Scozmo's Photery

The weather has been mixed today after the spell of great, sunny days but it was expected and it’s not raining ….. yet. That said, we could do with some rain, maybe a downpour from midnight to 05:00?

Anyway, I grabbed my camera and binoculars and headed out for a wander, then turned back and grabbed a fleece! I really wasn’t expecting that stiff and chilly breeze blowing out there and for a while, the fleece wasn’t quite cutting it but, the sun broke through again so all was well.

Out by the barns to check the Barn Owls, still in the nest box, still sleeping 🙂

Round between the sheds to check the fields beyond. I spotted a distant pair of Red-legged Partridge, the male in full colour, I don’t think I have any shots of one like that but this isn’t great, just a decent record of them.

They are an imported bird here, for those who like to shoot creatures! The Grey Partridge is our native species, we have them here too, so all is balanced, for now.

I walked on down the lane, round the bend, up the hill, stopping to look and listen, not a lot going on, not surprised really given the sudden chill?

As I approached the old oak feeding area, the Red Squirrel came scurrying over the brow of the hill and running towards me; stopped for a quick look then turned up towards the feeding posts.

It almost came a cropper on the wire before turning to check the post.

I consider us so lucky having these beautiful wee beasties right here and reasonably tame. Anyway, it grabbed a hidden Hazel nut and scarpered.

I filled up that post and dropped bird food on the other, there wasn’t much activity here either, a Robin, Chaffinch and Blue Tit dropped by then disappeared and a Great Spotted Woodpecker flitted between tree in the background but that was it.

I was about to head on down the lane when I spotted a glimpse of bushy tale just back a bit….

The Red Squirrel had snuck closer and was munching on something it had probably hidden a while back so, I also snuck a little closer for better shots. I guess there’s a point when I’m interrupting?

Sometimes you just have to scratch!

It then started working its way towards the feeding area again..

Before bypassing me and the feeding post and heading off down the lane, in the trees.

So, I set off as well, same direction, the sun was warming me up and the breeze had dropped a bit.

A Buzzard passing overhead checked me out as it glided by.

I’ve started taking notice of some of our bugs and beasties as I walk, I think it could be very important for us to note what we see as our world changes.

I log those that I can identify on iRecord Butterflies / iRecord.

I managed to grab a very hasty shot of another Buzzard as it passed overhead and cleared the trees, there are quite a lot of them round here.

As I reached an old gnarly Apple tree, I could hear a Blackcap calling in the surrounding trees so I attempted to track and photograph it. Let me tell you, I have deleted a lot of grey blurry blobs partially hidden by green blurry blobs! But, I think I got him, I at least spotted that he was male, I did catch a fleeting glimpse of what may have been another, a female??

See what I mean? These are decent ones but, I did get some better than these 🙂

As I was scanning the trees in search of the Blackcap, I spotted a few more birds flitting around.

A trio of Tits with a sadly deformed beak on the Blue Tit.

But, finally, I managed to get some slightly better shots of the Blackcap male.

Singing for a mate? I will go back down when the weather is better and try again.

So, I started back up the hill, back past the feeding area, noting the back end of a jay disappearing into the woods and on past the junction where I heard a Warbler calling. I stopped and switched on Merlin which reckons it was a Chiffchaff so, I scanned around in the tree in front of me but heard a very quiet peep behind me.

Right behind me, maybe eight feet away, a tiny Warbler which flitted around right there, never really worried by my presence. I have to say, this little beauty was tiny, almost Goldcrest sized!?

Now, every time I look at one of these birds, I have to look up the differences between a Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler. I also noticed when editing these that the first of those last two shots, which I discarded, was slightly out of focus; I wonder if it was just too close for the lens? I must add that merlin is now hearing a Willow Warbler in the same area but, I haven’t picked it out yet. (deaf old coot here)

I’ll also add now, I was back down there today and there were two birds, both calling, single peeps but one looked a good bit larger than this one. Hmmmmmm. 🙂

I’ve just realised, I probably spent a few moments watching, listening to and photographing that little bird and a buddy but, looking back as I edit and write this, it felt like a longer time, a good time.

All time in Nature is good, right? I love it when a creature allows me that time.

Meanwhile, in a shrub nearby!

Chiffing, Chaffing or Warbling? Either way, it’s great to see and hear them back, just waiting for all the others to arrive. Sedge, Garden and Grasshopper, maybe even a Reed?

And so, I finally made it up to the yard again.

You know? I always forget the phone pics! I usually take some shots with my phone as well as the camera, because it’s quick and easy top share, also, I have a Panorama stitching app.

We get some amazing skies out here.

I also try to check in on the Barn Owls at every opportunity, especially at the moment, the Jackdaws are trying to evict them.

Do Not Disturb!

And finally, home again.

Cowslips popping up all over the garden.

And so endeth another wander around our patch, see you all again soon.

patch photos