Six Birds a-Flying

Can you find all Six ?

 

 

The dogs and I went down to one of our local lakes/reservoirs to see what we could find to show you but it was a little late by the time were set up so I was unable to get any good shots of the birdlife, sorry........

However I did get these of the sunset with a few little murmers in the sky.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and so to the other five

 

 

five Wabbit Rings

 

Four Colly Birds

 

Three French Hens

 

Two Blue Tits Feeding

 

and a Song Thrush in a Fir Tree

 

 

On the Fifth Day

We had Five Napkin Rings go walkabout in the Garden..........

 

 

Here are five of our Wabbit Rings; we had six that we found locally and then a very nice lady called Jo found us the missing two and sent them to us so we now have a full family of eight - but for today's purposes we only let five roam free for obvious reasons.  

Then once they were outside there was no stopping the colorful little blighters, they were off hopping all over the place.

 

 

 

They were very good though they did seem to stay together.

 

 

 

Four Colly Birds

Three French Hens

 

Two Blue Tits Feeding

 

and a Song Thrush in a Fir Tree

 

Four Calling Birds

The words to the song we know is four calling birds, however it appears the original words were probably colly birds that referred to Black Birds so that is what I will stick to - so here are four images of Blackbirds.

 

A classic bird on a wire

Taking a Dive

This is our back garden bird known by us as Fat Boy for obvious reasons

Here he is again he is a real hard man and sees off any interlopers who may want to eat his stash of apples and quince.



Three French Hens

 

Two Tits a feeding

 

 

A Song Thrush in a fir tree

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three French Hens

Yes day three and I can give you the correct image of Three French Hens

 

 

 

from left to right they are Baby D ( a Sussex ), Grandma Joan ( an Australorp ) and Monica ( a Dorking ? ) 

 

     We now have six chickens with only MyAmi left from the originals so here they are MyAmi,      Baby D, Grandma Joan,  Grandma Sue,  Wilki and Monica :-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

then we have the other two days of two feeding Blue Tits and a Song Thrush in a Fir Tree

 

 

The Second Day

Sorry no Turtle Doves as they have all gone south to warmer pastures so I had to make do with the following. 

 

Two Tits a-Feeding.

 

 

I see these guys every day as the feeder is just outside the sitting room window. We have a lot of feeders all around the garden to feed as many different types of birds as possible.

 

 

 It was a vary cold start this morning and here is a shot showing some of our wild flower foliage covered in frost / ice crystals.

 

 

No it did not snow today this is actually fungi on some of the Oak we

have stored for use as firewood. 

 

 

and finally the first day's photo again.............

 

 

 

A Song Thrush in a fir tree.

 

 

 

 

Day one of Twelve.

It's the first day of Christmas so it must be my wife Sue's birthday so Happy Birthday Bird....

 

I am gong to try and get a few shots on the run up to Christmas weather permitting -

SO HERE GOES

 

 

Not a Partridge but a Song Thrush in a fir tree.

 

 

 

This one of the seed heads left on one of our Maple trees. You can also just about see the new red buds that have formed ready for the spring.

 

It is difficult going around the garden trying to take good photo's as these days I have a companion and here he is relaxing in the wood box after a long day on the prowl.

 

 

 

below is a series of shots of some of our Fire Bugs getting warm in the sun - take a look at the one who pops away to do what comes naturally, it is unusual as most creatures just do it where they are and do not care about any one else.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Almost but not quite............

I grabbed a day out last week and took the last opportunity I would have to visit our local zoo now known as a BioPark before it closed for the winter.

It is situated at Doué la Fontaine and is a centre for captive breeding of certain endangered species;

included in their number are Black Rhinos. The location is ideal, being an old stone quarry with acres of room that is not unlike their true homeland habitat.  I spotted the male getting a little excited at the scent being given off by the female he was with and spent the rest of my available time watching to see if I could get a shot of them mating - it is seldom seen and would be great to add to my portfolio.......  

 

 

 

 

First came a nibble on the neck then a lot of pushing and shoving to show he was up her exacting requirements for a potential mate.

 

 

 

Then came what looked like a gentle kiss by her that was then reciprocated by him. 

 

 

 

after a little more of the pushing the following happened

 

 

 

he tried to take the opportunity of what seemed to be an invitation by her,  but sadly was rebuffed at the last minute 

leaving him very very depressed as you can see below. I am sure that when the time is right she will let him do what comes naturally and hopefully there will a new young one who can one day be released back into the wild.

 

 

Finally I have included a far smaller creature for my last shot, of a Bank Vole who is lucky enough to live wild at the Park. I often spend as much time with these little creatures as with the

other larger animals when I visit here, as they have become used to people being around - as opposed to the ones I try to study in their more normal environment .  

 

 

The BioPark at Doué has a great track record in captive breading over the past fifty years and long may it continue with the help and support of its many visitors. I would heartily recommend a visit should you have the opportunity.