New Garden Tick

I was surprised to spot these Redpolls feeding on one of my feeders yesterday. My closest views of these attractive birds, and a first for the garden list.

Winter Wonderland



With the rest of the country seemingly paralised due to the arctic conditions, Willington has escaped the media-hype. Until yesterday, that is.  Around 6-8" fell in the space of a few hours, to create a magical landscape.

Unfortunately, not so magical for our feathered friends, who must be finding it a real struggle to find enough food in the sub-zero conditions.

These were some of the more photogenic birds seen around the village this morning.



Seasons Greetings



Redwing

Fieldfare

Recent Images

A collection of images from the last week. The mix of sunlight and frost this morning made for some lovely landscape shots, despite the -6 degree temperature.

Woburn Waxwings

A hard time hunting for this Kestrel

Red-legged Partridge

Willington

Somewhere near Colmworth

Colmworth

Redpoll's at The Lodge

Robin

Coal Tit - one of my favourite birds

Great Spotted Woodie

On the hunt

Whilst enjoying the flocks of finches that are frequenting the garden feeders during the current cold spell, I was startled by the sudden appearance of a male Sparrowhawk which sent the passerines darting for cover. The hawk missed his lunch, but stayed just long enough to allow me to grab my camera and fire off a few quick shots through the room window. Not the best quality shot, but nice to capture this infrequent visitor to the garden.

Stopping by for some lunch

Colours of Autumn

It's been a while since I've posted any images so, encouraged by this morning's glorious sunshine, I decided to take a wander in the local woods. The autumnal colours are spectacular and so photogenic.

I've also been inspired recently by some of Nigel Blake's wonderful images of funghi, and so I thought I'd try and have a go myself. Whilst not up to Mr. Blake's standard, it's very satisfying to try and capture the fascinating micro-world they live in.





Leafy carpet









Tuzla Golu - Turkey

A composite image of Tuzla Golu, nestled between the hills near the coast on the Bodrum peninsula. The northern section of the lake - seen to the left of this image - is linked to the sea, making the water brackish in this area. A causeway, just visible behind the hill to the left of centre, separates the northern from the larger southern sections.

Another piece of Turkish Delight

Tuzla Golu must have seemed an endless watery world to this adventurous Black-winged Stilt chick .....


....whilst mum posed for some beautiful reflection shots.

Jay - a very common bird around this area.

Red-rumped Swallow.

Black-headed Bunting.

Black-eared Wheatear.

T'wit T'woo

A few more images of the ubiquitous Little Owl's around the Tuzla Golu region...

Turkish Delight

A weeks birding around the Tuzla Golu region on the Bodrum peninsula.

Swallowtail (continental sub-species)
Little Owls were everywhere...
Syrian Woodpecker
Black-headed Bunting

Woodchat Shrikes

Masked Shrike

Peregrine lunch...

Turtle Dove

Red-rumped Swallows

House Martin building houses...

These 3 Dalmatian Pelicans were spotted on Bafa Golu, flying South a few days later to Tuzla Golu.

Black-winged Stilt

A bit late in the season to see the masses of Flamingoes that frequent Tuzla lake but, fortunately, a few had decided to stay a while....

Short-toed Eagle

My only view of Rollers, posing atop a construction crane at Ephesus.