Even more delightful was the pair of Great Crested Grebes catching small fish and encouraging their yourg to swallow them. I spent nearly half an hour watching this behaviour.
See more great bird shots at Wild Bird Wednesday
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
Wild Bird Wednesday (2)
Still Tuesday here in the UK but I see the linky thing is working so here we go. This one is from our Swiss holiday in 2011. Given that we were in the middle of a major city there was a surprising amount of bird life on and around Lake Geneva, and as it was early summer there were lots of young birds in evidence - like this Red Breasted Merganser and her brood.
See more great bird shots at Wild Bird Wednesday
See more great bird shots at Wild Bird Wednesday
Tuesday, 9 October 2012
Wild Bird Wednesday
Thought I'd join in with my brother's wild bird photography blog, as I have a few of them tucked away.
This is a Tawny Flanked Prinia I took at the Skukuza rest station in the Kruger National Park which we visited in December 2006.
This is a Tawny Flanked Prinia I took at the Skukuza rest station in the Kruger National Park which we visited in December 2006.
See more great bird shots at Wild Bird Wednesday
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
Quokk Festival
Thought I’d dedicate a post to one of the more unsung heroes of the off-beat and wacky world that is Australian wildlife – the quokka. They are found on a couple of off-shore islands in the south west of Oz and apparently a small mainland colony, and they look like this:
They’re about the size of a large moggy, and a passing Dutch sailor thought they looked like rats – not sure how he found his way home again with eyesight that poor – so he named the island Rottnest and seems to have left them to it. In reality, they’re nothing like rats – their front legs are considerably smaller than their back legs, which they use to womble about like miniature kangaroos – and apart from very sharp teeth they don’t appear to have any of good old ratty’s more unsociable habits.
They are now – of course a major tourist attraction and the primary reason we were having a day on the island as part of our latest holiday.. They’re helped in this regard by their apparent lack of concern for the size of people – they seem inquisitive to the point of being positively suicidal – which does make them even more endearing.
It also means that with a little patience you can get down on their level at which point they become really cute. I could have photographed them all day – as it was I came away with around 50 shots of the little guys. Here are a few more of my favourites
And finally just for good measure one with little Joey’s head sticking out rather than his tail.
Sunday, 17 June 2012
1000/840: 08 June 2012: A load of Junk
OK - that's the lot. I find myself more and more frequently taking pointless photos simply to fulfil a self-imposed desire to take a photo every day.
I started the process over two years ago as a way to force me to think about photography more, and to improve my camera handling skills.
In the intervening time it's helped me develop my interest in black and white and look for photographs in the most unlikely places, but more and more often I find I'm simply taking photos of nothing - which serves no useful purpose so I'm going to stop.
So thanks to everyone who has followed this blog, and for your interest in what I've been doing. Not sure what I'll be doing with this blog next, but I suspect I'll be taking a break for a few days.
1000/839: 07 June 2012: Belated Jubilee Tribute
Couldn't resist this red white and blue arrangement. Wasn't really at it's best for the Jubilee (even if I'd been here) so have had to make a belated contribution.
1000/838: 06 June 2012: Childhood memory
This book has been mine since I was about 5 years old. It's a selection of folk tales and fairy stories from around the world. I read it to our kids when they were small and I assume I'll be able to do the same for some grandchildren one day.
Nostalgia isn't what it used to be, but they don't make them like this any more.
Wednesday, 6 June 2012
1000/837: 05 June 2012; Lindisfarne
Lindisfarne...it's an island with an approach road that floods twice a day. Sadly I can't think of anything else to say about it.. The reviews go on about it's beauty and peace, and the spiritual nature of the place. Really? It was packed full of tourists and every spare space seemed to have been converted into a shop selling ersatz Celtabilia.
I guess it might be better when the tide is in, but I've seen plenty of more evocative ruins, and plenty of areas which better deserve the epithet 'beautiful and peaceful'. So all in all a bit of a disappointment. Plenty of spirit in evidence though - as this shot demonstrates. Can certainly recommend the mead, so in fairness to the Lindisfarne Winery maybe all was not lost.
Maybe I'll try again when it isn't a Bank Holiday.
1000/836: 04 June 2012: Berwick
Gloriously sunny day - although the wind made it rather difficult to choose what to wear. T-shirt definitely chilly, jumper definitely over-heating.
Of course, you can't see that in this photo, which makes this rather attractive northern town seem like Corfu. What a delightful place it is.
Of course, you can't see that in this photo, which makes this rather attractive northern town seem like Corfu. What a delightful place it is.
Tuesday, 5 June 2012
1000/835: 03 June 2012: Guilliemots
Trip around the Farne Islands today. Weather is sunny but very windy which makes a trip in a small boat and 'interesting' experience. Have to admire the skill of the pilot, who seemed able to hold it essentially motionless just a few feet from the rocks so that we could all get a good view of the nesting seabirds. Wonderful sight - less than attractive smell!
1000/834: 02 June 2012: Alnwick Castle
Rather leaden skies and warm clothing say it all really. Typical Bank Holiday weekend weather - although in fairness we've not had any rain. Alnwick Castle has stunning gardens which we shall be visiting again in the near future so that we can see all the flowers in bloom, rather than in bud! Castle itself is also fairly impressive, although more like a stately home than a castle.
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