“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ....Oscar Wilde

Saturday 3 February 2018

My Sunday Photo... Creeper

Today, I thought I'd show you a few more of my visitors.
This little bird is a treecreeper.
I have never seen a treecreeper on the ground like this before... but obviously the fallen seed from the bird table was too tempting.
Once you know what you're looking for, a treecreeper is quite noticeable with his white underside.
They use their tails in a similar way to woodpeckers' as a support when climbing and they really are quite acrobatic... but with those claws I suppose it's not surprising.
Their bills are curved and sharp, for extracting insect food and seeds from crevices in tree bark.
He definitely could do with a pedicure!


I did miss a fantastic photographic opportunity today, as I drove up my lane as dusk began to fall.
A buzzard was sitting on a telegraph pole with the sun behind him. 
If only I could have stopped in the lane to take the photo, but that would have been foolish.
It'll have to be one of those tales of  'the one that got away'!
But here he is a little later, flying low over the fields looking for a meal before bedtime.

Apologies for the blurred image, but the light was fading... I'm surprised I managed to get any image in the circumstances.
Whilst I was photographing this buzzard two crows came and started to attack him... he was obviously on their patch.
But then so was someone else!
Mr Fox
At this stage our girls (hens) were still out in the folly... safe but because we didn't want Mr Fox to get too familiar with their whereabouts... we had to go out and get them into their coop. 
It was getting near to their bedtime anyway and three of them had already settled down and were comfy for the night.
We made a few unwelcome noises which made Mr Fox go elsewhere for his supper!

I'm linking up with My Sunday Photo once again.
Have fun and enjoy your Sunday.
Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you again soon.

30 comments:

  1. I have never seen a Tree Creeper not doing what it says on the tin before, must have been a tasty morsel

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    1. The best bird seed money can buy Catherine.
      I have to admit that it's the first time I've seen one that wasn't climbing up and down a tree!

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  2. That tree creeper has beautiful markings. I hope Mr Fox isn't after any chickens

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    1. I certainly hope so too Fiona! We are constantly on guard, but there are many other meals in and around the nearby woods that I hope will entice him away from our girls!

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  3. Love the fox picture!
    Glad you for the chickens away and safe :)

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    1. After the fox had one of the girls (Annie) in his mouth once we are super careful now that he doesn't get a second chance! Annie made a full recovery by the way. He is a magnificent fox and I like to see him in the nearby field... but I don't want him coming onto our grounds!

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  4. It looks like you've had quite a few visitors this week.

    Thank you for linking up

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    1. We certainly have Darren... but then we always do. We are very lucky to have all of this wildlife around us, so I try to appreciate it every day!

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  5. I don't think I've even a treecreeper before. So interesting to read more about them and those claws on their feet do look sharp! Glad you managed to capture the buzzard too and get the hens in their coop before Mr Fox came too near.

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    1. I thought that it might be interesting for anyone who hadn't seen this little bird. His claws are amazingly sharp. They are so long and bent, but that obviously helps him climb up and down the tree trunks with ease.
      We are constantly of fox alert Louise especially after he had poor Annie in his mouth once. Thankfully we were able to rescue her and she's made a full recovery.
      I'm hoping the wildlife in the fields and woods will suffice his hunger!

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  6. Never seen a treecreeper on the ground before! The buzzard is amazing. There seem to be so many around at the moment. Also love the fox, we don't really have any round here.

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    1. I thought it was so unusual to see the treecreeper on the ground that people might be interested... especially as it enables you to see the details of his claws and plumage.
      The fox is a spectacular healthy specimen. I'm hoping he's getting all he needs from the farmland and woods. He certainly doesn't look like he's starving!

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  7. Hi Neesie, you are surrouded by so much wildlife! How you managed to catch the treecreeper on the floor was a stroke of luck... I'm always kicking myself for lost oppertunites, we often see buzzards eyeing their terratory from tree stumps and telephone poles, but I have yet to get a photo... I love the way it looks like the buzzard in your photo is actually coming in to grab the fox in your last photo.

    xx

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    1. I know I'm very lucky Debbie and try to appreciate it by photographing and sharing all that's around. I think photographers always have tales of the lost opportunities, but hopefully the successes outweigh the disappointments.
      I think it would be impossible for this buzzard to try to even lift the fox... he's quite a beast and certainly doesn't go hungry!

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  8. I didn't know that about how birds use their tails but it makes perfect sense and I love the pics, even seeing Mr Fox!

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    1. I love to see Mr Fox too, but not too near. He's a fine specimen of a healthy fully grown male. I've also seen a female too so who knows we may have a family of foxes this spring!
      I just hope he doesn't come looking for a meal here!

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  9. lots of action on your land,, never a dull moment!!

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    1. There certainly isn't Laurie... it's brilliant and possibly why I spend so much time just gazing out of the window!

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  10. aww cute little bird :) haven't seen one here but will have to keep a better eye out now

    good to see a healthy looking fox, even if its not good to have around the chickens.

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    1. Usually you only manage to get a glimpse of one climbing up or down a tree trunk. Their foliage makes it very difficult to see them, as the white undercarriage is hidden... it's really only the movement to makes you become aware of them.
      Good luck in finding one now that you know what they look like :D
      Yes, the fox certainly is a healthy specimen. I like to have him around, but at a safe distance please!

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  11. Gorgeous pictures - love the tree creeper!

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    1. Thanks Sarah, I didn't think I'd manage to capture him as they usually are very fast and flighty!

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  12. As always, wonderful pictures Denise!
    sandy xx

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  13. I LOVE seeing and hearing about all the critters your way. :)

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    1. Thanks Rita... and I love to bring them to you :D

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  14. I wondered if everyone had seen a treecreeper. It's great that I'm able to share him. I totally agree... he is very attractive :D

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  15. gorgeous photo's how lovely to have so much wildlife around you #mysundayphoto

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  16. Oh wow what great captures, I always find birds so fascinating. #MySundayPhoto

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  17. Beautiful tree creeper, they are so sweet! Hope Mr Fox finds his dinner elsewhere! :) #sundayphoto

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