The sun was lighting up our garden beautifully on Sunday afternoon and I spent a happy hour watching the birds in the garden. (I had already done the BGBW the previous day) The great spotted woodpecker paid a visit but by the time I had fetched my camera he was gone. I also had a visit from a single long-tailed tit. It often comes on its own though it had very kindly brought five friends along the previous day to be counted. I thought LTTs always travelled about in little flocks but not this one and it was being most obliging by sitting out in the open and staying still for me to photograph unlke the wren which did its best to stay out of sight, just giving me tantalising glimpses now and then! I also had a visit from a very handsome songthrush who was keeping an eye out for the blackbirds that try to chase it away. Fortunately they were elsewhere, no doubt bullying some other unlucky bird. A robin was singing its heart out in a next door's yew tree, a pair of blackcaps were busy at the feeding station and a large flock of linnets and yellowhammers was flying over the field. Whilst I was watching all this there was a whoosh and a grey blur as a bird of prey flew by the window. I don't know what kind it was and it didn't catch anything so that was a relief. As all the birds had gone for cover I took the opportunity to tear myself away from the window and settle down in front of the fire for the evening to sort through my photos, of which here are a few:
A most obliging long-tailed tit
A wren trying to keep out of sight
My handsome songthrush
Best wishes,
SB
There is something new to learn everyday...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/skylark58/
Great stuff SB, I like the Long Tail the best, very nice! I have just now noticed I have sinned and forgot the BGBW, Oops! Soz RSPB. thanks for sharing, nice way to start the day.
John :-)
For viewing or photography right place right time is everything. I'd rather be in the right place with poor kit than have the best kit and be in the wrong place.
A lovely description and super photographs SB. I too like the LT tit but love to see the thrush, as they seem to have deserted our garden lately.
Cracking photos Sarum Bat, especially the Song Thrush - you make bird photography look very easy!
Hi SB, what a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Your photos are excellent, and I like the wren - well done for capturing him. I can barely capture mine with my eyes, let alone a camera.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Hi SB, what brilliant photos. They are all excellent but I adore the L.T.T. ones as mine just move too fast for me to get a decent photo. Very well done on those.
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Great collection of photos, SB! I can't pick a favourite as I like them all :o)
Lovely pics SB!! Like them all but the LTT and songthrush are wonderful!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
Hi SB, great photos.
I spent monday attempting to photograph a flock of Lotties.
Sorry for starting another thread about Long Tailed Tits, I have had an absolute nightmare trying to log onto the forum and didn't see your post.
Regards Buzzard
Nature Is Amazing - Let Us Keep It That Way
Thanks everyone for your kind comments.
I love photographing the birds (or attempting to!) as much as watching them and I am always torn between bins or camera. It's certainly a challenge to trying to 'capture' them.
The best place to use as a 'hide' at home is the toilet upstairs! It's only tiny but if I squeeze myself in by the loo and open the window wide I am on the same level as the trees in the back garden and directly opposite me is a lilac tree which all the birds seem to like. It was freezing on Sunday afternoon and as I had closed the door to stop all the heat from the house escaping I had to wrap up well to keep warm so there wasn't much space. It's a good job the family were out as I was in there for over an hour and they would probably have been banging on the door if they were at home! As always I took hundreds of shots and after deleting the fuzzy ones and the ones of the empty branch where the bird had been, I ended up with just a few. Thank goodness for the digital revolution!
Happy snapping!
My LLT brought his friends this morning, about eight of them - they were all over the place. Magic!