Show Us Your Bird & Wildlife Photos

[good angel]

Saw a Kestrel today I thought all the Buzzards had eaten them all

[Amsterdam Russ]

Seen at the Aalsmeer boat race today! Somewhat off topic, but, um, you know… 

 

 

 

 

 

[Grayman45]

Seen at the Aalsmeer boat race today! Somewhat off topic, but, um, you know… 

That's one for the "Show Us Your Bird" thread.

[Orotava]

I went carp fishing on a lake yesterday and saw a kingfisher, heron, gorgeous dragonflies, swifts (or swallows) dive bombing and something I`d never seen before - lots of fish `tail walking` out of the water.  They were bronze coloured so probably carp, but I had no idea they did this and I`ve never seen anything like it before.

[Winsford Soul]

I went carp fishing on a lake yesterday and saw a kingfisher, heron, gorgeous dragonflies, swifts (or swallows) dive bombing and something I`d never seen before - lots of fish `tail walking` out of the water.  They were bronze coloured so probably carp, but I had no idea they did this and I`ve never seen anything like it before.

Pete. The birds would have been swallows or house Martin's. Swifts left for Africa about a month ago.regarding the carp tail walking its a common occurrence and can be seen at most lakes be they natural or commercials. Some people think they do it to rid themselves of parasites especially from the gills and other's say it's a part of spawning but given the time of year you saw it that's a bit unlikely but saying that when I was fishing last week their was a lot of activity in the marginal reed beds like what happens when they're spawning so maybe this warm weather has caused them to spawn again.

Steve

[Orotava]

Pete. The birds would have been swallows or house Martin's. Swifts left for Africa about a month ago.regarding the carp tail walking its a common occurrence and can be seen at most lakes be they natural or commercials. Some people think they do it to rid themselves of parasites especially from the gills and other's say it's a part of spawning but given the time of year you saw it that's a bit unlikely but saying that when I was fishing last week their was a lot of activity in the marginal reed beds like what happens when they're spawning so maybe this warm weather has caused them to spawn again.

Steve

 

Thanks Steve - you`re a mine of information as ever.  I always get swallows and swifts mixed up.  I was fishing on a natural lake this time, and whilst I only took up carp fishing a couple of years ago I`ve never seen carp tail walking before so I was quite taken aback (no wonder I couldn`t get a bite on the lake bottom!!).  Cheers, Pete

[Guest]

2 lovely spiders standing guard in our garden.

 

 

Edited September 15, 2014 by Guest

[Winsford Soul]

2 lovely spiders standing guard in our garden.

 

spider_11.jpg

 

spider_21.jpg

Steve. they're common garden orb spiders. They seem to be everywhere at the moment. my garden is full of them

 

Steve

[Guest]

They look fantastic don`t they, i`ve always loved spiders, ever since I was about 12 when we had a fruit and veg shop. we found a big boy in a box of Bananas.

Had to call out the public health bods to take it away. 

[Winsford Soul]

They look fantastic don`t they, i`ve always loved spiders, ever since I was about 12 when we had a fruit and veg shop. we found a big boy in a box of Bananas.

Had to call out the public health bods to take it away. 

Steve. Have a look at post 1064 if you like spiders and click on the picture to enlarge

 

Steve

[Winsford Soul]

On my way to Leighton Moss reserve today hoping to return with some birds ticked off my list and some pictures to post on here. Black tailed Godwits, bearded tits and little stints among others

Steve

[Winsford Soul]

Saw a Kestrel today I thought all the Buzzards had eaten them all

Here we go Kev. Kestrel hovering

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve

[Winsford Soul]

Long tailed tits are as cute as they come

Steve

[Winsford Soul]

Heard a rustling in the reed bed and just managed to pop my lens through to capture this Heron taking off.

I had obviously disturbed it but as you can see my camera was pointed directly at the sun hence the flare

Steve

[Amsterdam Russ]

Lovely selection of pics, Steve. I particularly like the light in some of them - very autumnal with deep greens, heavy blacks and strong hints of yellow. 

[Winsford Soul]

Lovely selection of pics, Steve. I particularly like the light in some of them - very autumnal with deep greens, heavy blacks and strong hints of yellow. 

Thanks Russell. Yeah the colours are starting to turn to there Autumn shades, which in sunlight makes for some amazing sights. Will have a look through to see what I have knocking about in my files

Steve

[Amsterdam Russ]

Thanks Russell. Yeah the colours are starting to turn to there Autumn shades, which in sunlight makes for some amazing sights. Will have a look through to see what I have knocking about in my files

Steve

I'm slowly coming to the realisation that Autumn and it warm, golden hues are my favourite - although until recently if someone asked I'd always have said Spring with it's sharp greens and fresh vibrancy. Maybe it's an age thing - I don't know.

 

And I've just realised something about your heron pic. Do you remember the TV series Tarzan - the one with Ron Ely? I'm positive that in the opening credits there's a white heron or egret in almost the same pose and situation - disturbed and caught mid-flight by a bank of reeds. Might have to check and see if it's on YouTube!

[Amsterdam Russ]

Ha! Found the opening credits to Tarzan, and at about 1:43 in is the Great Egret. It doesn't quite compare, but your photo was enough to trigger a deeply forgotten TV memory!

 

[Winsford Soul]

Ha! Found the opening credits to Tarzan, and at about 1:43 in is the Great Egret. It doesn't quite compare, but your photo was enough to trigger a deeply forgotten TV memory!

 

Russell. I,m so glad I could take you back to your childhood. for my next trick. ha ha

Steve

[Winsford Soul]

I'm slowly coming to the realisation that Autumn and it warm, golden hues are my favourite - although until recently if someone asked I'd always have said Spring with it's sharp greens and fresh vibrancy. Maybe it's an age thing - I don't know.

 

Russell. Spring is undoubtedly my favourite season followed closely by Autumn. All that newness in the tree,s, flowers and the arrival of lambs quickly followed by the spring migrants arriving. Hearing the first Chiffchaff or Cuckoo. When you see the first Swallow's. etc etc

Steve

[Ncfc]

Rescued a ferret today rum little critter

[Winsford Soul]

Still swallows and Martin's around today in the north west. Can't see them been here for much longer especially now we have lost that warm air from the southeast.

Steve

Edited September 20, 2014 by Winsford Soul

[good angel]

We had a Raven over today

[Winsford Soul]

We had a Raven over today

Ravens have gone from being a rare bird to a not quite rare bird in a few short years, it's amazing what nature can do if left to its own device without any interfering from mankind. They're true master's of flight, watching them ride the thermals over a cliff or quarry is a fabulous sight.

Steve

[good angel]

Ravens have gone from being a rare bird to a not quite rare bird in a few short years, it's amazing what nature can do if left to its own device without any interfering from mankind. They're true master's of flight, watching them ride the thermals over a cliff or quarry is a fabulous sight.

Steve

The trouble is they are very clever predators .

[Peter99]

The trouble is they are very clever predators .

I thought their main diet was carrion.

 

Peter

[Winsford Soul]

The trouble is they are very clever predators .

Kev. As you said they're very clever as are all members of the corvid family.have you ever seen they guy on springwatch that brings the raven into the unsprung studio. It does all sorts of thing's to get food completely untrained just by looking at what ever the food is contained in then working out the solution. They're a top predator , they have even been known to take peregrine falcon eggs from the nest. Now that is something.

Steve

[good angel]

Ive heard how a pair stripped a moor of its birds,I don't know if I put up with that mate.

[Ncfc]

Ravens have gone from being a rare bird to a not quite rare bird in a few short years, it's amazing what nature can do if left to its own device without any interfering from mankind. They're true master's of flight, watching them ride the thermals over a cliff or quarry is a fabulous sight.

Steve

Think there are a few around the Rutland water area.

[good angel]

One was over our house.

[Peter99]

Attenborough Nature Reserves new Sand Martin nesting site.

 

http://www.nottinghampost.com/Nesting-bank-instant-hit-nature-reserve/story-22955396-detail/story.html

[good angel]

Attenborough Nature Reserves new Sand Martin nesting site.

 

http://www.nottinghampost.com/Nesting-bank-instant-hit-nature-reserve/story-22955396-detail/story.html

We had a bugger after their eggs he got a bollocking..

[Peter99]

We had a bugger after their eggs he got a bollocking..

A bugger? What's a bugger? Do you work down there?

 

[Amsterdam Russ]

A bugger? What's a bugger?

 

 A rascal, good-for-nothing, reprobate, unprincipled person, cheat, swindler, fraudster, trickster, charlatan, villain, bastard, beast, son of a bitch, s.o.b., rat, louse, swine, dog, hound, skunk, heel, snake, snake in the grass, wretch, scumbag, bad egg or stinker...

 

 

Edited September 21, 2014 by Russell Gilbert

[Peter99]

 A rascal, good-for-nothing, reprobate, unprincipled person, cheat, swindler, fraudster, trickster, charlatan, villain, bastard, beast, son of a bitch, s.o.b., rat, louse, swine, dog, hound, skunk, heel, snake, snake in the grass, wretch, scumbag, bad egg or stinker...

 

 

   

[good angel]

   

No chutney ferrets here   

[billb]

Saw two red kites today in Yorkshire while I was driving so couldn't take pictures.

First one on the way to Nidderdale but the second one was right on the outskirts of Leeds coming back from Harrogate near the Leeds Grammar School.

[Peter99]

Saw two red kites today in Yorkshire while I was driving so couldn't take pictures.

First one on the way to Nidderdale but the second one was right on the outskirts of Leeds coming back from Harrogate near the Leeds Grammar School.

How do you know the Red Kite was coming back from Harrogate?   

 

I'll get me coat.

 

Nice

 

[billb]

cus it had no money left

 

large white wine and a pint of lager = £9.80 

[Martyn Pitt]

A juvenile Ringed Plover from this morning

 

 

 

[Winsford Soul]

Saw two red kites today in Yorkshire while I was driving so couldn't take pictures.

First one on the way to Nidderdale but the second one was right on the outskirts of Leeds coming back from Harrogate near the Leeds Grammar School.

That's fabulous news. Not seen any in Manchester/north west apart from one near Chester about two years ago, but I don't think it will be to many year's before their are regular sightings of them all over the north of England.

Steve

[Winsford Soul]

Was out and about locally today and I finally managed to get a dragonfly picture but when I looked at my camera settings I had turned off the image stabilization so the picture turned out a bit blurred. Gutted. Note to myself CHECK camera settings before I try to use it. Will post image when I get chance so Martyn can identify it for me (please). I think it's a hawker of some description

Steve

[Martyn Pitt]

Was out and about locally today and I finally managed to get a dragonfly picture but when I looked at my camera settings I had turned off the image stabilization so the picture turned out a bit blurred. Gutted. Note to myself CHECK camera settings before I try to use it. Will post image when I get chance so Martyn can identify it for me (please). I think it's a hawker of some description

Steve

If it's got a lot of blue on it I would guess a Migrant Hawker at this time of the year.

 

There is a great Dragonfly ID book - Britains Dragonflies by Dave Smallshire & Andy Swash, Dave & Andy are experts on them, the book is well worth the money.

[Martyn Pitt]

A few Lapwings from this morning, the sun really brings out the full range of colours of their feathers.

 

 

 

[Winsford Soul]

If it's got a lot of blue on it I would guess a Migrant Hawker at this time of the year.

There is a great Dragonfly ID book - Britains Dragonflies by Dave Smallshire & Andy Swash, Dave & Andy are experts on them, the book is well worth the money.

Thanks Martyn. It was mostly green with blue band's.about 3 1/2" maybe 4" long. And another I seen was red with orange bands but that was about 2" long

Steve

Edited September 21, 2014 by Winsford Soul

[Martyn Pitt]

Thanks Martyn. It was mostly green with blue band's.about 3 1/2" maybe 4" long. And another I seen was red with orange bands but that was about 2" long

Steve

For the larger one it could be a Southern Hawker, the red / orange one probably a Common Darter.

 

Look these up on line and see which looks the closest to what you saw, just be aware that immature ones can vary slightly in colouring.

[Amsterdam Russ]

Morning all.

 

Your thoughts, please...

 

I'm thinking about wrapping up this thread as with nearly 1150 posts, it's starting to get unwieldy. I also think that being so long, it's unlikely that anyone who hasn't already joined the party is going to bother to sift through 23 pages.

 

In it's place, I was thinking about starting a more general photography thread, so that it might appeal to more members here and give scope for a greater variety of contributions. 

 

At the end of the day though, this thread has only gone on so long, and become so lengthy (and had so many great photos), because of the contributions from you guys, so it's only fair to ask for your thoughts.

 

Keep this one going or start a new, broader 'photography' thread where members can post decent pics they've taken and want to share?

 

What do you think?

[billb]

keep it going Russell "with nearly 1150 posts" it's a popular thread.

[Martyn Pitt]

I do not consider it unwieldy Russell ... just a case of clicking on the last page.

 

Why not open another thread for general photography, to run in tandem with it 

[Winsford Soul]

Russell. I'm with Martyn on this one. There's so much more than picture's shared on this thread. The informative comments. The questions that arise from the photographs etc etc.

Still a fantastic thread after all this time and posts.

Steve