Just had to take advantage of the sunshine today and went over to Old Moor today - beautiful sunshine all day long and lovely to be taking photos with a bit of blue in them again! Today it was the smaller birds who were the stars of the show - it was especially lovely to see the bullfinches and reed buntings as I haven't seen either of those near me in months.
Next, a beautiful reed bunting sparkling in the sunshine!
A greenfinch enjoying a drink.
A female brambling
Back in the bird garden, a long tailed tit.
A sparrowhawk looking for an easy lunch - but not getting it on this occasion!
And - it goes without saying - a robin!
It was just lovely to wander round in the sunshine and see such a brilliant selection of birds. We concentrated mostly on the small birds today (where on earth did all the time go? The light was fading before we knew it, but just a couple more from the lakes.
And finally - a bird which I rarely bother to photograph these days which is all wrong really!
Had a really good day - hope it's not too long before I get the chance to go back.
See my Flickr photos here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/115745582@N04/
Beautiful selection CB & wonderfully clear & colorful pics, a delight to share, thanks!
Edit: A very far cry from the local reserve I visited today ... severely storm & flood damaged , it will take a very long time to be right again!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Only been to Old Moor twice nice reserve and the staff,both full time and vols,were great,smashing cafe too if the birds are hard to find on the day.
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
Thanks Wendy, Bob and Pete.
Yes, Pete, I agree, very nice staff and cafe - we did find ourselves in there twice during the day for lunch and coffees - well you have to fortify yourself against the cold air, don't you?!
Lovely shots Christine.
As I was working yesterday I went to OM on New Year's Day - in the rain :( Glad it worked out better for you.
Regards
Ian
Wonderful photos, Christine! The sprawk looks less than happy at missing a meal.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Thank you Clare.
Ian - it's typical isn't it that the sun shines when you are at work and rains when you aren't! Hope you enjoyed the trip anyway though not so good for photos. I'm back to work on Monday :-( though it will be okay when I get there I suppose!!
A lovely set of photos, the Bullfinch is my favourite & the Sparrowhawk which I think is a male (you don't seem to get so many photos of males do you?)Glad you had a good sunny day.
Best wishes
Hazel in Southwest France
Lovely set of photos Christine, I too love the Bullfinch ones, but also quite like the drinking Greenfinch.
Hi Christine, lovely to meet you finally & lovely pics & blog, thank you :)
Thank you everyone.
Nicola - lovely to meet you too. I'm always reading your blogs and looking at the photos so nice to be able to put a face to the name! I always want to get myself over to Old Moor when I read what's about.