Cynosure Cormorant and Co.

The Cororant.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cormorants have arrived! Hubby and I made straight for the rocks where we are used to seeing them, and sure enough there were quite a few on the top of the rocks, and at the base near the water.
WILD BIRD WEDNESDAYS, SATURDAY'S CRITTERS and I'D RATHER B BIRDIN

The Riding School

The Riding School is not far from where we live, just a twenty five minute drive. It is here where our grandchildren learnt to ride, and we are still in the habit of going to watch the competitions, and the horses being trained. The Club House serves light snacks and wonderful coffee, and in the summer months it's lovely to sit outside with cool refreshments and watch the horses going through their paces. The head trainer is a friend of ours, and an excellent sportsman. He has competed in horse trials in England with Princess Ann, who as you probably know is an accomplished rider, and sportswoman.

The Riding School. 



The Club House. 

Jumping low fences.
 

Setting off for the bridle path.
 

Into the woods.
 

There are several bridle-paths for the seasoned riders.

 

Our friend with a young lady rider.
 

Horse blanket looked colourful hanging over the fence.
 

GOOD FENCES
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS

Creepers

Tree Creeper    Sylria atricapilla

A few Treecreepers to share today, taken at different times, and in different light. Always a pleasure to see them at the feeders. These birds prefer coniferous woods at higher altitudes, where they breed fairly commonly in S. Europe. I always find the Treecreeper a difficult bird to photograph, because of the spiraling way it creeps up a tree. One minute it's on one side of the trunk, and just when your ready to shoot, it's moved around to the other side. Just as well they visit the feeders!:)
WILD BIRD WEDNESDAYS
I'D RATHER B BIRDIN

Figuring it out.

Does anyone else see what I see here?
 

As I pass this tree every day, after about six months I took another photo. See anything yet!
 

Over time, after about two years, as the bark weathered the image began to change,
 

Enlarged picture of what it looks like now.
 

These are the cones on the highest branches of our enormous  Pinheiro Manso.
 

Last year tiny red flowers appeared on them, and we were amazed as this is the first time we have ever seen this. We first planted it over thirtyfive  years ago after it had been our Christmas tree, and to our knowledge it has never bloomed before.  

Has anyone ever seen this occurence before?
 

Yesterday my son figured out what was wrong with the computer. A vírus had installed itself, and caused all the trouble. I'm up and running again,with a little puzzle for you, to figure out.

Dear Blogger Friends

Since yesterday I have been having great difficulty loading your posts. Sometimes I am able to get through, but it takes me 10mins or longer to do this. I can't even scroll down my own blog to see my pictures. This is why I have not visited you, so until this has been sorted out, and I hope it soon will be, I will say goodby for now.

Herons in the Estuary.

The Grey Heron  Ardea cinerrea
 

I saw them with the binoculars, and it was one of those times when I wished I had a boat, and could get nearer to them.
 

There were two Herons, and a few Cormorants.
 

The Heron on the left was making it's way towards the one on the right side of the island.
 

He stood up tall to check for the other heron which was half hidden by the grass.
 

The other Heron was now keen to reveal himself`/ herself 
 

So he preceded to wade across.
 

This is the heron on the right in the company of a few cormorants and a duck.
 

Oh dear, is it really disinterest or just playing hard to get!:)
 

Only a few seagulls here, and a heron..
 

Another cropped picture
 

I enjoyed the day out with hubby, and will return to the estuary to check out more birds very soon.
 

WILD BIRD WEDNESDAYS, SATURDAY'S CRITTERS and I'D RATHER B BIRDIN

Sea Views for Good Fences

We only live a twenty five minutes drive away from the coast. On a nice sunny day, we like to walk along the shore.

The board walks are a good way to observe the views whilst walking near the sea.

These birds look a little like Cormorants, but their bills don't  look long enough.!

Plenty of Herring Gulls to be seen, and a small Turnstone to the left.

More Gulls.

I love the fine soft sand around our shores.

I am linking this to GOOD FENCES, SATURDAY'S CRITTERS and I'D RATHER B BIRDIN If you want to see great fences, critters and birds do go there by clicking on the links to see some amazing photos from around the world.

Male Warbler

The Male Blackcap.
 

 

It had just stopped raining. I looked out of my bedroom window, and there he was on my balcony. I held my breath in case he flew away whilst I went to get my camera. Joy of joys, he was still there, click click, and he was gone.
WILD BIRD WEDNESDAYS