My Sunday Photo... Garden Visitors

It's a crazy time of year for some of our garden visitors right now.

The cacophony of birdsong that starts at an unearthly hour and continues to grow to a crescendo.

You are wide awake now... only to realise that it's 3.30AM!

Then as quickly as it began, everything starts to calm down and what seemed like a marching brass band marching around the premises dies to a soft melody.

Meanwhile, you are left wide away and wonder how you're going to get back to sleep, or whether you might as well start the day!

 You've a lot to do so an early start might be a bonus (yawn)

But I wouldn't change this time of year for anything.

Here's one visitor that arrived with his Misses this morning.

The Yellowhammer.

He's quite stunning, but unfortunately I was only able to capture his image through my kitchen window. As you can see he was well aware that I was there.

Here's another cute visitor... the female siskin.

I hope you like seeing some of my visitors.

Have a great Sunday everyone.

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

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...Baby Robin

Sometimes when you least expect it... up pops a wonderful surprise.

Take yesterday for instance, whilst being a contortionist crouching under our curly hazel tree to pull up weeds, a little baby robin hopped right in front of me. 

I quickly went inside to get my camera thinking that it was probably going to be a waste of time.

The robin would have moved on, but he was still there when I returned.

He wasn't in the least bit bothered by me being so close to him.

He was obviously a very switched on robin as he watched whilst I pulled and dug he waited for some tasty treats to appear. 

He wasn't in the least bit timid...I'd go so far as to say he enjoyed watching me working.

Obviously, he's not street wise yet, with being so young and as you can see from his plumage, he hasn't got all of his red waistcoat feathers yet. 

He's still a little fluffy and dishevelled.

I also don't think he's found his voice yet either....but we'll be in for a treat when he does.

As you can see he was watching me closely.

Gorgeous isn't he? 

With him being this friendly I may well manage to feed him some treats from my hand. 

Now that would be something to share.

I'm linking up with My Sunday Photo over at Photalife

and Image-in-ing.blogspot.co.uk
Please feel free to pop across to see lots more photographs by clicking here

Have a great weekend and thanks for popping over to my place.

Baby Birds About To Fledge

I shared a photo the other day of our kitchen window bird feeder, which was very popular, so I wanted to try and capture what I see numerous times a day. 

It took masses of stealth and patience.

Sitting up balanced on top of the kitchen units, squished into the corner and draped with a dark cloth...I patiently waited.

It's not like the image of a wildlife nature photographer, for sure...

...but thankfully it worked....eventually!

It's funny because I can stand at the sink working away or walking to and fro in the kitchen and the Bluetit just keeps on visiting and eating her way through our offerings. 

She's not in the least bothered about my presence. 

That is until I take hold of my camera, then she seems to become extremely shy.

Finally, I managed to capture Mum at work!

Hopefully the video will work for you.

I think her babies are nearly ready to fledge by the sounds coming from her nearby nest box.

I'm intrigued to see how many there are... who knows I might even be lucky and capture them leaving.

I'm linking up with Image-in-ing.blogspot.co.uk

Thanks for popping over to my place.

Enjoy your Tuesday everyone and hope to see you again soon

My Sunday Photo... The Greater Spotted Woodpecker

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.

The Barn Owl

It's not every day (or night) that you get to see the majestic Barn Owl fly across your path. 

But that's exactly what happened to my son on his way home from work on Thursday evening. 

It must have been quite a sight because he has been talking about it ever since.

I've heard owl calls from our garden, but not been privileged to see one yet.

So now I feel we need to put up an owl box. 

We already have numerous bird boxes positioned around the garden for the smaller visitors, but maybe we need to up our game now that we know a barn owl is close by.

My son obviously didn't manage to get a photo mainly because he was driving at the time, but also it was such a surprise to have the owl fly across his path. 

But I did have this photo below from our visit to Gardening Scotland during the summer, just in case you've never seen a Barn Owl before (I know but just in case)

She was a rescue owl that unfortunately I can't remember her name... but I did manage (with permission) to give her plumage a gentle stroke.

She was magnificent.

If you'd like to know more details about the Barn Owl or to see a video of one in flight then click here

Lots of links this week....
I will be linking up as usual to My Sunday Photo link over at Darren's place.

I'm also linking into image-in-ing if you'd like to see more photographs.

And Through my lens

Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for popping into my place.

I hope I see you again soon

xoxo