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.
What a lovely start to the year with those Starlings! Sounds like your garden is quite the wildlife haven—hope you catch those elusive rats soon!
Thanks Kevin, kingfisher was long way off but had old camera for the zoom
(Pardon the Scottish Accent)
The 1st hide was full of old boys and their toys watching the egret so I am glad we moved on as we had the other one to ourselves ....a wee hour to remember
If you wanna go with snappy that's fine BD but a bet he's crap at scottish accent
Thanks ILR, well he had come over to mines the previous night an O/H gave him a wee set of binoculars that belonged to my daughter and he got to see me feed 2 of the foxes that he loved, His white trainers weren't the best choice for birding next day, he has much to learn lol
It was indeed SM, he knows the nuthatch call now also! Eh you want me to add some snipe to your Xmas list along with them squirrels
I meant to say that I would like to go birding with you Linda, after the young uns success, but then again, Snappy does do well with the blue skies ...
A few from today's walk
Through the Churchyard
Down the woods
Alongside the river
It's a long river ...
On the way home
And home ... A Black Slip Wasp I believe.
Nice photos BD love the great spotted woodpecker