2012 - Enough Already

The Great Tit (Parus major)

One of our common and most colourful species.

I have read recently that the Great Tit population in UK is under some threat from a rather unpleasant disease. It was apparently brought into the country via infected mosquitos. Although by itself it is not fatal, it can deter the bird from feeding thereby rendering it weak and more susceptible to predation.

Thankfully, Scientists confirm however that it is unlikely to cause a great decline in numbers.

A typical life span of the Great Tit is 3 years. 

One bird was recorded in 1990 at the age of almost 14 years.

Hopefully this is one species that will remain one of our resident birds and survive in large numbers to grace our bird feeders and its woodland territories.

Christmas Greetings

Scenes from a Parkland Walk

Scenes from my recent Parkland walk with images displaying variations on a theme. 

Lumix GX1. 14-42 lens. 1/400 at f8. 14mm. ISO160

Lumix GX1. 14-42 lens. 1/500 at f8. 14mm. ISO160

Lumix GX1. 14-42 lens. 1/640 at f9. 14mm. ISO160

All of the above images were shot using a Lumix GX1 with the standard 14-42 lens.

The Nuthatch is Back

It's that time of year again when I can easily observe and photograph the Nuthatch.

Such a privilege to see these colourful little characters.

Of course I do see them at other times, but there is one location in woodland adjacent to the parkland that I walk, where they come down from the trees and feed on the ground and a tree stump. They will eat seeds, peanuts and bread and fill their beaks at each repetitive visit and return high up in the trees to eat and or store the food.

On this occasion I observed two of this species along with a number of Great Tits, Blue Tits, Coal Tits and a Robin.

The rest of the year it is usually the case that if I search high up in the larger trees I can see them through binoculars and their call can be heard all the time.

The Ghost of Christmas Past

Well thats my excuse anyway.{:))

Brown Bird in the Bush

Blackbird  (A first winter female - I think)

Although we tend to overlook it mostly, the Blackbird is quite an interesting species to watch throughout the year. At the moment though with the colder weather, its main priority is to search for as much food as possible.

Wren

Like most Wrens, this one wasn't being to helpful about posing for a photograph and continued to try and hide where possible in this thorny bush.

Treecreeper

Not exactly in a bush, but just as uncooperative on the posing front.

A Frosty Walk

Scenes from my latest and frosty walk in the Parkland.

Hope you don't feel too cold looking at these images. The temperature started out warm at -1 celsius (30 f) and reduced further during the four hours that I was out walking.

Can you spot the Goldfinch

A Fish Eating Moorhen

I have not seen a Moorhen with a caught fish before so I thought this shot was worthy of recording.

It does not dive for food so this fish must have been near the surface in shallow water or already perished. A Moorhen's normal diet is shoots, seeds, buds, beetles, snails, worms and small aquatic invertebrates. Having said that, I guess that due to the cold weather and time of year their range of food may vary due to necessity.

The Greylag Gang

Wet Feet

Somebody that doesn't mind about getting his feet wet.

Still Waters

The floods are subsiding around the parkland, but the water remains still in the morning sun.

The Willow trees provide a nice touch of colour to the dull autumn setting.

(Shot a few days ago but not been able to post until now)

Nikon D7000. 70-300mm lens. 1/100 at f8. 125mm. ISO100

Nikon D7000. 70-300mm lens. 1/80 at f11. 110mm. ISO100