kinnordy

...... or Three Lollipops ... or I couldn't think of a better title - I'm sure you lot can though. Couldn't resist this picture for SF, with the three delightful Long-tailed Tits stuffing themselves.

This is the other picture taken at Kinnordy that I want to upload to the Opus article. It shows the trail through the swamp that goes to .... would you believe.... the aptly named Swamp Hide LOL It had actually been a couple of years since I'd been along there, as I'd not been able to walk...

Checking some of my older files before archiving them, I remembered I'd not recorded this in my Gallery and actually want to put it in the Opus on the Kinnordy page. There are now Beavers at Kinnordy, they've been there are year or two now. They've been gnawing at the trees, as you can see.

....... or Photo Bomber ....... or Exocet Missile I've no idea how I did this.... but boy he must have been moving fast. There was another Long-tailed tit behind him, that I was actually photographing LOL

or.... Jumping for joy.... or.... The Ghost I really, really, couldn't delete this one without showing it to you, could I!! Not really sure how you can get so much movement but still be able to see what it is!

... well they were doing their best to raise the next generation;) but there were not enough birds to protect their colony. I do so hope they make use of the raft next year.

I met up with Ian and Gillian for a lovely lunch on their last day in Blairgowrie. They were full of anticipation as they were to be taken out that night on a beaver hunt! You can read about it here: https://pursuingwingsblog.wordpress.com/tag/blairgowrie/ Anyway, a few days later I was off to...

Sorry, couldn't not show you a picture of him feeding. I can even see the tufts on his ears on this shot. Hope you don't mind another. Ian and Gillian were a bit more excited to see him, as they don't have them in may places in England.

Wherever I am I'm always delighted to see one of these pretty finches. The last few years I've been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one in the garden, but just for a day or two at best; so I'm on high alert now waiting for their rare autumnal visit. I just wish they'd stay longer... oh well...

He couldn't get away quick enough, could he LOL Think I was lucky to get so much of him in the frame, it was such an unexpected leap. I think there's two toe nails missing!!

It was lovely to know these guys were still around. I don't see them at home and am lucky if I find any in the wider countryside now. Of course, Gillian and Ian weren't that impressed, as they have them in their garden. One of the reasons I wanted to stay with them last year LOL I think it was...

We moved on to the Gullery hide and found the reserve staff had erected a nest raft for the Blackheaded Gulls. They'd floated it out between the bog bean islands. They didn't appear to have made use of it for nesting this year, but maybe if it's there next year, they'll take up residence...

Just a few days after I got home from my holiday, and I had a couple of busy days escorting PostcardCV's parents (Gillian and Ian) and showing them the delights of this area. They'd looked after me for a couple of days in Norfolk last year and got me some Lifers too. I picked them up from...

or.... I had no idea I suppose this isn't really a funny shot, but am poking fun at myself for my lack of observation. I was trying to take pictures of the Lapwings on the bog bean. They didn't turn out too well really, so after I'd downloaded them, started to delete them. When suddenly...

.... or the eyes have it It's taken me a while to post this one, as I'm still trying to work out what was going on here. It appears that the only part of the head to not be suffering with motion blur is his eyes and I don't know why/how LOL. His ears must be flat against his head I think. I...

I've got a problem with my laptop and, of course, don't have access to my pictures that I was working from!! Back up... back up... back up folks!!! This is from the last folder in my previous laptop, a visit to Kinnordy in April. This goose was fairly close to the hide and I managed to get a...

..... or Flying feathers I was going to tell you what it was, but have changed my mind and decided to make you guess!;) This was taken at the Kinnordy feeding station at the turn of the year.

Back to the hide for a short while and found this little wagtail hunting for insects on this island in front. I was quite pleased at the detail I got for such a little bird.

This lady wanted to get in on the act too at the feeding station. It was quite dark under the trees (especially for a dark bird), but she got herself into a spot where the sun shone through - wasn't that nice of her!!

Unless it's me, I don't see Siskins settling on a branch before heading to the feeders - they just seem to 'be there'! Always a joy for me to see, as they rarely come to my garden, just the odd visit through the year.

OK time to move along to the woodland and the feeders. Don't Tree Sparrows have lovely markings on their backs. You just think of them as LBJs until you see them close like this.

... after a bit more action on the bog bean, they moved into the water, with one almost being drowned!! There was quite a battle there until finally one beat a hasty reatreat

... from the previous picture, he landed on top of the other one and .... well was he 'necking' her or trying to strangle him?

Bit busy this morning so posting this early. After what looked like an amorous liaison between the two that I showed you yesterday, it then seemed to turn into a right royal battle. This is the first of three I'll show you today, which left me confused as to whether they were a pair or rivals...

.... of course it was spring and .... well... they were "at it"!! I got loads of pictures of these two, and it was quite difficult to decide which to post. Maybe there'll be more for you, we'll see.