So yesterday we went to Martin Mere which is about an hours drive from us. It is run by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and is a fantastic place to visit. At this time of year it provides a roost for thousands of geese and swans. Yesterday there were around 10,000 Pink Footed Geese arriving to roost from early afternoon.
I got some nice photographs of various species of ducks, geese and swans with beautiful reflections as the sun was quite bright.
We also watched several stoats darting about in the grass, but they were far too fast for my photography skills.
At home I am lucky enough to have quite a few different species visit my feeders. This afternoon however was exceptional. I was trying to get some shots of a flock of Goldfinch which visit every day when I spotted a Goldcrest on the waterfall right in front of the window. As it flew away my husband spotted a Treecreeper on one of the Silver Birch Trees. Five minutes after that flew away we got a Great Spotted Woodpecker on the nuts.
I've seen a handful of Goldcrests in the garden over the 20 years we've lived here but it was only the third time I've seen a Treecreeper actually in the garden. The Woodpecker used to be a regular visitor but I hadn't seen it for a couple of years.
The next time I'm at home all day I'm going to set my camera up on the tripod which will help with the poor light later in the day.
Moving from birds to cats. This is the study I did for the watercolour cat I'm painting, 2.5 x 3.5, coloured pencil on Arches Hot Press.
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3 comments:
Oh, you are so lucky to have seen a Goldcrest. They are beautiful but I have never been lucky enought to see one. I see lots of Great Spotted Woodpeckers and Treecreepers locally though.
I have seen Goldcrests in a couple of places in the UK but not for a long time. I probably see them once or twice a year in the garden and amazingly enough they let me get quite close to take photographs.
Isn't it wonderful to watch the birds in the garden? You are very lucky to get a goldcrest, I have never even seen one. I have lots of goldfinches in my garden, sadly we had a fatality yesterday when one flew straight into the glass of the french windows. I felt so sad, there wasn't a mark on his beautiful little body. I also get all the usual garden birds plus masses of siskins over the winter/spring and like you I have a great spotted woodpecker visit - oh and one of my favourites - nuthatches. I spend ages watching and waiting with my camera!
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