May catch-up

So much for my good intentions of keeping up this blog... 

Here are a few of the highlights of the last couple of months, in no particular order.

Cute pics :

More dramatic shots :

Out shopping :

 
In the garden :

Some others I liked :

Exit right :
 

Until next time...

Trying to catch up

I have lots of excuses for why I haven't been keeping up with my blog - or getting out that much - some of them genuine - health, weather, everyday boring stuff we all have to do... but I thought I'd try to catch up a bit, so here are some of my highlights this year when I have managed to get out. By highlights, I don't mean anything rare - just birds I particularly like, or have managed to get a decent picture of, usually more by luck than judgement.

Herons :

Kestrels :

Green woodpecker :

Other assorted favourite birds :

And from my local beach :

And finally, some other random wildlife :

...including a real surprise (not everyone's favourite - taken in London):
 

Every trip out, even for a short time, even just down the road to the beach, is wonderful - always something to see, and I'm always happy when I can get a picture too. So, must try harder!

October

Another busy month, but a few outings locally produced some great sightings for me, and it's been good watching the autumn arrive with its beautiful colours and returning birds. The following are some of the highlights.

Early in the month I had to go up to London, so took the chance to pop into what used to be my local park in Dulwich. Pleased to see wildlife that used to be so familiar up there and so rare down here.

I've just thought - Sheppey would be a good place to introduce Red Squirrels as the competition from greys would be minimal!

I've also been up to Elmley a couple of times. The Lapwings are more evident now - beautiful birds :

But what seems to have brought people in this month are the Long-eared Owls - regular sightings, with one, half-hidden in the wooded area just past the carpark, becoming a fixture for many days. It certainly proved a challenge for photographers, all looking for manual to try and penetrate the foliage.

Up at Oare the Godwits have been there in large numbers and I managed to catch a Stonechat and a large group of Bearded Tits

Took a trip out to White Horse Wood Country Park which was very quiet except for a large flock of Goldfinches which settled sometimes in the trees like brightly coloured autumn leaves.

Locally the Brent Geese are back along the shoreline - these at Minster :

And yesterday I saw my first Redwing of the autumn not far from my home :

It's a wonderful time of year despite the very changeable weather and just great to be out and about.