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.
Great shots Bob. The eyes on the fox are beautiful, so intense. The hare looks like it has just woken up ...
Thanks BD. I think the hare was wary of the foxes out on the hunt in the same field.
Result Kevin, not yet photographed one.
Nice photo's Bob
Probably so. I would be if I were a hare ...
Fantastic set of photos Bob, thanks for sharing
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Regards, Hazel
Kevin Brooke said:this counts as an Odds and Sods, but I was very excited to catch a glimpse of an otter on the canal in Worcester luckily, my camera was ready and pointed in the right direction
What brilliant timing.
It pays to keep some form of camera handy, you just never know when you need it. I used to keep a cheap basic DSLR or compact in the car when I was working, just for those surprise moments.
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
Mike B said:I used to keep a cheap basic DSLR or compact in the car when I was working, just for those surprise moments.
So did I. I had an old Canon 40d in the boot, just in case ... .
I actually saw some Perseids shooting stars. That brings total lifetime sightings to.........4; countable on one hand. Yesterday morning (3:30am onward) I saw one definite, one probable. I did hear our resident male Tawny owl off in the distance.
This morning I was a bit tardy and I got out in t'garden at 4:10am; well wrapped up (it was much cooler than yesterday), with mug of hot coffee. Two definite sightings and one highly probable. Took my DIY bat detector as well. Pipistrelles kept me company. Cat wondered why I was flat on my back in garden; she couldn't cope with that. Lots of satellites whizzing around (not ISS) yesterday and today, plus aircraft galore. No owls heard this morning.
Yesterday, a few hours later after my morning sky viewing, on our walk....Canon 80D and Sigma 18-300mm lens - I was too tired to lug my R7 and big heavy Sigma lens with me...one very scruffy robin.
It would not only be your cat, but the neighbours would think you had gone batty, lying on your back on the ground at that time of morning!! Get the wording!!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.