HAPPY NEW WEEK! I hope everyone has a wonderful week!
I love owls as well, though I haven't snapped one for a while.
If you'd like to see what I did manage to snap at Minsmere yesterday click on this vocal chaffinch:
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
If you love barn owls I'd strongly recommend looking at this thread.
Lovely photos, Clare. I especially liked the Egret! Also, the Moorhen. In the U.S., we would call that a Common Gallinule. It was formerly called a Common Moorhen here, but a few years ago our ornithologists split our species off from your Moorhens. I have fond memories of watching one in Florida. We also have Purple Gallinules.
Have been listening each night this week to Radio 4 book of the week 'Owl Sense' written by Miriam Darlington. Think I'll get the book as what was broadcast was an abridged version. Last night was an account of her visit to Serbia to see long eared owls and it was the last reading. So, LINDY! It was great to see your owl this morning :-)
Clare - thank you so much for your photographs, which are wonderful. And for the link to Bob's pictures of the barn owl. Took me straight back to an evening, several years ago, in the gloaming on Mull where I stood for at least fifteen minutes watching a barn owl quartering an area. Unforgettable. I've seen them in the same place since, but never for such a long time. Two sets of pictures to make me smile today, after a morning spent peering down a computer screen in a dark room. Thank you.
Our Eldest left here mid morning, eager to get home to his family. I've been doing the weekend shop and tidying up. We put some laundry on the line, as my OH had five pairs of trousers needing doing (most of them muddy from dog walking). After an hour or so of sunshine, the heavens suddenly opened, so we both rushed out to save the nearly dry trousers! I don't put much laundry outside in winter, but also hate having it all draped around the house.
Barn owls are so beautiful, never tire of them. That owl programme sounded nice, Heather. Off to look at Clare's pictures now.
Thank you, Clare. Enjoyed walking around Minsmere with you! I agree about the darling Chaffinches, I can never hear one now without thinking I'm watching the LG nest!
Diane: Yes, saw the info about the delayed launch just as I toppled into bed last night; will be on the alert for tomorrow. Wonder how you hurt your shoulder(rebuilding the porch/mending the roof/installing a new furnace/ come to mind....) :-) Do hope it settles down soon without any lasting twinges. Loved the photo of the Purple Gallinule. Fascinated by Mr. Mueller's maneuvers and wondering what he's got up his sleeve...
Clare: You can feel the softness of the breast feathers on that chaffinch - I'm sure if I blew in its direction, they fluff gently... :-)
Stay dry all you folks in the UK
All: I hope everyone is okay. I've just seen that there was a 4.4 earthquake in the U.K.
Annette: My office chair that I sit in to use the PC is breaking down, and I think it has made me sit lopsided and thrown me out of alignment. I'm going to town soon to find a new chair! I wouldn't hazard a guess about the Mueller investigation. :-)
Unknown said:I hope everyone is okay. I've just seen that there was a 4.4 earthquake in the U.K.