france

Morning everyone. A very dainty female Chaffinch for you today. She tried her best to hide from us but I'm learning to be very patient now, it must be an age thing, and eventually she popped onto a smaller branch. Hope you all have a smashing weekend?

This Tern came reasonably close (unusual for me!) but you can see a little disturbance between the last primary and first secondary. I was just wondering if this was normal wear and tear or something else - however it didn't stop it from scampering about the sky! Many thanks for your comments...

Good morning everyone. Even deaf(ish) old me can hear the distinctive song of this little Warbler. Not always easy to see but lucky enough to get half a chance at this beauty. Have a great weekend.

I didn't intend to upload this shot but as the Opus is short of juvenile Cirl Buntings, this is really for Delia to see if it's of any use to her. Not very good photographically because of the extremely dim conditions, more of a record shot. Land line still not fixed so internet still a bit...

Morning all. We went out yesterday evening and were sorely disappointed by the lack of birds, mind you it was hot, 29C at 7pm, and bright, so you can't blame them for not wanting to come out to play. This is not a great shot but it's all we saw on the way home, a juvenile male taking in the sun.

Morning everyone. A bit of a rush today so it's a post and run, will catch up later. Another of my Greylag Geese. I love watching these birds and the way the act whenever someone's around, they stick together and I can see why they're called a 'gaggle'.....lol

.... with a snack! A bit of a challenge, this shot, as the bird was in the middle of the tree in deep shade. Only a lot of mucking about with Photoshop rescued it. Internet problems this week, in and out if you know what I mean. Nonetheless will try and catch up with you all.

Morning all. We were on the lookout for a Kingfisher when we heard this lovely looking Warbler singing from a nearby tree. It was high up, but did show itself for us, another magical moment because it was a first for me. As for the Kingfisher, it zipped by at Warp Factor 3 a few minutes later......

Good morning everyone. There are a couple of House Martin nests under the eves of our house, built about three years ago. They didn't use them last year and earlier this year Sparrows took up residence and reared a couple of youngsters during the middle of July. Now the House Martins have...

Morning everyone. Not much to say about this little lovely. It wasn't keen on coming out into the open, but at least it sat still, so I was pleased to get a shot in the end.

Hello everyone. I'm getting quite attached to Warblers, maybe it's because they make me work at catching them through my lens? I'm looking forward to May where this one (well, not exactly this one!) will be looking for a mate and singing its little heart out. Wishing you all a great weekend.

Morning all, a bit late today, I've been 'staking out' a pair of Kingfishers, but a no show this morning, they must be having breakfast at Tiffany's! Still, I'll settle for this shot of a Little Egret taken earlier this month.

... or Scarlet Darter, whichever you prefer. I'm always interested in species that do not reach UK shores and here's such one. An African species that has spread into Eurasia. It is distinguished from other red darters by the fact that it has no black on head, thorax or legs. Scorchio here...

Good morning everyone. My first Black Winged Stilt. I was willing it to come a bit closer but instead it went in the opposite direction.....Still, I live in hope that one day I'll have one under my nose a get a better shot.....lol. Scorchio here today.

We encountered this Egret a few times during the morning but it was extremely wary of us and took to the air if we got to within 100yards. Ironically, it was when it was in the air that we got our closest views, as here!

Morning all. The second of my Kingfisher shots. After his fishing he decided he wanted to do a bit of balancing on this wire. He did ok, but he wasn't brilliant at it......lol

Good morning everyone. This is my second shot of the Reed Warbler, this one shows the markings on it's back. Such agile little birds, always on the go and I enjoyed chasing it around the reed beds! lol

First outing yesterday since arriving in France - a good morning, the lakeside was thick with dragonflies and butterflies - and the occasional bird! Just spotted this Sandpiper on the way back to the car park - this was about as close as I dared to get! Posting and running this morning but will...

Mornin' all. I was going to upload my 2nd Reedy shot today but I've chosen one from yesterday morning's trip. Grey Herons typically are twitchy, I've never got close enough for a decent shot, but this fine specimen, sat on the shore of a lake, let us get to within 25m (27 yards) before it flew...

Morning all, a post and run, just about to hit the trail. I had a great deal of trouble getting an ID on this Reed Warbler, being a novice and all, then Mali came to the rescue, many thanks mate, much appreciated. Taken just after a really heavy rainstorm, so it's looking a bit bedraggled...

Love the way this gull stands on one leg with ease.....I tried it once......didn't like it! lol

Good morning everyone. I only had one chance at this the other evening and.......I BLEW IT! not sharp at all, but I wanted to post to show you the wonderful colours and markings on this youngster.

Morning all. I've waited a long time for this and finally, after seeing a few zip by, one sat still for a while. We watched it fish, shame it was too fast for us to capture, but when it sat still we took our opportunity to get a few shots. Fortune always plays a part, it was getting decidedly...

Good morning everyone, warm and overcast here today. This hide that we've recently discovered is yielding a few firsts for me. This is one of them, a Wood Sandpiper.

Morning all. I've never really been a pigeon/dove fan but this pair were sitting on a wire by the car after I returned from the hide. When I looked closely I realised what beautiful birds they are. I live and learn. I'm going to dedicate this to ChrisKten.....