"Ratty"

Not a rat at all, of course, but a water vole. I've photographed this little guy, or at least his relatives many times now and can't believe I've never blipped him before! I suppose it's because there are so often plenty of different birds up on the moorland where I see them that they've had first call.
Today was lovely and clear, but a bit on the breezy side, so not much good for photographing insects, although there were plenty around; butterflies: red admiral, small copper, small heath, meadow brown, gatekeeper and peacock; I also saw my first black darter dragonfly. Very few birds in evidence compared to a month or two ago - no curlew or lapwings, the odd meadow pipit, a few goldfinch, the cry of a grouse and a kestrel hunting overhead. On the top reservoir there were a few gulls gathering, but the water was so low, it was difficult to see what sort - a couple of lesser black backs, I think, and on the way home, a few swallows perched on the telegraph wires or feeding over a meadow. My chances of photographing summer visitors are rapidly diminishing. Oh well, more left for next year.
The moors are really starting to colour up now with the heather. It's a stunning sight!