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Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
Shorebirds of Ireland and Freshwater Birds of Ireland with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The Eurasian Siskin (Carduelis spinus) is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. It is also called the European Siskin, Common Siskin or just Siskin. It is very common throughout Europe and Asia. It is found in forested areas, both coniferous and mixed woodland where it feeds on seeds of all kinds, especially of alder and conifers.
It can be distinguished from other similar finches by the color of the plumage. The upper parts are greyish green and the under parts grey-streaked white. Its wings are black with a conspicuous yellow wing bar, and the tail is black with yellow sides. The male has a mainly yellow face and breast, with a neat black cap. Female and young birds have a greyish green head and no cap. It is a trusting, sociable and active bird. The song of this bird is a pleasant mix of twitters and trills. For these reasons it is often raised in captivity.
These birds have an unusual migration pattern as every few years in winter they migrate southwards in large numbers. The reasons for this behavior are not known but may be related to climatic factors and above all the availability of food. In this way overwintering populations can thrive where food is abundant. This small finch is an acrobatic feeder, often hanging upside-down like a tit. It will visit garden bird feeding stations. (wikipedia)
This male was busy feeding on these catkins in Griffith Park, on the outskirts of the city. Taken in truly horrendous lighting conditions (dull, overcast, grey and wet), which has become the norm in Ireland in late winter these last couple of years.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
A small marina off the deep water quay/5-foot way along the waterfront of Cobh, my hometown, in Co. Cork. Ireland's only naval base is off to the right. I never tire of that view.
Taken with a Leica M4-P and Leica Summarit 35mm f2.5 lens on Fujicolor C200 colour film, and developed and scanned by the good folk in Gunns on Wexford Street.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri), also known as the ring-necked parakeet, is a medium-sized parrot in the genus Psittacula, of the family Psittacidae. It has disjunct native ranges in Africa and South Asia, and is now introduced into many other parts of the world where feral populations have established themselves and are bred for the exotic pet trade.
The rose-ringed parakeet is sexually dimorphic. The adult male sports a red and black neck ring, and the hen and immature birds of both sexes either show no neck rings, or display shadow-like pale to dark grey neck rings. Both sexes have a distinctive green colour in the wild, and captive bred ringnecks have multiple colour mutations including blue, violet and yellow. Rose-ringed parakeets measure on average 40 cm (16 in) in length, including the tail feathers, a large portion of their total length. Their average single-wing length is about 15 to 17.5 cm (5.9 to 6.9 in). In the wild, this is a noisy species with an unmistakable squawking call. Captive individuals can be taught to speak. They are a herbivorous and non-migratory species.
One of the few parrot species that have successfully adapted to living in disturbed habitats, it has withstood the onslaught of urbanisation and deforestation. As a popular pet species, escaped birds have colonised a number of cities around the world, including Northern and Western Europe. These parakeets have also proven themselves capable of living in a variety of climates outside their native range, and are able to survive low winter temperatures in Northern Europe. The species is listed as least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) because its population appears to be increasing, but its popularity as a pet and unpopularity with farmers have reduced its numbers in some parts of its native range.
In the wild, rose-ringed parakeets usually feed on buds, fruits, vegetables, nuts, berries, and seeds. Wild flocks also fly several miles to forage in farmlands and orchards, causing extensive damage. Feral parakeets will regularly visit gardens and other locations near human habitation, taking food from bird feeders.
The European populations became established during the mid-to-late 20th century. There is a burgeoning population of feral parakeets in Great Britain which is centred around suburban London and the Home Counties of South-East England. The winter of 2006 had three separate roosts of about 6000 birds around London. A major agricultural pest in locations such as India, as of 2011 the rose-ringed parakeet population was growing rapidly, but is generally limited to urban areas in southern England.
A Europe-wide count was held in 2015 and found 85,220 Rose-ringed parakeets in 10 European countries. (wikipedia)
This is a female-type Rose-necked Parakeet, which was one of a pair checking out this House Sparrow nest box in Griffith Park, Dublin, Ireland. Rose-necked Parakeets bred in Dublin in 2020. A beautiful bird, but not a species I would like to see take hold here.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
Discarded.
Taken with a Yashinon Auto 5cm lens on a Canon A1, and with Kodak Portra 160 film.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
A person is provided a Trespass tent and sets up shop where trespassing is forbidden. The rough sleeping in Dublin has reached bursting point. I hope they can sort (some/most of) it before winter comes.
Taken on a Leica M4-P camera body with a Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f2 lens on Harman Ilford HP2 black and white film. Developed and scanned by the excellent John Gunn Camera Shop on Wexford Street.
HP2 HP2
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
Cranes helping to construct the new development on the old Garda HQ on Harcourt Street, Dublin 2.
Taken on a Leica M4-P camera body with a Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f2 lens on Harman Ilford HP2 black and white film. Developed and scanned by the excellent John Gunn Camera Shop on Wexford Street.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. This bird has a circumpolar distribution breeding in temperate and sub-Arctic regions of Europe, Asia and east and central North America. It is strongly migratory, wintering in coastal tropical and subtropical regions. It is sometimes known as the sea swallow. The term "Commic Tern" refers to birds which are not seen well enough to positively determined if they are Common or Arctic Terns.
Its thin, sharp bill is red with a dark tip. Its longish legs are also red. Its upperwings show a dark primary wedge, unlike the Arctic Tern, in which they are uniformly grey. Its long tail extends only to the wingtips on the standing bird, unlike Arctic and Roseate Terns, which extend past the wingtips. It is not as pale as the Roseate Tern and has longer wings. (wikipedia)
An adult Common Tern fishing at Broadmeadows, Swords, Co. Dublin.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The Eurasian Magpie or common magpie (Pica pica) is a resident breeding bird throughout Europe, much of Asia and northwest Africa. It is one of several birds in the crow family designated magpies, and belongs to the Holarctic radiation of "monochrome" magpies. In Europe, "magpie" is used by English speakers as a synonym for the European magpie: the only other magpie in Europe is the Iberian magpie (Cyanopica cooki), which is limited to the Iberian peninsula.
The Eurasian magpie is one of the most intelligent birds, and it is believed to be one of the most intelligent of all animals. The expansion of its nidopallium is approximately the same in its relative size as the brain of chimpanzees, orangutans and humans.
The gradual clinal variation over the large geographic range and the intergradation of the different races means that the geographical limits and acceptance of the various subspecies varies between authorities. The International Ornithological Congress recognise ten subspecies.
The range of the magpie extends across temperate Eurasia from Spain and Ireland in the west to the Kamchatka Peninsula and Taiwan in the east. There are also populations in northwest Africa and on Mediterranean islands. The species has been introduced in Japan on the island of Kyushu.The Eurasian magpie has an extremely large range. The European population is estimated to be between 7.5 and 19 million breeding pairs. Allowing for the birds breeding in other continents, the total population is estimated to be between 46 and 228 million individuals. The population trend in Europe has been stable since 1980. There is no evidence of any serious overall decline in numbers, so the species is classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as being of Least Concern. (wikipedia)
Taken in the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The alleyway down the side of the pub, Against The Grain on Wexford Street, Dublin.
Taken with a Leitz Elmar 50mm f2.8 lens on a Leica M4-P camera body, using Kodak C200 colour film. Developed and scanned by the excellent John Gunn Camera Shop on Wexford Street.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
Gouldian finch in Dublin!
Taken with Leica M4-P camera body using a Carl Zeiss Planar T* f2 50mm lens and a Fujicolour C200 film. Developed and scanned by the excellent John Gunn Camera Shop on Wexford Street.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The holly blue is a tiny blue butterfly that has a scattered distribution around Ireland. It is largely confined to the relatively scarce patches of native woodland that still support both holly and ivy. It is also found in urban and suburban gardens or parkland where these plants feature prominently.
Adult holly blues are on the wing from April to June throughout their range, and again from August to September in areas where the butterfly is double-brooded. With a wingspan of only 26-35 mm (c. 1-1½ inches) the holly blue is one of our more diminutive butterfly species, but none the less beautiful for its small size. The main colouring of the upper wings is a pale, almost translucent blue with a slightly lilac tinge. Males have a narrow black band on the margin of the forewings, while females have generally darker forewings and a much broader black margin. The undersides of the wings in both sexes are a very pale silvery blue that appears almost white with distinctive black flecks. It has a pale blue body covered with long hairs, long black antennae with white stripes along their length and pale blue legs ringed with black stripes.
As with many of our smaller wildlife species urban and suburban gardens and parks are providing an increasingly important supplemental habitat for the holly blue. By simply adopting a wildlife friendly approach to gardening and by planting native plant species in the garden (including holly and ivy) we can help the holly blue. (irishwildlife.com)
This little beauty was in the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The Eurasian reed warbler, or just reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus), is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus. It breeds across Europe into the temperate western Palaearctic. It is migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. This small passerine bird is a species found almost exclusively in reed beds, usually with some bushes.
This is a medium-sized warbler, about the same size of a Robin. The adult has an unstreaked brown back and buff underparts. The forehead is flattened, and the bill is strong and pointed. The sexes are identical, as with most warblers, but young birds are richer buff below. The Eurasian reed warbler looks similar to the great reed warbler, but the great reed warbler is larger in size and has a stronger supercilium. (wikipedia)
It is a summer visitor to large reedbeds in southern and eastern Ireland from late April to September. This adult was singing for a couple of hours as i was standing a large distance away observing the reed bed for Bearded Reedlings, Great White Egret, Cuckoo and Marsh Harrier. Not the kind of species I would have expected to see in an Irish reedbed during the summer months 30 years ago. This really is a "species in context" image!
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
James Joyce by Shane Sutton. Richmond Cottages, Summerhill, Dublin. Joyce lived in area at one point.
Taken with a Leica M4-P and Leica Summarit 35mm f2.5 lens lens on Santa Rae 125 film, and developed and scanned by the good folk in Gunns on Wexford Street.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
Sagres, Portugal, 2023. It seemed that the town has yet to recover from the global recession and COVID.
Taken with a Canon A1 and a Canon FD 50mm f1.8 lens on Fujifilm C200 colour film, and developed and scanned by the good folk in Gunns on Wexford Street.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The Moorhen is a common bird of most waterways, ponds and lakes in Ireland. Usually quite secretive, but can also be seen out in the open on water sides and even out in open fields. A dark pigeon sized bird with long sturdy legs. The adult has a red bill and fore crown, the bill is tipped yellow. Has a white line along the flanks and white sides to its under tail. The under tail is east to see as it carries its tail high. The upperparts are brownish and the underparts are blue-grey. Juveniles lack any red in the bill and crown and are have greyish-brown plumage Moorhens are usually seen on the ground or in the water. If the bird is walking about look out for the long yellow/green legs with the very large toes; the legs project out from the tail in flight. (Birdwatch Ireland)
Taken at Turvey in north Co. Dublin, Ireland. The Moorhen had Eurasian Coot/Cearc cheannann (Fulica atra) for company. Although closely related, they are easily distinguishable from each other.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
Gloomy and wet day, Dublin.
Taken with an Yashica Electro 35G rangefinder, and on Fomopan Profoline black and white film. Developed and scanned by the excellent John Gunn Camera Shop on Wexford Street.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
Autumn in Dublin during Level 3 lockdown. The city centre was quiet and was about to get quieter.
Taken with a Canon A1 and a Helios 44M-4 f2 58mm lens on Fujicolour PRO 400H film.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
All Hallows College Chapel, Drumcondra, Dublin.
Taken with a Leica M4-P and Leica Summarit 35mm f2.5 lens lens on Santa Rae 125 film, and developed and scanned by the good folk in Gunns on Wexford Street.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The carrion crow (Corvus corone) is a passerine bird of the family Corvidae and the genus Corvus which is native to western Europe and the eastern Palearctic. The hooded crow (Corvus cornix), formerly regarded as a subspecies, has been split off as a separate species, and there is some discussion whether the eastern carrion crow (C. c. orientalis) is distinct enough to warrant specific status; the two taxa are well separated, and it has been proposed they could have evolved independently in the wetter, maritime regions at the opposite ends of the Eurasian landmass.
Along with the hooded crow, the carrion crow occupies a similar ecological niche in Eurasia to the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) in North America. The two species look very similar to one another, but can be differentiated by size, as the carrion crow is larger and of a stockier build compared to the American crow.
The plumage of the carrion crow is black with a green or purple sheen, much greener than the gloss of the rook (Corvus frugilegus). The bill, legs and feet are also black. It can be distinguished from the common raven by its smaller size, and from the hooded crow by its black plumage. .
Juvenile carrion crows can be identified by their brownish plumage and blue eyes, both of which darken to black and brown as the crow grows older. (wikipedia)
Carrion Crow is an occasional passage migrant to Ireland, predominantly on the east coast. This individual was photographed in Southampton, UK.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
Autumn mushrooms in the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin. I think it is a bracket fungus but I would need some clarification.
Taken with a Canon A1 and a Helios 44M-4 f2 58mm lens on Fujicolour PRO 400H film.
Shorebirds of Ireland and Freshwater Birds of Ireland with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The Sand Martin (Riparia riparia) is a migratory passerine bird in the swallow family. It has a wide range in summer, embracing practically the whole of Europe and the Mediterranean countries, part of northern Asia and also North America. It winters in eastern and southern Africa, South America and South Asia. It is known as Bank Swallow in North America, and as Collared Sand Martin in South Asia, and sometimes as European Sand Martin.
Its brown back, white throat, small size and quick jerky flight separate it at once from similar swallows, such as the House Martin (Delichon urbicum) in Europe. (wikipedia)
There is a small colony of these birds nesting in drainage pipies in a concrete wall built to support a riverbank running through Griffith Park in Co. Dublin. The wall is only a couple of years old.
The largest photo above was taken on Chipilly Spur, on 9 August 1918, after the 58th Division had been initially repulsed by stiff German opposition an 8 August. The badly depleted 58th were able to secure the spur and the adjoining Gressaire Wood with support of tanks from the 10th Battalion, Tank Corps and the three battalions of the 131st Regiment, AEF. The specific British infantry units involved were said to be a "mish mash" from all three Brigades of the weakened 58th Division, along with the 12th Division's 37th Brigade to their left.
The other two images at right were taken on 8 August, during the 58th Division's liberation of Sailly-Laurette. In one publication the Tommy seen in these photos is said to be from the 12th London Battalion (the Rangers). This Battalion was, however, also said to be in reserve on 8 August and indeed the official British history credits the 2/10th London Battalion with liberating the village. It's possible some of the Rangers were used for mopping up, though. Both the 2/10th and 12th battalions were part of the 175th Brigade, along with the 9th London Battalion. This soldier may have the remains of a 58th Div. insignia on the back of his helmet, but it's hard to be sure as the image quality in the old rotogravure is obviously not great.
Historical background:
The 58th Division had been previously known as the 2/1st London Division, established from the British Army's Territorial Force. As part of the British Army's III Corps in the Second Battle of Amiens, the 58th had been assigned the important task of securing the higher northern bank of the Somme River, while the British 12th and 18th Divisions advanced in support on its left in stages along the slope either side of Morlancourt. Meanwhile the Australians, Canadians and French attacked along a broad front south of the river, with British artillery, tank and cavalry support. While the 58th Division had quickly liberated the devastated village of Sailly-Laurette beside the Somme, by the second phase of the offensive the entire III Corps the 58th was attached to was struggling to keep pace with the Australians across the river and was unable to capture the next village of Chipilly on August 8th.
Based on both British and Australian accounts, this setback appears to have been due to an interplay of several factors. One of the foremost of these had been a raid on their newly assigned trenches along its higher left flank, two days previously - an attack executed by Württemberger Stosstruppen of the first rate 27. Infanterie-Division. This raid had effectively upset the III Corps' planning, prevented them from properly reconnoitring the German positions before the big offensive, leaving the 58th Div. in particular to face a determined enemy in unfamiliar and markedly variable terrain. This in turn resulted in serious observation and communication difficulties over the true extent of their own advance, as well as the location of German resistance, particularly the 27. Württemberger's skilled artillery.
The hold up and miscommunications were to prove a costly situation on both sides of the river. Here ensconced Württemberg artillery were able to fire in enfilade with virtual impunity from a protected ravine in the northern bank into the exposed left flank of the advancing Australian infantry, artillery and British tanks. As a result, the highest proportion of Australian losses in the 8th of August offensive occurred in this sector straddling the Somme.
From 9 August the 58th Londoners also had the support of the US Army's 131st Infantry Regiment - a unit of the 33d Div AEF which had, in part, first seen action at the Battle of Hamel the month before. After hard fighting and much loss of life, this regiment along the mixed brigades of the 58th secured Gressaire Wood and Chipilly Spur, while the 58th's 174th Brigade took the village and peninsula below (NB this spur is referred to as "Chipilly Ridge" in US accounts).
The British and Americans in the IIII Corps sector were up against several German units, including elements of the elite Württembergers of 27. Infanterie-Division, 108. Infanterie-Division and 43. Reserve-Infanterie-Division (a unit which had also been in action at Hamel). Elements of 54. Res, 233. and 243. Infanterie-Divisions had also been especially brought in as a counterattack force north of the Somme, initially launched around Morlancourt against the British 12th and 18th Divs, then were involved in holding the line as the Germans retreated along the Bray-Corbie road ridge along with the newly arrived first rate 26. R.I.D.
As a division, the 58th's very first deployment on the Western Front was during the pursuit of the Germans as they withdrew to the Hindenburg Line in March 1917. By 1918 however the division had incorporated older veterans, such as the Rangers of the 1/12th London Battalion who had first seen action in 1916 during the Battle of the Somme (the Rangers had transferred from the 62nd Div. to the 58th Div. on 31January 1918). The 58th Div's next action was at the Second Battle of Bullecourt in early May 1917.
The 58th Division is also noteworthy for its involvement in both of the crucial defensive battles of Villers-Bretonneux, in March-April 1918. In the first action, two of its battalions (6th & 7th) were assigned to support the 18th Div. In the second battle its' sector was around Cachy, just to the south of Villers-Bretonneux, where famously the first tank vs tank action occurred. The 58th Londoners suffered 3530 casualties in the second battle of Villers-Bretonneux, with the result its ranks were subsequently replenished with numerous inexperienced conscripts of the 1917 18 and 40 year old drafts. The division was still considered to be in a badly weakened state at the time of the August 8 offensive. By the end of the fighting on 10 August, the III Corps north of the Somme River suffered the loss of 6500 men, 500 of which were from the American's 131st Regiment.
References:
www.awm.gov.au/histories/first_world_war/volume.asp?level...
www.awm.gov.au/histories/first_world_war/
Edmonds, J. E., History of the Great War, Military Operations France and Belgium
1918, Vol IV.
Conan Doyle, Arthur, The Great War The British Campaign in France and Flanders, Vol. VI
McWilliams, James, Steel, R. James, Amiens: Dawn of Victory
McCluskey, Alistair, Amiens 1918 The Black day of the German Army, Osprey
Publishing
Fuller, John, Tanks in the Great War 1914-1918
Outline of 58th Division's history:
www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/londonrgt1...
Audio account by a veteran of The Rangers (12th Battalion) covering this period:
www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80032051
(from 21:00min)
US 33d Division history:
archive.org/stream/historyof33rddiv02huid/historyof33rddi...
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
A temporary collection of tents were also pitched along the Grand Canal near Portobello. The tents appeared during February/March 2021 and are still there now (May 2021). COVID-19 Level 3 lockdown, May 2021.
Taken with a FujiFilm X-T4 and a Leica Summarit-M 35mm f2.5 lens.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture located on the grounds of the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin 9.
Taken with an Yashica Electro 35GT rangefinder camera on Fujifilm 200 film.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) is a long-legged predatory wading bird of the heron family, Ardeidae, native throughout temperate Europe and Asia and also parts of Africa. It is resident in much of its range, but some populations from the more northern parts migrate southwards in autumn. A bird of wetland areas, it can be seen around lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes and on the sea coast. It feeds mostly on aquatic creatures which it catches after standing stationary beside or in the water or stalking its prey through the shallows.
Standing up to a metre tall, adults weigh from 1 to 2 kg (2.2 to 4.4 lb). They have a white head and neck with a broad black stripe that extends from the eye to the black crest. The body and wings are grey above and the underparts are greyish-white, with some black on the flanks. The long, sharply pointed beak is pinkish-yellow and the legs are brown.
The birds breed colonially in spring in "heronries", usually building their nests high in trees. A clutch of usually three to five bluish-green eggs is laid. Both birds incubate the eggs for a period of about 25 days, and then both feed the chicks, which fledge when seven or eight weeks old. Many juveniles do not survive their first winter, but if they do, they can expect to live for about five years.
The main call is a loud croaking "fraaank", but a variety of guttural and raucous noises are heard at the breeding colony. Grey herons have the ability to live in cities where habitats and nesting space are available. In the Netherlands, the grey heron has established itself over the past decades in great numbers in urban environments. In cities such as Amsterdam, they are ever present and well adapted to modern city life. They hunt as usual, but also visit street markets and snackbars. Some individuals make use of people feeding them at their homes or share the catch of recreational fishermen. Similar behaviour on a smaller scale has been reported in Ireland (Dublin, Galway and Cork). (wikipedia)
This immature bird was sitting stock-still at the weir on the River Tolka flowing through the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) is a large, long-legged, long-billed shorebird first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. It is a member of the Limosa genus, the godwits. There are three subspecies, all with orange head, neck and chest in breeding plumage and dull grey-brown winter coloration, and distinctive black and white wingbar at all times.
Its breeding range stretches from Iceland through Europe and areas of central Asia. Black-tailed godwits spend winter in areas as diverse as the Indian Subcontinent, Australia, western Europe and west Africa. The species breeds in fens, lake edges, damp meadows, moorlands and bogs and uses estuaries, swamps and floods in winter; it is more likely to be found inland and on freshwater than the similar Bar-tailed Godwit. The world population is estimated to be 634,000 to 805,000 birds and is classified as Near Threatened due to a decline in numbers of around 25% in the previous 15 years.
Godwits from the Icelandic population winter mainly in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France and the Netherlands, though some fly on to Spain, Portugal and perhaps Morocco. (wikipedia)
The flock depicted are the islandica race of Black-wits that breed in Iceland and winter in Ireland. In 2004, the population size of Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits was estimated to be around 47,000 individuals. Given the continued expansion since then, it is likely that there are now around 50-60,000 Icelandic Godwits. In a site in Cork Harbour called Harper's Island, up to 2,000 of these beautiful birds may be found in winter, making this an internationally important wintering site for this species.
These birds were photographed on the North Bull Island, Dublin, which is a UNESCO Biosphere site. Although you wouldn't think it when you see dogs off leads harassing waders through the salt marsh and the beach.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
A classic BMW, Dublin.
Taken with a Leica M4-P and a Summarit 35mm lens on Santa Rae 100 colour film. Developed and scanned by the excellent John Gunn Camera Shop on Wexford Street.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The House Sparrow is a sturdy relative of the finches, with large head and bill. Dark brown upperparts with heavy dark streaking, grey underparts. Male has chocolate brown nape, grey crown and large black bib. Female plainer with a buff stripe extending back from eye. Active and noisy around farms, urban areas, parks and gardens. Hops along ground, frequently flicking tail. Sometimes in large flocks, though numbers have declined in recent years.
The House Sparrow is native to most of Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, and a large part of Asia. Its intentional or accidental introductions to many regions, including parts of Australasia, Africa, and the Americas, make it the most widely distributed wild bird.
It breeds throughout Ireland and is strongly associated with human habitation, and can live in urban or rural settings. Though found in widely varied habitats and climates, it typically avoids extensive woodlands, grasslands, and deserts away from human development. It feeds mostly on the seeds of grains and weeds, but it is an opportunistic eater and commonly eats insects and many other foods. Its predators include domestic cats, hawks, and many other predatory birds and mammals.
In Great Britain (and Ireland), populations peaked in the early 1970s, but have since declined by 68% overall, and about 90% in some regions. The RSPB lists the house sparrow's UK conservation status as red. In London, the house sparrow almost disappeared from the central city. The numbers of house sparrows in the Netherlands have dropped in half since the 1980s, so the house sparrow is even considered an endangered species.
A shortage of nesting sites caused by changes in urban building design is probably a factor. A primary cause of the decline seems to be an insufficient supply of insect food for nestling sparrows. Declines in insect populations result from an increase of monoculture crops, the heavy use of pesticides, the replacement of native plants in cities with introduced plants and parking areas, and possibly the introduction of unleaded petrol, which produces toxic compounds such as methyl nitrite. (BirdWatch Ireland and Wikipedia)
The male House Sparrow is quite a stunning bird, and is often overlooked. Taken at Soldier's Point, Co. Louth.
Day one hundred ninety-five/365. Among the signs in this small area (top to bottom): "Book Drop"; "Book Return"; "Book Depository"; "No Books Please."
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The Atlantic canary (Serinus canaria), known worldwide simply as the wild canary and also called the island canary, common canary, or canary, is a small passerine bird belonging to the genus Serinus in the finch family, Fringillidae. It is endemic to the Canary Islands, the Azores, and Madeira in the region known as Macaronesia in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Wild birds are mostly yellow-green, with brownish streaking on the back. The species is common in captivity and a number of colour varieties have been bred.
The male has a largely yellow-green head and underparts with a yellower forehead, face and supercilium. The lower belly and undertail-coverts are whitish and there are some dark streaks on the sides. The upperparts are grey-green with dark streaks and the rump is dull yellow. The female is similar to the male but duller with a greyer head and breast and less yellow underparts. Juvenile birds are largely brown with dark streaks.
The population has been estimated at 80,000-90,000 pairs in the Canary Islands, 30,000-60,000 pairs in the Azores and 4,000-5,000 pairs in Madeira. (wikipedia)
This male Atlantic Canary was feeding on seeds along the seafront of Funchal, Madeira Island. A beautiful bird in a stunning location.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
A gentleman takes a quiet moment along the Grand Canal to take a call on his phone.
Taken with an Leica M4-P camera, with a Leitz Elmar f2.8 50mm lens, and on native ISO 400 Ilford HP5 film pushed to iSO 800. Developed and scanned by the excellent John Gunn Camera Shop on Wexford Street.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The Moorhen is a common bird of most waterways, ponds and lakes in Ireland. Usually quite secretive, but can also be seen out in the open on water sides and even out in open fields. A dark pigeon sized bird with long sturdy legs. The adult has a red bill and fore crown, the bill is tipped yellow. Has a white line along the flanks and white sides to its under tail. The under tail is east to see as it carries its tail high. The upperparts are brownish and the underparts are blue-grey. Juveniles lack any red in the bill and crown and are have greyish-brown plumage Moorhens are usually seen on the ground or in the water. If the bird is walking about look out for the long yellow/green legs with the very large toes; the legs project out from the tail in flight. (Birdwatch Ireland)
Taken on a Canon 7D Mark II in the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland.
Here's a cover I illustrated for Roads Publishing as part of their classic editions. Road's book covers are illustrated by a wide range of artists and illustrators, each working within a circular composition. Have a look at their other covers here.
The four parts of Gulliver's Travels are illustrated using the objects and symbols the protagonist encounters on his travels; the four anchors representing each of his journeys. The overall visual is based on a compass, representing Gulliver’s navigation, both physically and morally, through the lands and customs he explores.
The book can be purchased here!
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The Moorhen is a common bird of most waterways, ponds and lakes in Ireland. Usually quite secretive, but can also be seen out in the open on water sides and even out in open fields. A dark pigeon sized bird with long sturdy legs. The adult has a red bill and fore crown, the bill is tipped yellow. Has a white line along the flanks and white sides to its under tail. The under tail is east to see as it carries its tail high. The upperparts are brownish and the underparts are blue-grey. Juveniles lack any red in the bill and crown and are have greyish-brown plumage Moorhens are usually seen on the ground or in the water. If the bird is walking about look out for the long yellow/green legs with the very large toes; the legs project out from the tail in flight. (Birdwatch Ireland)
Taken along the Tolka River in Griffith Park, Dublin 9. The birds breed along the river edge at one point along the stretch of river through the park. Beautiful birds.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The O’Connell Tower in Glasnevin Cemetery was built to commemorate the life of one of Ireland’s greatest historical figures, Daniel O’Connell. He was born in 1775 in Co. Kerry, he went on to become the foremost political leader of the Catholic majority in Ireland throughout the first half of the 19th Century. He was the key figure in the movement for Catholic Emancipation, which was introduced in 1829 and removed many of the restrictions imposed on Catholics by the Penal Laws and other legal measures.
He became known as The Liberator, and continued to represent the people of Ireland as an M.P. at Westminster and as an advocate for a separate Irish Parliament in Dublin. He became one of the foremost opponents of slavery in the U.S. and elsewhere, and his key principle was that such injustice and oppression should be challenged only through peaceful and non-violent means.
British Prime Minister William Gladstone called him the greatest popular leader the world had ever seen, and he was later quoted as an inspiration by many global leaders including Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King.
Following his death in Italy in 1847, he was initially buried in the O’Connell Circle in Glasnevin Cemetery, and in 1855, the O’Connell Tower was completed. Later, in 1869, Daniel O’Connell’s remains were reinterred in an ornate crypt at the base of the tower.
The tower measures an impressive 180 feet or 55 metres and is still one of the highest structures in Dublin. Construction took 16 months, and the cost of creating the tower came to £18,000, or approximately €15 million in today’s money.
(see www.dctrust.ie/about-us/oconnell-tower.html)
Taken with a Leica M4-P camera, a Carl Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f2 lens, on native ISO 125 Santa Rae 125 Summer black and white film. Developed and scanned by the excellent John Gunn Camera Shop on Wexford Street.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) is a seabird of the tern family Sternidae. This bird has a circumpolar distribution breeding in temperate and sub-Arctic regions of Europe, Asia and east and central North America. It is strongly migratory, wintering in coastal tropical and subtropical regions. It is sometimes known as the sea swallow. The term "Commic Tern" refers to birds which are not seen well enough to positively determined if they are Common or Arctic Terns.
Its thin, sharp bill is red with a dark tip. Its longish legs are also red. Its upperwings show a dark primary wedge, unlike the Arctic Tern, in which they are uniformly grey. Its long tail extends only to the wingtips on the standing bird, unlike Arctic and Roseate Terns, which extend past the wingtips. It is not as pale as the Roseate Tern and has longer wings. (wikipedia)
The great black-backed gull (Larus marinus) is the largest gull in the world. It is 64–79 cm (25–31 in) long with a 1.5–1.7 m (4 ft 11 in – 5 ft 7 in) wingspan and a body weight of 0.75–2.3 kg. The adult great black-backed gull has a white head, neck and underparts, dark grey wings and back, pink legs and yellow bill.
Great black-backed gulls are opportunistic feeders, apex predators, and are very curious. Unlike most other Larus gulls, they are highly predatory and frequently hunt and kill any prey smaller than themselves, behaving more like a raptor than a typical larid gull. They get much of their dietary energy from scavenging, with refuse, most provided directly by humans, locally constituting more than half of their diet. (wikipedia)
The Great-black backed Gull is resident along all Irish coasts. They are a threat to all nesting seabirds along the Irish coastline during the breeding season. This adult Common Tern was letting the Great black-backed Gull know that it was not welcome at all! The Tern was nesting quite close by. Taken in Broadmeadows estuary, Dublin.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The trees look fantastic this autumn in the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin.
Taken with a Canon A1 and a Helios 44M-4 f2 58mm lens on Fujicolour PRO 400H film.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The Grand Canal near Portobello, Dublin.
Taken with a Leica M4-P and a Carl Zeiss Planar T* lens on Lomography Metropolis colour film. Developed and scanned by the excellent John Gunn Camera Shop on Wexford Street.
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
Obeying the rules on Richmond Road, Portobello, Dublin.
Taken with a Leica M4-P camera with a Lieca Summarit-M 35mm f2.5 lens on Santa Rae Summer 100 colour film, and developed and scanned by the good folk in Gunns on Wexford Street.