I'd Rather be Reading
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A adorable, rather dumpy short tailed woodland bird , which has the habit of descending tree trunks head-downwards in a jerky manner, its chisel-like bill is used to prise insects from tree bark and to hammer open acorns wedged into bark crevices. Love working with these birds.
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THANK YOU, for your visit and kind comments, enjoy the new week dear friends, Stay safe and well, God bless.......................... ......................................Tomx.
Looking rather haughty, in a pause between foraging and feeding on the slope below the Edge; in amongst the marsh grass and heather, and the dead remains of last year's bracken.
There was very little cover out in this open area where the birds were largely to be found, so I had to get down very low to get close and not disturb the birds. To all intents this is an uncropped image, with slight trimming at the edges. I originally went for a tighter crop on the bird, but I liked the wider perspective with the context and foreground, the bokeh from which creates a sort of vignette around the subject.
Thanks for your faves and comments.
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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This rather fine display of plumes is why many herons and egrets were hunted to near extinction in the late 1800's/early 1900's to serve the fashion industry. In 1900 these plumes were worth more per ounce than gold and plume hunters killed 5 million birds a year in Florida decimating it's shore bird population.
Even after the law was changed to protect these birds, apparently hunters still murdered two Audubon wardens who were protecting birds in the Everglades.
Taken near Fort Myers, Florida.
As always, thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving any comments or faves, they are very much appreciated.
This rather sartorial guy was walking past the Christmas market in the old town in Düsseldorf--I wish I knew more about him?? There must be a narrative there for sure!
A rather colorful resident thrush found in the foothills of the Himalayas that winters in South India.
This male, quite a colorful beauty, prefers the dense canopy around waterbodies and wet areas like the edges of lakes or ponds. This one though was shot in a forest on the edge of a hill. We were at a considerable elevation and hence had a fantastic vantage point. We just sat there and waited 2 hours and just about 7-8 species showed up, but we left with some spectacular shots! The birds would fly from a distance to the water drip on the hillside. Enroute, the birds often land on this tall bare tree for a brief while checking out the predators and other activity around prior to flying to the water source.
Thank you so much in advance for your views, feedback and faves.
A shot of the rather charming sixteenth century Dovecote at Athelhampton Hall in Dorset.
Truth to say I had never heard of Athelhampton Hall and had therefore no plans to visit it. We were driving from Dorchester to Tolpuddle to visit the Tolpuddle martyrs museum when we spotted the house through a gate , we pulled in and decided to take a look. Glad we did we only had times see the gardens but they were splendid .
Athelhampton Hall is a Grade I listed 15th-century privately owned country house on 160 acres of parkland. Sir William Martyn had the current Great Hall built in about 1493. A West Wing and Gatehouse and this splendid Dovecote were added in 1550
I have posted a shot of the Hall in the top of the comments
THANKS FOR YOUR VISIT TO MY STREAM.
I WOULD BE VERY GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD NOT FAVE A PHOTO
WITHOUT ALSO LEAVING A COMMENT .
A small, rather nondescript bird, Cetti's warbler (pronounced chetty) is a skulking bird and can prove very difficult to see. It usually makes its presence known with loud bursts of song and the first glimpse will probably be of a dark, rather stocky warbler with short wings and a full, rounded tail, diving for cover.
… rather unusual to pass by this area in the West End mid morning with no one else in sight and so little traffic I could stand in the middle of the road to take the shot.
It’s clear John Nash took his inspiration from the Arch of Constantine, erected 1400 years earlier.
This is a rather poor image technically, and the pylon spoiled everything. So I'm posting temporarily, until I manage to get a better shot. But I like the action and it shows the hardships that eagles have to endure once they catch the fish. I can confirm that the eagle at the top, who caught the fish, was able to fend off his challengers and got to enjoy his lunch.
although I saw hippos every day during the Kafue trip last November I did not get great shots. Some of the encounters in the rather shallow water of the Kafue River were so close that taking an image was not a priority ...
This image was taken in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa a few months earlier
hippopotamus amphibius
nijlpaard
hippopotame
Nilpferd oder Flusspferd
All rights reserved. ButsFons©2018
Please do not use my photos on websites, blogs or in any other media without my explicit permission.
Two rather unusual lions at the gates of inner garden in the Yu garden in Shanghai Old City. The classic garden was first laid out in 1577 but has been subject frequent changes and suffered much damage over the years. It has been beautifully restored and is rightfully one of the main attractions of old Shanghai.
The lions still have the classic attributes -- the sphere and the baby -- but assume rather whimsical poses that I have not seen anywhere else (not that I would claim to be an expert on Chinese lions).
It is rather easier to see Swans than Bitterns , photographing them is also rather less difficult . These were photographed at the swannery in Abbotsbury in Dorset
Abbotsbury Swannery is the only managed colony of nesting mute swans in the world. It is situated near the village of Abbotsbury in Dorset, England, around the Fleet Lagoon. The Fleet, besides which the swannery sits, is the largest lagoon in Europe, and runs for about 8 miles along the Dorset coast. It is brackish and tidal, but sheltered by Chesil Beach, and is a RAMSAR site of international importance and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and has been a nature reserve since as early as 1393. The swannery is at its westerly extremity.
The colony can number over 600 swans with around 150 pairs. Written records of the swannery's existence go back to 1393 but it probably existed well before that, and is believed to have been set up by Benedictine monks in the eleventh century.
Today, there are around 600 swans. They are free-flying birds and could choose to nest anywhere, but are obviously attracted by the Fleet Lagoon.
THANKS FOR YOUR VISIT TO MY STREAM.
I WOULD BE VERY GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD NOT FAVE A PHOTO
WITHOUT ALSO LEAVING A COMMENT .
Feeling rather quiet this foggy Monday morning as I look back through my images of Brigus South. A little day trip with some hiking and beachcombing in the typical Newfoundland Spring (blah) weather. :-) We always make the most of it though and came home with pockets of seaglass, shells, and rocks but this little discovery stayed put, hiding among the seaweed for the next person to find.
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.
We're just little town living
When the sun goes down, we're gonna ride
Turning dirt into dust, yeah, that's the ticket
We're just little town living it up tonight
Key on the tree, you know the place
Last one in, don't forget the gate
Field full of Fords and Chevrolet, yeah
My kind of party
A little diesel on a pile of wood
Stir it up, get it burning good
She wants to dance like I knew she would
So let's get it started
Twist it off, turn it up, pass it around
No other place I'd rather be right now and
Some rather big bird (a Turkey vulture ?)
flying over the Pacific ocean coast line.
Turkey vulture - Turkey buzzard - Cathartes aura
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_vulture
Urubu à tête rouge - Vautour aura - Cathartes aura
fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urubu_%C3%A0_t%C3%AAte_rouge
July 2019 - Uploaded 2022/04/06
Moscow aqueduct, rather only a fragment. This is the only surviving structure of the first in Moscow, and in Russia, gravity water pipeline - the Rostokinsky aqueduct. The bridge passes over the Yauza, is made of limestone, has 21 arched spans, up to 15 m high, 356 m long. Architects - engineer F.V. Bauer and Colonel I.K. Gerard.
The need for a water supply system in Moscow became especially acute after the plague of 1771, and in 1780, by decree of Catherine II, its construction began. Periodic indignations of the residents, through whose lands he passed, restless groundwater, ordinary Russian theft (the cost of water supply amounted to more than 1,600,000 rubles) delayed construction for 25 years. The year of birth of the Mytishchi water pipeline was 1804, and the largest stone bridge for that time, the Rostokinsky aqueduct, was built earlier, in 1783–1784.
The aqueduct ceased to be used for its intended purpose at the end of the 19th century.
In 2006-2008. The Rostokinsky aqueduct was freed from the heating main, put in order, restored, received a decorative roof and became a pedestrian. A pleasant park was laid out around it.
A rather pretty lily that I spotted on a neighbourhood walk. There were lots of buds so the show would've lasted for quite some time.
Thank you so much for taking the time to view this image and for leaving me a comment! Have a great day!
We had a rather amusing encounter on our visit to the Stone Circle at Castlerigg. Arriving in pitch darkness, with only a small torch light to guide us, we managed to locate the stones. Having set the tripod up, as a small glimmer of light began to appear, my hubby decided to investigate the circle, a little closer. As he walked around, one stone seemed to be a little set back from the others.
We discussed this as he returned, pondering the reason why!
Being an inquisitive type of person, he decided to take a further look. He stood next to the said stone and proceeded to jump about a foot in the air, as the stone moved lol!
It turned out, the stone wasn't a stone after all but a guy, curled up in some sort of covering, which in the darkness, very much appeared like a stone.
He woke later to tell us he work locally and had missed his last bus home, so decided to spend the night here.
Every time I see an image of this location, it always brings back this recollection, as it was so amusing.
We all need a bit of laughter at present :)
** Its rather sad to be posting the final shot from a trip but this is the last one from the road trip we took in 2016 . We drove from Santa Fe to New Orleans via parts of Texas . Certainly saw quite a range of different landscapes and cultures .
One of the highlights was spending time at Jefferson Island in Louisiana . Roseate Spoonbills are certainly the oddest birds I have ever seen and it was a good opportunity to see large group of them close up . I am in debt to two flickr contacts Cajun Snapper and Larry Daugherty who gave me hints and directions to a small pool on Jefferson Island.
Well that’s the end of travel shots from 2016 so will be posting stuff from 2017 soon. Its a good job I am so far behind given that this year does not look like it will be adding a great deal to my travel collection
THANKS FOR YOUR VISITING BUT CAN I ASK YOU NOT TO FAVE AN IMAGE WITHOUT ALSO MAKING A COMMENT. MANY THANKS KEITH. ANYONE MAKING MULTIPLE FAVES WITHOUT COMMENTS WILL SIMPLY BE BLOCKED
A rather common warbler found throughout the Himalayan Belt. We sighted them almost everyday much of the journey. I know now that these are endemic to the Himalayas.
These are small birds - maybe less than 10 cms and incredibly active in the roadside bushes, trees and clumps of vegetation. I love the color of these birds and they are quite agile. The birds feed on small seeds, tree insects like Spiders, caterpillars and berries maybe. We never saw them on the ground anytime and most of the time were shooting almost 70-80 deg upwards. Except onetime when we were overlooking a valley and got this shot!
Thanks in advance for your views, faves and feedback if any.
Rather a cold bleak day on Waddington fell, looking across to some nice light on the hills. Surprising how much colour there is even in the middle of winter.
A rather nefarious Heron sits at the very center of this image in plain sight. Hunting for prey, it waits as motionless as the surroundings. Camouflaged and nudged between rocks, can you see him?
A rather ethereal sunrise across the Pembrokeshire Coast. It was a wonderful morning to be out on the clifftops as I made my way out to Barafundle Bay. The colours were just magical as the sun came over the headland lighting up the sea.
A.W. Cardinal was for most of the performance hidden in the dark. He gave the limelight to his partner Jass. Even his name A.W. is a bit of mystery. Southside Shuffle blues festival reserved the best for the last; at least it was for me the 'Blue Moon Marquee'. Normally it's a duo Jasmine Colette and A.W. Cardinal, but they added an excellent keyboard player. Both write songs, both have great voices and are excellent musicians. Rather then being just another blues band their music had depth and originality. The Albertans travel the world now for several years. Cardinal raspy voice is very distinctive. Playing together for 10 years, there is nothing stale in their performance. Alexander Wesley and Jasmine are now on my radar.
134. Port Credit P1420184; Taken 2022 Sep 10. Upload 2022 Sep 13.
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.
I'll show you I am capable of causing such pain
With my delicate and fragile lady brain
I will not let you get away
I'd rather burn at the stake
This rather damp Red Squirrel was raiding the peanut feeders at Vane Farm RSPB this afternoon. A hopeful photographic trip was hampered by thickening fog whilst I was there
This rather odd building has still not received the attention it deserves from architectural Historians. Building 1515-1530. Was intended to be used by the chapter of the Knights.
Questa piuttosto strana costruzione non ha ricevuto
le attenzioni riservate alle architetture storiche .
Costruita 1515-1530
Usata probabilmente dal Capo dei Cavalieri
Recently we took a two-hour drive to the center of Michigan's upper peninsula to visit Seney National Wildlife Refuge. It was a rather overcast day but that meant for fewer visitors at the already little-visited location. The 7-mile loop road through the refuge leads past scores of these ponds. The sky was an added bonus.
Taken at Kodiak Campground at Elysion
♫ From Where You'd Rather Be ♫
I am wearing:
* [Cynful] Loquita's Sequin Bikini. Exclusive for FaMESHed (NEW)
* Navy+Copper Cheesecake mesh hair. Exclusive for FaMESHed (NEW)
* LEPUNK Kayla Head and Body applier. Exclusive for DUBAI Event (NEW)
Catwa bento head - Catya
Maitreya Lara body
IKON Promise Eyes - Coffee
The pose is from Luanes World poses - "Summer surfboard prop" It has 4 single female and 3 single male poses, and comes in 4 different colours. Available in my inworld store:)
Rather than sit right out in the open where the wind could hit him full force today, dad cardinal decided to stay back in the brush and lay low.
Sethi on my lawn this morning. It was early but already very warm and Sethi was exhausted although the day had just started. The lawn looks quite tired too due to the heat and lack of rain and it feels rather like staw than like grass. We had had a little bit of rain during the night but not enough to allow my lawn to recover.
His way had therefore come full circle, or rather had taken the form of an ellipse or a spiral, following as ever no straight unbroken line, for the rectilinear belongs only to Geometry and not to Nature and Life
[Hermann Hesse]
A rather late display of autumn leaves on two oak trees down a country lane at the end of November here....
Some autumn leaves are still on the trees in the late December as well, almost like the seasons are shifting slightly or maybe it's global warming?... either way the trees look nice for Christmas.
Rather close to the remains of the Etruscan town of Tarquinia (and not all that far from the modern town with the same name).
ⓒRebecca Bugge, All Rights Reserved
Do not use without permission.
The Australian magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) is a medium-sized black and white passerine bird native to Australia and southern New Guinea. Although once considered to be three separate species, it is now considered to be one, with nine recognised subspecies. A member of the Artamidae, the Australian magpie is placed in its own genus and is most closely related to the black butcherbird (Melloria quoyi). Currawongs have yellow eyes, whereas Magpies have red-brown eyes and Butcherbirds have very dark brown, almost black eyes. It is not, however, closely related to the European magpie, which is a corvid. The adult Australian magpie is a fairly robust bird ranging from 37 to 43 cm in length, with distinctive black and white plumage, gold brown eyes and a solid wedge-shaped bluish-white and black bill. The male and female are similar in appearance, and can be distinguished by differences in back markings. The male has pure white feathers on the back of the head and the female has white blending to grey feathers on the back of the head. With its long legs, the Australian magpie walks rather than waddles or hops and spends much time on the ground. Described as one of Australia's most accomplished songbirds, the Australian magpie has an array of complex vocalisations. It is omnivorous, with the bulk of its varied diet made up of invertebrates. It is generally sedentary and territorial throughout its range. Common and widespread, it has adapted well to human habitation and is a familiar bird of parks, gardens and farmland in Australia and New Guinea. This species is commonly fed by households around the country, but in spring (and occasionally in autumn) a small minority of breeding magpies (almost always males) become aggressive and swoop and attack those who approach their nests. 6966
rather than try to teach it something :-)
Robert Brault
HFF!! Character Matters!
contorted flowering quince, 'Contorta', j c raulston arboretum, ncsu, raleigh, north carolina
This rather thin looking Heron has been hanging around the bottom of our garden for some weeks now, we have a pond , but no fish. Perhaps the poor guy needs glasses.