ABOUT ME

I live in a camper van with a West Highland Terrier for company.
My passion is creating images but it is a work in progress.
I am always willing to share what knowledge I have and can be contacted through the comments on this post or e-mail ADRIAN
ALL IMAGES WILL ENLARGE WITH A LEFT CLICK

Tuesday, 31 March 2015

BIRDS AND BONFIRE. (31/03/15)

It’s really not fit to take a dog out. Squally sleet and snow showers; disgusting weather.

I noticed the other day that one of the Pied Wagtails is a much lighter colour than the other two that visit.

_V0G7729      A normal one.

_V0G7734     This one is much lighter it almost looks like a juvenile but I can’t imagine it is at this time of year.

On my way back from the bins I collected a bit of moss.

_MG_3134    What a tangled moss. This is Bonfire Moss. Funaria hygrometrica.

_MG_3144    This is the same stuff magnified. I think the bit of cobweb stuff is exactly that but I did notice that when viewed large the spore thingies have a membrane round them.

It’s a wonderful world we live in and what is more I didn’t get cold and wet taking the pictures today.

Posted by at

26 comments:

  1. Douglas Mcfarlane31 March 2015 at 17:13

    I reckon the second Wagtail could be a White Wagtail though I struggle to separate the two species, Keith will tell you.

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    Replies
    1. ADRIAN31 March 2015 at 17:37

      Douglas, Keith may and he may not. I can remember taking the piss a bit over his White Wagtail.

      Delete
  2. Frances Garrood31 March 2015 at 17:21

    I love those little shiny pears, even if they are in mm....

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    Replies
    1. ADRIAN31 March 2015 at 17:38

      Frances, they are metric today but non the worse for it.

      Delete
  3. Author R. Mac Wheeler31 March 2015 at 17:24

    Killroy was here

    ReplyDelete
  4. The Herald31 March 2015 at 18:18

    Adrian, I think you've caught a White Wagtail in that second image...but, I have to agree with Douglas they're not always easy to tell apart from Pied Wagtails.....we'll have to leave it for Keith to have the final say!
    Excellent macros of the moss...but isn't that cheating by taking it into the warmth and comfort?...[;o)

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    Replies
    1. ADRIAN1 April 2015 at 06:43

      Trevor, yes I'll await the arbiter.
      It is sensible not cheating. It is horrid up here.

      Delete
  5. Rohrerbot31 March 2015 at 18:54

    Nice find!!! Wagtail came to mind when I saw the pics. Hopefully it will warm up for you to get those dogs outside.

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    Replies
    1. ADRIAN1 April 2015 at 06:45

      Chris, the dogs are outside. I hate cold and wet and so do they.

      Delete
  6. Midmarsh John31 March 2015 at 19:02

    I didn't know there was a white wagtail.
    Dry and warm - my ideal photographic conditions.
    Lovely clear mossy shots.

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    Replies
    1. ADRIAN1 April 2015 at 06:46

      John, the White Wagtail is a recent invention.
      I agree it is pleasant sitting inside to macro.

      Delete
  7. carol in cairns31 March 2015 at 19:15

    On the way back from the bins I collected a bit of moss ~ not a rolling stone then Adrian?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Graham Edwards31 March 2015 at 19:55

    Moss will never be the same again in my eyes.

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    Replies
    1. ADRIAN1 April 2015 at 06:49

      Graham, there is not a lot else to take pictures of. I see the Dogs Mercury is just sprouting. Daffodils are out but I'm not keen on them.

      Delete
  9. holdingmoments31 March 2015 at 20:31

    After much deliberation and consultation of a couple of books, I'll go with female Pied Wagtail for the second bird. They are a bugger to tell apart at times.
    The back of the White female is a much lighter grey.

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    Replies
    1. ADRIAN1 April 2015 at 06:50

      Thanks Keith. Female Pied it is. It makes sense as it is in loose association with the other wagtails.

      Delete
  10. Margaret Birding For Pleasure31 March 2015 at 21:08

    HI Adrian I would have to agree with Keith, probably White Wagtail but I would not put money on it!

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    Replies
    1. ADRIAN1 April 2015 at 06:51

      Margaret, Keith says Pied so Pied it is.

      Delete
  11. Red1 April 2015 at 01:39

    It's not pleasant when nasty weather comes. However, it caused you to pick up the moss and have a good look at it. Interesting that you identified spider web.

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    1. ADRIAN1 April 2015 at 06:52

      Red, I'm not sure it is spider silk but I can't think what else it could be.

      Delete
  12. Gillian Olson1 April 2015 at 15:06

    A very interesting view of moss, worth taking a closer look, and good that you didn't have to get cold and wet for it too. Lovely bird, a new one to me.

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    1. ADRIAN1 April 2015 at 18:35

      Gillian, they are relatively common but rarer up here in Scotland.
      The weather is not really good for walking. Sunshine and vicious showers of sleet and snow.

      Delete
  13. Laura. M4 April 2015 at 19:16

    Vives en plena naturaleza Adrian.
    Un abrazo.

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    Replies
    1. ADRIAN5 April 2015 at 15:45

      Me encanta mirar la naturaleza magnificada.

      Delete

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