Watching the Birds

Well the weekend was a complete wash out. It just rained from Saturday right through until this morning, when it was still raining! I managed to walk the dogs after the worst of the rain and to my surprise the skies were clearing as I came home. Although there was a very cold wind it was too good an opportunity to miss and I went down to see what was happening on the Lower test. Patience paid off and after about 40 minutes the Kingfisher arrived , he seemed to be very hungry as he was constantly diving and coming up with tasty morsels

Looking out of the window


Little Egret

Kingfisher
has just swallowed his supper!

Deer and Kingfishers

This morning we went for an early morning walk to see if we could spot the Fallow deer rutting. We were very lucky and saw half a dozen bucks. A few were roaring but the rut does seem to be late this year. They still do not seem to be in full Rut mode yet. It was a beautiful autumnal morning. It was quite cold when we started at 8am but really warm when we got back to the car at11am later in the afternoon we went down to the nature reserve and once again we saw the kingfisher. He came and sat on the perching pole with a fish for his supper. On our way home we visited the other two viewing areas and saw him again . Just after I took this photo he dived and flew of with another fish for his supper. I am finding him easier to spot now and look forward to seeing him on our visits/

Its not a smear on the lens thats his breath in the cold Morning air!

This Buck was sunbathing

This ones got his girl

I think he's spotted us!

The kingfisher was a little to far away but he had a big fish in his beak

Lower Test Nature Reserve

We had another trip to the nature reserve this afternoon. When we arrived a Heron , Little Egret and a couple of Black tailed godwits were present. In the shrubs near the hide there were some long tailed tits. The Kingfisher teased us for about an hour. We could see him in the reeds and occasionally flitting across the water, but eventually he came and settled on the perching rail right in front of us. He was worth the wait.

Blacktailed Godwit

Kingfisher

Heron

Little Egret

heron catching his supper

Little Egret

Heron

Blacktailed Godwit

Kingfisher

Little Egret

A few Pics from today

Lookout duty the dogs cover all approaches

This little grasshopper hitched a ride to the forest.

Later we went down to the Lower test nature reserve. The Kingfisher perched a fair way off but I managed to get a shot or two of him . Such pretty little birds.
As we left the reserve we disturbed some bunnies playing in the fields.

Black Tailed Godwit


Kingfisher

If you look closely you can just see kingfisher flying away

Unidentified Dragonfly

Common Darter

Green Sandpiper

All things Bright and Beautiful

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.

(Cecil Alexander)

First sighting was quite away off. but I was pleased to be able to get a photo

But then he came nearer and we were able to get some better shots.

I was thrilled with these last two shots