A skylark ascending on Minchinhampton Common

I didn't have long to spare as we were expecting guests to arrive at teatime, but as I drove over the common to get some supplies I couldn't resist a sneak peep at the skylarks. I parked at my usual spot near Tom Long's Post, and within a couple of minutes I'd heard several skylarks singing beautifully above me in the increasingly cloudy sky.

I focused on one several hundred feet above me, and as it changed its tune indicating to me that it was returning to the ground I watched its descent carefully. After seeing its approximate landing position I quickly walked the fifty yards to that spot in the long grass.

I gradually approached and spotted where it was feeding amongst the herbs and grasses, then managed to follow its slow but steady trek through the undergrowth without disturbing it. Eventually I took a step too far and it obviously wanted a bit more space as it flew about thirty yards away before landing on similar terrain to carry on its feeding. 

I'm pleased that I caught this view as it took off, so I can add it to my poor attempts at emulating in vision the beautiful music of Vaughan Williams 'The Lark Ascending' as originally played by violinist Hugh Bean.