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....

Tuesday 23 December 2008

A comparatively colourless day

Before dawn broke this morning, I was off to the supermarket to do the food shopping for the Christmas period. As I stood outside the front door, the wonderful sound of robins singing their hearts out was really cheery and in the distance a Song Thrush's lovely melody could be heard. Chores done and dusted I felt the need for a walk.

I mentioned dawn - now that conveys daylight - daylight is a comparative word today; it means compared to total darkness, it is light!

Armed with camera off I went to find birds at Wisley. Fieldfares and Redwings in the Fruit Fields again; a pair of mistle thrushes and a flock of approximate 40 finches - gold, green and chaffinches in the tops of the trees.

The birds were constantly flocking back and forwards to the feeders but the light was too poor for many pics.




A Rhododendron in bloom - far too early

and the velvety buds of the Magnolia waiting to open

The easiest birds to photograph today were those you could guarantee wouldn't move! A pair of Cranes.

Some of Wisley's gardeners had "planted" Christmas trees with lots of goodies for the birds to eat. This was one of several.

And this picture of a snowman is made entirely of citrus fruit - Pink and White grapefruit, oranges and limes!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

You made good of the poor light there, Tricia. Lovely pics.

Anonymous said...

The little Robin!! should be , called the red breasted bruiser,a lovely song, but a real feisty little bird. Again nice pics Tricia.


paul.

Tricia Ryder said...

Thanks Dean and Paul.

I really like Robins and have two currently visiting the garden - full of spunk both of them :)

Liz said...

Are plants really beginning to flower early or have there always been anomolies?

I ask because I was going to make a blog about it myself. Some, well most of my bulb pots already have plants sprouting out. It's only just turned winter yet some of the Iris/Crocus have been coming up in one of the pots since at least November.

Lovely photos Tricia, looks like thee's plenty of Tits around at least!

mick said...

That Christmas tree for the birds is a great idea. Can't say I would like the cold and dark weather though! Season's greetings to you from Australia!

Tricia Ryder said...

Liz - daffodils and hyacinth bulbs are evident in my garden. Whilst it's not unusual for daffs to be visible it is unusualy for the hyacinths to be poking their noses above ground level at this time of the year.

Rhododendrons however seem a law unto themselves. Had a couple of flowers on mine in September!!

Tricia Ryder said...

Greetings to you in sunshine Mick

Related Posts with Thumbnails