Not Lepidoptera,,,, birds

[Zonda]

I spotted this albatross during the summer, almost 20 miles from the coast. The poor thing had been used to house chickens, so not only do they bring bad luck, they have their share as well. Anyone looking for a project?

[Gruditch]

Chicken house, what a undignified and sad end for a poor old boat.

I love boats, I went down to Lymington to get some boat pictures yesterday, I'll pop one in the "Not Leps! Scenic pics" thread.

Regards Gruditch

[Trev Sawyer]

Went for a short walk yesterday lunchtime along the river Cam in Cambridge and spotted a "leucistic" blackbird. Decided to go back today armed with my camera in the hope I could find it again...
Yeay!!



Trev

[Zonda]

Cor! What a stunning bird. Never seen one with that much white myself.

[Deano]

A gorgeous Blackbird there Trev; glad you saw it again when you had your camera!
Regards,
Deano.

[Dave McCormick]

Glad you managed to find the Blackbird with your camera, thats an awesome shot and a pretty bird. I'd mistake that for a new species if you had not said it was a blackbird!

[Trev Sawyer]

I must admit that when I first saw it from a distance, I couldn't work out what it was either! ...
(To start with, I actually thought it was a small plastic bag caught up in a tree!)
Certainly a very striking bird with its orange eyelids and beak - Glad I found it again, as my workmates thought I'd lost my marbles and I was desperate to get some evidence (of the bird... they know I'm mad without any more evidence of that!)

Trev

[Zonda]

Well,,,, we like your style of 'mad' Trev.

[Markulous]

Wow! Never seen one with as much as that!

Here's the only one I've managed to get:

[Lee Hurrell]

Can someone help me with this one?

I've been staring at these pictures for ages...

The size said Sparrowhawk but I can see a black tip to the tail and dark wing tips with a rusty colour from above which suggests Kestrel. It was soaring only, not hovering at all.

Thanks in advance...

Lee

[Trev Sawyer]

Looks like a kestrel to me too Lee, but I will bow to a more knowledgable person (of which there are many )

PS: 4 waxwings have been visiting a pub garden only 5 minutes from my workplace over the last few days and I was fortunate enough to be there when they turned up for their lunch today





Trev

[Lee Hurrell]

Thanks Trev.

Blimey - cracking photos, how close were you!?

Cheers

Lee

[Denise]

Hi Lee, Looks like kestrel to me too.

Hi Trev, Respect. That Waxwing head shot with the berry is absolutely gorgeous. Possibly the best I've ever seen.

Denise

[Trev Sawyer]

Thank You Denise,
I am really happy it came out as well as it did - it is quite a heavy crop from the original photo. I have visited the area for the last 4 days and was just very fortunate that the birds turned up during my lunchbreak. I did see them on Saturday too, but didn't have my camera!! ... The light was poor at the weekend, but yesterday was perfect.

Trev

[Lee Hurrell]

Thanks Denise.

I have another one for you...this was at Horsenden Hill today. Is this a Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel? They were flying together for ages and I thought they must be a pair but looking at the wing shapes I'm not so sure...

Thanks,

Lee