This morning thought it time for a good walk. So set off for a place called Man Sands which lies a mile or so south of Brixham. This small area has had it's sea defences removed so that a wetland habitat can develop.
A chilly, sunny day but dragging my weary bones up hill and down dale soon warmed me up.
The first thing we happened upon were these rather fine pine cones....Now they would not only enhance my festive decorations but also double them. Better where they are, everyone with the stamina of a polar explorer can enjoy them here.
Raddicombe Wood.......We walked through some very nicely named places today. Penhill Lane, Forder, Woodhuish Lane to name but..........well all of them.
The new wetlands....Got some developing to do, so have the National Trust, might just as well have left the hide on the main road three miles away.
Not what a dedicated and respected birder like wot I am expects. No roof, no flaps and the bench is soaking wet. Not only that they have forgotten the book where I write down my guesses and the poster with the bird pictures, which admittedly I can never read because most hides are too dark. Standards however are standards and there to be maintained.
There were some birds, look like Blackheaded and Herring Gulls, could be anything at this range. To be honest with me they could be anything at two feet away.
Pretty view mind.............................And................
As usual the robin saved the day.
And again..............Now I was sure there were three Robins when I pressed the shutter. Not now there aren't.
Back to blurry for this Great Tit, there is also a Blue Tit but I'll spare you his portrait. You may think otherwise but I do have some standards.
To finish off here is a superbly crisp image.
Now I could have sworn this was a Wren when I focused. Upon reevaluation it appears to be a bit of wind blown horse muck lodged in a bush.
That's all.
Nice to have you back on track , its also nice to see they are still using willow to make wattle hides, its a tree of many uses. and does not die no matter if you cut all its branches. as long as the stump is left intact it can grow branches up to thirteen foot in one season. one example is in constables painting The Wain. and in his day as now it was used for thatch pegging and criss cross to hold the thatch roofs down. also used for daub and wattle to the walls of the oak framed houses. You also have some lovelly land scape photos as always. I am also pleased to see I am not the only one who can manage blurred frames. and there was me thinking I was unique.
ReplyDeleteTony, we are not alone, there are several thousand Muppets out there. Some unfortunately don't realize it!
ReplyDeleteThat is so funny, the Wren or something posing as one.
ReplyDeleteYou mean that isn't a wren. Damn - I'll have to chuck out my photo - it looks just like that.
ReplyDeleteNow I do like those pine cones. Don't ask why, just something about them. Yea.
ReplyDeleteInteresting you mention a Wren in the last picture. I once watched a Barn Owl in some trees, across the car park at work once, during my lunch break. It sat so still for a good 20 minutes. Then some young herbert of a work colleague informed me it was a Tesco carrier bag stuck in the tree.
Maybe it's time for glasses.
Bob, I'm here to keep you amused and will strive to continue doing so.
ReplyDeleteJohn, focussed on the wrong bit of bush really will have to sort these specs.
Keith, Yes they are impressive wish I could identify it. There are so many species of pine without including firs, cedars, yews and lord knows what else. Some variety of Pitch Pine would be my best guess.
Ah yes... the rarest of birds... the Windblown Horse Doodie.
ReplyDeleteNice that it sat so still for you to get a shot. I can even see the detail on its tail feathers!
;o)
Thanks Penny, I'm pretty sure most have done something similar, just most have the sense not to own up.
ReplyDelete