Two images of three species of bird

Sitting at the kitchen table continues to provide an interesting range of photographs, this time of three species, each appearing to have a different familial role.

Family of Blue Tits bathing

Just occasionally a dream photograph presents itself and that's what came along this morning!   Without having to move from the kitchen table and a bowl of fresh coffee, this Blue Tit family had its morning ablute.   Initially just the fledgelings were in the bird bath, then a parent appeared to 'supervise' before joining the youngsters.   Food requested even when bathing!

Weather in the Highlands in October

Until reviewing these images I'd forgotten just how variable and quickly the weather can change in the Scottish Highlands at that time of the year.   At one point it took almost a day to drive 50 miles because of the urge to keep stopping and photograph the changes in weather in beautiful territory!    Actually, the last photograph was taken on the ferry crossing from Ullapool to Stornoway.

Poppy - Contra-jour

There's always an element of excitement waiting to see what colour each of the self-sown poppies are in this garden. 

Wastwater and Ennerdale Water, Cumbria

I'm just collating some photographs to send to Blurb for printing of the trip I did to Lewis and Harris, Outer Hebrides, in October 2018.   It is such a delight to relive the time getting there and back as well as the time spent exploring the island for the first time.   The drive north was through the Lake District and here are a few photographs of Wasdale, with very different lighting conditions and times of day, and one of Ennerdale Water.

A Pheasant and a Feeder

I've never seen a Pheasant trying to take peanuts out of a 'Pheeder' before!   Rarely does a Pheasant come into the garden, and this one came much closer to the kitchen than I remember.    The head of the male Pheasant is spectacular in colour and composition.

The rest of today's posting is what was seen in the garden during the day - Song Thrush, Blue Tit and Carrion Crow - some bill-full!

 And a Peacock Butterfly and Damselfly or Dragonfly (unable to identify it whichever it is!)

Harsh cropping - garden flowers

The lovely morning light prompted some experimentation in the editing.

Skomer - other sea cliff birds

Although more photographs were taken of Puffins than any other cliff breeding bird, the other Auks and Gulls are perhaps not as comical but very elegant.   Nearer the top of the cliffs Fulmar will be breeding and lower down are the Auks, namely Razorbill and Guillemot.   It was somewhat unexpected but exciting to find this Short-eared Owl.

Skomer Puffins

I hadn't been as close to so many Puffins before and without trespassing it was a joy to photograph so many of them.    We saw only one Puffin carrying sand eels in its mouth so we assumed the rest were still incubating eggs - and thousands there are of them.