Winsford Soul Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 7 minutes ago, Soulandy said: Talking of Goosanders, there was one on the mersey this morning taking advantage of the lower levels of the river. It was down by about 12ft from a few days ago where the lower paths were completely under water. The canal was just as quiet River is well down now Andy. I used to draw that section of the canal on the boats far to often to win much, always won further back towards the M60 at Dane Road basin 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Soulandy Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 (edited) 12 minutes ago, Winsford Soul said: River is well down now Andy. I used to draw that section of the canal on the boats far to often to win much, always won further back towards the M60 at Dane Road basin I walk the canal from Brooklands to Crossford Bridge plaing fields, when it's quiet like this morning, making my way back along the mersey from Crossford Bridge. There was a couple of guys "magnet fishing" on the brooklands basin there last week and caught a bike, shopping trolley, wheel rims and the like. I don't think they would of won anything for them Edited January 25, 2021 by Soulandy 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Amsterdam Russ Posted January 25, 2021 Author Share Posted January 25, 2021 (edited) 5 hours ago, Winsford Soul said: Russell. We can blame Tattoo dave for all this then Ok by me. Funny - the different names for birds in different parts of the world reminds me of a lesson at senior school when I was probably about 13 years old. In the lesson we had an alphabet quiz on animals. You know the thing: someone starts with the letter A and has to name something beginning with that letter related to the chosen subject. Then the next pupil has to name something beginning with B, etc, etc, etc. When it came to my turn, I got the letter L and offered up "loon". The teacher said there's no such animal as a loon, so you're out of the game. I had to explain that loon was the north American name for the birds we call Divers (great northern, red-throated, etc). Very begrudgingly, she accepted my answer and I stayed in the game. Ha, and that reminds me of another time we had a geographical place name alphabet quiz (sorry, I'm digressing here). I was a couple of years younger. I think it was in first year of senior school. I got the letter T and came up with Transylvania. The teacher absolutely insisted there was no such place as Transylvania except in fiction, and therefore I was out of the game. Teachers - what do they know, eh? (If there are any teachers walking among us here, I'm only joking.) Edited January 26, 2021 by Amsterdam Russ 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 26 minutes ago, Amsterdam Russ said: Ok by me. Funny - the different names for birds in different parts of the world reminds me of a lesson at senior school when I was probably about 13 years old. In the lesson we had an alphabet quiz on animals. You know the thing: someone starts with the letter A and has to name an something beginning with that letter related to the chosen subject. Then the next pupil has to name something beginning with B, etc, etc, etc. When it came to my turn, I got the letter L and offered up "loon". The teacher said there's no such animal as a loon, so you're out of the game. I had to explain that loon was the north American name for the birds we call Divers (great northern, red-throated, etc). Very begrudgingly, she accepted my answer and I stayed in the game. Ha, and that reminds me of another time we had an alphabet quiz (sorry, I'm digressing here). I was a couple of years younger. I think it was in first year of senior school. I got the letter T and came up with Transylvania. The teacher absolutely insisted there was no such place as Transylvania except in fiction, and therefore I was out of the game. Teachers - what do they know, eh? (If there are any teachers walking among us here, I'm only joking.) Brilliant Russell. You couldn't make it up. There's some amazing local names for birds for example the Scribble lark which is the Yellowhammer, or more correctly its eggs are patterned like someone has scribbled in ink on the shell, and that's what it was actually known as in the North East, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk area's Bronxie or Boxie. Scottish Islands names for a Skua. I'm sure there will be plenty more added to the list 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Amsterdam Russ Posted January 26, 2021 Author Share Posted January 26, 2021 2 hours ago, Winsford Soul said: Brilliant Russell. You couldn't make it up. There's some amazing local names for birds for example the Scribble lark which is the Yellowhammer, or more correctly its eggs are patterned like someone has scribbled in ink on the shell, and that's what it was actually known as in the North East, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk area's Bronxie or Boxie. Scottish Islands names for a Skua. I'm sure there will be plenty more added to the list "Yaffle" (green woodpecker) has always been one of my favourites, although as I understand it, the name is - or was - quite widely used in many parts of the land. "Londoners" is also another favourite - once upon a time a West Country nickname for puffins, and born from the fact that - in the early days of tourism - Londoners visiting the spectacular rugged coastlines of that part of the world for the first time would stand staring out to sea with their hands behind their backs in a classic puffin pose! 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Tattoodave Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 10 hours ago, Amsterdam Russ said: When it came to my turn, I got the letter L and offered up "loon". The teacher said there's no such animal as a loon, so you're out of the game. I had to explain that loon was the north American name for the birds we call Divers (great northern, red-throated, etc). And another instance of my travels, the loon is the state bird of Minnesota, my home for ten years and I have a loon tattooed on my arm, loonie is also what the Canadians call their one dollar coin as there's a loon on the reverse, I lived in Toronto for 10 years too. Out of interest, did you enjoy taunting your teachers? I used to love winding them up. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Amsterdam Russ Posted January 26, 2021 Author Share Posted January 26, 2021 30 minutes ago, Tattoodave said: Out of interest, did you enjoy taunting your teachers? I used to love winding them up. What, and risk the wrath of my mum? No chance! 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Winsford Soul Posted January 26, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted January 26, 2021 Only very recently found out that Starlings only murmurate when there's predators about or they have recently been disturbed by them. 20201110_161416.mp4 4 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Soulandy Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 This is worth a watch tonight straight after Winterwatch https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000rpmf Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Davenpete Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 22 minutes ago, Winsford Soul said: Only very recently found out that Starlings only murmurate when there's predators about or they have recently been disturbed by them. 20201110_161416.mp4 Not sure how that works because I used to see a large murmuration every night at Port Carlisle on the Solway on the way home from work every night in Autumn in the same place. Dx Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 1 hour ago, Davenpete said: Not sure how that works because I used to see a large murmuration every night at Port Carlisle on the Solway on the way home from work every night in Autumn in the same place. Dx They still roost in the same place unless its Reed beds which they flatten then move on to the next suitable area. But they will fly directly in to roost if there's no Peregrine Falcon , Sparrowhawk about, its only when there's predators about do they actually mermurate to confuse them.. At Marbury Park nr Northwich the Bitterns that migrate from Eastern Europe to spend the winter here have actually learnt to catch the Starlings as they come into roost. Unbelievable to see but its to dark at dusk to manage a photograph as it takes place about 60 metres away across the western bay of the mere 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Winsford Soul Posted January 28, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted January 28, 2021 (edited) A short clip of the female greater spotted woodpecker that visits my garden on a daily basis. It was taken on my new trail cam. Still trying to work out the best position for it and second guessing where the birds will actually land on the tree 2022491961_Woodpeckertrailcam(1).mp4 Edited January 28, 2021 by Winsford Soul 6 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Autumnstoned Posted January 28, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted January 28, 2021 Unfortunately not great photos, but spotted what I believe is a sparrow hawk yesterday on Putney Common at about 3.30pm. I was surprised last week to see a large seal swimming in the Thames between Putney Bridge and Craven Cottage ( too far away to get a decent picture on my camera phone unfortunately) and last summer I saw a kingfisher nearby hunting on Beverley Brook which joins the Thames in Putney. 4 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 Just now, Autumnstoned said: Unfortunately not great photos, but spotted what I believe is a sparrow hawk yesterday on Putney Common at about 3.30pm. I was surprised last week to see a large seal swimming in the Thames between Putney Bridge and Craven Cottage ( too far away to get a decent picture on my camera phone unfortunately) and last summer I saw a kingfisher nearby hunting on Beverley Brook which joins the Thames in Putney. Looks like a Kestrel mate. Its got the characteristic perch out in the open ,looking for mice, voles etc. Sparrowhawk are much more of a ambush predator. Seals do quite often venture up rivers normally looking for a easy meal of fish that are a lot more restricted than fish out in the sea. Seen them eating Dace and roach above the tidal weir in Chester City centre on the river Dee and as far up river as Eccleston which is probably 4 miles upstream in fresh water . Same in the river Mersey at Warrington. Kingfisher will move to the coast in bad winters when the normal canals, lakes and even some rivers are frozen just to survive 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Amsterdam Russ Posted January 28, 2021 Author Share Posted January 28, 2021 35 minutes ago, Winsford Soul said: Looks like a Kestrel Agreed. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Soulandy Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 2 hours ago, Winsford Soul said: A short clip of the female greater spotted woodpecker that visits my garden on a daily basis. It was taken on my new trail cam. Still trying to work out the best position for it and second guessing where the birds will actually land on the tree 2022491961_Woodpeckertrailcam(1).mp4 20.93 MB · 0 downloads Trail can eh, have fun getting the right place. I feel I need another 2 or 3 in different places especially over the badger set Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Autumnstoned Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 Thanks for replies. Nice to identify it and know that such wildlife is in the area. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 5 minutes ago, Soulandy said: Trail can eh, have fun getting the right place. I feel I need another 2 or 3 in different places especially over the badger set Andy. The one I have is from Aldi at £55 seems ok for the money . Colours are quite natural, sound is clear, . Infrared works fine, only black and white though. 3 years warranty supplied with various bits of kit to fix it to tree's, walls, fences etc plus memory card, batteries and USB to C type cable. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Soulandy Posted January 28, 2021 Share Posted January 28, 2021 43 minutes ago, Winsford Soul said: Andy. The one I have is from Aldi at £55 seems ok for the money . Colours are quite natural, sound is clear, . Infrared works fine, only black and white though. 3 years warranty supplied with various bits of kit to fix it to tree's, walls, fences etc plus memory card, batteries and USB to C type cable. You're bound to get some great shots with it, good stuff Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Soulandy Posted January 29, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted January 29, 2021 Canada Geese and Coot at Chorlton Water Park 9 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Martyn Pitt Posted January 30, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted January 30, 2021 On 25/01/2021 at 16:31, Winsford Soul said: UK.-Goosander . US- Merganser just got different names either side of the Atlantic UK - Water Rail ... US - Virginia Rail 6 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Tattoodave Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 1 hour ago, Martyn Pitt said: UK - Water Rail ... US - Virginia Rail I'm glad it's not a British Rail as I'd be even more confused 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 1 hour ago, Tattoodave said: I'm glad it's not a British Rail as I'd be even more confused And late. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Soulandy Posted January 30, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted January 30, 2021 (edited) Sorting out something for my next "Cable Table" while listening to the BVAN. The 1st one was a straight Bottle Top Table which was meant for outside use but has pride and place inside now. The second one, which is bigger, will be a memories one and will be used outside. Might take a bit of time but will post a pic when its all complete Edited January 30, 2021 by Soulandy 7 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Winsford Soul Posted January 30, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted January 30, 2021 (edited) Rubbish one from today, Finally managed to see the stunning male Lesser Redpoll but a record shot will do until i can manage one in decent light and in the open or in flight Edited January 30, 2021 by Winsford Soul 5 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Soulandy Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 4 minutes ago, Winsford Soul said: Rubbish one from today, Finally managed to see the stunning male Lesser Redpoll but a record shot will do until i can manage one in decent light and in the open or in flight Used to see quite a few of these about 10/15 years ago. Can't say I've noticed many nowadays Great looking bird Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted January 30, 2021 Share Posted January 30, 2021 1 minute ago, Soulandy said: Used to see quite a few of these about 10/15 years ago. Can't say I've noticed many nowadays Great looking bird I only see them in the winter Andy. I was chuffed with the female picture that i posted recently but the male was very elusive then i think there was two about today but all the birds Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Willow Tit, Blue and Great tits among others where so wary. A Sparrowhawk went through three times while i was there scattering everything so they would,nt settle mate 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Winsford Soul Posted January 31, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2021 Goosander ( Female ) to go with the picture of the male from a earlier post 6 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Winsford Soul Posted February 1, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted February 1, 2021 (edited) Kingfisher ( Female ) Ive finally managed to get the elusive female picture that i,ve been trying to get for years and it was sat in glorious sunshine making it seem like it was glowing. For anyone who wants to tell them apart the Male has a completely black beak where as the Female has a orange lower mandible Edited February 1, 2021 by Winsford Soul 7 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Amsterdam Russ Posted February 1, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 1, 2021 Not sure what happened to the pics I posted up yesterday. They seem to have disappeared. No matter - here they are again. These were taken on a walk to our local lake on what was a gloriously bright winter's day. 6 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 12 minutes ago, Amsterdam Russ said: Not sure what happened to the pics I posted up yesterday. They seem to have disappeared. No matter - here they are again. These were taken on a walk to our local lake on what was a gloriously bright winter's day. They where definitely their Russell as I saw them. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Amsterdam Russ Posted February 1, 2021 Author Share Posted February 1, 2021 5 minutes ago, Winsford Soul said: They where definitely their Russell as I saw them. Must be gremlins! 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Mike Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 38 minutes ago, Amsterdam Russ said: Must be gremlins! ya profile page is s always a good place to check if ya think anything's missing It looks like you posted the pics in the coivd topic 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Martyn Pitt Posted February 1, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted February 1, 2021 That will be an age thing Russ Anyway ... a Goldfinch on teasel 8 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Amsterdam Russ Posted February 1, 2021 Author Share Posted February 1, 2021 50 minutes ago, Mike said: ya profile page is s always a good place to check if ya think anything's missing It looks like you posted the pics in the coivd topic 7 minutes ago, Martyn Pitt said: That will be an age thing Russ Thanks, Mike. At least I had actually posted the pics, even if it was in the wrong place! I've now deleted the pics from the COVID thread. Martyn - you're very probably right. Now where did I put my slippers? 3 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 I couldn't remember where I had seen them Russell, just that I had, thought it was in this thread but obviously not and that is only adding fuel to Mr Pitt,s theory about age. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Amsterdam Russ Posted February 1, 2021 Author Share Posted February 1, 2021 1 hour ago, Winsford Soul said: I couldn't remember where I had seen them Russell, just that I had, thought it was in this thread but obviously not and that is only adding fuel to Mr Pitt,s theory about age. I was going to say something witty about age and memory loss but I can't remember what it was now! 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 I'm one of these people who sees faces in things. I once saw the face of Jesus in the fur of my teddy bear.... seriously. Today on the BBC news website was a photograph of two neanderthal teeth. When I looked at the one on the right, I thought it was a joke? Can anyone else see Roy Wood from Wizard's bearded face, in front of a pyramid? To be honest I can see four faces in that tooth! I can also see a Percheron stallion with a docked tail in the left hand one! Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Tattoodave Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 16 minutes ago, Flamingemeralds said: I'm one of these people who sees faces in things. I once saw the face of Jesus in the fur of my teddy bear.... seriously. Today on the BBC news website was a photograph of two neanderthal teeth. When I looked at the one on the right, I thought it was a joke? Can anyone else see Roy Wood from Wizard's bearded face, in front of a pyramid? To be honest I can see four faces in that tooth! I can also see a Percheron stallion with a docked tail in the left hand one! Sorry, no, I'm still sober, LOL Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 22 minutes ago, Flamingemeralds said: I'm one of these people who sees faces in things. I once saw the face of Jesus in the fur of my teddy bear.... seriously. Today on the BBC news website was a photograph of two neanderthal teeth. When I looked at the one on the right, I thought it was a joke? Can anyone else see Roy Wood from Wizard's bearded face, in front of a pyramid? To be honest I can see four faces in that tooth! I can also see a Percheron stallion with a docked tail in the left hand one! I can see the pyramid . Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Winsford Soul Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 5 hours ago, Martyn Pitt said: That will be an age thing Russ Anyway ... a Goldfinch on teasel Martyn. Lou said . Wow 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Soulandy Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 4 hours ago, Flamingemeralds said: I'm one of these people who sees faces in things. I once saw the face of Jesus in the fur of my teddy bear.... seriously. Today on the BBC news website was a photograph of two neanderthal teeth. When I looked at the one on the right, I thought it was a joke? Can anyone else see Roy Wood from Wizard's bearded face, in front of a pyramid? To be honest I can see four faces in that tooth! I can also see a Percheron stallion with a docked tail in the left hand one! Yes I can see Mr Wood, and the whole tooth looks like a face and I'm stone cold sober Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Amsterdam Russ Posted February 2, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 2, 2021 BBC News: Your pictures of Scotland (22-29 January 2021). Another fine selection of mainly Scottish winter scenes sent in by the public. Source: BBC News / © Peter Johnson Full selection of pics here: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-55798075 4 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Tomangoes Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 Hey Russ.. Have you got any good snaps of that knee deep lake near Lelystad to share? The one with the island in the middle reached only by boat. Ed 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Amsterdam Russ Posted February 2, 2021 Author Share Posted February 2, 2021 57 minutes ago, Tomangoes said: Hey Russ.. Have you got any good snaps of that knee deep lake near Lelystad to share? The one with the island in the middle reached only by boat. Ed I don't actually know it, but am guessing it's somewhere in the Nieuw Land National Park. That's in the province of Flevoland and about an hour away from us by car. Must check the park out when we're allowed to be out and about. Great opportunities for bird watching and thus photo taking. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 18 hours ago, Soulandy said: Yes I can see Mr Wood, and the whole tooth looks like a face and I'm stone cold sober Oh good! Yes the whole thing does look like a face. Glad someone else can see Roy This is my Scottish scene.... Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 Oh and this! An igloo in Dolphinton. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Twoshoes Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 On 01/02/2021 at 18:06, Flamingemeralds said: I'm one of these people who sees faces in things. Me too, I once wrote a poem based on it, it's called Pareidolia if you weren't aware, hope the link works https://www.lenstore.co.uk/eyecare/pareidolia-science Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 2 hours ago, Twoshoes said: Me too, I once wrote a poem based on it, it's called Pareidolia if you weren't aware, hope the link works https://www.lenstore.co.uk/eyecare/pareidolia-science I knew it had a name, couldn't think of it? I see faces everywhere and have for as long as I remember. I sometimes get "the faces" at night when I close my eyes and facial images come out of the dark and morph into others. That's a really weird experience. I also have that thing where you see a repetitive pattern, usually in the dark, but with my eyes open. That has a name too. I'm sitting here now looking at a conifer hedge...there are faces everywhere! Thankfully they're all smiling.... The funniest face I ever saw was Aretha Franklin in some condensation that had formed on my kitchen window. . Anyway, aware this is a photography thread and not an ophthalmology forum so I'll hush up now. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Amsterdam Russ Posted February 3, 2021 Author Share Posted February 3, 2021 A fine selection of photos showing wintery scenes across Europe. Source: Euronews / © Laurent Gillieron/AP Photos here: https://www.euronews.com/travel/2021/02/02/enjoy-the-best-photography-of-europe-in-the-snow 3 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
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