Robin (Erithacus rubecula)

This is our resident robin – so far I've never seen it with a partner. I'm not certain in any way, but I'm guessing any permanent pairing up will now happen in the spring.

All Canon 5d MkIII, Canon 400mm IS USM prime lens

 

Brown rat (Rattus norvegicus)

Bird feeders can, of course, be something of a magnet for non-avian species keen to grab a meal on the go.  I've had a problem with the amount of seed spillage from my feeders and, quick to seize on a free lunch, three Brown Rats have become regular visitors. Two are juveniles (shown here) which are quite appealing, and then there is an adult which is huge and decidedly not cute! What I sadly can't allow is for the rats to see the feeding area as an open-all-day diner where they can much on seeds and fallen scraps of suet fat balls. That's why I've changed the feeding regimen: I've replaced the feeders with non-spill versions, the feeders are taken in overnight, and I now take care not to overfeed the birds. 

Canon 5d Mk III, Canon 400mm IS USM prime lens, f/5.6, 1,320th sec, ISO 4000 

Male House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

This shot was taken from inside the house through an open window. The rain had been unrelenting and this chap was one of the first to come to the feeders once the rain started to ease. I love the raindrop at the end of his beak.

Canon 5d MkIII, Canon 400mm IS USM prime lens

Female Blackbird (Turdus merula)

This female Blackbird is one of a couple resident close by. If anything, it is the female of the pair that is the more confident, the male seemingly always one step behind.

Canon 5d Mk III, Canon 400mm IS USM prime lens, f/8.0, 1/320th sec, ISO 800

Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus)

This juvenile rat turned up just a few minutes after I had re-stocked some of the coconut shell bird feeders with suet and seed fat balls. It then spent the next half an hour paying regular visits to bite off a few chunks before disappearing again.

Canon 5d Mk III, Canon 400mm prime lens, f/11 - f/8.0 1/320th sec, ISO 800

Common or Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina)

Huxley, my 11-year-old Lab/Springer cross, and I came across this juvenile Common (or Harbor) Seal resting on the beach a stone's throw from the house. Common Seals frequently haul themselves on to land to rest and/or to digest food. This individual seemed comfortable, uninjured and alert. Needless to say, Hux was tied up a good distance away from the seal so as not to spook it and, although the seal may appear close to the lens, there was a good distance between the two of us and at no time did it seem concerned.

iPhone image

 

Collared Dove (Streptopelia Decaocto)

This individual was one of three Collared Doves to come into the feeders today. I've always found them to be handsome birds. The pale blue and light brown livery is stunning. Their distinctive (and long-lasting) cooing – which some find intensely annoying – has them down as one of our noisiest garden birds.  I say coo away – they pair for life and use the call to warn of predators and other birds straying into their territory.

Canon 5dMk III, Canon 400mm prime lens, f/8, 1/640th sec, ISO 800

 

Garden visitors

Just a handful of shots from yesterday. I particularly like the imposing figure of the Starling in image 1, and the statuesque nature of the final shot. It's almost as if the House Sparrow is trying to appear raptor-like.

All Canon 5d MkIII, Canon 400mm prime lens

 

Today's garden visitors

Just some of the visitors to the garden today. Others included a first visit by a Chaffinch. I got the shot but only through window glass, so it's very soft. The Starling in the opening shot was squawking angrily at a Woodpigeon. I've no idea why.

All shots: Canon 5d MkIII, Canon 400mm prime lens

 

Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)

Canon 5d MkIII, Canon 400mm pime lens, f/5.6, 1/160th sec, ISO 800

 

Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus)

Because it is such a common sight, I think it's easy to overlook quite what an attractive bird the Woodpigeon is. The subtle shades of the mauve/grey plumage are gorgeous and the eye is stunning. This individual was feeding on a seed mix thrown on to the ground around the feeders.

Canon 5d MkIII, Canon 400mm prime lens, f/6.3, 1/320th sec, ISO 800

Tawny Grisette mushroom

My ID skills when it comes to fungi are woeful, but I do think I'm right in identifying this one as Tawny Grisette. I don't take too many mushroom and toadstool images. but I do want to do more. They can be so very atmospheric.

Canon 1Ds MkIII, f/5.6, 1/2,500th sec, ISO 400  

 

Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)

Eleven grams of welcome garden colour…

Canon 5d MkIII, Canon 400mm prime lens, f/8.0. 1/500th seco, ISO 800

 

Dunnock (Prunella modularis)

I get a lot of Dunnocks in the garden and every time I see one I can see the logic behind their heritage name, the Hedge Sparrow. From a distance they can look very much like a female House Sparrow, but they tend to spend much more time on the ground. Closer in, I think the Dunnock is a rather pretty little bird. In terms of the feeding station hierarchy, they probably come in second. First, to arrive are hordes of sparrows, then the Dunnocks will show up on foot. Blue Tits will be next, encouraged by the commotion no doubt, then small groups of Starlings, which I think show up suddenly like members of a biker gang – dressed in glossy black, loud and bossing the gathering.

Canon 5d Mk III, Canon 400mm prime lens, f/8.0, 1,500th sec, ISO 800

 

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

 This chap didn't stay long but long enough…

Canon 5d MkIII, Canon 400mm prime lens

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

Male House Sparrow

Canon 5d MKIII, Canon 400mm prime lens, f/10, 1/800th sec, ISO 800

 

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

A picture postcard line-up of House Sparrows…

Canon 5d MkIII, Canon 400mm prime lens, f/11, 1/1,000th sec

 

Starling (Sternus vulgaris)

A trio of Starling images that I think show well the spectacular markings on this common garden visitor. In fact, I would go as far as to say that, in the right light, the Starling's livery rivals even that of a Kingfisher. The first image also shows well how a Starling's beak colour helps with determining sex and age. The yellow beaked bird on the right is a mature individual, while the darker beak of the bird on the left probably indicates a juvenile. However, in the spring a yellow beak is also a sign the bird is ready to mate. Finally, a blue base to the beak indicates a male bird, while a pink base shows a female.

All Canon 5d MkIII and Canon 400mm prime lens

 

Starling (Sternus vulgaris)

Male staring on the garden feeders this morning. The blue bars on the wing are fabulous.

Canon 5d Mk III, Canon 400mm prime lens, f/10, 1/800th sec, ISO 800

 

Robin (Erithacus rubecula)

This chap appears to be our resident Robin. He's a frequent visitor to the feeders and I've watched him fend off a rival, as well as greedy Sparrows and Dunnocks.

Canon 1Ds MkIII, Canon 400mm prime lens, f/5.6, 1/250th sec, ISO 800

Dunnock (Prunella modularis)

 Another of this morning's visitors to the feeders – this one notable for not being a House Sparrow!

Canon 5d Mk III, Canon 400mm prime lens, f/6.3, 1/400th sec, ISO 800

Robin (Erithacus rubecula)

This Robin brightened up a horribly grey day here in North Norfolk today. The feeding station was all House Sparrows until its red-orange breast drew my eye to the surrounding hedgerow. Then, it fed for some time on mealworms, peanuts, a variety of seeds and even some chopped pear.

Canon 5d Mk III, Canon 400mm prime lens, f/6.3, 1/320th sec, ISO 800

 

Female Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa)

I've included this shot because it shows so clearly the immature nature of the wings on this younger female, as well as the stouter body behind the dragon's name. The lattice-work in the wings is incredible. 

Canon 1Ds Mk III, Canon 100mm prime maco lens, f/5.6, 1/640th sec, ISO 400

 

Common Darter Dragonfly (Sympetrum striolatum)

Common Darter Dragonfly (Sympetrum striolatum). This beautiful dragon landed on a bench I was sitting on as I took a break from photographing kingfishers (see below) from a hide. I can't confirm its prey, but it appears to be a fly of some sort.

Canon 1Ds MkIII, Canon 100mm prime macro lens, f/2.8, 1/4,000th sec, ISO 500

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)

This Grey Heron was photographed on the same ornamental lake as the Kingfisher above. I like the symmetry of the shot.  

Canon 1Ds MkII, Canon 100-400mm IS USM lens, 1/1,000 sec, f/6.3, 400mm at ISO 250

Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

I spent most of the daylight hours watching this and other kingfishers from a hide overlooking a stunning lake in mid-Norfolk. Other shots from the series have been uploaded before (just search on kingfishers to call them up) but I've warmed to this one because of the odd way the right wing feathers are being held. Interestingly, The latin name for the common kingfisher, and therefore the kingfisher typically found in the UK, is Alcedo at this. This is composed of Alcedo, the Latin word for kingfisher, and atthis, referring to a young woman from the island of Lesbos.  

Canon 1Ds MkIII, Canon 100-400mm USM L-series lens, f/5.6, 1/320th sec, ISO 1,000

Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans)

I took dozens of shots of this damselfly as it rested on a reed. I've gone for this one because it best shows the distinctive colouring, the dots on the end of the wings, and of course the blue band on the adult's 'tail'.

Canon 1Ds MkIII, Cano 100mm prime macro lens, f 6.3, 1/500th sec, ISO 640

Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) video

This Sparrowhawk attack happened while I was having lunch in the garden. My attention was drawn to a kerfuffle in the hedgerow behind a large Hydrangea. I grabbed my phone and held it up to where the panicked squealing was coming from. As I did, the Sparrowhawk took flight with a house sparrow in its talons.

iPhone video

Compass jellyfish (Chrysaora hysoscella)

 One of my great joys is walking the dog on the beach just after now tide to see what's been washed up. Often – especially after a storm – this can include numerous Compass jellyfish. The thinking behind why so many get washed up ashore is that because they have no means of controlling their direction they can simply drift off course on strong winds, tides or currents. Sadly, the jellies will die very quickly after being grounded on the sand. This one washed up on the North Norfolk coast at Mundesley.

iPhone 12 Pro Max image

Starling (Sternus vulgaris)

 I never ceased to be thrilled by the sight of a Starling close up. That striking livery – the outrageous stern of its Latin name I assume – is electric.

Canon 5d MkIII, Canon 400mm prime lens, f 8, 1/500th sec, ISO 800

Robin (Erithacus rubecula)

 Simple but rewarding shot of a Robin in the hedgerow in autumn.

Canon 5d Mk III, Canon 5400mm prime lens, f 5.6, 1/250th sec, ISO 800

Dunnock (Prunella modularis)

 Simple shot of a Dunnock on the ground beneath the feeders, but I do enjoy its head posture…

Canon 5d MkIII, Canon 400mm prime lens, f 7.1, 1/400th sec, ISO 800