Another picture from a stairwell at the "Kontorhausviertel" at the city of Hamburg.

SMALL and compact bird with a relatively short. dark tail. This male was seen at Sandwich Bay Kent and was the only bird of note seen today, and a bit distant, hope you enjoy it!

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Trust you are staying safe and well, thanks for your visit, please leave a comment, it is always appreciated, and find it encouraging . God bless.........................Tomx

QUICK MARCH !!!

TALL robust plovers with long yellow legs, usually in pairs or small parties of up to ten birds. Favors a variety of fresh and saline aquatic habitats. Difficult to get close to, and very entertaining in their behavior. Seen at Kotu, Banjul, Gambia.

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THANK YOU for your visit, friendship, and comments.

Another very wet day in Kent, hope you remembered to put the clocks forward an hour, stay safe and well........ God bless............................. Tomx

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COURTSHIP DISPLAY VERY RARELY SEEN.

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My jaw hit the ground, when two of these beauties started a courtship display, have many images of the entire ferormance, something I will never forget.

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MY LAST GAMBIAN IMAGE. have over 1100 keeper images have posted only 33. Such a joy for me to show them.

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THANK YOU, for your visit, friendship, and comments, enjoy the LORDS day, stay safe and well, God bless you....Tomx

FAVOURS woodlands and fallow farmland with trees and shrubs to provide look-outs posts for larger insect prey. Almost always in territorial groups of six or more, moving in follow-my-leader flights, between a series of vantage points. Difficult to spot sometimes, but love them to bits..

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THANK YOU, for your visit, friendship and comments, it means a lot, and to be transported around the world, looking at your often amazing images, from the comfort of my armchair is my escape from the troubles of this world.

Stay well and safe, God bless you.............Tomx.

REMARKABLY bold and inquisitive, and walks with a acteristic swagger, a opportunistic feeder, and comes in mob handed at Briar Cottage, A real villian seeing off the smaller birds!!! This one is saying "Do I look like a villan ?"

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THANK YOU for your friendship and visit and comments will do my best to return the visit, if not now then in a few days, my life is a bit hectic still. Keep safe and well, God bless you all..........................Tomx

A GREETING CARD star, one of the nations favourites. Often bold and inquisitive in garden settings, strongly and conspicuously territorial, so how can you not take its picture, I love them, seen at Stodmarsh, Kent, UK.

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP in these difficult times, please leave a comment, and I will look forward to doing the same on your latest posting.

Enjoy the rest of the week, stay safe, God bless..............Tomx

FAMILIAR little finch, a delightful little bird of wayside habitats. In Summer the male as above is colourful and distinctive. Seen at the Reastharrow Scrape lead in path, at Sandwich Bay Kent.

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THANK YOU for your visit and friendship, Keep safe and well,enjoy the weekend my friends, God bless you........ Tomx

ALTHOUGH it's very wary nature ensures that its attractive plumage is seldom viewed to the best effect and the raucous calls are heard more often than the bird itself is seen. A joy to see as I always consider this to be my Neminis bird.

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THANK YOU for your visit, friendship, and comments, hope you are all keeping well, God bless.................Tomx

We've done it, we moved into our new home on Sat 24th, still lots to do but we've settled in, so I will try and get back to commenting more now, still rather busy to get out with the camera, so it will have to archive stuff for a bit longer. I don't want to move house ever again, ha ha

FAMILIAR black, grey and white bird. The Pied Wagtail has a bounding flight and distinctive habit of pumping its tail up and down. They love locations such as playing fields and supermarket car parks, where this one was captured, but I was willing it to go into a little grass area to get a better image.

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THANK YOU for being a friend, please leave a comment and I will look forward to returning the visit.

We have the road map out of lockdown, just hope the nature reserves and hides will soon open.

Stay safe and well, God bless..........................Tomx.

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JESUS LOVES YOU and died for you, let him into your life today as your savior!

afternoon sighting in Shaba Nature Reserve, Kenya, in 2010.

Gerenuk are also called Giraffe Gazelle or Giraffe-necked Gazelle.

A medium-sized antelope with a long thin neck and a small head; it often feeds while standing on the hind legs and

lives in arid areas, mainly in Northern Kenya

Litocranius walleri

gerenoek of girafgazelle

gazelle de Waller ou antilope-girafe

Giraffengazellen oder Gerenuk

IUCN RED LIST STATUS: Near Threathened

Many thanks for your views, favorites and supportive comments.

All rights reserved. ButsFons©2021

My photos may not be used on websites, blogs or in any other media without my written and explicit permission.

A BULKY, broad -winged raptor , medium sized bird of prey, and still not that many in the south-east area of Kent. A pure joy to see coming of the fields at Elmley Nature Reserve, the brown and black blobs on the ground are cows!!

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THANK YOU for your visit, please leave a comment, and I will look forward to doing the same on your lastest posting.

Please stay safe , God bless....Tomx

FORAGING in low scrub, rather warbler like, picking and hovering from the underside of leaves, Was told of this uncommon bird to the Kotu area, and have to admit to spending more time looking or waiting for an appearance, than any other bird on the trip, but it did put an appearance just for a few seconds, would have loved to have got a side image, to show its full beauty.

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THANK YOU, for your visit to my Gambian images, hope you are still enjoying them, I love reading your kind comments and doing the same to your latest posting. Enjoy the Lord's day, God bless and keep you safe and well..............Tomx.

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UNITE IN PRAYER FOR UKRAINE

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Gambia tour 2020.

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JOY OF JOYS, my brother spotted and called HOOPOE, no way I thought !!! But yes it was, our first sighting in the Gambia. Bless its heart, it let us very near, and I have over 100 keeper images, it was completely relaxed, and never stopped grooming itself, a experience I will never forget . Seen in the Kotu area.

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THANK YOU for being a friend and leaving a comment. Will look forward to visiting your photo stream and and doing the same on your latest posting. The weekend is coming on fast, enjoy, say safe, and may God bless you in all you do.

...................................................Tomx

THEY may be widespread and rather nondescript, streaked brown bird, but I have a real affection for them, as a ground-dwelling species, it is quite approachable with care. Feeds on invertebrates as seen, a bit harder in the capture in the winter when they often form loose flocks.

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP, please leave a comment, they are always very appreciated and find encouraging, and will look forward to seeing your latest images......In the UK we are in lockdown again from Thurs, not sure if this means not visiting nature reserves?

Please take great care folks, put your trust in our Lord, and we will get through this................God bless you...............Tomx

A forest dwelling butterfly with black-brown wings marked with white spots, streaks and bands. The underwing patterns are repeated but against a pale orange back ground colour.

MY WALK WITH BIRDING PHOTOGRAPHY STARTED AS ABOVE

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IN 2003, from our Spanish villa, it overlooked a large area of scrub land and orchards, was amazing. I found a area where BEE-EATERS where nesting in earthly holes in a bank near to water, just a short walk away, and set up a hide. The hide was in dense bushes , put in a chair, and other home comforts, was so well concealed that sometimes one would land on a branch only inches away from my face. I had the birds, but no experience and only a Canon 40D and a stigma 300m lens. Looking back on the images now, they are real rubbish. We had six amazing years in Spain, but Chris never settled, and the arrival of grandchildren, the pull was to great for her, so we returned.

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP, am going through my Archives starting at the beginning. Please stay safe, some restrictions lifted, but the virus is still there!

God bless..............................Tomx

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"GODs BEAUTY is SIMPLY AMAZING !"

ENJOYING the wet weather, as it brings up the worms, not so good for photographers, it was the best image to a bad day.

Seen Ancient highway Sandwich bay Kent.

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THANKING YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP, hope your all well and making the most out of life, in these crazy days....God bless you.................................Tomx

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"GODs BEAUTY is SIMPLY AMAZING !"

GAMBIA FEB 2019

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NORMALLY VERY PLACID HERON, with no neck showing, but something came near, did not see what it was, it reeled out its neck , with a feather duster look, with a loud grunting type call, was quite taken back with its very long neck behaviour. Have shown the normal pose thirty seven images back, if you want to compare

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THANK YOU for your visit and kind comments, they are very appreciated, enjoy your day, stay well and safe, God bless....

.................................................Tomx.

THE FIG AND PLUM TREE, in our garden , only feed the birds, rarely do we get to eat of the fruits.. This was taken in the darkest possible spot, and therefore of poor quality, but a bit different. My wife Chris and I have been feeding two families of Blackbirds, and they have become very tame, and even enter the cottage, and has given us so much joy and entertainment during these difficult times of near isolation.

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP, please leave a comment, I love doing the same to your lastest postings.

Enjoy the Lords day, stay well and safe, God bless..... ......................................Tomx.

A freshly emerged female Marbled white opens her wings for the first time.

GAMBIA TOUR feb. 2020

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U.K WADERS SEEN IN THE GAMBIA

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4th In the series, a real beauty, you can approach these birds much more than in the U.K, but you may not want to with this one, because that sludge is sewage, found at the local treatment plant, as do many other birds.

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP, it means such a lot. Am hoping the Government will allow nature reserves and parks to open soon, as I think this would still be safe, maybe keep the hides and information buildings locked up.

Stay strong and safe my friends, you are in my prayers.............

God bless...................................Tomx

DELIGHTFUL PLUMP-BODIED WADER, not often seen, and taken in very dark conditions, the best of a bad bunch, but just enjoy catching up with this pair every-year at the sea side defense wall, from Jan to about April. Seen a Hampton near Herne Bay, Kent, U.K.

VISIT a seabird cliff in spring and you should spot this species , although typically nesting pairs are solitary so you will find only a hanful of birds. In winter look for the Great Black-Backed gull amoung flocks of other gulls, it is our largest and least numerous of our resident gulls.

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THANK YOU for your visit and comment, will look forward to visit your photostream to do the same.

Please stay safe and well my dear friends, God bless............

..........................................Tomx

AN ELEGANT and unmistakable pure white, heron-like bird with a black, dagger-like bill and a long neck. Was very well hidden, when this bird dropped in, it then started working its way towards me, until I could not fit it in the frame, then past me, but who wants a back side view ! What a experience. Classed as a rarity in Britain a while back, but now fairly easy to find.

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THANK YOU for your visit and kind comments, it is always appreciated. Enjoy the weekend dear friends, Stay safe, God bless...................Tomx.

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HELP PLEASE !

Have always cropped my images by 6x4inches, and have tried to get them published, but cannot find anybody that will do this size, for a pictorial type book, any help or advice would be very appreciated. Thank you.

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SORRY once again my posting of this image lost the first couple of comments, very strange !!!

Taken at Bempton Cliffs last summer.

As always, thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving any comments or faves, they are very much appreciated.

MISSION ALMOST IMPOSIBBLE, please image this situation, about 300 hundred of these Geese feeding on the wide-open sea shore mud flats, but too far to achieve a decent photograph , as I approach them in the wide-open, they walk away at the same speed, If I move to quick, they will all take flight. Walking along the water edge, I could see one on its own, and it was walking towards me, and was completely fearless, so I filled up a complete camera card, and went away smiling like a Cheshire |Cat., and thanking God I believe this must be a Juvenile,

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THANKING YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP, please leave a comment, as I will enjoy doing the same to your lastest image.

Keep a smile on your face and love in your hearts for everyone, keep safe and well, God bless............................Tomx.

SMALL dumpy wader that is associated with coastal habitats. Feeds by running along sand, gravel or estuarine mud as if powered by clockwork and then standing still for a second, to pick up food from the ground. Seen from the sea wall Reculvers, where their was a flock of about 20.

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THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND, and leaving a comment, will look forward to doing the same on your latest posting!

Keep a smile on your face and love in your heart for everyone

May God bless and keep you...........................................Tomx.

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COUNT your blessings, name them one by one, and you will be surprised what the good LORDs done.!

The meadow pipit is a common nesting bird of moorland, heathland and rough grassland. In the autumn and winter, it moves out of upland areas to lowlands where it gathers in small flocks and can be found on farmland and saltmarshes. In the spring, it performs a fluttering, 'parachute' display flight. There are 2 million breeding territories in the UK.

On moorlands, meadow pipits are the most common 'foster parents' of young cuckoos. The adult cuckoo will lay a single egg in a meadow pipit's nest. After hatching, the cuckoo chick will push the other eggs or young birds out of the nest, giving its foster parents more time to concentrate on feeding their new, oversized chick.

Thank you for your lovely comments and invites they are all appreciated. Taken in March last year (2022).

NO FAVOURING WITHOUT LEAVING A COMMENT

*YOU WILL BE BLOCKED!!*

© All rights reserved. To use my photos for any reason

without my written permission is prohibited. Copyright © ~Muriel~

at a large pool in a farmland area

Ardea cinerea

blauwe reiger

héron cendré

Graureiher

Garza Real

Airone cenerino

Garça-real

Many thanks for your views, favorites and supportive comments.

All rights reserved. Fons Buts©2022

My photos may not be used on websites, blogs or in any other media without my written and explicit permission.

A familiar bird of our wetlands, the Coot is often seen on park lakes, ponds and rivers. It spends more of its time on the water than its relative, the Moorhen, and will dive to catch small invertebrates. Unlike ducks, Coots will bring their catch to the surface before eating it, leading to squabbles over food. Coots breed in spring, laying between six and nine eggs in nests made among emergent vegetation. Coot chicks are black with orange fluff around the face and body; they are independent within two months of hatching.

The Coot can be distinguished from the similar-looking Moorhen by its larger size, entirely black body (with no white patches), and bright white bill. Coots spend much of their time away from the bankside, diving for food.

Well folks soon after he posed and danced and we said out good-bye's he left, literally left and missed the shot only to have the wings clipped and for that I apologize, but I tried.

Thanks to all for everything.

I don't know how many I took of this guy folks, and mostly half body and feet, and that's at 30-f.p.s. timing all wrong and camera work needs some touching up, sad but unfortunate.

Thanks to all for everything.

A RATHER SECRETIVE SUMMER BIRD, The male Cuckoos familiar, onomatopoeic call is heard far more than the bird itself is seen. (34cm in length) Captured at Thursley Common. Surrey, U.K.

Have been waiting for the chance to get my first half decent capture of this bird, which has held me up for ten months, so can now proceed with the book. This would not have been possible without the very kind location details from Dave Carlsson, "THANKS MATE!" hope I can return the favour one day!

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THANK YOU for your visit, any comment is very appreciated indeed,, will return the visit, if already not done so

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So good to meet you today Sara, hope all goes well.

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Stay safe, God bless you my friends

Tomx.

Had a wonderful day today folks and started to edit when I came home and lost all track of time, so a late post here, so sorry. Many of this guy which I've never seen before but am sure this is it, many flight images and one's I really wanted of the Barny and others, living in paradise is a plus.

Thank to all for everything.

Here he was making a left turn and as I would wish he was returning and did a few more poses which I love but will make this my last Red Tailed, figuring everyone got the message, and thank everyone for their faves and comments and invites, heart warming indeed, many thanks.

GAMBIA FEB 2019

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LIVELY MALE SUNBIRD, with a broad violet brest-band. Habits coastal scrub, attracted to small flowering bushes, probing for nectar always on the move, flies with rapid wing beats and a dipping flight, am very happy to have nailed this one, because its no easy job. Zoom in to see its amazing plumage !

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR VISIT AND KIND COMMENTS, it is very appreciated, and find encouraging. Stay safe, God bless..........

.............................................Tomx

PENTAX K-70 + smcPENTAX-D FA MACRO 100mm F2,8 WR

A very good Friday morning to everyone and hope a great day and safe weekend will be had by everyone.

These guys are always nice to see and never pass them up because of their beauty.

Thank you all for everything.

Gambia tour 2020

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BINGO ! seeing these two little beauties, on a bulrush, was a must capture situation , and a joy to do so, the light was all wrong, was fairly pleased with this one.

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THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND, AND LEAVING A COMMENT, will look forward to doing the same on your latest posting ..

Stay very safe, God bless.........................................Tomx

EXTREMELY VOCAL, and can be a proficient mimic of both animate and inanimate sounds. Love the way a starling walks with characteristic swagger, and the flight is rather undulating and the wings look pointed and triangular in outline. /// SOMETHING out of the norm. for me, but felt it had something of appeal going for it, so have risked posting it, hope you enjoy it.

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP, hope you are keeping well and enjoying this hot weather, have a great weekend, stay safe and may God bless you............................Tomx.

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"OUR EARS ARE CLOSED"

Sea and mountains, valleys and streams

Night and day were all in Gods dreams,

The Garden of Eden with its precious tree

The Son He gave to set us free.

The seed He placed in the heart He made

Don't let its flowers wither and fade,

Is the ear closed to His constant plea

For in truth we live to disagree.

Have we not learned a thing from the past?

Why is the blindness we have so vast ?

We've ignored His word since time began

To do as we will has been our plan.

Has the Saviour's death not opened our eyes

When His blood was shed for our demise,

Mocked and beaten, betrayed from within

God's Holy Lamb pierced for our sin.

When the reaper comes and we walk to the gate

Do we all stand in line, to wait and wait,

Or will the one who gives life lead you through

And walk with you to paradise and life anew ?

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POEM by John Wren, a blessed and talented Flickr friend of mine.

Yes - it rained last night! We now have a few green tufts on the otherwise still yellow lawn, but it left some droplets on the flowers!

364 #204