a Smorgasborg

... I've been busy – so look at the pretty pictures (or not as the case may be).

Bewick Swan with Mute Swan and Whooper Swan (out of focus)

Years in the making, Kestrel on a kill

Coal Tit 

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Long-Tailed Tit

Bullfinch (male)

Nuthatch

Barn Owl – golden hour fly by

some of our common friends

and one not so common but what a garden visitor... and one or two some of us may perhaps prefer not to have

(again still stuck in October 2012)

more bull and... and...

I've been checking up on the local bullfinches and they have been around, it takes me about an hour to catch a glimpse, here and there and managed this image of a male, all others are similar to the original post and...

Last year I spent some time in the company of a single and then a pair of grey wagtails over an extended period, if you want to be bothered click on Grey Wagtail in the left sidebar listing to see those images;  ... well the 'and' is one has returned and I am hoping for further views and photo opportunities over the coming weeks; it has been a bit too cold hereabouts for too many insects, but the forecast for the coming days looks better and...

I have so many images I haven't archived properly and certainly haven't used on the blog, so here are a few of our more 'common' birds taken hereabouts.

Bullfinch (male)

Grey Wagtail has returned

Great Spotted Woodpecker (female)

Chaffinch (male)

Greenfinch

Goldfinch

Reed Bunting

Great Tit

Blue Tit

Coal Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Testing Times

Not been very far and so I have been doing some photographic tests in the meantime... how readily we overlook what are 'common' birds etc... anyway here are a few. I'm also not sure of the size and resolution to post, so possible further repetition I am afraid. Furthermore the variation of plumage in each species has always intrigued me and if it is possible to identify individuals by plummage. Obviously sometimes certain birds have distinct characteristics, but as yet I have yet to identify such an individual. While not taking much notice of Collared Doves, those I have taken an interest in do seem to suffer with scaly leg and I wonder how widespread or if any research is being undertaken... something else to look into when its raining! Click on any image to enlarge

click on any image to enlarge

I had to include this... wide aperture and a fast speed?