Summer Watch 2010

Thought i might go out in a bit with the dogs - if i do i will be sure to take my camera

Lai

A few photos from our late afternoon walk

Wild poppy


Pink rose - not sure of the name


Cone from a Monkey Puzzle tree


Another bit of King Alfred's cake fungi (thanks Staffslass)


Jay feathers


What was left of the Jay


Spruce cone


Lai

The cone reminds me of Christmas Lai....sorry folks too early I know.....the poor Jay, thats sad. There must be squirrels around Lai as I saw hazlenut shells on the ground as well. The rose is beautiful, everyones Roses seem to be doing really well this year, I wonder if its something to do with all the snow we had protecting them underground?
Brilliant pics Lai, thank you
littlewid-x-

more great pics Lia
loving the cones
great shot of king alfreds cakes
and your rose is simply stunning

ST xx

Thanks Staffslass and Littlewid - the roses do seem to be pretty good this year, and no greenfly as yet

Lots of squirrels Littlewid - despite Penny and Tamu doing their best to keep the population down they just love to chase them!

Tomorrow evening i am search of other fungi and bits and pieces - oh i missed the heron who took flight as Tamu shot through at 100 mph ....................or it might have been Penny

Lai

Lovely flowers in your garden Lai. The colours must be wonderful.

The poor Jay.

Sounds like Penny and Tamu have great fun with the squirrels. Just hope they dont catch one!

Looking forward to your next walk Lai.

SM

I thought i would try and get a few of our other local birds that don't visit the feeder.

Pied Wagtail








Nearly missed seeing this little Goldfinch amongst the long grass


Mistlethrush relaxing on the wires - normally seen on the long grass with the sheep but today being very unobliging and wouldn't hang around!


Lai

Lovely pictures to come home too Lai, although the Mistlethrush looks a little cross for having his picture taken, I like the pictures of the Pied Wagtail and the Goldfinch looks tiny in the long grass. You certainly have a lovely array of birds where you are. Thanks for posting them, its so nice to get in from work and have wonderful pictures to look at.

littlewid-x-

Thanks Littlewid - i've just moved my tripod and camera outside to try and get nearer the feeder as it was getting busy with the woodpecker + all the regulars around but Tamu decided to help

I have abandoned all hope for a while now!

Lai

Dogs, they always want to help don't they, bless them. Hopefully you will have better luck later or maybe tomorrow Lai......when Tamu's asleep!!!!

littlewid-x-

Great Pics Lai I love watching the Pied Wagtails when they walk they are really busy Bees , bobbing along
WS

Male woodpecker






Male Chaffinch


Young Blue Tit


Great Tit - just had a drink (drop of water on his head)










Lai

Lai your doing us proud with your pics it's lovely to see all the wildlife your getting in your garden, and on the feeders. Any news on the Buzzard
WS

Well those are sending me off to work smiling this morning Lai, they are lovely photos. I especially love the Great Tit with the drop of water on his head, a really cute photo. Please keep them coming I am just loving all the varieties of birds.

littlewid-x-

Thanks for the kind words on yesterday's pics. It was a bit hit and miss having moved outside (and with Tamu deciding she just had to help)!

Re the Buzzards - we have quite a few (family i guess) and one in particular likes to sit on the top of the Redwood tree, he/she is constantly mobbed by crows and ravens but it doesn't seem to bother him/her too much. It hasn't been back on the ground looking for bugs etc as i guess there are plenty of other edible things at the moment What i would love is to get a shot of them flying, they are so graceful hovering overhead................ one to attempt soon i hope.

Later today i will try some more outside shots near the feeder and see if the Greenfinchs and Bullfinchs hang around long enough - obviously me moving outside with my tripod and camera has given them something to think about

Lai

Good luck with that mission Lai, I love the Bullfinches and catching the Buzzards flying would be wonderful.

littlewid-x-

fantastic pics LIA
im so loving the great tits and blue tits and the great spotted woodpecker is stunning
you so cleaver wish i could take pic of birds like that
i can just manage flowers only because they still lol

Thanks Staffslass - the birds that come to the feeder are relatively easy as they are used to me, my problem is trying to get outside and get closer. Initially i was taking them from inside through the glass. My theory is keep on trying ............... and trying............... and if you get one good shot

Lai

When I got my pics of the Whitestarling Lai, I used a Popup tent that we had, for when we went out in the camper van to keep stuff in I put it on the lawn for a few couple of days so that the birds were used to it. Then I sat on a stool inside with the flap part closed, they soon got used to the tent, teay will fly off when you first get in, but they soon forget.
WS

That conjures up quite a vision WS of you sitting in your tent waiting for the birds i bet your neighbours wondered what you were up to in there ..........

but seriously good idea WS - i was thinking of going on ebay and finding a hide of some sort - that would be useful for getting photos of the kingfisher and the heron as well.

Lai

Lovely photos Lai.

You really do get a good variety in your garden. I would love to see one of the Kingfisher and WS' idea of using a tent/hide is a good idea.

SM

Magic pictures Lai. I really enjoy looking at them. I'm not good with the different species of birds but I do enjoy looking at all the photos and seeing how many I can guess. sambuka

Laikipia wrote:That conjures up quite a vision WS of you sitting in your tent waiting for the birds i bet your neighbours wondered what you were up to in there ..........

but seriously good idea WS - i was thinking of going on ebay and finding a hide of some sort - that would be useful for getting photos of the kingfisher and the heron as well.

Lai

No I put them off the scent Lai I just kept opening cans of Boddy's they thought I was having a party on my own. Of course I had to drink them or they would have gone flat, and it kept scareing the Birds off. It took me nearly a whole week to get the Pics, and Mrs S thought I was very patient.
I just love it when a plan comes together
WS

oh i do like a laugh first thing in the morning WS

Lai

I'm off into town this morning so this week I really hope to return with some good old seaside pictures for our Summer Watch thread, I'm on a mission this morning.

littlewid-x-