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Photographers share wildlife gems as summer starts

Samantha JaggerNorth East and Cumbria
Natasha Roberts Three baby kestrels standing in the window opening of an old derelict house. They have black and brown speckled feathers and bright yellow talons.Natasha Roberts
Natasha Roberts caught a "once in a lifetime" shot of these young kestrels

Wildlife photographers in north-east England and Cumbria have shared their shots as summer starts.

Astronomical summer begins on Sunday, marking the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Natasha Roberts said it was a "once in a lifetime" experience when she saw three young kestrels standing in the window opening of an old house in Windermere.

Jamie McCaffrey photographed a hare "grazing in the sun" in the South Lakes, while Dan Haley said it was "hard" to leave a field brimming with poppies in Alnmouth, Northumberland.

JAMIE MCCAFFREY A hare sits side on in a grassy field. The hare has hazel eyes and fluffy light-brown fur. It has large whiskers and long ears.JAMIE MCCAFFREY
Jamie McCaffrey said this hare grazing in the sun was "unbothered by his presence"
PAUL MURDOCK A kingfisher which has bright blue and orange feathers sits on a thin branch.PAUL MURDOCK
Paul Murdock said this kingfisher "sat happily close to him" in Workington

Paul Murdock said he saw a kingfisher by chance after he accidentally disturbed it in Workington.

"It flew off, then quickly, landed again and it sat happily close to me for a good 15 minutes," he said.

Hayden Baines Two tawny owlets sit on a branch. They are light-brown coloured and have fluffy feathers. There are green leaves shielding them. Hayden Baines
Hayden Baines said being near two tawny owlets in Ulverston was a "real pleasure"
Jack Murden A young roe deer chewing on green pine leaves.Jack Murden
A roe deer at Carlisle cemetery was "full of character", according to Jack Murden

A photographer known as the Bearded Geordie said he came across an adder "curled amongst the moss and heather" in Northumberland.

"At first glance, it might look like a fearsome display, but this adder is simply caught in the middle of a yawn," he said.

The Bearded Geordie An adder stretches its jaws wide. The snake, which has a diamond black and brown pattern, is curled up in the green moss and the heather.The Bearded Geordie
A sleepy snake curled up among moss and heather
Dan Seaham Harbour Lad A robin chick sits on the ground which has moss and green grass, The chick is burying its head its feathers and looks like it is cleaning itself.Dan Seaham Harbour Lad
Weather Watcher Dan Seaham Harbour Lad spotted a young chick at Seaham Wood
IAN BOLTON The belly of a buzzard is visible as it swoops over in the sky. Its feathers are white and brown and have speckled patterns on them.IAN BOLTON
Ian Bolton was below this buzzard which swooped over him near Loughrigg Tarn
NE Photography Rows of red poppies in a field in Alnmouth. There is a stone viaduct in the background which is lit up by morning sun.NE Photography
Dan Haley said a red row of poppies in Alnmouth "certainly didn't disappoint"
Markse Robin A group of cows lie in a green field near Markse-by-the-Sea. It is a sunny day but there are lots of clouds in the sky. The sea, complete with offshore wind farm, is visible on the horizon. A few houses stand to the left of the field.Markse Robin
Weather Watcher Marske Robin said it was a "lovely morning for a walk" in Marske-by-the-Sea
Paul Haughian A brimstone butterfly which has bright green wings sits on some white blossom on a thorny bush. Paul Haughian
Paul Haughian snapped this brimstone butterfly near Latterbarrow, Cumbria

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