FINDLAY'S DAY.

Last Sunday I, along with a group of  other bloggers and friends, had the pleasure of being invited to a surprise get together to celebrate the 11th. birthday of a remarkable young man by the name of Findlay Wilde. Findlay's knowledge and  passion for anything to do with birds and birding is astounding, and a credit,  for someone of so few years.  I'm sure  we're going to hear the name Findlay Wilde more and more as he goes on to achieve great things in the birding world.

Whilst there Findlay took us all on a guided walk around his local patch, including a stretch along the banks of the River Weaver, where we were  treated to good, and prolonged, views of a beautiful Kingfisher ( thanks for arranging that for us Findlay!!) of which many photographs were taken, and prompting Findlay to later come up with the idea that we should all do a post of our best shots.

So here goes!... my best(!!) shots for the inaugural ....Findlay Wilde Birthday Celebration Photographic Competition.

Now, people photography is not my thing so (much to my regret) I didn't take any pictures to record the day, however, a few of the others did and if you haven't seen them already you can view their excellent accounts of the day here.... Findlay, Keith and Andrew

It was great to meet up with fellow, like minded, bloggers and friends of Findlay and his family and a big thank you goes out to Findlay's mum and dad Heather and Nigel (great stew!), and Harley, Findlay's younger brother, who gave us a stunning  recital on his electric guitar, (a mega pop star in the making?) for inviting us into their home and  for putting up with us all for the day!

It was a truly wonderful and enjoyable day and I hope to meet up with you all again soon.

THE WEIGHT OF THE WINTER

Saw this today......

......Winter Aconite (eranthis hyemalis) living up to it's name and taking the weight of the winter on it's shoulders!!

A MAN FROM THE NORTH AND ROSEMARY'S DUCKS

Earlier in the week I had the pleasure of meeting up with a fellow blogger.  

Adrian  the self styled old age traveller of Adrian's Images fame, he who keeps us entertained with his dry and witty musings as he wends his way around the country in his camper van accompanied by his faithful sidekicks  Alf and Molly, had come to visit  'our patch' for a couple of days.  

I'm not going to bore you with the details of what we did or where we went, Adrian tells it much better than I ever could in his blog.

 
The first day was spent walking around Keith's local lake, Caldecote.  And later a photo session with some ornamental ducks on the pond  at Adrian's camp site. The evening before Adrian had chatted up and worked his charm on Rosemary the proprietor'ess of the campsite who came and unlocked the gate to the pond and allowed us to go in and take photographs at our leisure . (there was a high electric fence and cage around the pond to keep out the local foxes and other unwelcome visitors!)


Rosemary's Ducks

                       
                        Bahama Pintail                                 Silver Bahama Pintail

                         Marbled Teal                                              Ferruginous Duck

                                Chiloe Wigeon                                Cinnamon Teal

                                           Mr and Mrs Carolina Wood Duck

Day two involved an early start and a visit to Summer Leys reserve in Northamptonshire. Unfortunately the wildfowl on the water were mobile and distant after being disturbed be a group of people using boats to undertake some sort of survey work. 

A distant Shelduck adds some colour to the grey water.

One highlight of the day was seeing a beautiful pair of Bullfinches as they visited the feeding station and also a paddling cock Pheasant. 

He looked none too happy getting his feet wet!

A female Reed Bunting bracing herself against the wind!

And further on a group of Goldfinch shining in the sunlight as they busily fed on some Teasel  heads.

 

And to round the day off Adrian treated Keith and myself to a meal in the local pub.

Thanks Adrian, it was a pleasure to meet and walk with you,  I hope you enjoyed your all too brief visit to our local patch. Perhaps next time you'll be able to stay a bit longer and we can show you more of our local sites, and maybe with some sunshine thrown in for good measure!