Good Wishes

 

Yesterday I hadn't prepared a Christmas post,so I quickly went outside and took this photo of the front door. It wasn't snowing, but I added the not very convincing snow flakes just for fun:) I want to thank all of you who regularly visit my blog, and give you my warmest best wishes. Although I have already visited many of your blogs to wish you a Merry Christmas, and many of you have passed by to wish me the same, I still want to be sure that I have not left anyone out, so Merry Christmas everyone, and a very Happy New Year to you and your families. See you all in 2013.

Eagle Eyed

The Short- toed Snake Eagle
Circaetus gallicus

 

The Short-toed Snake Eagle is a medium bird of prey. It can be found in open cultivated plains and deciduous scrub areas. As it's name implies, it's diet consists mainly of snakes and other reptiles, mostly lizards.

In It's Element

The Marsh Frog
Pelophylax ridibundus

 

Taking a leap to the bottom of the pond using it's long hind legs
 

Breeding takes place in March and April

The smaller male holds on tightly to the larger female whilst mating

The Marsh Frog has a large head, and it's eyes are on top of it's head. When swimming it can remain submerged whilst looking for prey, and keeping safe from predators .

The lighter green back stripe is clearly visible on this photo

The Marsh frog is Europe's largest water dwelling frog, and a powerful swimmer. It is also an amazing jumper,and always ready to jump into deep water at the first sign of a disturbance sprinting with it's long back legs. It is green in colour although there is a large variation in colour pattern, ranging from dark green to brown or grey. A lighter green line on the back is generally present. The female grows to 17 cm in length but the male is much smaller. The diet of the Marsh Frog consists of dragonflies and small invertebrates.

A Charmer

The Coal Tit

Tufty Ears and Bushy Tails

The Red Squirrel

 

 

 

 

 

They come in all shapes and sizes.Some are chubby and in certain positions I think they look more like little bears than squirrels, and others are slender. Some are red like these, and others are light or dark brown,and can be even black in colour. Their striking ear tufts are a prominent distinguishing feature of the Red Squirrel in Winter, but they lose them in Summer. Their bushy tails vary in volume, but are usually 15-20 cm in length.They are daily visiters to the garden and give me endless pleasure.