GMS Week 5
The temperature ranged from 8.5 - 7.1 degrees centigrade last night when I ran the moth trap but when I opened it this morning there were absolutely no moths in there whatsoever!
Garden Birds
The wren has continued to build a nest in the hanging basket. Yesterday it made me laugh as it struggled on a nearby fence with a huge piece of what looked like soft plastic. It spent several minutes trying to manouevre the plastic in its beak and after many attempts finally managed to fly into the basket.
I did manage one day last week to get a few very record shots of it entering the nest with a feather. The photos were taken through a garage window as I sat half way up the garage so as not to disturb the bird.
We often see sparrowhawks in the garden but rarely see them actually catch any of the birds but this morning one was spotted on the lawn plucking feathers off what we think was a house sparrow.
Another record shot - taken through the kitchen window - the light was very poor and at ISO 800 I only got a shutter speed of 1/60th second so its not very sharp to say the least! The photo is cropped and I have adjusted the brightness and contrast on this one.
One or two stock doves are still visiting most days and one day I saw a pair of chaffinches - the male went straight on the sunflower heart feeder whereas the female hoovered up scraps below.
The male robin has been courtship feeding a female and house sparrows were collecting seedheads from the perennial bed and taking them into nest sites under the roof. I also spotted my first red-tailed bumble bee queen last week.
Memorabilia Fair
Now for something a little different - David and I popped to the Memorabilia Fair at the National Exhibition Centre for a couple of hours this morning. The Fair has hundreds of stands selling film and tv memorabilia, there are stars of screen, tv and sport if you want to queue up for autographs and photos and various talkstake place.
Darth Vader was inspecting the Storm Troopers as we were about to leave.
Jack Sparrow has spotted Darth Vader on the approach and is taking evasive action!
People were queueing up to have their photo taken on this Doctor Who set and there was a very life-like looking "Matt Baker" just out of the shot
A few more photos taken around the Fair - not labelled as I haven't a clue who some of them are supposed to be!! Although the Alien was very spooky.
I don't know what to say. I just don't. Nesting bird. Awesome Sparrowhawk kill. And Darth Vader??? All in the same post. The message here? Darth Vader=Sparrowhawk=Jack Sparrow=epic:) That looked to be a lot of fun. The image that sticks in my head is the delicate nest of the wren. Honestly, you really have some great captures. 1. Wren's Nest 2. Sparrowhawk going to town on dinner 3. The Empire standing in a row with the Red Imperial Guard Love it all:)
ReplyDeleteHi Chris
ReplyDeleteI thought of you when I was wandering round the Memorabilia Fair and looking at all the fantasty stuff. Yes, its a fun experience and Darth Vader approached so close he put shivers up my spine! In fact I was tempted to follow Jack Sparrow's example and do a quick "runner". I know its only make believe but it can be scarey at times :D. Glad you liked the bird pics too.
All the best Caroline