My blog is mostly about wildlife, particularly birds, walking, days out, all growing things and anything else that comes to mind.
To view pictures in larger format, just click on any picture for the picture gallery....

Thursday 6 November 2008

The birds are coming back

With the onset of cooler temperatures, the Goldfinches and other birds are beginning to increase in number in the garden.

It was a very grey day again today (oh please can we have some sun soooon), and, as I sat as day dawned watching the birds, I had a four-legged visitor again - a fox. This seems to be quite a young one and was very timid. I noticed as s/he left the garden that its rear right-leg was badly injured and it couldn't put any weight on it - I hope it recovers very quickly. I believe its the same one that visited not that long ago.

A couple of pictures which come into the category - see something in garden - grab camera -shoot through double glazing on dull day. Technically, the pictures are dreadful but the subject was too pretty to resist





In terms of bird visitors - my early morning count was:
17 Goldfinches - whey hey
8 RN Parakeets
4 Wood Pigeons (hardly a berry left now on the Holly tree)
19 Feral Pigeons (grrrrr)
1 Starling
2 Great Tits
1 Dunnock
4 Greenfinches
3 Chaffinches.
3 Blue Tits
1 Magpie
and 2 Grey Squirrels.

No Jay or Nuthatch today

To assist in holding the camera more steadily when using the heavy lens, especially in low light shots, I've purchased an Ergo Rest - and thanks to Diane for the introduction and more recent demonstration. Unfortunately I haven't been able to try it out, since its delivery a couple of days ago. But I did try a shot of a RN Parakeet high up on the Eucalyptus tree today (the Para being the one who was high up - not the photographer!) and this is the result... - I can see an improvement.


Over the years I've lived here I've been gradually developing the garden and it's almost complete now. One thing I have endeavoured to do is to plant for all seasons' interest and, in particular, for autumn colour.

I've been waiting for some sun to take pictures, but if I leave it any longer there will be no colour to photograph so, a quick (albeit not well lit) tour of garden colour.








A Penstemon - still in flower..

12 comments:

oldcrow61 said...

Tricia, your garden is lovely. My daughter is moving into a new house the middle of the month and I think she had something like your garden in mind for her back yard. I'll send her the link to have a look. The fox is beautiful. Such lovely creatures.

Tricia Ryder said...

OC - thank you. I must admit I've enjoyed creating it. The only original plants/trees are the old apple tree and the very big holly tree. I also love acers and maples and these do give out the most wonderful colours!

I'm also lucky to have a back drop of some very old (and large) oak trees :D

Good luck to your daughter with her move!

Liz said...

Ah, Autumn colour - isn't it wonderful!

My fuji Cherry was a glorious colour this year, almost fuchsia! Amazing.

I also have a maple, just need it to grow a bit more... It's still only around a foot tall, bless :D

The Quacks of Life said...

love the fox!!

mick said...

You have a beautiful garden! I love the photos of the fox. They are beautiful over there - but were foolishly introduced into this country and are a major pest and so destructive of the native wildlife. Why didn't we leave out countries different the way they were meant to be!!

ST said...

yes, the garden is a beaut. Also like the fox

Tricia Ryder said...

Pete -isn't it a cutie!
Mic - thanks. So frustrating when any animals become pests!!
ST - thanks too - in my eyes the garden's looking a bit messy - leaf clearing needed methinks!

Tricia Ryder said...

Thanks Ocean and good to see you here.

Anonymous said...

Very envious of your garden visitors. Excellent stuff, Tricia.

Anonymous said...

One word: BEAUTIFUL! Your flowers as well as that lovely fox! (I must be getting old, I don't even remember to have paid you a visit LOL LOL LOL LOL)

swatson said...

Tricia beautiful garden,beautiful colours and as usual beautiful photographs.
sheila

Tricia Ryder said...

Dean - thanks for stopping by; I'm just lucky to live in the right spot!
Carin and Sheila - thank you.

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