Red Panda

These are absolutely, definitely one of my favourite mammals.

I think they are great to photograph because they have so much personality.

This one was in the Tiergarten, the Zoo in Vienna 

You have to admit they're so cute.

Kestrel

You may remember (if you saw it that is) that in a recent post I spoke about how I had watched the film and read the book Kes which inspired my love of birds of prey. On that occasion I shared some pictures of a beautiful female kestrel and so today here are a couple of shots of a young male kestrel.

It is a small yet powerful bird but hunched up on its perch it looks quite timid. Close up though you can see its piercing eyes and vicious looking beak. 

I just love these little birds and I love to see them hovering along the roadside or hedgerows while hunting for their prey.

Visiting a bird of prey centre once I was told that kestrels (and possibly other birds I don't remember) are able to track prey, such as mice, through the grass by being able to detect the trail of urine that mice leave behind. How's that for an interesting fact of the day.

Adorable

I have often said how patience is an essential trait for a photographer and it really is, however today I have given in to impatience. 

I have still got loads of pictures from my visit to Ness Gardens to share and I haven't even started on my shots from my trip to the New Forest or the Historic Dockyards all of which I am really excited to post here on my blog, however today I went to Chester Zoo for a couple of hours and got some great shots that I just had to share as soon as possible.

The zoo has a number of new additions including a baby Andean Bear and a baby Black Rhinoceros and there were other critters that I had not seen on previous visits including the painted dogs and porcupines so I was keen to pay them a visit.

If you have followed my blog you will know that the Red Panda is just about my favourite animal and so whenever I visit the zoo I pop over to say hello. I think you have to agree this is such an adorable creature, he is a level of cute that tops everything else and is guaranteed to raise a smile. When you look at these pictures you will hopefully understand why I had to share them.

Stage Fright

I know that Robins are really popular with a lot of people. There is something very special about them and they're definitely one of my favourite birds. I love listening to their beautiful song, whenever I hear it it makes me smile and feel really good. 

I have called today's post Stage Fright because this little chap was singing beautifully and I managed to get a few shots with its head back and beak open trilling away and then he just stopped. My son suggested that it was because he realised he was being photographed hence the title. While it works as a funny title I can exclusively reveal that he was simply pausing for breath and soon after the second shot he started singing once again. Beautiful!

A Blue Tit

Always a favourite of mine, the Blue Tit. Such a dainty little bird with pretty plumage.

While this one was flitting back and forth to the different feeders, filling up on nuts and seeds I spotted another little Blue Tit flying around gathering moss and feather obviously to line a nest. 

At one point I also heard a knocking sound which at first I took to be a woodpecker but looking around I saw that it was in fact another Blue Tit pecking away to enlarge the entry hole to a nest box on the wall of a shed. This surprised me and impressed me at the same time to see such a tiny bird customising the nest box to fit its purpose and make it more accesible.

Nudge Nudge...

... wink wink.

When we got to the zoo the Red Panda was the first stop on my itinerary however when it started to rain I had to change my plans and we sheltered in the aquarium for a while, then when the rains stopped and the sun came out again we had just enough time to go and see what is one of the most delightful little creatures in the zoo. We were lucky to see him/her but getting a clear shot was difficult as it was always on the move until finally settling down to munch on some bamboo up in the branches of a tree.  It was quite well hidden so I had to maneuver myself to get the best view.

Whenever I visit the zoo I will be sure to check out the red pandas and so you can be sure that I will be posting more pictures in the future but for today I hope you enjoy these.