The rain started early this morning and persisted for most of the day. But I started earlier 😉 The first shots were taken where I now park in the morning. The light was beautiful, providing a rich golden hue. A small flock of blue tits were feeding in the tree tops and several goldfinches were enjoying their favoured feeding site, the tall golden teasel.
There are several more shots of the goldfinch in the November Birds album.
The rain started shortly after I took those shots and remained a constant factor until the middle of the evening when the clearing weather got me outside. Although none of the foxes put in an appearance, the evening proved interesting in other ways. I started by photographing the pond. As well as a lone frog in reflective mood, I spent some time watching the small pond snails and damselfly nymphs.
Pond snail
It was while I was at the pond that I saw some movement from the corner of my eye. Taking care not to move too quickly, or to make any noise, I approached with caution. Maybe I needn't have worried, but it's a long time since I've seen this particular garden visitor (last April to be precise), and I didn't want to lose the opportunity by being rash. Yes, the wood mouse is back 😀 Just as bold, and just as greedy as ever (though doubtless a descendant of the previous band of peanut thieves).
Camera note: the birds were taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens. All the rest of the shots photographed with the Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG macro lens.
22 Comments
Great shots of the goldfinch, and nice to see that the wood mouse has returned! 🙂
Smart animals. How did they get up to the feeder? Or probably "down", if it is on the rope?
Eric, thanks.
Beautiful shots, especially the group of Blue Tits and the woodmouse, 😀 It looked a bit cloudy at 5am when i got up to take a photo of the full moon setting, when it clouded over i went back to bed for a couple more hours sleep. 😆
Darko, the feeder is on a tree and the mouse comes runing down to it, and then back up into the tree when it's finished!
Mark, thanks. And that's some dedication to get up at that time for a photo :up:
great photos words. the lighting is perfect on the goldfinch and the snails coiling is rather artistic. And the wood mosue is just cute 🙂
TBR writes:
Woo hoo!
Your meeses are back!
Waddya reckon words?
Do you think you and I should start a Jays and Mice club?!
Wonderful shots as usual…
The mouse is back!! :yes: Very cute, and I'm sure that it will prove as much of a star as its ancestors. Nice pictures of the birds too, especially the goldfinch on the teasel.
Very sweet photos today! 🙂
:confused: I'm trying to figure out the snail picture. Did you shoot it from underneath?
Looking forward to more shots of this year's mouse.
Great shots. The Woodmouse is adorable! Love the frog reflection too. Intriguing snail shot – how'd ya do that?!
Amazingly beautiful photos!! Such a real talent!
Mick, the snail is swimming upside down! I was after the damselfly nymphs when this one swam over the top of the nymph I had in sight.
Lois, thanks. But it's persistence more than anything else.
Neil, thanks! The goldfinches were beautiful in that light, more so than the photos show.
Cynthia, thanks. One of those days when there were lots of small moments worth capturing.
Vulpes, the wood mice is obviously a big hit. I'll keep my eyes open for them. The snail was easy (see previous comment), and the frog shot was just lucky (but I took several shots once I'd spotted how the light was playing).
Doug, yes to the wood mice everywhere! A Jay and Jerry Club? Sounds good.
Adele, a nice (mice?) return. With any luck they'll stay around for a while. It's a good time of year for the birds. Few leaves, some good early light, plus they're hungry so take less notice as they search for food.
Upside-down, huh. Is that normal?
Mick, they tend to rotate a bit as they move through the water. They don't usually flip all the way over but then again I haven't devoted a great deal of time to watching them. Maybe I should. It might prove to a regular way of getting about. 😀