BIRDS AT THE FEEDING STATION:

 Hello everyone, I'm back after three months of devastating rainfall and winds reaching 202 kilometers per hour causing a trail of distruction. Trees fell down on the farm and branches are strewn everywhere. On Wednesday 28th of January, Storm Kristin wreaked havoc in Portugal, causing widespread damage as Porto came to a halt, when all power lines came down and these power cuts persist in much of  the country.The tempetuous event left me without power for several days, but the people who are suffering the most live in the center of Portugal,they  felt the full force of Storm Kristin.They have had their rooves ripped off, and their homes flooded with mudded water caused by landslides, cars washed away as streets became rivers, all this whilst persistant rainfall and severe winds hinder attemps to clean up, and drench those affected. If it's not heavy rainfall we are subjected to, it's hailstones and thunder and lightening and dark days which seem like.nightfall. At this moment I can hear hailstones hitting the glass of the balcony doors and I'm worried that a power cut could happen at any time. Every morning I feed the birds, and there is a flurry of activity. Even in the rain, they come, eager to quench their hunger, as it can't be easy to hunt for food in extremely bad weather.

I saw something unusual not long ago, a Great.tit was feeding another Great.tit. Surely it's too early in the year for this kind of behavior, especially in the deplorable weather conditions we have been having

Most of my bird visitors are Great-tits and Coal-tits with the occasional visit from the Creasted- tit and the Blue -tit but the Blue- tit seems afraid of the other birds and is very shy, so I haven't been successful in taking a photo. It's been difficult to take any photos in such weather conditions  and I have deleated many cloudy images. Normally I don't feel any ill effects from a lack of daylight, but even I have felt "under the weather" with a lethargy possibly from a lack of fresh air, but it's not just that, my eyesight has deteriorated and I'm having a hard time reading and focusing on any image. My blurred vision is the main reason I haven't been blogging for a while and I think that perhaps it's time for me to stop blogging. For many reasons this post was difficult to write. I won't say goodbye, I hate goodbyes  but I will say that I will miss you all, and hope that one day if something can be done to aid my failing eyesight, hopefully I will return.

KIKA WAS HER NAME

Just one photo today taken on the farm. The dog belonged to my forman and his wife and I made a copy to keep for myself because it gives me a sense of peace just looking at it. It's still pouring down here, with little chance of me getting outdoors.

Kika at rest

CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Before I share some photos I want to thank those of you who left lovely get well comments which I really appreciated. I feel much better and my leg is healing. I had a new dressing yesterday and the nurse feels confident that I will only need a couple more, dressings.  Although we are now in the new year, I would like to take you back to Christmas when all the family came for lunch and afterwards exchanged presents. My daughter Eva gave me a large package and explained that it had to be assembled before I could use it, which she did the next day.

It's screwed onto my balcony railing and I couldn't be happier with this gift for it is a much better arrangement. The plates which I had been using before on the balcony floor were trip hazzards, and I can even see the birds from my bed which I couldn't do before, and here are a few birds I captured. some in sun and some in shade

These are the birds waiting their turn at the feeders. perched in nearby trees. The birds are quite posessive of the feed station and until they have had their fill  won't let newcomers join them,, 

Our Christmas Tree

It wouldn't be a Christmas tree without birds.

Now for something a little different. Below are four Portuguese tiles that are hanging in the library in a group of four. They each have wooden frames, and I have included one with the frame. My late husband was very fond of these tiles and they were a Christmas gift from Eva to her father many years ago, so I thought you might like to see them, and I have included a little about Portuguese tiles.

Portuguese tiles, known as azulejos are widely considered beautiful, for their intricate designs,vibrant colour, (especially, blue and white)  and story telling narrative that cover buildings, churches and public spaces making them a defining

and artistic cultural treasure. They transform simple surfaces into rich artistic expressions of Portuguese history, faith, and daily life appealing to many for their unique beauty and craftmanship. My laundry room for example is covered from  floor to ceiling with blue and white tiles, and they make the space a more pleasant work place.                                                                                                

 

I will be visiting as soon as possible. I did try before, but could only make a few comments before I was unable to continue. I am looking forward to seeing what you have all been doing. All the best dear friends,see you soon.

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR and UPDATE.

Happy New Year

Dear blog friends, and fellow bloggers, I hope you all had a lovely time at Christmas..As you may have noticed I have not been in touch for several weeks because  I have not felt well after losing my ballance and falling sustaining a heavy blow to my head. The left side of my face was so bruised it went black, my eye so swollen it closed, and  a deep gash over my eyebrow bled so profusly it gushed out all over the carpet, my pajamas, and in my eyes, just everywhere. It happened at 3-30 am so I patched myself up as best I could, and I also sustained a deep gash on my leg which I am still having treatment for, as it turned nasty and a dressing has had to be changed every two days. I went this morning for more treatment and a box of anti biotics,and anti inflamitory medication is helping to heal the injury. My head is sore. I awake with thobbing headaches, I'm slow and confused so feeling pretty vulnerable at the moment.  When I came to make this post I couldn't remember where I connected the pen to the computer, and feel that my memory has been affected by the fall. Please forgive me if I don't post any photos but I have a blinding headache and need to rest. I wish you and your families  a very happy and healthy New Year. I'll be back! 

MORE EURASIAN JAYS: Garrulus glandarius.

It has been pouring down with really heavy rainfall every day for several weeks so I have been unable to go outside. Floods destroyed a lot of property, especially in the south of Portugal and some in the north but as I live high up in the mountains I am safe from any damage These Jay photos were taken in July when Pedro was here, it's unfortunate that the tail isn't visible, but there was a stone wall just below where the Jay was perched on the branch, obstructing the view of the tail. I took so many photos that I will share half now, and at a later date share the other half.

 I will be linking up to Wild Bird Wednesday, and Eileen's blog Saturday's Critters

.

AUTUMN WILDLIFE

These photos were taken in these last two days. It has been windy and cold and has rained profusly, but part of each day has been dry, and warm enough to go for a walk so camera at the ready I took advantage of these dry spells to go for walks in and around the property.

I started my walk by leaving from the front door and going the rounds taking photos of trees which surround the house, When I reached the back door  I took some more, and ventured into the garden where I took photos of flowers ferns and leaves which appealed to me.

Balcony shot of a Greenfinch.

Two balcony shots taken when I had finished my walk.

Not as pretty looking now, but it still adds a little colour to the garden.

These tangerines should be ready to eat by Christmas.

Murkywater prevented me from getting good shots of these two water loving creatures.

I was surprised to see a young Newt swimming in the water.

It tried to hide from me under some leaves.

On Monday morning just before lunch I took these shots of the captivating CrestedTit.

My Grand.daughter Sara twisted her ankle, so my daughter Eva took her to an adjacent town to ours, where Sara goes to physiotheropy for an injured foot and her place of employ is in the visinity. Eva waited to take Sara to work and whilst doing so looked at a few shops. Out of curiosity she entered one which sold fish and various kinds of lizards, both in large tanks. She inquired if the proprietor knew of a place where she could buy dried mealworm for birds. He told her that he fed the fish and lizards mealworm as part of their diet and also sold tubs of it to his customers. Eva bought a large tub knowing how pleased I would be when I found out, as I had been searching for mealworm for years without success. The Coal-tits love it. 

We have been having some lovely sunsets so I'm including some in my post.

I will be linking to Wild Bird Wednesday and Saturday's Critters