Birds Birds Birds

For some reason I don't associate winter with birds, but today proved me wrong. Very wrong. They were out in number. Here's a very small selection.

The first two shots were taken in the early morning light. The woodpecker was doing its level best to avoid being photographed and I'd all but given up when I managed this shot.
A green woodpecker hides in a tree

The kestrel emerged from the woods as I was heading to work.
and a kestrel hunts for breakfast

By lunchtime the sun was out. It was one of those beautiful early December days: cold but not icy, with just a light breeze.
The gulls were out at lunchtime

and the pied wagtails watched for passing insects

The jackdaws were at their splendid best

But nothing compares with the buzzard….
Buzzard in the distance

Buzzard overhead

Several more shots from today are in the December Birds album.
Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

Tags:

This Post Has 11 Comments

  1. Vulpes vulpes

    5 Dec 2008

    Love the jackdaw and buzzard!:up:

  2. Words

    6 Dec 2008

    Vulpes, there were two buzzards together. The second one was a good deal lower than the other one. Just great to watch. As for the jackdaws, there are so many of them that I'm spoiled for choice on what sort of shot to go for.

  3. gdare

    6 Dec 2008

    After all it seems you had a clear blue skies. Probably this is what made birds go out of shelters 🙂

  4. Words

    6 Dec 2008

    Darko, yes that helps. It gets me out of my shelter too. 😀

  5. SittingFox

    6 Dec 2008

    I'm still very jealous of your buzzards! 😀 Love the eye on that jackdaw. My bird sightings usually peak in winter.

  6. Words

    7 Dec 2008

    Adele, I'm sure the buzzards will migrate over the Downs in time. Just as I'm sure the red kites will pop down from Reading (possible), and the vultures will nip over from northern France (highly unlikely). Mostly they are distant specks, but just once in a while they come in a bit lower. Wonderful birds to watch when they're circling around. We tend to get them in pairs.

  7. SittingFox

    7 Dec 2008

    Well, I know people who have seen buzzards in my village, and I have seen one circling over the Surrey / Kent border, but it's strange that I've never seen one in the North Downs considering the amount of time that I spend out walking around here. As for the red kites – well, hopefully they will expand their range before too long!

  8. cakkleberrylane

    7 Dec 2008

    Excellent shots!

  9. Words

    7 Dec 2008

    Thanks Lois!

  10. chthoniid

    8 Dec 2008

    Lovely light conditions- the buzzard and jackdaw are very good :up:

  11. Words

    8 Dec 2008

    Thanks Brendan. The light doesn;t last long this time of year but when it's good, it's great.

Comments are closed.

Close Menu