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Photographers share extraordinary wildlife snaps

Samantha JaggerNorth East and Cumbria
News imageNE Photography Three tawny owlets sitting together on a tree branch. They have light-coloured features and deep black eyes. NE Photography
Dan Haley said he came across these "gorgeous tawny owlets" by accident

Photographers have shared their favourite wildlife shots taken in the North East and Cumbria.

Iain Turner said it was "good to see" a pregnant common lizard at Roudsea Wood near Haverthwaite, while Dan Haley came across three "gorgeous tawny owlets by accident" in Northumberland.

Paul Murdock's plans involving an early start were thwarted by heavy rain, so he headed back home and spotted a deer just before it "hopped over the fence" in Dean, west Cumbria.

News imagePaul Murdock A deer with black eyes and a black wet snout looks at the camera. It has a bright white rear quarters and brown fur. It is standing in a grassy green field in Cumbria with a wire fence behind it and thick trees beyond.Paul Murdock
Paul Murdock said it was a "lucky shot" of this deer before it "hopped over the fence"
News imageIain Turner A pregnant common lizard sits on a tree branch. The lizard has green scales speckled with a rusty brown colour. Iain Turner
Iain Turner said common lizards were a regular sight at Roudsea Wood

As well as the pregnant common lizard, Turner said he had seen a blue-tailed damselfly alongside Ulverston Canal.

He then headed to Bardsea, near Ulverston, where there had been "an influx of painted lady butterflies on migration".

News imageIain Turner A Blue Tailed Damselfly. The fly has a bright blue body and a blue end to its tail. It has a metallic bronze long body and delicate transparent wings. It rests against a vertical twig. Iain Turner
A blue-tailed damselfly was seen alongside Ulverston Canal
News imageIain Turner A painted lady butterfly rests on a yellow flower. The butterfly has a curled antenna and brightly coloured and patterned wings of oranges, browns and yellows. There is a greenery out of focus beyond the butterfly.Iain Turner
Painted lady butterflies proliferated at Bardsea

Haley said it was an "emotional experience" seeing three owlets as he had wanted to see a tawny owl "for so long".

"I kept my distance and managed to get a couple of photos before leaving them in peace."

He said he "couldn't believe it" when he also spotted an adult tawny in County Durham.

"It's easy to understand why they're so difficult to spot - their camouflage is incredible," he said.

News imageNE Photography A tawny owl sits in a tree in County Durham. It almost looks like it is smiling with its eyes closed and its neck burying into its feathers. Its feathers are brown, white and some are speckled with dark brown.NE Photography
Dan Haley was out in woods in County Durham when he spotted a tawny owl blending into the bark
News imageNE Photography An adder slithers onto a rock in the sunlight. The adder's eyes are bright red with a black slit. It has a distinct diamond pattern on its back, which is black and a green colour. NE Photography
Haley saw this "beautiful female adder" slithering on to a rock in Northumberland
News imagePhil Groves A grey heron stands in the marshes. It is lit up by a bright light and its head is turned, with its sharp orange beak in view. The bird has large grey feathers and black and white plumage. Phil Groves
"A grey heron perched on a branch is always great to watch," Phil Groves, in Kendal, said
News imageSuperted Two deer are in a long grassy field. The one on the left is side on and looking towards the camera. The one on the right is pictured from behind with its head turned to the left.Superted
BBC Weather Watcher Superted was quick to catch these two deer playing in a field

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