Birds 'n' stuff!

[DaveB]

Hi Chaps

Took the camera and dog across the common this afternoon. I won't bore you with them all so try and stay awake for these few

These tinkers have setup camp here over the last couple of days..


A little closer.. couldn't get too close with the labrador..


The iron bridge at Pelsall Junction..


Looking north from the junction toward Norton. Note the rather large fellow on the RH bank..


And there he goes.. one of De Havilland's finest..


wings down..


now to wake up those swans!..


Ques.. why do dogs walk in things you tell them not to? Ans.. because they can!

That took some washing off too!

There are a few more here if you feel the need to be bored some more..
http://s138.photobucket.com/albums/q268 ... 11%202012/

I took loads more but didn't upload them all. Photobucket cheeses me off with the way it organises stuff but it's free

Sri no bikes or tractors. The dog can't ride a bike and I don't have a tractor
ATB
DaveB

[TSR2]

Nice to see you taking some shots again Dave, seems like ages since you last posted some.

Herons are superb, I saw one a few months back while Lucy was in getting her passport sorted in Durham, the speed with which the strike is incredible

Did you get dust on the mirror at one point? Can't remember but seem to recall you saying something a few years back when you were talking some photos at the Brize Families day. Is this still the Canon?

[DaveB]

Hello Mate

That Heron is a regular angler around these parts though to be honest, I didn't notice him until he took off. It's only when I looked at the shots later I saw him by the bridge Those swans are locals too. They normally reside further down the canal but are seen up this end quite often. They're dossing right under my flight path which is a bit of a pain as I'd hate to frighten them

I still have the Canon with the slightly dusty mirror.. this one is a spare body I bought some years ago. Wish I'd have taken both with me as it was difficult trying to juggle 2 lenses and a labrador

ATB
DaveB

[Chris558]

Ahh, the feathered variety...never mind.

[airboatr]

Thanks for posting the pics, I liked them

[Vancouver]

Wot! No Canada Geese? I'm disappointed they are ubiquitous. The only damned place we don't seem to see them is here. I exaggerate of course, but they do seem to be in decline. Nice pics and I hope the dog wiped his paws before getting back in the car.

[DaveB]

Ahh.. Canada Geese. I love em to bits Had a large-ish flock a bit further down from where the swans are for a day or so last week.. maybe the week before. I had the ASW28 glider up while another flock flew over in formation.. I kept well out of the way Only this Monday.. I had to stop the car while a number of em crossed the road a few miles further east. It's another nature reserve and birds crossing the road by foot are common.. so much so there are road signs to warn you and a 20mph speed limit
The labrador has rolled in Canada goose poo before and it's not pleasant. We had to wash her with Herbal Essence shampoo to finally get rid of it

ATB
DaveB

[WhisperJet]

Lovely photos, Dave!!

Makes me miss Britain...

Cheers,

Nick

[DaveB]

Thanks Nick TBH.. I should have chosen a brighter day or better still, taken these shots a month or so ago when there was a great deal more natural colour. Been out this morning with the Bixler RC and needed thermals on!
You can see what sort of summer we've had by the colour of the grass. I've seen years when everything has been burned brown by the sun but this year.. the entire common is still perfectly green as seen in the swan shots. I think every month since April has either been the wettest since records began or has equalled the wettest. When we moved back up here in March, a hosepipe ban was introduced which I think lasted about 2 or 3 weeks before all the reservoirs went from empty to over full

ATB
DaveB

[WhisperJet]

Hi Dave,

yes - I thought so - everything looks very fresh!! Lovely!

Opposite here - we've had the 3rd hottest summer since records began. Only 2003 and 1992 were hotter.
Add this to the particularly dry wine area I live in and you get a good desire for some atlantic breeze...

Best from the "Weinviertel",

Nick