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

Sunday, 28 February 2016

My Sunday Photo... Wild Birds

I'm a complete and utter addict when it comes to wild birds visiting my garden. 
I just can't get enough.
I have three feeding stations dotted around my house and I currently buy 35 kilo's of seed ever few weeks! 
It costs a fortune, but I think it's worth it.
 When we first arrived back to this house from our expat travels, I was really worried because I hardly ever saw a wild bird in the garden. 
But as they say "if you build it... they will come" and they certainly did. 
As a rough guide at the moment I have five doves visiting every day 
(I have no idea who they belong to... there were seven, but I prefer not to think about where the other two have gone) four Great Spotted Woodpeckers, four Robins, a flock of somewhere between 20 and 30 Goldfinches, a few Green finches and possibly a dozen or so Chaffinches, masses of Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits and at least 15 Wood Pigeons. 
Oh and I mustn't forget the two crazy Crows that had taken a complete obsession to my garden mirror. I decided to take the mirror away thinking I was doing the best for them, but now they are attacking the patio windows to my dining room. 
I first thought someone was knocking at the door... and couldn't work it out what was going on. 
I'll try to get a photo of them because it really is quite a sight... as is my paving now with poop pebble dashing! 
They've even moved plant pots to get nearer! 

This week I've included two photos.
It's been the RSPB's National Nest Box week, 
So I thought I'd include the photo below. 
It's another favourite of mine.
He seems to like the new place... let's hope the Misses does too!
As usual I'm linking up with My Sunday Photo
and Through my lens 
Why not nip across and see lots more photos by clicking on the links above. 
Have a wonderful weekend everyone and I hope to see you again soon


72 comments:

  1. Very crisply captured. I always like the effortless way the birds balance on their perches.

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    1. Thanks Tim,
      They certainly do make it look effortless. I've even noticed that the robins are becoming skilled at balancing on the perch, even with their spindly thin legs. They're evolving!
      Enjoy your Sunday.

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  2. Oh my that is such an amazing photo, I can never sit still and wait long enough for a shot like this, just stunning #MySUNDAYPHOTO

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    1. Thank you... but I think I was just lucky. I was using my daughter's zoom lens so that made it a little easier. I just can't seem to capture the robin no matter how hard I try... but I'll keep trying!
      Have a super Sunday and thanks for stopping by.

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  3. I don't think I've ever seen them so close up. What beautiful colours
    #SundayPhoto

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    1. I used a zoom lens for these particular shots,
      I must admit I do have hundreds of photos of the goldfinches because we have so many visiting now. I can't believe how they're numbers are going up. They have a flock now!
      It was difficult to pick out which photo to link up with, but I thought the close up of the woodpecker would be good.

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  4. Such an incredible photo! You get so many birds, a flock of goldfinches! Wow :)

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    1. I must admit Sara, I was so surprised when I tried to count the goldfinches for the RSPB big bird watch weekend. I had to give up after 25, but I know there are more. I also forgot to mention the blackbirds, dunnocks and a tree creeper!

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  5. Oh my! These are stunning photos. I am even struggling to capture black birds hehehe. :)

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    1. Oh I struggle too Melody, I was just lucky I think.
      I have huge respect for any wildlife photographer, because they must have so much patience. I've certainly had my fair share of failure, but I keep trying!

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  6. Wowza - how fabulous capturing all those wild birds including the woodpecker! I'm rather fanatical about feeding the birds too at the moment and have so many feeding stations now in our garden.

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    1. That's fantastic Kriss, I think it's wonderful to see so many visitors come into the garden.
      My birds are becoming a little naughty, especially the doves, which are now coming onto the window ledge to let me know they're there... and I'm late feeding them.

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  7. Your photos are crystal clear, I see you use a zoom lens which I have never used. We love feeding birds too but I don't show their photos on my blog because my camera doesn't have a zoom lens or other capability. I love the variety of the birds you attract.

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    1. I used my daughter's zoom lens for these shots, but I'm not really familiar with it. I have a new camera and need to buy my own zoom lens. I forgot to mention that we also have blackbirds, dunnocks and a tree creeper too!
      Enjoy your birds.

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  8. Our last house had bird feeders right outside the kitchen window. I could sit there for hours just watching, I loved it. Once we get settled, maybe I'll have the gardener build a bird house.

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    1. I have two feeders outside my kitchen window. One with seed in and another with fat balls. Every time I go to the sink there's a visitor looking back at me. They are used to seeing me there, which makes it easier to watch them.
      I think it's a great idea to put a new bird house up in your new home. It'll make it so much more homely.
      Good luck and enjoy!

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  9. My last attempt at Robin photos were a failure, they are just so shy. We'll keep trying though!. I love that you put food out for the birds and I agree it's totally worth it. We new we would never keep it up regularly so we planted lots of grevilleas which pumps out the pollen all summer long when it is most sorely needed and we've had several bird families move into our front yard. It's so wonderful to listen to them twittering.

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    1. It's a big committment to start to feed the birds because they certainly let me know when they're empty. The doves even come on my window ledges now, if I don't go out early enough.
      But they are so worth it.
      I have to admit I haven't captured the robin shot that I want (yet) They seem to be enjoying my challenge because they appear to bait me. Singing in prime spots whilst I'm working in the garden, but you can bet that as soon as I have my camera in my hand... off they go! It's maddening.
      I have a wonderful video with the birdsong in my garden and it sounds wonderful.
      I sometimes just like to stop and listen to them all.
      Enjoy your feathered friends.

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  10. oh yes i love feeding the native birds but i have stopped that now and only put out water for them. well except meat for the big birds like kookaburras.

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    1. I have a friend in Melbourne that feeds a magpie family with meat titbits. They fly right up to her door and chorkle away to let her know that they're there and ready for a meal.
      Here's a link to my blog post about them if you're interested.
      http://neesienatters.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/magpiesone-for-sorrytwo-for-joy.html
      I hope you have a wonderful week... and enjoy your birds too

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  11. Great photos, I love the colours of the birds. We don't get many mice birds visiting our garden, just pigeons

    Thank you for linking up

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    1. As they say Darren... put up feeders and they will come (that is if you want to feed them) It's amazing how word travels and the variety soon escalates. My wood pigeons feed from the fallen seed, so they're like a hoover, cleaning up the area.
      Thanks for hosting and I wish you a great week ahead.

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  12. Such beautiful photos! I have a friend who puts out lots of bird feeders and it's astonishing how many different types of bird visit every day.

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    1. It worked the same way here Sarah,
      I hardly had any visitors to begin with, but now I have so many and also so many different kinds. I've still got a few to add to my list, but I'm hoping that with a variety of food... that they will come eventually.

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  13. I love the photo of all the birds on the bird feeder and the blue tit peeking out of the nesting box. How wonderful to have so many wild birds visiting the garden and the crazy crows sound very funny :-)

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    1. The crazy crows only visited briefly this morning thankfully. I think it's a rival confusion... he doesn't realise that it's his own reflection. The female just sits and watches him. I hope she's suitably impressed and he can move on soon.
      I was pleased to capture the peeping tit... he was a little harder to capture than the bird feeder. There's always something on one of them, so it's not too difficult. I used my daughter's zoom lens too, but I do plan to get myself one for my new camera... then hopefully I'll perfect the skill.

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  14. Oh my what an absolutely feathered friend haven you have. We have a bird feeder, top it up weekly and I get some chaffinches and a few various tits but mainly pigeons. Recently I've been photographing water birds but I must spend some more time sat out in my garden waiting for visitors! #MySundayPhoto

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    1. You should hear them too Rebecca, it's incredible.
      It certainly is a privilege to sit with a cuppa and hear them sing at full throttle!
      I haven't progressed to capturing water birds yet. I'm still becoming acquainted with my new camera.

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  15. I love the way that the Woodpecker is clinging on!

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    1. It's fascinating to watch all the various antics. The woodpecker is incredibly agile and the latest is a blue tit that climbs down into the peanut holder to retrieve a whole peanut. No nibbling away for him... he's straight in there. The top broke off the holder in a recent storm and I haven't got around to finding or fixing it yet... but I feel now that he's devised a devilish plan I should leave it as it is, to reap the rewards.

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  16. I love the way the Woodpecker is balancing!

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    1. Oh hello again... yes he's pretty good at his aerobatics.

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  17. I LOVE the detail you've captured on the birds, they are so vibrant too! Such a gorgeous photo, I've been working on my bird photography and your photo is certainly inspiration to keep working on it!

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    1. Thank you Zara, I'm still trying to capture the photographs that I want, so I suppose it's best to think of it as a journey. Capture inspiration from wherever we find it.
      At the moment I'm having a challenge trying to capture a good photo of him. He's just not playing at the moment.

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  18. Wow Neesie, so many birds feeding at once, they are so beautiful. I try not to feed the birds here because of my cat, I hate it when he stalks them.

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    1. Well we have two or three farm cats visit our garden from time to time but my feeders are hanging or a table far out of their reach. They just sit and watch with their tails swishing. I think the birds have a good clear view of them, so they're not bothered.
      Then my dog runs out to chase off the cats... it's the circle of life here for sure.

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  19. An amazing shot Neesie! Definitely worth all the bird seed!

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    1. Well I'm reordering the sacks every four or five weeks now, so the bird seed company is very happy.
      I'll start to slow down a little now that spring seems to be coming to call. Although I do carry on feeding them throughout the whole year.

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  20. How amazed I feel watching at your photographs, my dear Denise, you're truly so very talented !
    With so much thankfulness I wish you a most beautiful Sunday and a glad start of your new week ahead,
    sending you love and hugs
    Daniela

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    1. Thank you for your kind words Daniela,
      I feel truly blessed to be living where I am... enjoying nature to the max.
      Have a wonderful week ahead.

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  21. Wow, how lucky are you getting such colourful visitors to your garden! This is such a great capture too, well done!

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    1. Thanks, I know I'm lucky to be able to have such fantastic visitors, but I actually forgot to mention them all. How could I forget the blackbirds, dunnocks, treecreeper... and further afield the Jays and fieldfares!
      I also have a new camera which I need to master... it's an on going job.

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  22. Those birds are just beautiful...I can see why you keep feeding them. x

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    1. Well they insist Kim!
      I get an enormous amount of pleasure from both seeing and hearing them.

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  23. Wonderful pictures Denise - that is one thing I do miss about living in the mountains. We had loads of woodpeckers of all sizes. All kinds of finches. No robins though. I had a big flock of big robins in our back yard yesterday - I guess they were on their way north. I have seen one rather large owl - 2 Pilliated woo

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    1. Wow Sandy, well there's a challenge for you. Put feeders out and just see what comes to call. It might be that you could be a stop over for many migrating birds. It's worth a go at least.
      As I said when I first started I really wondered if I'd ever get a visitor... but then slowly the numbers have risen from zilch to flocks!
      I like the sound of having an owl visit. I've not had one of those. We need to put up a box because I know they're near because I've heard them.

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  24. I lost my comment - I was trying to spell pileated and somehow managed to lose my whole comment. Oh well, I was just jibber jabbering.
    Love the pictures of your birds Denise.
    sandy xx

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    1. Nope I caught you Sandy... have no fear!
      I did wonder about the owl, but all is clear now.
      I love to jibber jabber so just jibber jabber away!

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  25. How wonderfully busy with birdlife in your garden! Wonderful :)

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    1. It's a juggling game Lisa, between all the usual chores, artwork and generally everything else in between!
      I love to have lots of wild birds around though, both the look at and to hear them. So I'll keep juggling.

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  26. Ooohhh I love the birds in your yard. They are so colorful. Our birds are mostly brown and of course the seagulls, pelicans, and ravens. I too am impressed with the art from 29 Faces. So much talents has joined in. Have a great day.

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    1. Hehe Thanks Nicole, so do I.
      There's never a dull moment if you get time to sit and watch them.
      I hope you have a great day too.

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  27. I love to attract birds to my garden too. I'm always a little apprehensive though as there are so many cats in the neighbourhood. We have been lucky to have nesting bluetits in our bird box every year except last year, just too cold I think! #MySundayPhoto

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    1. We have farm cats come to call periodically, but I've made sure that the bird feeders are all up our of reach and the bird tables are in a clearing. The birds know when they're there and don't seem to mind.

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  28. I think I'd give the crows back their mirror ball--LOL!
    What beautiful birds and you have a camera that can capture them in close ups!! :)

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    1. Haha... I was beginning to think that Rita, but they seem to have calmed down over the last day or so. Maybe they heard I was going to try to capture them on camera... or maybe she's been impressed enough and they can get on with the important business of building a nest. Just so long as it's in the wood and not my garden!
      Have a great day

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  29. lots of birds here :) but also lots of outside cats :( not the best mix

    very jealous yo have woodpeckers, haven't seen any around here. Lots of hawks and buzzards tho :)

    great shot of the blue tit :)

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    1. We have farm cats come to visit periodically too Jennifer, but everything is either up high or in a clearing, so the birds get lots of notice that they are on the cats radar!
      I forgot to mention we have buzzards and the odd sparrow hawk too. How could I forget them, plus the blackbirds, dunnocks and a tree creeper!

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  30. You're so lucky to get such a variety of wild birds. We don't get any. Great shot. I'd love to see a woodpecker that close up. #MySundayPhoto

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    1. I know I'm very lucky to have so many visitors of all kinds. I just wish I was a better photographer to enable me to capture them.
      I've a new camera, so maybe we'll be good friends and I'll learn how to use it properly. It's all singing all dancing, so I just need to hear the music... or perhaps just read the manual!

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  31. It's a good thing feeding the birds!

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  32. Fab photo and you are so lucky to have so many birds. We don't have many at this new house yet but I did see long tailed tits this morning which was great. We used to have a problem with crows pecking windows at our old house - a bit scary. They stopped eventually but I still don't know why. x Jo

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    1. Well Jo, I'm sure if you hang a few feeders up those long-tailed tits will love you... plus all of the other birds in the area.
      I think the crows peck the glass because they don't realise it's their own reflection. I think they see it as another potential rival... especially with spring arriving.
      Good luck with your new visitors and settling into your new home.

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  33. Aww what a lovely capture! SO clear. I always want to take photos of them but they wont stay still long! #MySundayPhoto

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    1. Tell me about it pixiedusk, I have missed so many brilliant potential photos, but for one thing or another. I have such admiration of wildlife photographers... they must have so much patience.

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  34. Your birds are beautiful. What kind are they- we don't have them here in the northeast US. I am with you, I love feeding my birds. When I was away last week something dragged one of the feeders off into the woods. Now I need to go find it. Happy Day!

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    1. The first photo shows a Great Spotted Woodpecker and three Goldfinches. The bottom photo shows a blue tit popping his head out of a nesting box. I've been photographing different birds today.
      Ooh the mystery of the dragged off feeder. It could be a squirrel perhaps?
      Happy day to you too Erika. Enjoy your birds

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  35. Oh my goodness -- you have assembled quite a crowd. How absolutely wonderful. Entertainment at your fingertips. So beautiful -- like an extended family. In San Miguel, I have had the same pair of Mourning Doves live in my tree and raise their babies for 6 years. I love them dearly. Would love to see the photos of the crows. Hoping when I get back to Canada to begin attracting some beauties myself. Hugs, Donna

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    1. Indeed Donna, it's wonderful to have so much activity and song right on our doorstep. I love it!
      We would call the Mounting Dove a Turtle Dove. I have to confess I had to look up a Mounting Dove because I hadn't heard of it before.
      How privileged to have a family every year. I have five white doves visit my every day. They belong to someone but I don't know where they live. They fly in every morning and leave every afternoon.
      It started off with just one a two years ago... then they reached seven over the next two years, but have now stayed at five for quite a while.
      The crows have actually calmed down a little over the last day or so, but if I can get a decent action shot then I will.
      It will be a case of watch this space.
      I'll look forward to seeing your Canadian beauties.
      Hugs back to you.

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  36. I never seem to have luck in capturing bird images, so thank you for sharing your shots with "Through My Lens"

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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    1. I have a new camera Mersad, so it's all new to me.
      I've got to get used to all the bells and whistles on it.
      I also plan to get a zoom lens for myself.
      Thanks for hosting once again. I wish you a great week ahead.

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