Paying Ready Attention - Photo Gallery
Thursday 25 April 2024
Wells Cathedral
Wednesday 24 April 2024
Wild Bird Wednesday 613 - Pheasant
The Pheasant or Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) is a common bird in the UK. It is bred in large numbers for game shooting, but there is also a large wild population of escaped and surviving birds.
This bird was seen in a 'classic' mixed farming environment. This type of English countryside seems to be almost perfect for the pheasant - well it would be if it were not for the hunting.
Pheasants are native to Asia, but were introduced into much of Europe by the Romans, possibly arriving in the UK with the Normans in the 11th century. Largely forgotten and locally extinct up until the 19th century, they became a popular gamebird once again and are extensively reared by gamekeepers.
The males have a loud, creaking/ croaking call which is unmistakable once you know what it is. A male bird can be seen in these pictures - the wing flapping and jumping is associated with the bird making its distinctive call.
As ever, to join in with WBW click the link below. SM
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Wild Bird Wednesday 612 - Welcome Swallow
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Winter Sun at Titchwell.
Titchwell is an RSPB Reserve on the north coast of Norfolk in the UK. I visited it in February this year - and was lucky enough to get some sunshine (and good birds!).
It turns out that I was in the UK during the wettest 18 months on record - which is something of an achievement I think!
It really was a wonderful afternoon / early evening. SM
You can find more skies at Skywatch Friday. SM
Wednesday 10 April 2024
Wild Bird Wednesday 611 - Great White Egret
While I was in the UK earlier this year I went to the National Nature Reserve at Shapwick Heath to see the Starling Murmurations (there will be a post about that soon!)
While we were all waiting for the Starlings - and listening to Bitterns booming - a Great White Egret (Ardea alba) flew along the draining ditch next to us, and started hunting in the long grass on the far bank.
20 years (or maybe a little bit more) ago, this would have been almost unthinkably unusual: there had been few records of this species in the UK, and was seen 'less than annually'. These days, while it is still a good bird to see in the UK, I saw at least 4 in the month I was there. Probably in response to climate change, this bird is expending its range into the (formerly) chillier parts of the world.
It was a great thing to see - although the fish may offer a different opinion.
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Up, Up and Away
About to start filling the balloon with air from the fan |
The balloon was very big! |
Adding some hot air. |
More hot air |
Once the balloon itself floated upright, we all had to get into the basket to act as ballast! More hot air was then blasted in.
St. Paul's Cathedral |
CBD |
Fed Square and the City |
Centre Square, MCG |
The MCG. (The pink lights on the side are to help the grass grow.) And the balloon pilot gave the balloon a nice glow with the burners! |
Looking back at Richmond and the City |
Handbrake on! |
And down. |