As I may have already said the birds round here are very tolerant of my clicking. We went out first thing looking for the Cuckoo I wandered up the hill for three quarters of an hour, it was cuckooing away but when I got to the trees it was in it started cuckooing from the other side of the valley. A pain in the bum is the Cuckoo.
This Orange Tip was taken yesterday. As always they will enlarge with a click.
I got back had breakfast and got Bertha out to get some better shots of the crow. It did put in an appearance and was a bit closer than yesterday.
Despite the variation in plumage I am going to call these female Siskins.
The sun has come out now so I’ll wind up this post and go and sunbathe.
As I rely on more knowledgeable folk than me please feel free to correct any rubbish I’ve posted.
Lovely butterfly. I found lots of those flowers around here today and I read they are a favourite with that butterfly... I hope that means we'll get the butterfly too!
ReplyDeleteIn Sweden we have superstitious sayings about good luck or bad depending on which direction the cuckoo sound comes from (north, east, south, west). Basically east and west are good, north and south not. But it has to do with how words sound and rhyme in Swedish so may not apply in other countries...
Monica, it's finding them early enough in the morning before they start fluttering about. They don't seem to settle for long.
DeleteLooks like you've found a grand place to sit and have a picnic Adrian?
ReplyDeleteThat Crow's getting nearer, it's only a matter of time and it will be posing perfectly for you!
Cracking images of the Siskins and Redpolls. You just need to get some images without the feeders now, try setting up a natural looking perch just a short distance away from the feeders and hopefully the birds will stop off there before moving on to feed!
I'm looking forward to seeing the Cuckoo images!!...[;o)
I will try and get a bit higher up as it's my last day here tomorrow.
DeleteThe Crow is using a slightly closer tree today.
That is a very good idea I'll find myself a branch and bury it alongside the feeders.
I have been after a Cuckoo picture for years. I've only ever seen two.
The redpoll reminds me of our red finches. stunning shot of the yellow flower!
ReplyDeleteI've just had a look and yes they are similar.
DeleteI love your Redpoll and Siskins, they are photogenic.
ReplyDeleteA grand morning it was Bob...a bit cool till lunchtime then it warmed up.
DeleteYou're getting good at this bird photography lark.
ReplyDeleteCracking set again.
Ta Keith, the small birds are remarkably tolerant here and hungry so that helps.
Deleteheerlijk om daar te zijn ,maar jij hebt zon ,wij weten niet meer wat dat is.
ReplyDeleteNic, het is heel goed weer. Ik hoop alleen dat de zon blijft schijnen.
DeleteGreat images of the redpoll and siskins and that hoodie is getting closer, as for the cuckoo...good luck:) They're a bogey bird for me and definately don't like us humans, i find the best way is to try and figure out wether it has favourite perches to sit on and stake out the spot then it's just a case of crossing fingers and hoping for a slice of luck.
ReplyDeleteI have seen them but very rarely and never got near having a picture of one. There are at least two Cuckoos and possibly three within a short distance but exactly where they are i don't know.
DeleteI'm only moving a short distance on Thursday and there are supposed to be plenty of Crows and shorter trees for them to perch on.
Your list of birds is getting bigger time you take the camera out ...........look out Mr cuckoo, your next.
ReplyDeletegreat photos.
peter
Peter, I only take the lens out of it's box. It sits next to the van. It is good for birds here.
DeleteThe feeder shots are wonderful...and that's a beautiful little valley...sorry about the cuckoo, hope you get him cornered soon.
ReplyDeleteTerri, I hold out little hope of finding the Cuckoo. It's one of the best Glens in Scotland...it can be a sombre place and has a very dark history.
DeleteNow I am really confused Adrian. I tend to rely on Hayman and Burton's Birds of Britain and Europe, Delin and Svensson's Photographic Guide to the Birds of Brirain and Europe when the various Collins Guides are not sufficient. It clearly looks like a Redpoll given the small black patch under the beak and the overall standard colour of the tail and wings. (The Linnet appears not to have the black patch at any stage in any pictures I can find and has a darker tail and slightly redder/brown wing). However no pictures of Redpolls that I can find have a black upper and yellow lower to the beak whereas some of the Linnet pictures do display that. I wonder if any of the more experienced commenters have an explanation for that (apart from the possibility that the books I'm relying on possibly having incorrect identifications).
ReplyDeleteGraham, I settled on Redpoll due to location. I only have the little Collins field guide and I use the RSPB website.
DeleteAs the Siskins show bird plumage can vary quite dramatically. I suspect that the Linnet and Redpoll are much the same bird. Like the Pied and white Wagtail.
Good to see you got home safely. I'll see you again in a few weeks.
Hi Adrian...I think I am lost, and I hope if somebody finds me that they keep me there until I get back !! Ya I know your shaking you head and thinking what in the world is that women saying!!
ReplyDeleteI was going to comment on each of the post I have missed,but instead I read and viewed them all, I always enjoy your post and can't believe I have missed so many !! I do remember you saying you just keep going forward on my post about catching up !! : )
I love this place you have been posting about, gorgeous scenery, birds, wild flower's great shots, Oh an can't forget the dogs : ) !!
Grace
Your comments on my post's are much appreciated my friend!!
Grace, this is more of a diary at the moment. I'm only moving short distances and trying to grab a snap shot of what is around.
DeleteI do save images but tend to shoot and post the same day. I've not a great deal else to do.
Cute little birds but I prefer the crow. No crows here and I miss them.
ReplyDeletePauline, I am waiting for Eagles. They are bigger. The crow is a little devil. Graham promises them by the dozen and almost hand tame.
DeleteThe challenge with birds is that they see you coming. They lure you all the way and then secretly fly to another site. I've been there done that and I was't taking pictures.
ReplyDeleteRed they do. I'm sure they sit in trees laughing.
DeleteClass work.
ReplyDeleteThe tension of hunger & caution.
Last shot ... "are you lookn a' me?"
I was thrilled to bits with the Redpoll or Linnet. I've only ever seen pictures before.
DeleteBeautiful birds and love the butterfly, I love that last one too!
ReplyDeleteGillian, thank you.
DeleteVery nice biodiversity on this post.
ReplyDeleteThat's kind Maria. I was expecting someone to say. "Lack of discipline."
Delete