Observing Garden Birds
Watching nature on your doorstep…
Having been struck down by the worst virus in history I have been laid low for the last few days. On the hottest day of the year in the UK (my birthday) I was shivering under a quilt and blanket. All I knew was that I was grateful it was myself who bore the brunt of the illness (and bored my brother with my symptoms) and nobody else in the known universe..they’d never have coped 
Aside from the general unpleasentness of being ill the worse thing is being off work and unable to do anything. For the outdoor type of guy that is more annoying than being ill so I reverted to plan b which was to sit on my backside, recuperate and as I had no appetite for food, television, books or computer screens simply look out of the window. What I learnt from looking out of my back window (no sniggers at the back, I’m not a peeping tom) is that there is far more wildlife activity going on in my back garden than I had ever really considered.
Within five minutes I was watching a song thrush hopping up the garden path with a snail in its beak before picking a spot and smacking the living daylights out of it on my pavement. A lack of energy prevented me from photographing the event (you need to be at full strength to lift my camera) but in a way I was glad because it gave me a chance to simply sit and observe nature taking its course.
Male Blackbird
Blackbirds are nesting in one corner of the garden and I cannot help but admire (and right now, envy) their energy for feeding their young and finding twigs and leaves for nest rebuilding, they are constantly on the move.
Adult Female Blackbird
Darting off at different times the female, quite naturally stays close by the nest. I have positioned a tall feeder within a short flight from its nest to make ’snatch and grab’ feeds as easy as possible. On this occasion however it couldn’t resist a dried cranberry on the lawn…
Blackbird Feeding
The male on the other hand ventures slightly further afield (the pub) in search of fresh food such as the plump, juicy worm which in this case was so big he had to hop onto my summerhouse roof to tackle in order to fly back properly!
Blackbird with Worm
As common as blackbirds may be we shouldn’t take them for granted, we have taken other species for granted in the past only to see them decline in recent decades. But aside from that they provide a pleasing respite from the trials and tribulations of everyday life and I for one am grateful.
Miles,
great pictures - a nice slice of life a la Rear Window - thankfully no murders though
I think there’s a huge amount going on and the key to seeing it is to stop and look.
I know I move about too much, walking and covering too much distance - taking the time to stand and look reveals a great deal more
Great post and pleased you’re recovering
Best
Rod
May 26, 2010 @ 5:55 pm
Miles,
…. and to think Rod was going to make you a glute free cake…. presumably he feels you are already blessed in the glute department
Great shots as ever and probably not a bad thing that you are confined to quarters for a while to give you time to re-charge and take stock. The birds in my garden are also highly active right now and one has made a neat little nest in one of my hanging baskets. I don’t know which bird it belongs to but I suspect a robin. Somewhere there has to be a wren’s nest since I see them all the time but I’ve never caught one ‘at home’.
Many years ago I remember going to London for all the usual sights and shops but I remember most the park where you could feed the local sparrows by holding your hand out with some seeds. Delightful and straight out of Mary Poppins!
Cid
May 26, 2010 @ 7:57 pm
Stunning detail to these pictures. I agree with Cid, it is time for you to recharge and listen to what Nature AND your body are telling you. Listen to both these entities and you will thrive. We have an expression: Your body is writing checks it can’t cash. Not a bad credo.
Annie
May 26, 2010 @ 9:31 pm
All,
Thanks for that, it’s nice to be making a slow return to normality.
Miles
May 27, 2010 @ 2:42 pm
Miles,
I’m sorry you’ve been sick. You know, it’s your body’s way of telling you to slow down. You’re always running at a high lope and this illness interlude was a way to make you take some time off. Not fun, I’m sure, but probably much needed.
When is your birthday? You’re a Gemini?! That explains the multiple personalities! (So am I — a Gemini, that is.)
Amazing photos once again! Are you sure you’re taking these and not some high-paid professional photographer from the Audubon Society? Seriously, you’re amazing.
Melissa
May 28, 2010 @ 1:43 pm