An Unexpected Guest

It has been a month since I have been out with my camera, a bout of tennis elbow caused I think by lugging my gear around has meant I needed to take things easy so with a bit of respite I was desperate to get out and snapping again.

So today I headed over to the WWT reserve at Martin Mere, I have always had a great time whenever I have visited in the past and today I was hopeful that in between the rain and snow showers I would be able to get some decent shots.

I was sat in one of my favourite hides where there is a small pond but also lots of bird feeders. In the past I have seen lots of finches and other small birds as well as Sparrowhawks and today I wasn't disappointed as there were lots of finches and tits and a Reed Bunting as well as Magpies, Jackdaws and pigeons in the mix. None of these however compared to the magnificence of a most unexpected visitor the Great Spotted Woodpecker.

I have often heard these marvelous birds and seen them at a distance so to be able to get a few decent images has really made my day. In the last shot you can see him (it is definitely a male) in the sort of setting you would expect to see a woodpecker; up a tree. In the other shots however you may be surprised as I was to see that he was sizing up and eventually helping himself to the sunflower seeds in a bird feeder apparently having learned of the nutritional value of these seeds.

It was a rare privilege to see this bird up close, I was so excited and I wanted to share that excitement and these images with you... Enjoy!

What a Super Moon

I was somewhat disappointed last night, seeing shots from around the world of the fantastic moon because here at home the cloudy skies meant that I got barely a glimpse.

Tonight however it was different story at least for a short while as the sky was cloud free for just long enough to get a few decent shots. I know that I have posted pictures of the moon before but it's hard to resist so I hope you enjoy these.

A Colourful Crow

I hadn't realised that the Jay is actually a member of the Crow family. Perhaps because it is so colourful it doesn't really fit the profile.

I have seen several Jays before but never close up like this and I was thrilled when I saw this one fly down and settle on a fence not far in front of me and as I was lining up to take a shot I was convinced it would be a perfect shot. Just then however an early morning jogger came up the path and the bird flew away. I was so annoyed. I was just turning my attention back to the squirrels though when the Jay returned and he sat just long enough for me to get these three pictures. 

In the first image he was just about to take off and then he landed on a nearby tree. From the second picture it is clear that he was aware of me being there and he seems to be taking in an interest in what I was doing.

All in all I am really happy with these shots and I hope you like them too.