    155168.jpg
  • Spanish Imperial Eagle - Aquila adalberti - 4th calendar year
    155182.jpg
  • Adonis Blue Polyommatus bellargus Wingspan 32mm. A classic chalk downland butterfly, males of which are dazzling. Adult male has iridescent blue upperwings with black and white margins; female’s upperwings are brown with orange submarginal spots. Underwings of both sexes are grey-brown with spots. Double brooded: flies May–June and July–August. Larva feeds on Horseshoe Vetch; can sometimes be found in short turf being attended by ants. Very local in southern England but entirely restricted to chalk downs.
    144879.jpg
  • Common Walnut Juglans regia Juglandaceae Height to 30m <br />
Spreading, domed tree. Bark Brown at first, grey and fissured with age. Branches Lowest ones spreading; twisted twigs bear purple-brown buds. Leaves Compound, with 7–9 leaflets, to 15cm long; thick and leathery. Reproductive parts Male catkins yellow, to 15cm long; female flowers small, greenish. Fruits green, rounded, to 5cm across, encasing edible Walnut seed. Status Cultivated since Roman times.
    134908.jpg
  • Common Walnut Juglans regia Juglandaceae Height to 30m <br />
Spreading, domed tree. Bark Brown at first, grey and fissured with age. Branches Lowest ones spreading; twisted twigs bear purple-brown buds. Leaves Compound, with 7–9 leaflets, to 15cm long; thick and leathery. Reproductive parts Male catkins yellow, to 15cm long; female flowers small, greenish. Fruits green, rounded, to 5cm across, encasing edible Walnut seed. Status Cultivated since Roman times.
    132720.jpg
  • Hazel Corylus avellana Betulaceae Height to 6m<br />
Multi-stemmed shrub, or short tree. Bark Smooth, shiny, peeling into papery strips. Branches Upright to spreading. Twigs with stiff hairs, buds oval and smooth. Leaves Rounded, to 10cm long, hairy above; heart-shaped base and pointed tip. Margins double-toothed. Reproductive parts Male catkins to 8cm long, pendulous and yellow. Female flowers red and tiny; produce hard-shelled nuts. Status Common, often coppiced.
    129876.jpg
  • King Penguins - Apternodytes patagonica
    127002.jpg
  • Greater Flamingo - Phoenicopterus roseus
    133049.jpg
  • Goosander Mergus merganser L 58-66cm. Large, elegant diving duck. Narrow mandibles have serrated edges. In flight, upper surface of male’s inner wing is white; in female white is restricted to trailing edge. Sexes are dissimilar in other regards. Adult male has bright red bill, green-glossed head (looks dark in poor light), mainly pink-flushed white body and black back. In eclipse, resembles adult female but retains white wing pattern. Adult female has reddish bill, orange-red head with shaggy crest, and greyish body palest on breast; chin is white. Juvenile resembles dull adult female. Voice Displaying male utters ringing calls. Status Fairly common freshwater species beside wooded upland rivers; nests in tree holes. Influx from mainland Europe boosts winter numbers; found on reservoirs, lochs and flooded gravel pits.
    135795.jpg
  • Lapwing Vanellus vanellus L 30cm. Pied-looking wader with a spiky crest. Has rounded, black and white wings and distinctive call. Sexes are separable in summer. Adult male in summer has green- and purple-sheened dark upperparts; underparts are white except for orange vent and black foreneck. Note black and white markings on throat. Adult female in summer has less distinct black neck markings and shorter crest. Winter adult is similar to summer female but throat and foreneck are white, and back feathers have buffish fringes. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but crest is short and back looks scaly. Voice Utters a choked pee-wit call. Status Fairly common nesting species of undisturbed grazed grassland, moors and arable farmland; numbers have declined seriously. Migrants from Europe boost numbers in winter.
    136028.jpg
  • Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus showing various plumages. L 35-38cm. Our most numerous medium-sized gull. Plumage variable but white leading edge to outerwings is consistent feature. Forms single-species flocks. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has grey back and upperwings, white underparts and chocolate-brown hood. Legs and bill are red. In flight, trailing edge of outerwing is black. In winter, loses dark hood; white head has dark smudges above behind eye. Juvenile has orange-brown flush to upperparts, dark feathers on back, dark smudges on head, and dark tip to tail. Acquires adult plumage by 2nd winter through successive moults. 1st winter bird retains many juvenile plumage details but loses rufous elements and gains grey back. 1st summer bird still has juvenile-type wing pattern but gains dark hood. Voice Raucous calls include a nasal kaurrr. Status Widespread and numerous. Commonest on coasts and inland freshwater sites, but also in towns and on farmland; often follows the plough. Nests colonially beside water. Migrants from Europe boost winter numbers.
    136081.jpg
  • Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus L 35-40cm. Well-marked owl that often hunts in daylight. Flight is leisurely, often with stiffly-held wings. Perches on fenceposts. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have buffish brown plumage, heavily spotted and streaked on upperparts; underparts are streaked but paler. Facial disc is rounded; note yellow eyes and short ‘ear’ tufts. Voice Displaying birds sometimes uttera deep hoots. Status Local and rather scarce. Nests on upland moors but outside breeding season favours lowland marshes, grassland and heaths, particularly near coasts. Influx of birds from Europe boosts winter numbers.
    137378.jpg
  • House Martin Delichon rubica L 12-13cm. Recognised by overall black-and-white appearance and striking white rump. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blue-black upperparts with white rump; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar but underparts are grubby and upperparts are duller. Voice Utters distinctive prrrt call in flight. Twittering song often delivered from overhead wires near nest. Status Locally common summer visitor. Typically constructs hemi-spherical mud nest under house eaves and overhangs, in loose colonies. On migration, often feeds on insects and congregates over freshwater.
    137887.jpg
  • Painted Storks At Sunset - Mycteria leucocephala
    139624.jpg
  • Swift Apus apus L 16-17cm. Invariably seen in flight: has anchor-shaped outline and mainly dark plumage. Catches insects on the wing. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blackish brown plumage with pale throat. Tail is forked but often held closed in active flight. Juvenile is overall darker but throat and forehead are paler. Voice Loud screaming calls uttered in flight. Status Locally common summer visitor. Nests in churches and loft spaces. Feeding birds gather where insects are numerous.
    143718.jpg
  • Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris (L 38-45cm) is similar to a Tufted Duck but with a peaked crown and tri-coloured bill. Mainly black and white male has a vertical white line on flanks and brownish female has a white ‘spectacle’ around the eye.
    144678.jpg
  • Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis L 58-69cm. Small, well-marked goose seen in large, noisy flocks. All birds have black legs and bill. Looks strikingly black-and-white in flight. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly white face with black line from bill to eye; black crown and nape merge with black neck and breast. Belly is whitish grey with faint dark barring on flanks; back is grey with well-defined black and white barring. Stern is white while tail is black. Juvenile is similar to adult but white elements of plumage are often tinged yellow and barring on back is less well defined. Voice Utters loud, barking calls. Status Winter visitor to coastal farmland and saltmarshes.
    145722.jpg
  • Puffin Fratercula arctica L 30cm. Endearing seabird. Flies on narrow wings with whirring wingbeats. Swims well and dive frequently for fish. Sexes are similar. Adult in summer has mainly dark upperparts with dusky face; underparts are white. Legs are orange-red and bill is huge, flattened and marked with red, blue and yellow. In winter, similar but with dark grey face and smaller, duller bill. Juvenile is similar to winter adult but with small, dark and dull bill. Voice Utters groaning calls at nest. Status Locally common. Only comes ashore in breeding season. Colonial nester, excavating burrows in grassy cliffs. Only storm-driven, sick or oiled birds are seen near land in winter.
    145840.jpg
  • Whooper Swan - Cygnus cygnus
    162262.jpg
  • Swift (Apus apus) in Flight. L 16-17cm. Invariably seen in flight: has anchor-shaped outline and mainly dark plumage. Catches insects on the wing. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blackish brown plumage with pale throat. Tail is forked but often held closed in active flight. Juvenile is overall darker but throat and forehead are paler. Voice Loud screaming calls uttered in flight. Status Locally common summer visitor. Nests in churches and loft spaces. Feeding birds gather where insects are numerous. Observation tips Easy to see in late spring in villages and towns. Most adults leave Britain in August.
    156857.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult female
    146625.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult female
    146628.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult male
    146629.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult male
    146630.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult male
    146632.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult male
    146633.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult male
    146634.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult female
    146636.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult female
    146637.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult female
    146641.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult male
    146642.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult male
    146643.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult female
    146644.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult female
    146645.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult female
    146646.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult male
    146647.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult female
    146649.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult female
    146652.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult female
    146653.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult female
    146654.jpg
  • Black-backed Woodpecker - Picoides arcticus - Adult female
    146662.jpg
  • American Three-toed woodpecker - Picoides dorsalis - Adult female
    146152.jpg
  • American Three-toed woodpecker - Picoides dorsalis - Adult female
    146154.jpg
  • American Three-toed woodpecker - Picoides dorsalis - Adult female
    146155.jpg
  • American Three-toed woodpecker - Picoides dorsalis - Adult female
    146156.jpg
  • American Three-toed woodpecker - Picoides dorsalis - Adult female
    146158.jpg
  • American Three-toed woodpecker - Picoides dorsalis - Adult male
    146161.jpg
  • American Three-toed woodpecker - Picoides dorsalis - Adult male
    146162.jpg
  • American Three-toed woodpecker - Picoides dorsalis - Adult male
    146163.jpg
  • American Three-toed woodpecker - Picoides dorsalis - Adult male
    146165.jpg
Next