My blog is mostly about wildlife, particularly birds, walking, days out, all growing things and anything else that comes to mind.
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Saturday 21 November 2009

Blue sky at Barnes...

Given the forecast stated heavy rain this afternoon I headed of for fresh air, exercise and birds at Barnes.

Yesterday, I'd had another visit from the Sparrowhawk who seems to like this particular branch of the apple tree. The secateurs are coming out tomorrow to remove the dead twig....


The sun shone for a bit and I saw that rarity again - blue sky!!

This little Grebe came a bit closer than normal and fortunately the reeds in front of the hide have now died down a bit!


Everything else was too far away for any reasonable pictures. However, on my way back to the visitor centre, I came across a flock of Long-tailed Tits and also.....

I was looking into the sun, but was hopeful...


So I managed to walk underneath and around to the other side and I wasn't disappointed!
Chiff-chaff; one of three of them.

S/he then did a little hop

before turning around to face the other way.


Further around the sky clouded over and the wind got up, causing this Wren to have a bad hair day!



I'm sure this is the same frenetic Grey Heron I saw the other day. Again it was jumping up and down and "pecking" at vegetation in the water.




And finally, as the rain started on my way out, this cygnet decided it might as well have a sleep.



And so to do some food shopping and finally home; the promised rain had arrived now!

12 comments:

The Quacks of Life said...

some good stuff there

mick said...

Lovely blue sky indeed and good you were able to enjoy it for a while. That Grey Heron certainly puts on an interesting display for you . Nice photos.

Warren Baker said...

Those Chiffchaff were a good find tricia.

Enjoy the little bits of sunshine!!!

Chris said...

Hi Tricia,
Beautiful post again, and you have a nice variety there for a winter month.
Well done of the sparrowhawk and chiffchaff!!
but I've to say that the little grebe shot is awesome... It is just perfect and I love it!

oldcrow61 said...

lol, doesn't it drive you mad when a twig gets in the way like that! You have some beautiful photos there.

Midmarsh John said...

It's an art to get the timing right and dodge the rain these days. At least you managed to photograph your Sparrowhawk. A couple of fays ago when one landed on the roof of the bird table my nearest camera was two rooms away ;(
Lovely photographs of the Chiff Chaffs and the Wren.

Janine said...

Lovely shots of the little wren.

Tricia Ryder said...

Pete - Thanks.

Mick - The blue sky lasted very briefly but was like a shot in the arm after all the grey we've been having.

Warren - Lovely to find them; there were 3 flying through with the LTTs.

Chris - thank you. Often the winter can be more rewarding than summer!

OC - Lol - yes it does but it's been pouring all day today so it remains in place! and Thank you :)

John - Isn't it just! I was lucky that, for once, the camera was handing and most of the setting were what I needed.

Janine - thank you. It's call alerted me to where it was.

Anonymous said...

Hi Tricia, yes that Chiffy was definitely a good find as there is only supposed to be about 1000 birds overwintering in UK.
Blue sky???

Mel said...

You get to see such beauties!
The Sparrowhawk and the Grey Heron are my favourite!

FAB said...

Blue sky! I've only had very fleeting glimpses over the last 6 days. Nice capture of your regular Sparrowhawk. I also need to do some severe pruning so I can actually see into the garden. FAB

Tricia Ryder said...

Mel, John and Roy. Thank you all for your comments and my apologies - I thought, mistakenly, that I'd responded.

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