Kicking off this year's odds and sods with Starlings in a rainbow on that extreme rarity: sunshine.
It was early morning, with the sun barely cresting the tree line. We were able to get out for our morning walk as it wasn't raining. This photo is my trusty Canon 80D and Sigma 18-300mm lens zoomed in at 300mm.
Pulling back a bit.
And finally all the way back.
Oh, 2024 got off to a good start with this.
So far my cat, perhaps two neighbouring cats visiting our garden, a local fox and Tawny owl, and this trap have accounted for at least five of the beasties. Sightings of rats in our garden are getting rarer, so I think I'm winning. Two rather timid and wary rats, that I know of, are proving more elusive to catch. I've resorted to buying a lethal trap. The trap was triggered, yesterday, but no rat, sadly. Though a mouse might have triggered it, and was small enough to be within the kill bar.
90% luck, 5% field craft, 5% camera skills.
All four excellent shots. Not often I see hares stood still. They seem to be either sat down or running ...
Thanks BD. There were two hares and I was watching from a little distance in the field. The one posted later ran right to me so much so I was looking right down at it and I had to un-zoom the 100-500mm lens all the way back in. The penny dropped after a few seconds and it was off. I've noticed that sometimes if you just stand still in the open they can come very close. Granted I'm not the most patient
Nice photo's Bob, great to see a Kestrel on the ground so close.
Ta. Yes, I don't really see them on the floor that much. They are my favourite animal. I think this one is one of two recently fledged.
A few today from my local valley. The Irish cobs are pretty much self sufficient, a young one trying to get mum up.
Wonderful photos, Bod
Thanks Kevin. The hares did go missing for a few weeks but a lot of the fields have been cut back and they are back in view They will soon take to the woods no doubt and be all elusive for half a year or more.
Great pics Bob, love the foal trying to coax Mum to stand up !!
_____________________________________
Regards, Hazel
An unusual sighting on our residential parkland when a report came in of 6 common sandpiper which turned up for the day; three were still around when I got to the bird hide by the large mere. At first they were pretty distant across the far side of the mere perched up on a dried branch by the water's edge, however, patience was rewarded when after 45 mins they suddenly took to the air and landed on the jetty next to the hide !! talk about right place right time so when my heart stopped racing I managed to grab some photos !!
We also have wild Mandarin ducks on the mere and ponds around the parkland ............here is one of the drakes who is well advanced into his eclipse plumage with only the orange "sails" to moult ..
Thanks Hazel. I was never a horse person really but the Irish cobs changed my perspective. I've spent so much time with them.... mischevious no doubt. They have kept me company whilst trying to photograph birds in the valley. Usually upset the photograph by nudging me lol.