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

Sunday, 17 December 2017

My Sunday Photo... Sparrowhawk

Oh how time flies at this time of year...which brings me nicely to My Sunday Photo today.
I finally managed to capture an image of the sparrowhawk that visits our garden from time to time.
It's been a tough week weather wise for all of the wild birds, with snow flurries and icy conditions.
Our bird feeding stations have had to be replenished daily.
Hence the regular visits from the sparrowhawk... who has been keeping a close eye on proceedings.
 Thankfully I've not witnessed any blood shed so far.
I'm surprised that I was able to capture any image as I just can't help but get very excitable when such a visitor appears.
If you'd like to link up with Photalife.com where you can find lots more great photographs click here.
Happy Sunday everyone and thanks for popping by my place.

Sunday, 3 December 2017

My Sunday Photo... Flummoxed Flo and the Finale

It's offical...we've waved goodbye to autumn and winter has arrived.
Well, it certainly did this past week with the arrival of our first snow flurry of the year.
As many of your know I've been away and so haven't really caught up with everything yet... but I hope to soon. I've got lots I'd like to share.

Today 'My Sunday Photo' is a finale tribute to autumn.
Mushrooms
I have to admit I'm not an expert when it comes to wild mushrooms.
I'm far too timid to venture into tasting them, but feel I'm probably missing out on amazing foraging and possible culinary delights.
Maybe one day?
 I took these photos whilst staying at my sister's house.
These little beauties appeared on her patio.
It seems appropriate really as she is mushroom mad!
She has many dotted about her house too... the beautiful wooden carved ornamental kind.
She even has some that her talented son handmade for her. 
His latest project that he's currently on is making pens out of wood!
I'll have to write a post about his work sometime because they are beautiful pens.
But for now if you missed the snow pictures from my Instagram this week, (there's a link in my sidebar) I'll add this one.
Flo looking completely flummoxed by all that white stuff.
The other three girls are tucked in behind her.
They did eventually emerge once their breakfast caught their attention, but it took a lot longer than normal. Thankfully the snow has disappeared and the temperature has risen. 
It was nice to see, but I don't like it to hang around for too long.
It can come back for Christmas Day of course... but then that's it thank you very much!

If you'd like to link up with Photalife.com where you can find lots more great My Sunday photographs.
Have fun and don't get too stressed working up to the Christmas holidays.
Happy Sunday everyone and thanks for popping by my place.

Sunday, 26 November 2017

My Sunday Photo... Edinburgh

I'm still away at the moment, but heading home via Edinburgh.
On the northward journey the weather and scenery were perfect.
Here's just a few photos that I snapped along the way.

It appears that Autumn slipped away without a word.
We are well into our winter now.
Temperatures have fallen, but that means bright, crisp days.
My favourite for over the winter.
There were blackbirds eating the succulent red jewel-like berries in this photo, as the sun dipped below the horizon.
And finally we arrived in Edinburgh.

If you'd like to see lots more photos, then click the link here to My Sunday Photo

Thanks for visiting my place and I hope to see you again soon.
Have a great weekend everyone

Sunday, 19 November 2017

My Sunday Photo... Cosy Toes

With an arctic wind blowing a hoolie around the house, what better photo could I have for My Sunday Photo than one of our wood burner blasting out beautiful warmth with gorgeous flickering light. 
It never ceases to bring me pleasure.
For anyone who needs or misses an open fire...here's the video below...


If you'd like to see lots more photos, then click the link here to My Sunday Photo

Thanks for visiting my place and to Darren for hosting My Sunday Photo once again. 
I hope to see you again soon.
Have a great weekend everyone

Friday, 17 November 2017

Paint Party Friday... Elf

Hello everyone...here we are... Friday once again!
 With only a few weeks until the holidays begin, I thought I'd do a Christmassy sketch this week. 
Hopefully something to inspire me into all the preparations.
The only trouble is that this is kind of mixed up... a Santa look-a-like if you will. 
I did have an elf in mind but then Santa intruded.
 I wouldn't say that I'm a negative person, but as I come to write this post I begin to wonder?
I'm normally a half glass full kind of person, but yet again I'm posting something that I don't particularly like. I'm hoping that the Paint Party Friday gang will be able to help me. 
It seems the trouble is that I've lost my passion for painting. 
I think a lot of it is that I don't have a theme, or subject matter that I can progress with. 
My subjects just seem so random and individual. 
I think if I kept to a theme it might help.
I'm trying out new paints and with each painting I'm learning, but the end design isn't quite what I'd like. 
But it's a journey...right?
I'm going to be with family over the next week, so they'll be no time for painting.
But hopefully I'll find inspiration from somewhere.
I'm determined that in the New Year I'm going to devote more time and energy into my art.
(Where have I heard that before?)

I started sketching the design below a few months ago and I feel maybe it's time to revisit.
I apologise for the photographs.
Unfortunately it's difficult to get enough light at this time of year.
I hope you can see it.

Now don't laugh but we are making plans for the girls (hens/chooks) to stay in a 'Hen Hote'l whilst we are away. I know it sounds ridiculous and I would be laughing along with you... but I feel this is the best option.
It would be a lot to ask someone to come a few times a day to see to them and the Hotel sounds brilliant.
I'm hoping that I'll be able to do a blog post...if all goes well once I get back.
Yet again we've found a mass of feathers and a wiped clean breast bone on our garden this morning, so the fox has ventured here once again. 
Poor wood pigeon by the look of it!
The hotel option is far safer.

Thanks for visiting my place and if you'd like to see more artwork, then why not join in the party over at PPF by clicking HERE.
Have a great Friday everyone.
Enjoy




Saturday, 11 November 2017

Spot The Wildlife

As I enjoyed my morning cuppa whilst gazing out of the window, I became aware of one of our neighbours. Someone else was enjoying the beautiful warm morning sunshine. 
I'm not sure you'll immediately see the subject of My Sunday Photo in this photograph below, as he was quite a distance... even for my zoom lens. 
Right in the centre of the shot is Mr Fox!
His winter coat is quite spectacular and he's a handsome, healthy looking chap. 
He's obviously a very good hunter by the look of his physique... he's certainly not managing on scraps by the look of him.
Now I'm not saying that this particular fox is the one that nearly took our Annie away, as I have seen two foxes playing in the field, but I certainly hope this one keeps his distance... even if it means My Sunday Photo has to suffer.
I'd much rather that than losing one of my chooks! 

My elderly neighbour had mentioned that she'd got some more chickens (about 12 in total) but 'someone' had been taking them? I didn't have the heart to tell her that it probably wasn't a 'someone'... more a 'something'!

I have cropped the photo so that it'll make it easier to see him.
He certainly knew I was taking his picture as he looked directly at me.
The click of the camera travelled right across the field, blowing my cover!
I managed to take a few shots where he had his eyes closed, enjoying the rays.
It was the perfect perch for him... on the raised grassy mound. 
It enabled him to enjoy the sun, but also to see all around.
Well it was perfect until a dog came mooching along...then Mr Fox slunk away into the ferns and that was the last I saw of him for the rest of the day. 

If you'd like to see lots more photos, then click the link here to My Sunday Photo
and Image-in-ing.blogspot.co.uk
Thanks for visiting my place and I hope to see you again soon.
Have a great weekend everyone

Friday, 10 November 2017

Up up and away... PPF

It's been quite some time since I joined in with the Paint Party Friday link and even though I'm not totally happy with this watercolour, I've decided it's better to just put it out there and enjoy seeing everyone. 
I've missed you.
My head wasn't particularly in the right space for painting, but I decided that I needed the therapy that painting can provide. 
The reason was that sadly we have had to say a final farewell to my husbands Mother, my fantastic MIL (who never interfered in all the 40 years that I knew her) and my children's fun loving (anything goes) Grandmother. 
She had been ill for quite some time, but it still so painful to say goodbye.
She would love the fact that she managed to reach her 87th birthday...even if it was only by a few hours.

I have just looked back to see when I last joined in with the PPF link and it was back in September! 
My goodness how does the time go so quickly.
If you'd like to see all the entries in Eva and Kristin's PPF link up then click here.
Thanks ladies for hosting and I hope you'll forgive my absence.
Take care everyone and have a great weekend.

Sunday, 5 November 2017

My Sunday Photo... Chatting Robins

Let me introduce you to Britian's most popular bird... The Robin.
As I carried out the laborious task of picking up the millions of fallen leaves in our garden yesterday, I suddenly became aware of some tiny cute bird chatter.
I noticed these two Robin's having a kind of conversation.
It sounded like nothing I've ever heard before.
Not the usual song or chirps... it sounded like a real conversation.
As they flew past me I dropped my rake and grabbed my camera only to witness something I've never seen before.
The one robin squeezed into the wall cavity and stayed there, whilst the other strutted his/her stuff on top of the wall. 
It was quite bizarre to watch and I'm not sure if they were having a territorial battle which the robins are renowned for...or whether one was not taken with the others advances! 
It didn't seem like aggression and really quite cute to watch.
They stayed talking to one another for a quite some time before the one inside the wall made a quick escape and flew off only to have the other quickly follow. 
As winter approaches the robin's song resonates around the garden and really is quite delightful.
Here's a video just in case you might not be familiar with our native favourite.
(Credit for video to Paul Dinning - Published on 17 Sept  2014
Robin Birds Chirping and Singing - Beautiful Video, Bird Song and Nature Sounds in HD
The National Bird of Great Britain)


If you'd like to see lots more photos, then click the link here to My Sunday Photo 
Thanks for visiting my place and I hope to see you again soon.
Have a great weekend everyone

Sunday, 29 October 2017

My Sunday Photo... The Gilded Season

For this weeks My Sunday Photo I wanted to concentrate on the fleeting of our gilded season, before the amazing colours and light fade as winter makes it's entrance. 
We really have had a spectacular week with amazing sunlight from sunrise until sunset.  
The sun hangs very low in the sky at this time of year.
The shadow in the field is actually our house.
Everything has long shadows.  
I managed to cut the lawn (hoping that this will be the last cut of the season) and sat back to look at my handy work, when the dappled light shone and danced through the trees.

Finally we were treated to a spectacular sunset! 
Wow... it lasted for quite some time and was a joy to watch.
I know I've included these images on my Instagram, but I wanted to share these pics with my blogger followers who might not have access to an Instagram account.

We're about to put back our clocks tonight so that's a sure indication that winter is definitely on its way. Bring it on I say... and let's get it done with, so that we can say "Hello Spring"!!!
If you'd like to see more photos then click the link here to My Sunday Photo 

Thanks for visiting my place and I hope to see you again soon.
Have a great weekend everyone

Saturday, 21 October 2017

My Sunday Photo... Pussy Galore

We very often have our neighbours cats come to call...checking out our bird tables and feeders, which are dotted around our property, but this little chap isn't one of them. 
I know the other cats so well, wearing their white booties or little white bib, but this cat is totally black. Jet black all over.
(A lucky cat some would say...or do you think unlucky especially with Halloween just around the corner?)
He's also very lean unlike our other visitors who show that they are loved and well taken care of, with possibly copious amounts of treats...if you get my meaning?
I've concluded that this visitor is feral. 
We don't see him very often, but as the afternoon sun shone on his pitch black coat, he really stood out. I loved the way the sunlight caught the hay bale too.
Maybe it's because we haven't seen the sun lately that it made such an impression on me. 
So I thought I'd enter him into the My Sunday Photo linkup.
Perhaps even finding him some friends as it's Cat Week.
If you'd like to see more photos then click here

Thanks for visiting my place and I hope to see you again soon.
Have a great weekend everyone

Thursday, 19 October 2017

Bath Time for Birds

I'm currently prisoner and house bound for a few hours in our renovated apartment, waiting for a locksmith to call. 
So I thought I'd try to use this enforced time in the most creative way that I can.
I'm going to post today (something that I haven't done for some time on a Thursday) and to try and create some artwork too. 
Wish me luck because I haven't had my head in the right creative space for a few weeks!
I think my mojo may have gone on a mini break without asking permission... well at least I hope it's a mini break and not a world tour! 

I thought I'd show you another little visitor to our place, who despite the chilly breeze blowing fancied taking a bath.
If only I'd have known I would have provided some warm water at least...but he didn't seem to mind.
 Very diligently getting into all his little nooks and crannies!
....and take a breath!
I love his little beak open in the above photo.
Just one more dive...
I think that should do it...
Hehe... cute eh?
I'm linking up with Image-in-ing.blogspot.co.uk
Check out some fantastic photography

Right now for some artwork.
Have a great day everyone and thanks for popping in to my place.

Sunday, 15 October 2017

My Sunday Photo.... Guests Pop In

Autumn has well and truly arrived.
And so did an unexpected guest.
I walked into our garage only to find this little wren. 
He had nipped in whilst the garage door was open and had accidentally been shut in.

Also other visitors arrived... these two deer were having a tasty treat munching away in the afternoon sun.
I still have to stand and stare when I see such sights.
I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing nature up so close.
I'd often wondered how the deer would react if they came in contact with the resident fox.
Well, I actually got the answer because I witnessed a confrontation.
The deer charged towards the fox, chasing him off and soon had the field all to himself.
It was like watching our own personal wildlife programme.
Such a privilege.

As usual I'm linking up with My Sunday Photo over at Photalife.com
If you'd like to see lots more photos then follow the link above.

Have a great day and thanks for adding to my visitors this weekend.
I hope to see you again soon.

Sunday, 8 October 2017

My Sunday Photo...The Bridge Of Dee

Rather ominous photos for this week's My Sunday Photo.
An atmospheric look at the River Dee as the clouds hang heavily laden and with high tide...there seems to be so much water around.
I feel for the local farmers who are struggling to harvest their fields. 
I wanted to capture this particular shot because all of these leaves will fall to the ground soon as the brisk chilly air envelopes us here in the North East of Scotland.
But before that we shall enjoy the changing colours of the season.
This shot shows the Bridge of Dee that is possibly one of the oldest bridges in Scotland. tRecords show that here has been a crossing at this particular point in the river since the 15th century.
I'll have to get a close up of the bridge itself next time I'm crossing.

I'm linking up with My Sunday Photo over at Photalife.com
Have a great weekend and thanks for popping over to my place.
I hope to see you again soon.
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