Portfolio for John (Sam) Pellatt LRPS DPAGB

Known as Sam to the membership I have been a member of Sittingbourne PS for 25 years. Over the years I have dabbled in nearly all aspects of photography. However my main interest has always been natural history, orchids and birds to the fore.

Brighton
Fulmar
Grey Partridge
These birds though in decline nationally are on the rise on Elmley marshes.
Avocet
From just a few in 1946, numbers of this bird have so increased, they are regarded by most bird-watchers as common, but are a true conservation success story.
Adieu Homeward Bound
Thames Barge race 2009
Adieu Port Tack
Thames Barge Race 2009
S B Adieu
River Thames June 2009
Cabby
Thames Barge race 2009
Adder
The best time to photograph these creatures is early on a spring morning as they are trying to warm up to go hunting.
Valve & Steam
Taken at Kent Show Detling,& scanned from a transparency.
Quick Snack
Smarden again
Hoverfly on Himalayan Balsam
Taken at Trosely Country Park
Kea
New Zealand Mountain Parrot;this was taken in the South Island New Zealand Around the Fox Glacier area, just prior to attacking my caravan!!!
Oak Eggar moth
Caught at a moth trap and released after photographing
Robin
Coot with young
Taken on Elmley NNR It is from this type of picture the saying "Bald as a Coot" is derived.
Stairwell De La Warr Pavillion Bexhill
An Attempt at architecture
Violet Helleborine
One of the Orchid family, usually found in deep shade of ancient woodland.Taken in Troseley Country Park.
Tiger
Taken at Smarden: Two tigers note the forehead markings one way to tell them apart
OK porky your next
Again Smarden, This one is a Siberian Tiger standing well over 10 feet tall on its hind legs and paw pads up to eight inches across. Definitely not your friendly neighbourhood Tabby
Lynx
Smarden Wildlife Heritage Centre is an ideal place to photograph cats up close and personal. Expensive but well worth the money
Pallas's Cat
This is just about the same size as a domestic cat but as lethal as one of the larger cats, capable of removing your finger if caught on the wrong side of the cage wire.
Cheetah
Taken at Smarden
Falls Loch Fada Isle of Skye
Not far from the road in Trottenish District they fill Loch Fada
Wall detail Brugge Museum
Taken on a wet morning in Brugge
Small tortoiseshell
It has been a good year for this particular butterfly in this area. They have been very scarce in the last few years
Wall Brown
Sometimes known as The Wall this has also been scarce in Kent of late.
Brimstone on Knapweed
Often seen in woodland rides. The female is slightly paler than the male.
Adonis Blue
A good year for this species with two broods being hatched. Especially at Lydden Down. Queendown Warren had a few less but still good numbers.
White Admiral
Good numbers in the Orleston Forest complex.
Boat
Taken on the Isle of Shona one of Loch Moidart's islands.
Boat and reflections
Same boat
Long-eared Owl
This bird and its mate successfully raised 4owlets even with the disturbance of people constantly passing close to its nest site on Elmley NNR a few years ago
Tawney Owl
A young owlet from a pair in the Kent Wildlife Trust reserve Cromers' Wood.
Short-eared Owl
The picture was taken early one cold winter's morning as it nestled behind a grass tussock out of the cold N.E. Wind Note the pupils of the eyes as they adjust to the sunlight
Scratching Badger
Wrong lens wrong exposure; - more haste less speed; - It was oblivious to my presence so I needn't have hurried anyway.
Dawn on Elmley Marshes
Autumn is the best time for images such as this, no need to get up so early
Wigeon at Dawn
At least an hour before sunrise and be careful not to disturb the birds, you only get one chance!
Konik Ponies
These horses are the decendants of the European Horses that roamed Europe many years ago. They are extremely hardy, and will eat almost anything in the way of vegetation
Meadow Brown Butterfly
There has been a huge hatching of these butterflies due to the sunny weather recently, so many it was hard to isolate an individual.
Underside of the Heath Fratillary Butterfly
These butterflies are only found in 3 places in the UK. in Blean Woods Kent, Exmoor Devon and in Essex. The Food plants vary Cow-wheat in Kent and Essex Germander Speedwell and Foxglove in Devon
Storm at Elgol
A scanned image from a slide taken in Skye looking across Loch Scavaig
Badger cubs
After a while these animals become quite used to your presence, but are wary with new visitors
Brown Hare.
This hare lay by the track on Elmley marshes quite unperturbed by my presence just a few feet away. After some time it just stretched and trotted off.
GREY HERON
A very shy and wary bird but one that I enjoy watching as it creeps along the edge of a dyke.
Buff Tip Moth
Difficult to find as it mimics a broken birch twig.
Common Spotted Orchid (normal)
Probably our most common orchid and can even be found on industrial sites with lime soil
Common Spotted Orchid (Pale Version)
Varying from purple to white in colour. Some have spotted leaves some no spots whatsoever.The spots are supposed to be from Christs blood from under the cross,
French Partridge
Sometimes known as the Red - legged Partridge.
Hobby
Usually to be found flying above areas with dragonflies present it's main food source which it eats on the wing.
Juvenile Kestrel
This a young bird concentrating on feeding itself too busy to worry about my presence.
Lady Orchid
Quite a tall orchid this one, its name is taken from the shape of its flower. A lady in a crinoline dress
Lone Tree
Another image taken whilst on a late winter / early spring holiday in Scotland.Scanned from slide.
Male Widgeon
One of around 25000 wigeon wintering on Elmley NNR
Redshank
Taken from a hide on Elmley NNR Sometimes known as the " Sentinel of the Marsh" due to its distinctive warning call at the slightest disturbance.