Priddy

The area around Priddy on the Mendip Hills is one of my favourite small places in the world.  I spent a lot of time there as a kid, and I always go back to visit when I have the chance.

The Mendips are not grand or stunning in any major way - but they do have sense of place and scale that I really like.

This single tree is a bit of a photographic icon in the area - I tried to do something that does not look like all my other pictures.

You can find more shots from around the world at Our World Tuesday.

By the time this post goes live I will be on the second day of a long walk in Tasmania - with not a hint of internet!   Cheers  SM

Wild Bird Wednesday 331 - Black Swan

The Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) is widespread in Australia.  I often wonder what the first Europeans who came to Australia thought about this bird.  White swans, of what ever species, were signs of purity, and have been associated with 'angels' in many mythologies, so encountering black swans must have been a bit of a shock.

Anyway, I liked the way these birds were interacting with each other.

You can join in with WBW by clicking on the blue button below the thumbnails.  (I am finding it very hard to find the time to visit people's blogs - but please keep commenting as I am sure I will emerge from under this large pile of work soon!)  SM

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Wild Bird Wednesday 330 - Mute Swan

I think it's the common birds I miss the most from the UK.  The everyday birds.  The backyard birds.

I never had Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) in my backyard, but as a keen angler they were a (more or less) everyday bird.

These Swans were taken at various locations on the Somerset Levels around Glastonbury. For all that I enjoyed my time 'on the Levels' the light was often difficult and the birds rather distant.  I was a relief to find some that were just a little larger!

I rather like the symmetry of the last image.

To join in with WBW just click on the blue button below the thumbnails.  SM

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Wild Bird Wednesday 329 - European Robin

One of the (many) small delights of being back in the UK for a while was seeing a whole range of common birds that I would have once taken for granted, but now rather miss.

Not the least of these is the (European) Robin (Erithacus rubecula).  I would have never included 'European' in its name when I lived in the UK - it was simply a Robin.  And, if the truth be told, thats how I still think of them.

This bird was perched out in the open, on the dead stems of some Cow Parsley,  at Ham Walls RSPB reserve in Somerset.  It was like meeting an old friend.

As ever, you can join in with WBW by clicking the blue button below.  SM

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The Hague

After a (very) long flight from Australia, a transit flight from London and then a taxi (in a Tesla no less!) from Amsterdam to The Hague, I was pleased to be able to wander the streets at my own pace, soak up some autumn sunshine to counteract the jet lag and take a few pictures.

These are my first impressions of The Hague.

You can find more shots from around the world at Our World Tuesday. 

Wild Bird Wednesday 328 - Rainbow Lorikeet

After three weeks away from home I have some catching up to do.

In the meantime here is one of my favourite Australian birds - the Rainbow Lorikeet.  These birds are surprisingly common around my house, but they never cease to bring a smile to my face.  Equally, they are very good to show to overseas visitors due to their rather remarkable colour scheme.

As ever, to join in with WBW click on the blue button below.  SM

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