A new year and a new photo thread to keep us entertained through the months ahead.

My first addition is something suitably seasonal - a wintery scene taken in the Amsterdam woods.

All contributions very much welcomed, and if the photos we've seen in previous years is anything to go by, we've a lot to look forward to.

Enjoy!

It was a simply amazing sight and the sound was like a jet engine roar as they flew overhead. Unfortunately I couldn't get a clean shot from numerous attempts and positions but with the weather forecast for this week I will be returning now I,m not working again 

Steve

Always an amazing thing to see in the flesh, there was one that I saw on telly with around 1 million birds over Rome, the state of anything parked below their chosen roosting trees was a sight to behold 

A Nuthatch from Saturdays day out

40 minutes ago, martyn pitt said:

Always an amazing thing to see in the flesh, there was one that I saw on telly with around 1 million birds over Rome, the state of anything parked below their chosen roosting trees was a sight to behold 

Martyn.  I had to run for cover ( pun intended) When they flew overhead luckily for me mate I was only 10 yards away from the hide. The noise when they settled down in the reedbed was also something else. 

Steve 

44 minutes ago, martyn pitt said:

Always an amazing thing to see in the flesh, there was one that I saw on telly with around 1 million birds over Rome, the state of anything parked below their chosen roosting trees was a sight to behold 

They used to reckon on about a million birds on the Widnes/ runcorn bridge back in the 80,s / 90, s. As you say the mess was unbelievable especially in the late autumn when they had been eating the berries.  Purple poo all over the car, very acidic, you had to wash the car when you got home.

Steve 

On 24/02/2018 at 21:51, Winsford Soul said:

Murmuration of approx. 100,000 Starlings 

In years gone by I used to stand and be completely amazed when watching these murmuration's high up in the sky above the Town Hall in Bradford city centre. 

I'm sure people have done fascinating research into these gatherings - is there a lead bird that drives it?

I'm no photographer and I rarely take any sort of pictures but I do love looking at them and can spends hours doing so.

Here's a picture I stumbled upon middle o' last year which even now still shocks me, still appals me and still upsets me.

The evil that men do.

Dx

That's a very thought provoking picture Derek.  I received it via a photographer's blog . The local villagers were trying to get the herd of wild elephants away from their crops using thunder flash etc. The baby elephant in the picture wasn't hurt or burnt fortunately.  

There's probably no starling murmuration in Bradford now mate. 

Steve 

Just looked at another photograph I've got which highlights exactly how I'll remember an old buddy o' mine (Stan RIP it was fun while it lasted).

Me looking sheepish while Tony Smith recalls a story involving me. I denied all knowledge of it obviously (smile).

Dx

 

Brrr. Got to get off this ice. Quick march

Snow on Ice

Grey Wagtail in the Snow

Oystercatcher

36 minutes ago, Winsford Soul said:

Brrr. Got to get off this ice. Quick march

 

Was he off to get a last second bid on e-bay ? 

For the non nerds the bird is a Snipe ... their camouflage is brilliant when they get in amongst the vegetation at the edge of a body of water, I had one fly in and land 10 yds in front of me, I watched it all the way, could I see it after it had landed, not a chance. 

7 minutes ago, martyn pitt said:

Was he off to get a last second bid on e-bay ? 

For the non nerds the bird is a Snipe ... their camouflage is brilliant when they get in amongst the vegetation at the edge of a body of water, I had one fly in and land 10 yds in front of me, I watched it all the way, could I see it after it had landed, not a chance. 

 

Opps. Forgot to tell people what it was . Heres a picture that perfectly describes what Martyn was talking about. Camouflage perfection

Steve

50 minutes ago, Winsford Soul said:

 

Opps. Forgot to tell people what it was . Heres a picture that perfectly describes what Martyn was talking about. Camouflage perfection

Steve

My missus just biggered it and couldn't find um 😂great stuff chaps amazin 👍👍👍👍 atb baz 

Baz, Should she have gone spec savers mate 

Steve

58 minutes ago, baz1 said:

My missus just biggered it and couldn't find um 😂great stuff chaps amazin 👍👍👍👍 atb baz 

I can see three Baz, but don't quote me.

On 2/26/2018 at 14:18, Winsford Soul said:

They used to reckon on about a million birds on the Widnes/ runcorn bridge back in the 80,s / 90, s. As you say the mess was unbelievable especially in the late autumn when they had been eating the berries.  Purple poo all over the car, very acidic, you had to wash the car when you got home.

Steve 

we were hiking around Windermere area last week and took the ferry to Ambleside , anyway on the way you passed the islands on the lake - all the trees on them are dead due to the acid in the cormorants poo killing the leaves

Spike Island Widnes near the now 2 bridges is still popular for bird watchers, walk the dog there -  there was a guy a few days ago taking pics of birdlife in the woodland bits, impressively large camera on a tripod

8 minutes ago, shufflin said:

we were hiking around Windermere area last week and took the ferry to Ambleside , anyway on the way you passed the islands on the lake - all the trees on them are dead due to the acid in the cormorants poo killing the leaves

Spike Island Widnes near the now 2 bridges is still popular for bird watchers, walk the dog there -  there was a guy a few days ago taking pics of birdlife in the woodland bits, impressively large camera on a tripod

I'm from Widnes originally. Ditton.  Still go there on a weekly basis to see my son's.  Love spike island n Pickering pasture. Spent half my life fishing the clinc/ flash n sniggy amongst others.  Are you from Widnes  ? 

2 hours ago, TattooDave said:

I can see three Baz, but don't quote me.

Ye can see it na dave 👍 wish I could blend in to the sofa so our shelly couldn't see mi 

10 hours ago, baz1 said:

Ye can see it na dave 👍 wish I could blend in to the sofa so our shelly couldn't see mi 

I think you'll find it easier just to go out alone, that way Shelly won't be able to see you. ps Leave the sofa at home

14 hours ago, TattooDave said:

I can see three Baz, but don't quote me.

Well spotted Dave , had to put my specs on though to see them 

A few from Wednesday. Nell enjoying the Snow, Robins and Long tailed tits.

The "most liked" photos for the month of February are..

@Winsford Soul's lapwing. Great shot, Steve!

On 05/02/2018 at 17:38, Winsford Soul said:

 

And @martyn pitt's female sparrowhawk. Superb as always, Martyn!

On 17/02/2018 at 20:00, martyn pitt said:

Well done for the fantastic submissions, Steve and Martyn. And thanks to everyone else for all your great pics. Keep 'em coming!

Edited March 2, 20187 yr by Russell Gilbert
Spelin

We were in Rome last weekend, in part as tourists and also to attend the Roma Soul City 10th anniversary niter.

The weather was miserable right across the four days we were there with Monday seeing the city blanketed in snow for the first time in something like 30 years. It didn't help that I was recovering from a bad dose of the flu and my better half, Bev, had a stinking cold. Typically, snow brought everything to a standstill, which is exactly what we didn't need as we tried to make our way back to the airport. The only way we could get there was by sharing a taxi with another couple. Cost: 160 euros for a journey that ordinarily might have been 50 euros! Still, we made it home, which was the most important thing.

Being so wet and miserable, it wasn't exactly the best time to try and catch Rome in all its glory, but here's a couple of panoramas - one inside the Pantheon, and the other of the instantly recognisable Colosseum. The final pic is of me - cold and wet after walking around the city in the pouring rain for a few hours - as we took some much needed shelter (and some refreshments) in one of those very basic-looking cafes that actually offers good quality food (and wine) at pretty reasonable prices. Well, our bill was about half what we'd typically pay over here in the Netherlands, so it felt like a right bargain! 

1 hour ago, Russell Gilbert said:

We were in Rome last weekend, in part as tourists and also to attend the Roma Soul City 10th anniversary niter.

Not that I needed reminding but thanks Russ for posting the pics , we were in Rome last March where I popped the question at night time by the Trevi, Lou wondered what the heck was going on as I asked the girl sat next to us to film the proposal, Lou was moaning it's  taking her some time to take the photo what's she waiting for..Happy memories, we were lucky enough to be there on the Sunday when it's free in the Colosseum. 

 From today in absolutely bitter conditions

The water had frozen over the rock making it look like a frozen Jellyfish

Steve

First time ive ever seen a Meadow Pipit at Pennington Flash.

Steve

Edited March 2, 20187 yr by Winsford Soul

Another quite rare sight at Pennington Flash. Dunlin

Steve

A bird that needs no introduction . In fact it was recently voted Britain's national bird

Steve

A male Bullfinch eating seeds

A couple the many Brambling in my garden today (had to defrost the bird bath a few times)

Great pictures as always Martyn.  Nice to see Carol 's keeping you busy de- frosting the bird bath mate. Been doing mine to mate. 

Steve 

I also had a Fieldfare make a brief visit 

11 hours ago, Russell Gilbert said:

We were in Rome last weekend, in part as tourists and also to attend the Roma Soul City 10th anniversary niter.

The weather was miserable right across the four days we were there with Monday seeing the city blanketed in snow for the first time in something like 30 years. It didn't help that I was recovering from a bad dose of the flu and my better half, Bev, had a stinking cold. Typically, snow brought everything to a standstill, which is exactly what we didn't need as we tried to make our way back to the airport. The only way we could get there was by sharing a taxi with another couple. Cost: 160 euros for a journey that ordinarily might have been 50 euros! Still, we made it home, which was the most important thing.

Being so wet and miserable, it wasn't exactly the best time to try and catch Rome in all its glory, but here's a couple of panoramas - one inside the Pantheon, and the other of the instantly recognisable Colosseum. The final pic is of me - cold and wet after walking around the city in the pouring rain for a few hours - as we took some much needed shelter (and some refreshments) in one of those very basic-looking cafes that actually offers good quality food (and wine) at pretty reasonable prices. Well, our bill was about half what we'd typically pay over here in the Netherlands, so it felt like a right bargain! 

How much is that piggy in the window

The one with the crackling nose

nice pictures Russ. 

 

Smashing photographs Steve and Martyn

thanks for sharing.

Has anyone been watching Hugh’s Wild West? Nature programme based around the Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley? Superb viewing with lots of camera craft.

Pete

🙂

On 24/02/2018 at 21:51, Winsford Soul said:

Murmuration of approx. 100,000 Starlings 

Steve

 

 

Fantastic..that's beautiful.

On 28/02/2018 at 16:47, Winsford Soul said:

Oystercatcher

Hehehe .

I love the look on it's face..that's a bird on a mission for sure ! 

Super photo's there mate.

11 hours ago, Peter99 said:

Smashing photographs Steve and Martyn

thanks for sharing.

Has anyone been watching Hugh’s Wild West? Nature programme based around the Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley? Superb viewing with lots of camera craft.

Pete

🙂

Good morning sir  Trust your well and keeping safe in this awful weather.  Thanks for your lovely comments regarding the photos.   yes I've been watching Hughs wild west series. Very enjoyable . Some nice shots but you really have to congratulate the researchers on their hard work and commitment knowing the mileage and hours I put in to get some of my photographs . But all in all a great series 

Steve 

Fieldfares in next doors tree, kestrel and Nell in the snow again.

On 03/03/2018 at 00:10, Peter99 said:

Smashing photographs Steve and Martyn

thanks for sharing.

Has anyone been watching Hugh’s Wild West? Nature programme based around the Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley? Superb viewing with lots of camera craft.

Pete

🙂

Pete. Just watched the couple of Hughs wild west on the BBC iPlayer that i had missed and it  had a person signing on the right hand side.  When I researched this its non removable on the later version's when the original is out of date.  Anyone else noticed this 

Steve 

Edited March 5, 20187 yr by Winsford Soul

With Steve's blessing a poem inspired by this photo of his Son and Grandson from last month

 

                                                                                                                                                                 The Bond

 

They say a picture paints a thousand words

This one shouts out one

The look in this child’s eyes

A father’s pride in his son

 

You can only guess at the smiling eyes,

The words the father said

A child’s gaze so full of love

For the wise so easily read

 

It’s the time of magic, Dad is King

His word always the truth

If he says the moon is made of cheese

The child has no need for proof

 

It’s the age of wonder,

For father and son, for each so much to learn

An acorn growing deep within

A bond neither has to earn

 

 

                                                                                                                                           The father’s unconditional love

A guiding hand that’s always there

There’s safety, love and trust

Held in the child’s stare

 

 

A special love manifests itself

In the bond twixt father and son

In the child’s loving innocent eyes

That magic has begun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks Billy 

Steve 

Long Tailed tit, 

Showing off its acrobatic skills

Steve

Edited March 6, 20187 yr by Winsford Soul

I have one like that Steve...nice one

8 minutes ago, martyn pitt said:

I have one like that Steve...nice one

Thanks Martyn 

Steve 

Just been looking at a drone camera.  But not a normal one. A underwater one that can dive to 100metres, with a 5 hour battery life. Full 1080 HD.  all for £1699. I'm so tempted. It would take my photography to another level and open up a whole new world of opportunity . Has anyone any experience of this type of photography  ? 

Steve 

Couple of pictures from today from Pennington Flash of a little wader called a Knot, first time pictures for me, 

Steve

 

Edited March 7, 20187 yr by Winsford Soul

 Wade in the water. Dunlin

Steve

After travelling nearly 100 miles today I achieved a life times ambition and was extremely lucky with only having 2 hours  to spot this tiny little bird called a Fire crest. I think its Britain's smallest bird even smaller than a Wren. Unfortunately its a rear view 

Steve

Edited March 9, 20187 yr by Winsford Soul

The bonus from todays trip was this view of Snowdonia across the Conwy valley from where I was 

Steve

 

 

 

Edited March 9, 20187 yr by Winsford Soul