Whilst clearing debris in the garden today, a bird of prey whistled by me chasing a blue tit.......it did not catch its intended victim and flew into a tree at the end of the woodland walk..........it stayed for a few seconds and flew away........this is not a good image, I did not have time to focus properly but I think it is a male sparrowhawk.............so exciting.........
I am slowly learning how to use this camera.....it still foxes me sometimes.....the robin loves to pose and is very accommodating.......
The blue tits also seem to be getting used to the woman creeping around with camera in hand......
I was so pleased with this shot........I really like the composition.......and the great tit is a delightful little bird.......
This is a female chaffinch.......very shy little birds.....I am going to have to be patient to get a really good photograph.....the male bird is stunning..........
Again I loved this photograph.....the sparrow is a cheeky bird......he is much loved by Londoners.......and that is my birth place, so they will always have a place in my heart.......
As I looked towards the sparrow nesting box today.......much to my surprise a rat peeked out.....fortunately they do not frighten me.......he has left now and gone on his merry way......no doubt he will turn up again.......
And to close this post.......as I walked back towards the house at the close of the afternoon, I looked up to see our resident squirrel sitting above her drey..........she was soaking up the last of the days sunshine........
It really has been a pleasure for me to show you the wildlife that comes and goes here..........and I am beginning to love my camera.....tks Mr P...........
43 comments:
Cheryl - what a lovely selection of pictures - you're certainly getting to grips with your new camera. And what a a great variety of birds you're getting.
Love the rat peeping out of the hole :)
Cameras should come with a health warning though - Photography can get addictive.
Cheryl, what lovely pictures. I am so glad your are liking your camera and using it to capture wildlife in your gardens. It's great fun to see all your creatures. Well maybe not the rat, but I suppose he does have his place there too. :) So glad the sun was out for you. We are having some rain and typical November dreary cold weather. Hope you are doing well.
Tricia....you are so right, it can become addictive.....a bit worrying really.....I haven't got the time to be consumed by it......I loved the rat to....it did make me jump though....just wasn't expecting it......
Hi Beckie....most people seem to loathe the rat......I suppose he has gone down in history as causing many problems.....of course things are different today....they do not live long....they have many predators......I have a fox coming in the garden during the night, so I think ratty rats days may be numbered......
It is good to be able to show you all that goes on here.....my old camera could not capture creatures that were far away.....now I have my new lens, I can show you a lot more.....it is so exciting......
Looks as charming as a Beatrix Potter garden. Nice photos with the new camera for sure.
Tku Ruth.....love the Beatrix Potter comment.......
Cheryl, I absolutely adore the picture of the rat peeking out of the birdhouse. So cute--as long as they stay outside!!! Your pictures are wonderful. I am amazed at your patience to get the shots you do.
EEEEEEKKKK
I love it all ..but the RAT
scat..
love your blog..you know that
fondly,
deena
You are having lots of fun with your new camera Cheryl, that much is clear. And I'm enjoying it too with all the lovely pics you shot of the birds. Love the cheeky robin!
Cheryl, it must be that time of year when the hawks are moving into their winter territories. It certainly is exciting to see them in the garden.
Your Great Tit photo is good. I have never seen the underside of them in a photo. I wish I could see it in person.
Your pictures keep getting better and better with the new camera. I can just see you sneaking around the garden trying to capture the wildlife in photos. The rat is a great picture even if I don't like them.
Amazing captures.
You even made the rat look cute.
The birds you have... I never saw before.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Lovely photographs. While I do love birds of prey, I always hope the songbirds get away.
Keep on snapping with that new camera. I loved every shot.
Great photos! Love the little rat peeking out of the knothole.
Aiyana
Awww - those birds are so sweet. You did get some lovely pics. I also liked the little rat nose and whiskers peeking out at the world. I thought it was a mouse.
Hi morning glories.....the rat shot was a surprise.....I must say I am glad that I have already cleaned the bird boxes for next spring!!
Dear Deena......I knew that there would be many that would not like the rat......but is is a fact rats are everywhere......they are worldwide......
Hope you are having a good day.......
Hi Lisa....the sparrowhawk has been around for a few days now.....I do hope that he has decided to stay......
I must say I would love to see myself creeping around the garden......I should think it is quite a funny sight.....
Hi ncmountain woman.....tku....I understand what you are saying about the hawk, I feel the same but without food, no birds of prey, and that would be a great loss.......
Hi Wendy....there is no mistake that is a rat....not a little mouse.....either way good photograph.....
Hope you are well and hubby is doing ok......
Great pictures, although I'm not a rat fan I do love that photo!
Cheryl, I'm glad the sun came out so you were able to enjoy seeing all these creatures and to capture them with your camera for us. I always enjoy seeing all your birds, but the rat would have sent me running! That has to be the cutest picture of a rat I've seen, though:)
We are having rainy, gray November weather...but I know the sun will come out again one of these days.
Dear Rose......it is good to see the sunshine after so many weeks of dull, wet and windy weather...the garden is sodden, the grass is long.....but no chance of mowing here till spring now......water is always a problem.......
Most women do not like rats, but I could not resist unloading the photograph.......
Hope you are well......
Tks Goosey....I havn't seen it since that shot.......
What lovely creatures you have there! And what wonderful photos too! I'm afraid the rat would have startled me a bit...I'm not too fond of them!
Charming Cheryl...really charming little critters. Knowing only 'our' birds it is a treat to see such striking colors. Even your robin looks a bit different!
Gail
I had a conversation today about buying a new camera: apparently they are like guitars or boats ... you can't have just one!
Your photo`s are gorgeous Cheryl....Great present that is from from MR.P ...
Have a lovely week:)~X~
what lovely images of your birds. you are doing so well with your new camera. i thought that rat looked so innocent and cute staring out of the birdhouse hole. the whole post was very quaint with a feeling of history.
Hi Robert.....I must say photography is addictive.....and I now have two cameras.....
As for boats and guitars quite possibly....I have a friend who has three guitars BUT we only had one boat.......and that has now gone......
Shall pop over and visit your blog again soon.......
Hi Marmee.....the rat did look cute, itn't it amazing what the camera can do, don't you think?
Hi Cheryl, so interesting to see your bird of prey - we have been watching what we thought was a kestrel hunting along the railway line for a few weeks now. He seems to live in an oak tree by the pond in our field. Also, Colin said to tell you our bats are back in the loft - are yours?
lots of love
Lady and the Tramp
Hi Cheryl, thank you for share this blog !!
Hi lady and the tramp......I have seen a kestrel hovering above the railway bank....I wondered where it was located, now I know, how exciting.......
I have seen the sparrowhawk several times now....he likes your willow tree, and seems to have a good view of one of my feeders.....I think blue tit is on the menu.......
Pleased to hear your bats are back, sadly mine have not returned....sigh......
Dear Cheryl,
Oh my goodness!!! Cheryl I love seeing your birds...they are beautiful.
I too am a Hawk watcher. I find I will drop my tools and stare as they swoop and floar high in the skies. In the gardens I have a Cooper's Hawk that keeps the Doves and House Sparrow populations in check.
Rats have received a bad reputation! Yours in the bird house is cute! I would think like all of Mother's creatures they are important.
Thank you for a fun post,
Love and light,
Sherry
Dear Sherry.....they are such powerful birds.....they fascinate me........they do take the blue tits which is a little sad, but they have to eat to survive, and they only eat when it is necessary so....this is nature.....
Lisa had a coopers hawk in her garden and did a wonderful post on it the other day....she got some lovely photographs......
Rats, I must say, are not my most favourite creature in the world BUT I am ok with them in the garden......definately not the house.......and they have so many predators here, they are not around for long.........everything has a purpose, as you so rightly say........
What a wonderful series of birding captures! I loved my visit today!
I try to creep up on the birds but even though I feed them they still are nervous when I'm around them.
did you say(((( R-r-r-at!!!!))))
Eeeeek!!! I'm out of here!
Great pictures, I love sparrows they are noisy and playful. I can do without the rat, I have some in my garden. They are not welcome at my birdfeeder
What a truly awesome blog you have! I so enjoy coming here.... you have a little Paradise on earth my friend... enjoy every bit of it each day... and many blessings to you and yours...
Hugs
cielo
Many lovely wildlife photos here and I will come back again
Oh my gosh, I love your photos and especially the little grey rat peeking out of the hole!
Sandra Evertson
Fabulous photos as always Cheryl. I actually love that picture of the rat, even if I am not too keen on the reality - wimp that I am!!.
Richard always says that most people's image of a Sparrowhawk is a blur as they are so quick. And even though I know they have to eat, I have to say that there is always a part if me that is thrilled when the prey escapes. You know how I appreciate and understand the balance of nature, but I can't help it. Perhaps it is the British and the under dog thing xxxx
Dear Cheryl - sorry it's been SOOOO long since I last visited - I don't think I even managed a posting on my own blog during September - it's been a really busy year. I love that photo of the little rat poking it's nose out of your nesting box - made me laugh... As ever your blog looking lovely with endless beautiful shots... hope life is treating you well... will be back soon- Promise! Miranda
Greetings from the other side of the pond! Gail from Clay and Limestone directed me to your blog and I love it. It's so interesting and refreshing to see the same genera of birds with different species, and your enthusiasm for wildlife gardening.
I did not know that heather was fragrant. You will love the witch hazel. I have an offspring of Jelena (H. x intermedia) that has a wonderful fragrance. It's so nice to have winter-blooming things.
Even if he's a rat, he looks very cute peeping out of the hole. :)
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