Tuesday 30 December 2014

Just Missed

 A week or so before Christmas I was talking to a friend who mentioned that his neighbours, a family from California would be spending their first Christmas in the UK and were hoping for snow on the big day.  I scoffed despite what TV and the movies would have you believe,  a white Christmas is an increasingly rare event in the UK.

Well there was no snow on Christmas Day, but it arrived with a vengeance on the 26th (Boxing Day as it`s known in the UK).





Billy the Pheasant, still around and still awaiting his peanuts from us





The snow and ice are still hanging in there five days later, aided by subzero temperatures during the night and barely above freezing during the day.  We`ll just have to wait and see if we will have a mild winter as was the case last year.

Thursday 25 December 2014

Sunday 21 December 2014

Goodfellows






























I don't know how the humble robin ended up becoming synonymous with Christmas time.  It is an all year round garden bird but somehow it nabbed Christmas from the sparrows and the blackbirds.  Perhaps its because they tend to be a little braver than most birds, and will come quite close if there is food to be had.

Whatever the reason, I admire them a great deal.  I have watched them chase off larger birds beneath the bird feeders when the ground is frozen and food is limited.  I smile when I see one perched nearby watching us working in the garden.  They've learnt to let the humans` do the hard work while they reap the rewards.

I was always going to have a soft spot for them as I do share their name (I`ve lost count of the times people have asked me "Where`s Batman?").   Here are a few pictures of them that I've taken over the months.

























Sunday 14 December 2014

Going Coastal





























I grew up in a coastal town in Northumberland.  Until I moved "down south" the sea had always been at the most three miles away from where I lived.  Northumberland has a spectacular slice of coastline. with beaches that can be almost deserted.  I tended to take the coast for granted.  Living in Nottinghamshire I realise just how far from the sea I am.

 I took these pictures during a visit back to the North East and we decided to check out Tynemouth.  the name says it all.  Tynemouth is a sought after location and the house prices reflect that.  There is a villagelike feel to the place and it's nice to see independent shops instead of the usual high street clones.  Walking along the sea wall on a brisk winter's day definitely blows the cobwebs away.


The wall has to be able to withstand a battering from the North Sea.




The remains of Tynemouth Priory and the coastguard Watch House.





























If you happen to find yourself in Newcastle, Tynemouth is just a short Metro ride away from the city centre.  Well worth a visit in my opinion, but if it`s Winter make sure you wrap up warm!

Sunday 7 December 2014

Taking a Breather






















Living where we do in a semi rural location, Sparrowhawks are frequent visitors.  The problem is when we do see them they tend to be travelling at speed, swooping in low from around the side of the house to try and catch any unwary birds on the feeders.  Their appearances are fleeting  (the best pictures I have managed of a Sparrowhawk previously can be found here)

Earlier this week, we where having a little lunch  in the kitchen and as I got up to put the plates in the dishwasher I spotted movement, something large which I presumed to be a Woodpigeon dropping into the garden.  As I neared the window I spotted the Sparrowhawk, sitting on the edge of the bird bath.

The camera was close at hand and as I have said before, one of the problems with the Olympus Pen EPL1 is that the menu system isn't really conducive to changing settings on the quick.  I didn't expect our visitor to be around for very long, so most of the photographs taken with it on the birdbath where from further back in the kitchen, shooting between a plant and scales, and also through glass.  There were a lot of hopeless shots, but I did manage to get a couple of decent ones.


Watching the Watchers





















To our surprise, the bird didn't seem to be perturbed that we were watching it.  It sat quite happily with it's tail feathers dipped in the water bath and occasionally looked our way.

After a few minutes it hopped up onto the hedge, allowing me to get some better shots.