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

Through My Lens... Goldfinches feeding and fighting

As I've mentioned before I love to feed the wild birds and today I thought I'd show you a brief glimpse of the usual shenanigans that go on at just one of my feeders.

This feeder is a favourite of the Goldfinches.

There are so many visiting our place now... I've actually counted a flock of 32 at one stage. 

The birds obviously approve of the sunflower hearts.

I have to replenish the feeder daily because they are hungry little b*****'s!

The sunflower hearts are an excellent source of energy and because they have been striped of their    husks, they are cleaner and an excellent souce of energy.

It can all start off quite polite and genial, but then it can suddenly go pear-shaped. 

Someone might be taking too long on the perch or pushing in unannounced... then it all kicks off!

Feathers fly!

There really isn't any need for this nonsense, because I have three other feeding areas dotted around the house... all with numerous types of various food.

You may notice that the field behind is covered in frost.

That's because we woke up to -5C this morning. 

Yes, that's not a typo... its a minus!

It's barely risen above minus degrees all day and now it's actually dropping once again, so no wonder the little birds are panicking and eating for all their worth.

They actually have to eat 30% of their body weight in order to survive. 

Which reminds me I must put in another order for more seed soon. 

Here's another of my little visitors.
The robin.

We currently have four dotted around, but this one seems to be extremely camera shy. 

This happens to be the nearest that I've ever been able to photograph him.

Sometimes, I think he's just toying with me because he can come and sit right where I've been, as soon as I leave. I'm determined to get a good photo of him one day.
Wish me luck...

And finally some visitors who have decided to stay nearby for the time being.
I know realise that geese can be incredibly vociferous!

I'm thankful that they haven't found my seed yet.

I'm linking up with Mersad's Through My Lens.

There's lots of great photographers over there if you want to visit then click here

I hope your Monday has gone well and the week just gets better.

Have fun and I hope to see you again soon

My Week On A Page #2 - PPF

Yet another busy week this week.

I'm trying to catch on so many things, but I did manage to finish the painting from last week.

My Week On A Page #2

So here it is...

(If you missed or would like to read about why I've chosen the objects that I have... then click here)

Initially, I roughly sketched the objects with a pencil.

Then I under-painted them. 

This is a new technique for me but one that I now love to do and think it makes such a big difference to the finished painting. I'm trying to keep this loser style and it's certainly enabling me to paint more. I'm not getting too precious with details which can take up so much time.

I'm enjoying this new style and hope it will evolve.

I used Kuretake: Gansai Tambi Japanese watercolour paints to build up the layers.

Then outlined with a black pen.

I also wrote a brief description to remind myself of why I chose each object.

The highlights are painted with silver watercolour paint but unfortunately it doesn't show up very well in this photograph. I like it especially on the birdfeeder and bottle.

It's a brief post today because I want to start a new painting so please forgive me.

If you'd like to see more artwork then click on the links below

 to join Eva and Kirstin's  Paint Party Friday and Alexandra's Sunday Sketches

Thank you for your visit ... I'm still trying to visit everyone who has visited my place over the last few weeks, but it's taking me some time. 

If I haven't got to you yet please be patient... I'll hopefully visit you as soon as I can. 

In the meantime enjoy your weekend... have fun and lots of creativity.

My Sunday Photograph... Robin learning new skills

 I'm aware that my blog name is Neesie Natters but I have hardly said a word all week 

(which is a phenomenon in itself)

andcan you believe it that here we are in March already?

I thought I'd share a few photos of my garden friends today. 

I watched this particular robin perfect a new skill... hovering whilst trying to feed.

He's obviously seen the other birds and thought why not?

He worked so hard it made me think that it was a lesson for us all.

Don't worry he received a bigger reward later... I placed new flat sticks into the holder and he was able it stand on one whilst indulging.

It's obviously his favourite treat.

 

If you'd like to see the photos in more detail then carry on skrolling down...

Have you got a favourite wildbird and do you have bird feeders?
Have a great day everyone.