We are having an abundance of bird visitors right now.
I'd love to show you them all up close, but unfortunately I need to purchase a zoom lens first.
It's been on my 'to do' list since Christmas, when I was presented with a new camera.
One visitor that I'm particularly pleased to see returning this summer is the Yellowhammer.
I haven't managed to obtain a decent photo yet, but here's the RSPB website if you'd like to see details plus a little video... click here
Yesterday I thought that we had lost one of our Greater Spotted Woodpecker friends, because I found one little fella on the floor looking slightly dazed.
(I'd cleaned my windows the day before and as usual the birds seem to want to wreck my handy-work by flinging themselves straight into them, leaving a perfect imprint on the glass).
I checked the little chap hadn't broken his neck or wing and retreated to watch, whilst ensuring that the neighbours cat didn't come calling.
After quite some time when he hadn't moved, I thought he might need some water, so I carefully approached... which made him take fright and he flew away... off to the woods.
Note to self: Don't bother cleaning windows... that way I'm doing my bit for nature!
That'll do for me
Here's he is or possibly one of his relatives!
As usual I'm linking up with 'My Sunday Photo' with Photoalife, Wordless (on Tuesday at image-in-ing)and Mersad over at Through my lens
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, full of fun.
Thanks for popping by and I hope to see you all again soon.
How lovely that you're getting birds stopping by. We see a few overhead but they very rarely land in our garden - probably something to do with various neighbours' cats ...
ReplyDeleteIt could have something to do with the top of the range bird food that I put out Tim, that keeps them coming.
DeleteI'm hopeful that the bullfinch will return too, but so far there's no sign. We have three local cats that come calling, but my feeders are all high off the ground.
Enjoy your weekend and thanks for visiting.
What a fabulous photo of the Greater Spotted Woodpecker on the feeder. I hope the one that you found fully recovered from his disagreement with your window.
ReplyDeleteThanks Louise, I took this photo using my daughter's zoom lens.
DeleteI think the kamikaze woodpecker was okay as I watched him fly away... he looked fine. He probably didn't know what hit him!
Ohh! That is one beautiful bird....
ReplyDeleteWe have a few bird feeders in the back yard that gets a few birds but by the time I've grabbed my phone to take a photo they're are all gone. lol
I was pleased with this particular photo, but I've had so many out of focus, just the wing in the corner as it's taken flight, and bare spaces where the bird was... to name but a few Kim.
DeleteI'd got a fledgling blue tit just leaving it's nest, but it's a little blurred so I didn't want to show it. Maybe next time?
That's beautiful capture, so perfectly in focus. Well done,I can't even capture a robin well!
ReplyDeleteThanks, there are so many others that I'd like to capture well, but they're proving tricky. I think the zoom lens will help immensely. I just need to buy it now!
DeleteIt must be lovely to spot such magnificent birds through your window, they must like what you are feeding them! This is a great shot!
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled with so many birds coming to call Lauren. Some are getting quite used to me filling the feeders and come so close now.
DeleteI just need to work out how to fill the seed, whilst holding my camera. It's tricky and I'll have to work on it.
I do spend quite a bit on good quality food, but it certainly pays off. We even have someone's doves come to call every morning and they've even started to come to the windows if I don't go out early enough for their breakfast. Cheek!
Oh wow! That is stunning! I would love a visitor like that too. xx
ReplyDeleteWe have had four at one time (I hope that doesn't sound like boasting but it's true) One unfortunately died whilst being chased by a sparrow hawk. We have one living in a tree in our garden, but the others visit from the nearby woods. We're very lucky.
DeleteStunning photo Neesie, what a fab moment to capture and such a beautiful bird x
ReplyDeleteI never tire of watching them visit, but best of all is listening to one who lives in a tree in our garden vibrate the bark with his beak. It's an incredible sound and vibrates right across the garden and nearby fields.
DeleteHi Neesie, I think you have the perfect excuse not to clean windows! It's a beautiful looking woodpecker, my Dad has just returned from the UK and was so excited as on his walks he managed to see not one, but two lesser spotted woodpeckers! He's an avid bird watcher, but sadly due to the hunting (and lack of respect) for birds over here, we don't have a great variety.
ReplyDeletexx
Hi Debbie, I thought so too!
DeleteI'm happy that your Dad got to see so many birds on his trip here. We have so many brilliant and fascinating native birds plus then there's all the visitors in both winter and summer. There's always something to see.
Fantastic photo and a fabulous excuse not to clean your windows!
ReplyDelete#MySundayPhoto
Isn't it just! (Haha)
DeleteThanks for visiting
Beautiful photo, we'd love a visitor this beautiful in our garden. We get nothing of any interest
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up
I spend quite a lot on really a good source of bird food and I think it makes a lot of difference. When we first returned to this house we hardly seen any birds. Now it's like Heathrow airport with constant flights coming in and out!
DeleteThe most popular seems to be sunflower hearts that have had the husks removed. There's not so much mess that way either.
Thanks for hosting Darren... it's always fun to link up.
Enjoy your Sunday
Beautiful bird!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it just Brooke, we have four visiting at the moment and I feel very privileged.
DeleteThere's always something to watch if you have some time to indulge.
I am so with you on the zoom lens! I really desperately need one!! This is a brilliant capture, what a beautiful bird :) x
ReplyDeleteYes Victoria... I definitely NEED one and not just want one! ;D
DeleteHe is a stunning visitor, but I'd like to capture more. We are so lucky to have so many different birds come to feed. I feel so lucky.
The photo is exquisite - just the right moment to capture the essence of this beautiful bird. Perhaps Santa will bring you a zoom lens? Must begin to drop hints early. :o) Birds at the feeder in your yard - such wonderful entertainment. hugs, Donna
ReplyDeleteOh I've been dropping hints since the week after Christmas... my birthday is in January, but alas no one took up the hints. I must work harder!
DeleteI'm busy watching a blue tit nesting in a bird box on one of our trees. The parent birds are like a tag team. It's tiring just to watch them. I'm going to try to get some photos.
Wish me luck Donna
Fab pic. He sure is a beauty and I hope fully recovered from a window knockout. Have a wonderful day! Tropical hugs.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure that if he was the one that hit the window but he certainly is handsome isn't he.
DeleteI'm liking the sound of tropical hugs! Summer is taking a long time to warm up over here.
I had a woodpecker in my garden a couple of years ago - think I need to start feeding the birds again!
ReplyDeleteOh yes Kelly... it would be marvellous to have him and lots of other birds return to your garden. I'd love to see any photos if you do manage to entice him back.
DeleteCleaning windows is overrated. What a capture, even if you did give him a bit of a fright. He's absolutely beautiful and i wonder if he might come back again?
ReplyDeleteWe've got him visiting plus two others Tas. They've taken a liking to my peanut feeder at the moment and come flying all the way over the field from the woods to get here. It's wonderful to see them up close.
DeleteI've always liked seeing (or more often, just hearing) woodpeckers.
ReplyDeleteWell you'd certainly get your fill here Debra.
DeleteI love to hear them making that unique and distinctive spring 'drumming' display sound. It reverberates around which is wonderful.
I checked out the Yellowhammer--quite striking! And fast--LOL!
ReplyDeleteSoooo glad the woodpecker was okay. Whew! Never a better excuse to not clean the windows! ;)
Yes Rita, I think I've found the perfect excuse at last!
DeleteThe Yellowhammer looks so striking on the bird table. He reminded me of a WWF wrestler... you know the kind that wear hoods. His yellow head gear really does stand out!
Thank you for the kind comments. It is the flower blossom of a Conker Tree--I took the picture while in Dresden in May. The trees were just full of blossoms and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAhh, that's why it isn't familiar to me. It's beautiful. I'll have to keep my eyes open next May!
DeleteWhat a beautiful bird, I'd love to have one of these visit us #MySundayPhoto
ReplyDeleteThey are stunning Mary. I'm thinking that if you put seed out they may well come to visit. Good luck!
DeleteOops. Sounds like a good reason not to clean to me:)
ReplyDeleteGlad he was okay:)
Yep, I've decided nature is more important... until I can't see out of the windows. Then perhaps I'll have to do something.
DeleteThat is the sweetest little woodpecker - we used to have them on our bird feeders in the mountains all the time. I do miss them.
ReplyDeleteSandy xx
Can you not feed the birds in your current place. I think I'll always have to have some kind of feeding contraption on the go, as I would really miss them. I'm watching a pair of blue tits visiting one of our nest boxes... they're like a tag team. Hopefully my seed will help them keep up the pace!
DeleteWhat a lovely bird photograph! I'm so glad you didn't lose him. I've read there are decals you can attack to your windows so the wildlife knows they're there, but I haven't tried them. We have blinds and screens so it hasn't really been an issue...
ReplyDeleteI suppose it's my fault Lisa because I do like the big clear windows. Maybe I'll have to work out a compromise. Most of the time they're okay... it's just if the sparrowhawk comes to call then they fly any which way to get away. Splat!!!
Deletejealous you have woodpeckers there :) I want to put out food for the birds here but there are too many cats outside here and I don't like just fattening up their lunch :p
ReplyDeleteWell Jennifer, we have three neighbour cats that are very proficient at catching lunch. I've seen them on occasion with mice, but I've made sure that my bird feeders are high and in open areas, so that the birds can see the cats. There's no sneaking up on them on my watch!
DeleteI remember your posh bird food, that wouldn't be the only reason that you attract such a variety I'm sure it's out there on Twitter that your place is a great place to visit - haha.
ReplyDeleteWonderful picture, even without a zoom!
Wren x
I think you might be right Wren... there's lots of twitterbations going on. I was thrilled to find masses of activity going on with one of our bird boxes. The blue tits have a tag team organised to feed chicks. I better hurry and buy that zoom lens so that I can try to capture the fledgings.
DeleteSpringwatch eat your heart out! (hehe)
Such a perfect capture! I love it. #MySundayPhoto
ReplyDeleteThanks Cal, I was pleased with this one. There are lots of others that just didn't make the grade.
DeleteIt sounds like you are having some lovely visitors. A great capture #MySundayPhoto
ReplyDeleteWe are indeed Jane,
DeleteI do spend a fair bit on different good quality food, but I think the rewards are worth it. Some women like shoes or handbags I buy bird seed!
Nice photo. We call these Downy or hairy woodpeckers, and they are a little different. I am so amazed how some of the northern European birds are so similar to some of our North American varieties. :) Erika
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in Australia the birds were very different than ours here, so it's interesting that you see similarities where you are.
DeleteFabulous image of the Woodpecker.
ReplyDeleteThanks Margaret, I was pleased with this shot. Now I just have to try to capture all of the other visitors.
DeleteSuper view of your GSW enjoying your top class eatery.
ReplyDeleteThanks Frank, I guess I'll have to keep up the standard on the menu.
DeleteWe have several varieties of woodpeckers that visit us (or, more accurately, our bird feeders!) frequently. I love to see them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining the weekly linkup at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/06/west-side-story.html
It is special to have visitors isn't it? I could spend hours watching them, but I've got three feeding stations so if I spent too long watching nothing would get done!
DeleteGlad it had a happy ending. There was something up with some big birds last night just before I went to bed. Was kind of afraid (and too tired) to look.
ReplyDeleteOh I don't think I would have looked either. Sometimes we have the deer bark especially if the haar (fog) is in. It sounds very eerie and carries across the woods and fields.
DeleteNow I'm wondering what you heard?
gorgeous !!!
ReplyDeleteThanks ak-ut, I was pleased to finally capture this little fella.
DeleteAn awesome capture! Looks like he pose for you! #mysundayphoto
ReplyDeleteI think he liked the idea of being posted globally Pixiedusk.
Delete