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.
Thanks PimperneBloke very kind words. But yes it was nice to see it again. I have a feeling it might be nesting around somewhere close by.
Thanks very much Kevin Brooke yes I think it saw me. Then it moved off very quickly.
Thanks SnappyMac yes I was lucky to see it again. Now that I know it has been around there I try to check the area once a day in the morning hoping to see it again. No such luck this morning. But even so am very happy with the capture.
Very kind Billysdad thanks for looking
Much appreciated HAZY very kind words.
Had a spot of luck with the Goldfinch. Thought might have liked to have been just a bit closer to them.
these are all cropped photos.
Excellent captures Mr Kes, a lovely colourful bird, can remember seeing them feeding on wild flower seeds when I first moved to chalk quarry 18 years ago and not knowing what they were!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Nice one Mr Kes. The last one is my fave, such a good pose. I find Goldfinches can be difficult to photograph. The eye area can be very hard to see if you get it in the shade, with that black band across it ...
Thanks WendyBartter a nicely coloured bird.
Thanks Billysdad yes to get a sharp shot is not easy.