Amid the doom and gloom, further impounded upon us by the weather (but to be fair, it is often wet and miserable for New Year), I managed a short wander close to a nearby National Trust.
While things were quiet, apart from the obligatory robin, that would most likely be due to the weather and the early start, for the forecast wasn't looking good after 09:00, many birds were probably sheltering or nursing New Year hangovers.....
ALL the following photos were cropped considerably to enable a clear picture.
But, the redwings were out, albeit in the distance and pushed the camera and lens abilities to the edge and beyond.
The wet stuff was starting to become heavy, and just as I was packing up, the sheep in the nearby field must have just woken up(may have been nursing new year hangovers as well) and wandering up the field for their breakie, complete with magpie to chaperone one sheep....
Did I say chaperone?
Perhaps it was the magpies version of the Pullman carriage, as a passenger, with food on the go.....
Breakfast is served....
Does the magpie think a sheeps eye is a delicacy!
Time to alight....
Stay safe everyone, fingers crossed for a better year this year, but I'm not getting excited just yet, the water is still very murky....
No point in wasting all that energy flying around when you can just hitch a ride Good to get the Redwings, even if they were a bit camera shy ... as most are!
Clare Bailey said:A very worthwhile trip out, Mike. I love seeing magpies (and jackdaws) de-bugging sheep - it's a win-win situation.
Nature as a whole is always interesting. What amazed me was the sheep didn't flitch once, almost as though it wanted/expected the magpie to hop up, as you say, a win-win situation.
Unknown said:No point in wasting all that energy flying around when you can just hitch a ride Good to get the Redwings, even if they were a bit camera shy ... as most are!
Absolutely.
I was out again this morning (Sat 2nd), and the redwings seemed more nervous of the camera than me, I'm not the smoothest of walkers post accident. I could stand there, move around, (sensibly) and all sorts, but raise the camera, and woosh, they're gone!
Unknown said:Great sequence of photos Mike with the maggie making the most of the festive "Ewe-el-ride" season lol
LOL, anyone else, and it would have been groan......
Linda257 said:You seem to be charming the birds out the trees Mike lol
We've got too many maggies here, that I'm happy to share around..... LOL