My Sunday Photo... One Shot!

When you read the title of my Sunday Photo... 'One Shot' you might think that I'm referring to my photography, but sadly in this case I'm not.

(Please if you can spare the time, read until the end of the post)

Yesterday, I was woken by an explosive gun shot and I immediately jumped out of bed. 

(This was quite a feat as it wasn't even 6am) 

It is incredibly light here at the moment with the summer solstice, so we can clearly see everything throughout the whole night. 

To my horror I saw two gunmen who had killed a deer.

They put on blue plastic gloves and gutted him there and then... slinging his limp dead body into the back of a truck!

They were quite a distance and my phone camera couldn't really capture this horror... which is probably for the best. 

As I watched through the binoculars a tear ran down my cheek.

This beautiful gentle beast was just minding his own business and then some mindless cretin decided to end his life. 

I'm sorry if I am going on here, but the day before I had taken so many photos of this buck and felt very privileged to have him visit.

To say this event spoilt my morning.
I felt sick and couldn't contemplate eating breakfast.

I can understand the need for culling where necessary, but there is absolutely no need here at the moment. The most deer I've ever seen together were four and that was only once.

As the truck drove away I snapped their photo, but once again it's blurred.

It was later in the morning that my son came to me whispering... "he's back"

I couldn't believe it... they hadn't killed this stag, but another deer. 

I'm still terribly sad for the loss, but thankful that this stunning buck escaped the gunmen (this time!)

At least it allowed me to celebrate my 39th Wedding Anniversary with a meal later in the day.

Thankfully venison wasn't on the menu!

I'm linking up with Photalife with My Sunday Photo as usual.

My Sunday Photo... Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!

Even though I haven't been able to spend a quality day with my Dad (as he passed away when I was only 16 years old) never does this special day go by without me stopping and giving thanks for the few short years that I knew him.

He was my hero!

So today, I thought I'd share something a little different for you, but is kind of Father related.

This photo shows where a lot of activity has been happening over the last few weeks.

Bare with me...

Right in the centre of the ivy on this photo is a hole, which is where one of my Blue Tit bird boxes is situated.

It's always been a favourite, but this year we've been lucky to actually witness the coming and goings.

Here's Dad (or it might be Mum) and let me tell you, they have been incredible parents.

I wouldn't like to estimate just how many visits to and fro, that they've actually clocked up feeding their hungry brood.

I've been up since 4am (yes I know) just keeping an eye on the activities in the garden... trying to keep Magpies, Jays, Woodpeckers and Crows away. 

So far we seem to have success, although my hubby had a shock this morning wandering down to the chicken coup... a baby blue tit just dropped right down in front of him onto the path!

Oh how vulnerable is this little chap?

It must be a very scary place... just taking a leap of faith out of the nest box.

But then Dad comes to give reassurance and food to help complete his mission to safety.

I'm hoping they've reached their safe new home.

I'm sure with the incredible parents watching over them... they'll be fine.

One quick photo of another visitor who just ambled up to our place yesterday.

Our resident handsome stag!

Hello!

 I'm aware that there quite a few photos here today, but I couldn't decide which to choose to link up with Photalife

It's not every day that you see a nest fledge or have a stunning stag come to call.

Have a wonderful Father's Day and please go and hug your Dad if you're able, or give him a call and tell him that you love him, because it's not until they leave us that we wished we had done more.

I'm linking up with Photalife with My Sunday Photo as usual.

My Sunday Photo... Sparrowhawk

We have had an amazing amount and variety of wildlife visiting us during this past week, as this wintery blast clings unrelentingly. 

Day four of an Arctic wind whips through like a freight train.

The bird feeders and bird bath need daily attention and are definitely saving little feathered lives.

But with all of this activity there's a witness who is also hungry!

The Sparrowhawk

 He usually is extremely swift, swooping in on his unexpected prey... with amazing aerobic flight stunts.

Sometimes, all you see is a quick flash of grey as he zooms past on his mission... gliding just a few feet off the ground. 

The silent killer.

He's always aware of any movement especially when I grab my camera. 

Those piercing eyes miss nothing!

I desperately wanted him to turn around to show his plumage, but he just wasn't wanting to play. 

He had other more pressing things on his mind.

Thankfully, I haven't actually witnessed a kill... only the debris of scattered feathers.

I know he will be a regular visitor with such an amount of prey located in one area.

Nope still not turning around. 

He's like an owl with his swivelling head turning at least 110 degrees.

It's so unusual to have him stay for more than a few minutes.... but then off he goes towards the woods, in pursuit of more prey. 

Hopefully he'll be successful there.

... and for anyone who isn't in to birds or needing a boost of colour...

Here's some very brave crocus.

I'm off to join in My Sunday Photo linkup with Photalife.

Have a great Sunday and stay cosy if the Mini beast from the east has returned to your place.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon.

My Sunday Photo... The Greater Spotted Woodpecker

With spring on it's way (hopefully) the sound of local woodpeckers reverberats all around our garden and nearby woods. 

It really is an incredible sound!

Here's on enjoying the peanuts from one of my feeders.

About blackbird-sized and striking black-and-white. 

It has a very distinctive bouncing flight and spends most of its time clinging to tree trunks and branches, often trying to hide on the side away from the observer. 

Its presence is often announced by its loud call or by its distinctive spring 'drumming' display. 

The male has a distinctive red patch on the back of the head and young birds have a red crown.

Great spotted woodpeckers can be seen in woodlands, especially with mature broad-leaved trees, although mature conifers will support them. 
They can also be found in parks and large gardens. 
They will come to peanut feeders and bird tables. 
Not found in the far North of Scotland, although we have four woodpeckers visiting us. 
Only a handful of pairs nest in Ireland, but numbers are increasing. 
Common in England and Wales.

The sound of the woodpecker

(courtesy of James Taft Published on Jul 6, 2008)

I'm linking up as usual with My Sunday Photo over at Photalife.com

I hope you have a wonderful weekend

Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you again soon.

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.

My Sunday Photo... Visiting Birds

With the current cold snap that's covering the UK at the moment, we've personally had quite a dry bright time over the last few weeks. 

Definitely a Scandinavian feel to our weather. 

Blue skies, not a cloud in the sky and lots of bright sunlight... even though I wouldn't have minded a little flurry of snow, as long as it would disappear quickly. 

It seems to have missed our part of Scotland.

So it is a tough time for our little wild birds... in fact, it's been tough for all our wildlife over this winter.

My bird feeders are always very popular, but when a - 3 degrees Celsius arrives, even in daylight, then it can be a battle ground out there. Every little beak needs it's fill before nightfall.

This particular feeder is hanging right next to my kitchen window.

I stock it with suet logs and it's very popular...even when I'm working in the kitchen.

Obviously, hunger overtakes the nerves and they feed right before my eyes.

There's obviously been no time for a pedicure lately!

Sometimes it can be tricky getting the last bite.

How these little cuties manage on those tiny wee legs is beyond me.

Also to keep warm with no leg warmers! 

We also had another visitor yesterday, who hasn't actually be brave enough to step over into the garden before. 

Hunger has brought him to us.

 Mr Pheasant...isn't he majestic! 

He actually hung around for quite some time.

I think he approved of our menu.

And finally, as I've mentioned before that our Goldfinch population has had a birdie boom since we returned to this house and started feeding them.

I have counted over 40 in one flock all at once...honest!

And that was from just one feeder!

Here's a little proof of just some of the goldfinches visiting the bird feeder in the fir tree.

You can almost seed the seed decrease as you watch them.

So I think it's probably time for me to get outside and replenish the feeders by now.

It has to be done every day! 

I am a little late posting today, but I'm going to link up with My Sunday Photo

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon.

Have a great Sunday everyone

Chief Chook and a Sprout Loving Bambi... PPF

Happy New Year Everyone.

I hope all your wishes come true in 2018.

I didn't realise that I was going to have a blog break, but that appears to have happened.

So my apologies for not making any announcement before my disappearance.

I hope you'll forgive me.

As I type here this morning, I can't help but feel grateful that I can touch type. 

It is so dark, as the heavy clouds burst and send copious amounts of rain down upon us, but that doesn't stop my happy mood. 

Yes it's January and some say the most depressing time of year, but 

I thought I'd tell you about my enrolment into an online art course. 

It starts on Monday and is a Bootcamp with Lilla Rogers from Make Art That Sells

I thought as I'm nipping into the Paint Party Friday link today, fellow PPF's might be interested in hearing or reading all about it. Lilla is fantastic and such an inspiration... so friendly and encouraging too. There are live video links and discussions every week and assignments every Monday, plus access to a special Facebook meeting place for all fellow classmates.

I seriously lost my mojo last year and just couldn't find it... but Lilla has a way of making you think anything is possible.

So with that in mind here's my first piece of artwork for 2018.

I hope to improve and fly with my art as the year progresses.

Obviously, this first one had to include a chook (chicken).

Just a fun piece to hopefully give me a kick start!

Now that I'm back to blogging, I'd also like to share my sprout loving visitors.

I personally don't mind having them eat all the sprouts from our veg plot, as I've never eaten them nor do I intend to. But I do fear that our new seedlings and plants this coming spring might be on their menu!

But seriously how cute are these Roe Deer?

 The numbers have expanded this year from the odd one or two to five.

 Is that a guilty face or what???

So there's plenty for my first post of the year.

I hope to keep the momentum going.

Wish me luck!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you soon.