May 12 2013

Sunday Soaking

After some last minute discussion Stephen and I decided to go ahead and have our Sunday walk today. Probably a wrong decision as it rained solid the whole time. I had decided to try and keep the camera in the bag out of the rain but as usual I saw a few things that made it worth lifting out.

This was the view over Belfast Lough, drizzle and misty at the same time.

I spotted this little coastal Cottage that looked like a throw back to years gone by. How it’s managed to survive tucked in between some mega mansions, I don’t know!

I then spotted a Grey Heron in the water along the coast. Normally a shy bird, this one seemed content to stand and watch us.

I sneaked a little closer and changed to a zoom lens and grabbed a few quick shots.

Stephen then let my dogs go and Smudge did a sterling job of chasing it off to a distant perch.

Some lovely coastal Wild Flowers in the rain. Sea Thrift is a favourite of mine for walks and as a accent plant.

Bluebells are out

Part of the World War 2 Defenses for German Bombers targeting Belfast docks. This gun commanded a great position from Grey’s Point overlooking Belfast Lough.

Maybe it was worth a walk in the rain anyway 🙂

Apr 9 2013

Floodgates Walk

Some photos taken on a recent walk at the Floodgates in my hometown of Ards.

There may be trouble ahead

Duck

Geese

Creature from the black lagoon

Scrabo Tower

Strangford Lough

sand wave

murky water

low flyer

Take off!

Jan 6 2013

Bird Feeder

Not much happening this week other than some major computer issues!!!

Anyway, I did manage to snap a few photos of some wild birds on a feeder through a window, hence they are a little fuzzy.

Photos include Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Redpoll, Gold Finch, House Sparrow.

Aug 5 2012

More Bird Capers

On Wednesday we had a stormy day with high winds and rain. I spotted these fellows on on my stands sheltering underneath the tree canopies.

Can you spot both of them in the first photo? A couple of Thrush.

I then managed to get a few shots of a little wren that up until now has been illusive. My favourite bird in the UK. Not great photos taken on the fly through a window, but good enough for my tatty blog!

The Thrush managed to make a right mess of some of my pot contents but I also saw one banging away with a snail against a stone, so that made me happy.

Jun 18 2012

Hawk Eye

Phil allowed me to leave the exhibition marquee for a few minutes on Sunday and I managed to snap a few quick photos of the Birds of Prey that were on display within the campus grounds. Here are a few shots. Stunning birds, although they look a little bored!

May 16 2012

All Aboard the Skylark

I took a walk with family members along the Floodgates footpath in Ards last Saturday. I promised my sister that we would see a Skylark. I was starting to panic when we eventually spotted one singing on the up before it floated down to the ground again. And then, would you believe it, we nearly tripped over one on the pathway!

A few other birds about too. Spotted this Reed Bunting, not often seen in my area, at least by me!

Shelducks

Unidentified by me, poor photo too but I was hoping someone would know what it was. There was 5 of them bouncing about from bush to bush. Any ideas?

Kestrel hoovering over the path.

Some of the views.

Tides out, way out!

Plenty of air traffic popping into the local airport right beside the path.

May 7 2012

Rare Sighting

On yesterday’s walk I was going to keep the camera in the case. I was suffering with a bit of a hangover and wasn’t in the mood. I said to Stephen that it would take something unusual for me to it out.

A short time later a Bull Finch popped up onto a nearby beech tree. They are a rare sighting here and don’t sit long as they are a shy bird. I even had to change the lens first and was surprised when it sat long enough for me to get a few shots!

As I had the camera out, I took a few more.

A badger set under the roots of a beech tree.

A buzzards seemed to be following us around.

If you look closely you can even see the hailstones that made it take to a perch.

Sometimes being a parent isn’t easy!

Willow

Taking off from Ards Airport, small planes only.

May 1 2012

Sunday Signs!

On my usual Sunday walk I couldn’t help but notice just how often we came across signs telling us what not to do. I’m aware signs are helpful but I am getting a little tired of being ‘SHOUTED AT’ in capitals everywhere we go. For example….