Well... mostly sunny... and a tad breezy.... but it was better than the recent muckiness we've had to endure.
I decided old faithful coupling of Ferrybridge and Portland, hopeful of returning Terns, visiting Wheatears, long staying Divers and maybe a Kestrel or two. First up, several Skylarks were singing, but none were launching (trying 600 x 0 to see what they look like after posting)
Something interesting there!
Look at my lovely crest
I can look both ways, which is my better side?
Finally a couple took off (in reality, finally I was quick enough with the camera to point n click!)
And the customary in-flight song
I could hear a familiar bird, but couldn't place it as I was moving over the shingle, until I looked behind me, first Wheatear of the season
I could her something else too, and eventually spotted a couple of Meadow Pipits... nearly as grumpy looking as the Goldcrests lol
Still sneaking about
Then an impersonation of one of the Skylarks
A higher pitched squeaking caught my, and suddenly a short distance in front of me a Pied Wagtail had landed, and it proceeded to advance towards me as I was knelt for better angled Wheatear shots
The rest are uncropped
If I was taking a free kick, he would have been booked for encroachment!
The first female Wheatear I saw
A bit of camouflage, and staring at each other, and not noticing me at all!
A couple of times I'd seen a flock of 5 or so birds wheel passed me, or fly off as I'd inadvertently disturbed them, and this time they landed just within camera range... Linnets
The only Wheatear I saw not involved in scurrying or feeding (she was sat for at least 5 minutes before I wandered off)... incubating already? Or just knackered coz she's just arrived?
Finally I saw my first Swallow of the year (one of 5 individuals) but unfortunately it came from behind me (they all did) and it was down to the improved autofocus that I got anything at all!
With my parking time up, I headed down to Portland Bill, hoping for the Little Owl, or Purple Sandpipers, or anything really... I was just glad to be out... Rock Pipit
I stuck this Gull in Google Lens... Gyr Falcon was the first suggestion.... now I know it's a funny angle, but....
Rock Pipit again
A few record shots from the cliff top, Guillemot, Shag, Rozorbills and Cormorant
A Raven, right at the tip of the Bill
Keeping an eye out for invading sea mammals
Whizzzzzzzzzzzzz
Peering over the cliff edge, another Rock Pipit I think, but very grey
I headed up toward the Obs Quarry where the Little Owl lives, as I only had about 15 minutes parking left, and walking across the green, Jackdaw and Herring Gull were busy mooching
Glorious Goldfinch caught some sunshine (I couldn't make out the inscription on the jewellery!)
The ever present House Sparrow clan were a few yards further along the path
I loitered at the quarry, and eventually a Dunnock popped out, surprisingly loud
A pair of Maggies brought joy!!
And Jenny gave it a blast
Before flying a little further away
And then my phone beeped to tell me I was outstaying my welcome, so I tootled off home, pleased with the couple of hours I was out.
I hope you enjoyed the ramble, and ramblings, thanks for reading
Stay Safe All
Well that is an impressive selection PB and blue sky Nice photo's of the Wheatears, I saw them for the first time last year. I would have to travel quite a way to see most of that list
Looks like you had a great day out, and saw plenty of interesting stuff ... . Thanks for sharing ...
Glad you finally got a sunnyish day off PB and the birds were out in force. Lots of nice photos, thanks for sharing
(Pardon the Scottish Accent)
Thanks all. The 600x0 in the dimensions box experiment doesn't appear to have made a difference to the image sizes on my screen
Doesn't seem to make any difference to me what you put in those boxes. I normally put about 600 for no reason at all, then pull corner handles out a bit to make a reasonable size before posting. Some like a large size - fair enough, I like a smaller one that can be scrolled down easier, but be clicked on to enlarge if required. Mind you, most of mine aren't worth posting large ...
A cracking selection of photos PB, and who doesn't love a waggie.......
Nice to see the wheatear and a good finish with wee Jenny, oh, I almost forgot, Sammy the seal.
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
-----+++++ Quote +++++-----
-----+++++ End of quote +++++-----
I know there are issues with the dimensions, along with different browsers and devices, once selected, delete the default dimensions, press enter and all seems to work.
It looks a different size whilst I'm creating the post, BD, but the final post makes the images the same size in both. I select the pics individually and put dimensions in the boxes for each image, so don't know if that's different to dragging and dropping. Next post, I'll do a mixture of different dimensions and see what happens.... and will leave some at the default settings to save clicks and time if it makes no visible difference.