Birds

Blackbird going through his morning ablutions. They queue up for a warm bath on a cold morning!

The Eastern white pelican is also known as the great white pelican, and they are found from southeastern Europe through to Asia and African swamps. The eastern white pelican is the second largest of the pelican species. Their wingspan can reash between 226 to 360cm. Their bills reach between 28 and 47cm in length and adult males typically weigh from 9 - 15 kg. Adult eastern white pelicans have pure white plumage with pinkish legs. Juveniles are grey in colour and have dark flight feathers. They have short strong legs with webbed feet to help propel them in the water and aid in take off. They are usually found in groups in and around shallow warm fresh water. Their diet consits mainly of fish and they prefer to feed in the early morning. Breeding season takes place in April and May where breeding takes place in colonies. The females lay between one and four eggs in a clutch. Incubation lasts between 29 - 36 days and the chicks are naked when they hatch. They produce black or brown down feathers. Chicks fledge the nest approximately 65-75 days after hatching. Chicks are often vulnerable to eagles, jackals and lions whereas adults have very few predators. However those living in Africa can fall victim to crocodiles.

Visitors this afternoon to the sunflower seeds Using Angenieux 70-210mm lens with Leitz 2x Extender (=420mm) and conversion collar with a Canon 6D

- scouring the lawn for food

Sitting in the semi-darkness of the interior of the gazebo, having topped up the peanut feeder, the first visitor was a blue-tit which speared a fallen peanut with its beak, to carry it off. Next the cock pheasant and his No 1 wife pitched up. A sudden scurrying motion across the path caught my eye, as the peanut thief scooped up his booty and fled into the bushes beside the path, thinking he was hidden: a tiny field mouse.... Leitz Angenieux 420mm 2500 ISO

Sitting in the semi-darkness of the interior of the gazebo, having topped up the peanut feeder, the first visitor was a blue-tit which speared a fallen peanut with its beak, to carry it off. Next the cock pheasant and his No 1 wife pitched up. A sudden scurrying motion across the path caught my eye, as the peanut thief scooped up his booty and fled into the bushes beside the path, thinking he was hidden: a tiny field mouse.... Leitz Angenieux 420mm 2500 ISO

If you are still storing any apples from last season, and wondering what to do with them, blackbirds love them!

Siskin which as finally figured out how to get inside circular globe Bird-feeder (Through the large square entry in the base!)

In fact, all occupied with roosting birds...

Amazing what can be done with a chopsaw and an angle grinder!

Early morning meander in the sunshine...

The famous slate quarries closed in 1955, leaving owners of historic houses with ever-decreasing avenues for repairing and renovating the roofs on their properties. "Historic Scotland" is considering attempting to re-open these historic quarries to meet the demands for renovating the properties under their custodianship...

Amazing what can be done with a chopsaw and an angle grinder!

Early morning meander in the sunshine...