Another collection of varied sightings

Still not much chance of lengthy walks but I have managed to get out for short wanders occasionally, the sun has started to shine more often and the warmth levels are rising.

 

One such opportunity recently allowed me another chance to walk a decent length along the Leeds Liverpool canal towpath, it was a bright and sunny day for much of the time.

 

A lovely moorhen showed nicely...

 

 

A goldfinch posed well near the top of a tree...

 

 

I had a bit of post photo editing to do to achieve this effect of a swan...

 

 

And a similar effect on some lovely snowdrops...

 

 

Learnt a lesson in how auto focus works when a bird is facing away from you as I caught this blackbird, notice how the rear end is in sharp focus and the beak not!

 

The next sighting caused some confusion even after arriving home and checking my books, help arrived from a good friend and this is likely to be a hybrid Canada and greylag goose...

 

I continued to venture out whenever the opportunity occurred, even half an hour can be rewarding by the waterside.

 

One such little outing brought me a lovely shot of a blue tit...

 

...and a robin ventured really close to me..

 

Sometimes instinct takes over and just the distant shape told me this was a little owl perched on a barn roof 150 yards away...

 

Getting to know the swans is important for me at this time of year, if they know you hostile behaviour is far less likely at nesting and hatching and rearing times, I have been really close and never suffered any untoward behaviour.

 

We had a short drive to Yeadon Tarn one Sunday, a bit of a cold bleak day but plenty to see and a place to return to.

 

A tufted duck, male....

 

 

There were five great crested grebes close to shore, maybe due to the fiercely cold wind all were hunkered down...

 

 

Another canal walk and I was looking out over the fields, this little rabbit came up really close, cutey...

 

An hour to spare and dry weather, easy choice...my local moor, favourite place and the grouse were out, skylarks were singing and meadow pipits were flying about.

 

The larks and pipits will hopefully be captured by the lens later...

 

Fascinating and lovely birds.

 

Once more by the canal and I find a synchronised swan family practising..

 

A Canada goose in reflective mood...

 

And one I see so often and in this light the colours show superbly, the male mallard....

 

Many thanks to all who look and read, comments are much appreciated but they come to me first for approval. The blog is now away on location near the west coast for a few days, updates could be possible !!!

16/17th May 2013, the last couple of days on North Uist

The weather was kind on Thursday, beautiful warm sunshine blessed us for the day. Concentrating on the area near the cottage had given us a little local knowledge as to what we could see and more importantly where to find things.

A small lochan yielded a pair of tufted ducks..

and whooper swans..

Hougharry Bay was a splendid spot for a short walk..

With views to distant islands..

Turnstones were numereous here..

Turning to return to the car we discovered a twite...

By the waters edge a male eider basked in the warm sunshine...

and a buzzard visited close overhead..

By driving slowly and using the passing places provided to let following traffic past we were able to watch for wildlife during our short journeys around the top of North Uist.

We stopped the car to watch and photograph beautiful golden plover..

Grenitote was one of our neighbouring villages, a wonderfully peaceful place and another short wander beckoned...

I could attempt to name all the birds in this shot, but I will leave that to the viewers!!

Rather easier is naming these bar tailed godwits..

and knot..

Another short drive to Balranald and once again the car was halted to capture this lovely stonechat by the roadside..

Very few birds stand out as a profile at long distance, golden eagles are distinct by their immense size....

How did we know it was an eagle? We saw it fly in!

Another stationary bird and another prize for driving slowly, a beautiful short eared owl..

We had been hoping for good otter sightings, unfortunately wildlife does not appear just when you want and some persistence/patience and a large slice of luck are required!

Visiting a recommended spot our efforts were extremely well rewarded as we watched an otter feasting on an eel..

A small tortoiseshell butterfly was another lovely addition to the photographs..

A memorable day indeed and all too soon Friday arrived, our last full day and once again we stayed in our local area....a good plan as it turned out.

Another glorious sunny day..

Golden plover were in evidence again..

and the elegant lapwing..

Our day began with a drive to Loch Euphort, we spotted red deer along the way..

We enjoyed a lovely short stroll by the loch..

This old ruined building caught the eye with some spectaculay fluffy clouds to add interest..

Another buzzard shot..

and a kestrel too..

We had decided on a lengthy watch where we had seen the otter the day before, it was not too long a wait before we had a double reward as two otters  hunted and romped not too far away..

What a fantastic experience and one we shall never forget.

A moss carder bee, a local species, posed nicely for me..

...along with a tiny fly!

Finally I managed another golden eagle shot, distant but its size was a clear indication what it was..

What a week we had experienced and now some cleaning and packing was necessary, a 5.00am alarm for a ferry from Lochmaddy to Uig on Skye, a drive down the isle and onto the mainland then a scenic drive to Kenmore by Loch Torridon, I wonder what the second week of our holiday would bring?

Thanks ever so much to all who view, a computer breakdown stopped me keeping up to date while we were away. Don't forget if you are leaving a comment that they come to me first for approval before appearing on the blog.