Found in Keswick, December 2019. Crazy.
Friday 31 January 2020
Tuesday 28 January 2020
Wild Bird Wednesday 393 - Hooded Crow
I was keen to catch up with few 'northern' species when I was in Europe - but if the truth be told I spent most of my time in urban areas, and birding was not a key aspect of out trip.
When we were in Oslo we visited the National Opera House which fronts onto the river. At at the edge of the river a small group of Hooded Crows (Corvus cornix) feeding on what I think is the remains of a cod. This crow species was considered a subspecies of the Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) when I was a kid - but it has gained full species status since then. I only ever saw these birds when I was in Scotland and when I lived on an island in Ireland. It was nice to catch up with them again!
When we were in Oslo we visited the National Opera House which fronts onto the river. At at the edge of the river a small group of Hooded Crows (Corvus cornix) feeding on what I think is the remains of a cod. This crow species was considered a subspecies of the Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) when I was a kid - but it has gained full species status since then. I only ever saw these birds when I was in Scotland and when I lived on an island in Ireland. It was nice to catch up with them again!
As ever, you can join in with WBW by clicking on the link below - and also as ever, please feel free to share WBW with other bloggers. SM
Out and About in Bergen
The second place we stayed in Norway was Bergen. This town has a much older feel to it than the parts of Oslo we saw. I loved the narrow streets, and non geometric street plans. All roads led to the water. I really liked it.
You can find more shots from around the world at Our World Tuesday. Cheers SM
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| The house we stayed in - at 9.54 am! |
Wednesday 22 January 2020
Wild Bird Wednesday 392 - Herring Gull
The Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) is in many ways the default gull for much of Europe. Its almost laughing call is so over used in 'sea side sound scapes' as to become a cliche!
As you can see from these pictures, as they mature their plumage undergoes many changes, which is what makes gull so interesting I suppose. Many people (although not me!) seem to take huge delight in being able to identify the specific age of gulls based on their (the gulls!) plumage. Its all a bit much for me!
The gulls on the concrete wharf were taken around Maryport on the coast of Cumbria in the UK. The gull in the sunlight was from outside the Opera House in Oslo. This bird has a been seen at this location many times - I reported its band number and found out!
For all the amazing animals we have in Australia, we really only have 3 species of gull and (?) 90% of those are Silver Gulls, so it was nice to see a few more species in Europe.
As you can see from these pictures, as they mature their plumage undergoes many changes, which is what makes gull so interesting I suppose. Many people (although not me!) seem to take huge delight in being able to identify the specific age of gulls based on their (the gulls!) plumage. Its all a bit much for me!
The gulls on the concrete wharf were taken around Maryport on the coast of Cumbria in the UK. The gull in the sunlight was from outside the Opera House in Oslo. This bird has a been seen at this location many times - I reported its band number and found out!
For all the amazing animals we have in Australia, we really only have 3 species of gull and (?) 90% of those are Silver Gulls, so it was nice to see a few more species in Europe.
As ever, you can join in with WBW by clicking on the link below - and also as ever, please feel free to share WBW with other bloggers. SM
Wednesday 15 January 2020
Wild Bird Wednesday 391 - Starlings
When we were in the UK we spent a couple of hours at the RSPB Reserve at Ham Walls in Somerset. This reserve is only about 30 minutes from where I was born - so I always like to visit if I am in that part of the world.
In the winter huge flocks of Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) gather there in the evenings to roost in the reed beds. Before they 'settled in for the night' they fly around in (often) huge flocks called murmurations. The day before we went it was estimated that there were 250,000 birds in the roost, and I can see no reason why there would have been less on the day we were there.
It was pretty remarkable to watch, as flock after flock joined the roost. By the time most of the birds had arrived it was getting dark, at this time it seemed some form of collective decision was made to move to another part of the reed bed a couple of hundred meters away. It was too dark for photography, but watching the birds stream from one part of the reed bed to another was truly remarkable.
Ham Walls Reserve is a good place to visit at any time of the year, but this was my first winter trip. I hope it wont be the last.
In the winter huge flocks of Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) gather there in the evenings to roost in the reed beds. Before they 'settled in for the night' they fly around in (often) huge flocks called murmurations. The day before we went it was estimated that there were 250,000 birds in the roost, and I can see no reason why there would have been less on the day we were there.
It was pretty remarkable to watch, as flock after flock joined the roost. By the time most of the birds had arrived it was getting dark, at this time it seemed some form of collective decision was made to move to another part of the reed bed a couple of hundred meters away. It was too dark for photography, but watching the birds stream from one part of the reed bed to another was truly remarkable.
Ham Walls Reserve is a good place to visit at any time of the year, but this was my first winter trip. I hope it wont be the last.
As ever, you can join in with WBW by clicking on the link below - and also as ever, please feel free to share WBW with other bloggers. SM
Tuesday 14 January 2020
Out and about in Oslo
Hi there - we are back from our grand adventure to the Northern Hemisphere - although I suspect my body clock is still set to Norway time!
These are a selection of pictures I took as we were wandering around Oslo. Wonderful city.
These are a selection of pictures I took as we were wandering around Oslo. Wonderful city.
I'm not really that much of a city person - but I do like the chance to take some more abstract type images. And the sunsets and sunrises were pretty special.
Thanks for all the enquiries about my / our safety in relation to the fires. We are fine - although many areas have been hit very hard.
You can find more shots from around the world at Our World Tuesday. Cheers SM
Wednesday 8 January 2020
Wild Bird Wednesday 390 - Northern Rosella
The Northern Rosella (Platycercus venustus) is a rather splendid looking parrot that is only found in the central northern section of Australia - hence the name!
It is the only Australian parrot with a black cap and pale cheeks. Given it lives in the north of Australia, and I dont, my trip to Darwin last year gave me the first real chance I had had to photograph this species.
Although I saw them on a number of occasions, I found then to be rather timid - much like the Eastern Roselllas I see at home.
I managed to get these shots in - wait for it - the camp site at Katherine. I suppose birds in camp sites become a little less timid due to the near constant company of people.
It is the only Australian parrot with a black cap and pale cheeks. Given it lives in the north of Australia, and I dont, my trip to Darwin last year gave me the first real chance I had had to photograph this species.
Although I saw them on a number of occasions, I found then to be rather timid - much like the Eastern Roselllas I see at home.
I managed to get these shots in - wait for it - the camp site at Katherine. I suppose birds in camp sites become a little less timid due to the near constant company of people.
As ever, you can join in with WBW by clicking on the link below - and also as ever, please feel free to share WBW with other bloggers. SM
Monday 6 January 2020
Buttermere
While we were in the UK's Lake District we went for a bit of a walk near Buttermere - in good weather its a wonderful place, and it's pretty good in dismal weather too.
Unfortunately the weather on our walk was at the dismal end of the spectrum! Oh well - the sausage rolls in the cafe were mighty fine!
Unfortunately the weather on our walk was at the dismal end of the spectrum! Oh well - the sausage rolls in the cafe were mighty fine!
Hard to think we were walking in this place when so much of Australia is on fire.
You can find more shots from around the world at Our World Tuesday. Cheers. SM
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