Lesser Redpoll

Its bath time for the Redpoll.

Not something you see everyday, but these Redpoll had found a small area of water under some overhanging bushes on the edge of a frozen lake. I wasn't that close and could only get this type of shot. I moved around the bush lined water's edge, by which time the birds had flown up into the trees and were busy preening themselves.




They then flew across the corner of the lake and I next found them feeding in a Birch tree. They are normally a treetop bird so I was fortunate to get the shots in the water. They often flock with Siskins, but I didn't see any of them amongst the flock unfortunately.

Inspired Images

I was inspired by the fabulous images produced by John Theberge at Maine Nature Notes to create and post these shots.

http://mainenaturephotos.blogspot.com/

A Return to the Snowy Woods (Part 2)

The second and final part of my return to the Woodland which was covered in snow.

In winter with snow on the ground reflecting the light, the Robin stands out in the cold daylight.


No picnicking today, it was a return to the Centre Cafe for a toasted sandwich and mug of tea.


This Hebridean Sheep doesn't feel the cold.


This image photo below was not altered in anyway, it reveals the extent of the snow in the open.


Walking up this lane I normally see a different bird, but not today unfortunately.


Great Tits were in abundance and certainly had their fair share at the feeders.



This Coal Tit was in a hurry and just hovered in to snatch a seed and take off again.


Well, it must mean something to somebody.??


A rough count of the rings reveal that this tree was about 50 years old.




This draws a close to this second and final post about this woodland area. I was thinking as I was plodding through the snow that its here that I observe many different flowers, butterflies and birds in the warm summer. I certainly look forward to that.

A Return to the Snowy Woods (Part 1)

In recent posts I showed you images of a visit to a local Woodland area,
(A Snowy Walk in the Woods - 22 Dec).

I had to make the most of the weather and the photo opportunities that it presented. So I returned a couple of days later and the next two posts are images I shot on that visit.

I am sorry if the snow images are starting to get boring, but we don't get this chance very often.


Near the Centre buildings is a bird feeder hanging from a tree which provided for a few shots of birds feeding. This is a collage of some of them including the Chaffinch, Marsh Tit, Blue Tit and Great Tit.


Can you believe I observe lots of delicate little butterflies flying about this area in the summer.


A Robin just landing.


Earlier this year the Forestry Commission had thinned out a lot of trees in parts of the woodland. So I took several images of these large tree trunks.




As it is the festive season, the male Great-Spotted Woodpecker was sharing the nuts with two Great Tits.



A Great Tit and a Marsh Tit were also happy to share.


Yet again there was nothing much at the Bird Hide, but at least the light was better.


The Coal Tit was a regular visitor.


In the bleak midwinter. (Christina Rossetti - 1830 to 1894)

In the bleak midwinter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter,
Long ago.

Christmas Greetings

More from my recent visit to the Woodland Area.

This below is the view from the "Bird Hide" that I usually shoot and post some images on the blog of the visitors I observe. However the light wasn't great and apart from the Pheasants I have already posted there wasn't much to see.


So I thought I would post another image of the female Pheasant.


Walking through the dense woodland I could see ahead of me what appeared to be two small birds moving from small bush or tree to the next and so on. I never really got close enough to see what they where but I was able to get an ID shot. As you can see it was a Goldcrest. Annoyingly I couldn't get any other image of them. It is a tiny little bird and I have not got a really good image yet.


A male Chaffinch staring at the camera from the feeding table near the centre.


Two images of a Robin which had to be lightened considerably to view.



I wish this image was clearer, it shows a Blue Tit grabbing hold of a House Sparrow's leg and pulling him away from the feeder.


Two male House Sparrows.


This is the last of the images I took on that visit. However, I have revisited the Woodland again two days later and have some more images to post about that.

A Snowy Walk in the Woods

A follow on from the post yesterday about visiting a large woodland area. I took quite a few shots with a Canon G10 of general scenery with snow and trees as the main feature.

It may look very cold, but I think snowfall can make a dull drab woodland scene in winter look really nice.


Conifers look especially nice with snow on the green branches.







No, I think I will keep walking today.


This tree was partially uprooted by strong winds some time ago. There could still be sufficient root form to keep it alive though, only time will tell.


The path to the bird hide.


Jackdaws like to perch on this dead tree.


They must have planted this tree especially for me.