Thursday 17 November 2022

NOVEMBER and OCTOBER PHOTOS.

November weather has been unpleasantly cold, and we have had numerous thunderstorms and heavy rainfall since the beginning of this month, which is good for the garden after the draught. I have not been out, because Eva my daughter caught the Covid virus and kept her distance, until she was Covid free. Therefore, I have concentrated on nature in my garden, and what I can see from, and on, my balcony. I still have a few photos left from my visit to the nature reserve, but felt like a change, and can show them another time.


Early one morning, after the rain.











This is my favourite Camellia shrub. It is known as Camellia Sasanqua and is a lovely Autumn flowering shrub with flowers that have single soft delicate thin petals and leaves, very different than other Spring flowering Camelias in my garden. This one is planted just outside my bedroom window, in a sheltered location in acid soil.


I love these newly formed cones appearing on the conifers.

 





One day as I looked out of the window, I saw a flash of white
on that spindly tree in the background.


I knew whatever bird it turned out to be, would probably just be for reference, as my lens is not strong enough to capture a decent photo at that distance, but I'm sharing them anyway. 


It turned out to be a Flycatcher.


All these images are heavily cropped.


Perhaps you are wondering where the flash of white is. Unfortunately, it is not visible on these photos, as the white area is in the shade.


Midday cloud formation.


This is my simple bird bath / drinking station. It is just a plastic urn with a deepish plate on top, the kind you place under plant pots.:=) 
The birds don't mind, they go to drink and bathe regularly.


Coal Tit


This is one of the feeding stations, using the same idea, but with a heavy stone in the middle to stop the plates blowing away on windy days


The Coal Tit.


The little Firecrest keeps putting in an appearance.







Photos taken through the window


Variegated Ivy and Virginia Creeper


One day I took the plates away to wash and look what I found under the rim.


Blue Tits in the rainy weather.








The Crested Tit, stoically waiting it's turn at the feeder.



The Firecrest captured on another day.



Always a pleasure to see, the Red Squirrel



An interesting insect captured on my balcony.



Prehistoric looking insect on my balcony wall.



Raindrops on a spider's web in my garden.



It is usually whilst I'm having breakfast that I gaze out of the window, and I became most excited to see a bird in a distant tree which looked thrush size, but I knew it wasn't a thrush, and to my utter delight discovered it was a lone Redwing.



The Redwing Turdus iliacus It is a common bird, but I had never seen it before


I took lots of photos, none of which turned out very well but there again it was rather far away, but I just couldn't stop, because it was a "lifer" for me. :=))



The Redwing is in fact a bird in the thrush family.



Just three more, :=)










As the light fades, the Robin is always the last bird to visit my balcony, and the first bird I see in the early morning.



Good night, see you in the morning.



Paula sent me this sunset, so I will close this post with the setting sun.


39 comments:

Irma said...

What great photos.
I think taking pictures through the window is very good.
I usually take the pictures through the window, especially those of the birds.
Greetings Irma

Marit said...

Hello dear Sonjia! :)

I can very well understand why the camellia is your favorite. It's very beautiful! I have many camellias in my basement, but I have never seen the one you show today here. All my camellias blooms from January to April. I envy you the climate you have. Here where I live it's impossible to grow them outside in my garden. In the west of Norway it's possible to grow them outside, but I don't live there so I'm very happy about my basement :)
Lovely cones too! As always very beautiful photos of all the birds. The Blue Tit is my favorite photo today. I'm very fond of "blue birds" :)

All the best, and many warm hugs to you!

eileeninmd said...

Hello Sonjia,
What a lovely collection of photos. I hope your daughter is feeling better. The Camelia shrub is beautiful, pretty blooms. You see a wonderful variety of birds in your garden. The Coal Tit, Blue Tit and the Firecrest are favorites. The Red Squirrel is a cutie with those cute ear tufts. Congrats on your Redwing sighting, great photos. The Robin is adorable. Love the beautiful sunset. Beautiful post! Take care, have a great day!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Good morning, Esteemed Ornithophile, Sonjia: It seems to me, and no doubt will similarly occur to everyone who reads this post, that the place to be for breakfast is at your house with such a wonderful assortment of visitors. There is no benefit of course to poor Eva catching COVID but if you are confined in consequence of it you are in the right place. It is always a kind act to provide water for birds and as you point out it is the water they appreciate and don't give a thought for the container. I shall look forward to more pictures from Sonjia's Oasis. Hugs from snowy Ontario - David

Teresa said...

Siempre es una maravilla ver tus fotografías, me encantó ver los pájaros, se ven preciosos. Deseo que tu hija se encuentre bien. Abrazos para las dos.

MadSnapper said...

The perfect way to start with a sunrise and then with a sunset skies are my favorite subjects and I love being up and watching the sun come up. I think today's favorite is your Conifer cones they're just absolutely stunning and all your beautiful birds. With all this stunning photography fodder outside your window there's no need to go off your property. Awesome photos today

Richard Pegler said...

I hope that Eva recovers quickly and fully from Covid, Sonjia, but I'm pleased to see that you can take comfort in her absence from the wonderful sights from your balcony and garden, as shown in your beautiful photos.

I am extremely envious of your regularly visiting Firecrest. It is a bird that I have seen on very few occasions - maybe only four times!

That's a great idea for bird feeders and drinking stations.

I think that your insect with the fabulous eyes is possibly a hoverfly species - but not one that we get in UK.

Best wishes - stay safe - - - Richard

Jeevan said...

I enjoyed the bird series, and you worked hard to capture that distant flycatcher! Raindrops on a spider's web shine like a beautiful piece of jewelry, and the red squirrel is adorable. I hope your daughter recovers quickly. I'm glad you got to enjoy nature within your vicinity while your daughter is away.

David James Slater said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This N That said...

I take a lot of photos through my kitchen window...Sorry about your sisters catching covid..Hope she is negative now..Beautiful photography..Thanks for sharing..

roentare said...

All these petite birds are wonderful to see.
Blue tits are great

Lowcarb team member said...

Wow!
Wow!
Wow!

What a lovely post full of beautiful photographs.
The birds (congratulations on seeing the Redwing), the flowers, the beautiful Red Squirrel and Robin (my favourite bird) plus the setting sun - so much to see - thank you.

Take care and look after yourself.

All the best Jan

R's Rue said...

Beautiful. Regine
www.rsrue.blogspot.com

Jenn Jilks said...

Great photos, all.
My heated bird bath is doing well. I must clean it today.
Now, did you mean Virginia creeper?!
Must go shovel some snow!

Nancy Chan said...

We are also having thunderstorm and plenty of rain. After rain photos are beautiful. Nice cones on the conifers. I like the cloud formation. Love the close up shots of birds and insects. Raindrops on spider web looks like lace. Have a wonderful weekend.

DeniseinVA said...

I hope your daughter has recovered from Covid. You took beautiful photos to share with us today. Thank you so much! Wishing you a very happy and healthy November :)

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Sonjia

I enjoyed seeing all your lovely garden birds, they are lovely treat right outside your windows. It is hard to pick a favorite bird, they are favorites. The sunrise and sunset images are beautiful. I hope your daughter has recovered from Covid. Beautiful photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend.

EricaSta said...

I love the Camellia too, but I have not any luck with this plant. I hat noch green thumb...

The Robin is such a lovely bird. Thank you for sharing.

Tom said...

...I love all of your critters, but drew eye was my camelia. They are rarely hardy here, but I had a spring flowering variety growing successfully for a couple of years. Last winter was cold and it froze to the ground, but cut it back grew nicely. Maybe there is hope.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

The spider web is a gorgeous photo and it's fun to see so many birds that we don't have here. I hope your daughter is feeling much better and the weather is nice enough to get out! Take care and enjoy your weekend!

carol l mckenna said...

Magnificent and beautiful nature series of photos ~ favorite is the Coal Tit, red squirrel and amazing spider web ~ Xo

Wishing the good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka(A Creative Harbor)

RedPat said...

You got so many great shots of birds out through your window. I use one of the deep plates for a birdbath on the deck and the birds, especially the Robins, love it.

Debbie said...

as you know, water is just as important to the birds as food. it is nice you provide both and are rewarded with such beautiful visitors!!

the camellia is gorgeous!! good news that you daughter has recovered from covid!!

Bill said...

You captured some real beauties through your window. I love seeing all those small birds and that unique red squirrel. Hope your daughter gets over Covid fast. Thanks for sharing and have a wnderful weekend.

Mae Travels said...

That is a lovely collection of bird photos! I love the European robin, so different from ours.

best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Mike Attwood said...

Hello Sonjia,
Still having lots of computor problems indoors and bad weather outdoors but it does not affect yhe wildlife only my ability to photograph them.I like your red squirrel pics. I wish I had them in my garden they would go well with my red foxes. Take care,
Mike.

ashok said...

Awesome photographs! Loved everyone of them!

Phil Slade said...

Your watching of the garden paid good dividends Sonjia. It's always good to get a lifer and what better than a Redwing, a simply gorgeous visitor for you. I think your Spotted Flycatcher was very late in your garden as It should have been on the way to Africa. But again, well spotted by you. Nice idea about your feeding system and how it definitely suits the Firecrest.

Hootin Anni said...

Oh my, I don't know where to begin. Extraordinary images. Each and all. I do have a favorite tho...that close-up of a new pine cone!!!

NatureFootstep said...

a wonderful post. Loved to see the Firecrest and the Coal tit. I have not seen any of them yet. But the Coal tit might be around in one part of a forest. Hopefully.

Rainbow Evening said...

aww.... wonderful views...and beautiful critters...
thank you for sharing

John's Island said...

Hello Sonjia! 😊
I feel lucky to have met you in the blogosphere. I love the way, when you are out and around, you take photos that make me feel like I’m right there on the journey with you. Before I say more let me say I hope Eva has recovered completely. So sorry to hear she came down with Covid. Now, “November and October Photos” is a real pleasure. Very first image, a beautiful sky. Another beauty: the Camellia shrub. Yes, I would have stopped to snap the cones on the conifers. Neat photos. I often spot wildlife that is really out of my camera range but the photos still make good memories and I’m glad you shared the Flycatcher. I often stopped to look for a few moments at the next few birds. It’s funny, but it seemed like I could read a message from them … the way they were holding their head. Especially the little birds in the rain! The prehistoric insect on the wall reminded me of a photo I saw today in Diane’s ~Lavender Dreamer~ blog … the Armadillo. I need more info on how these critters have evolved (or not). 😊 Stopping again at the “Raindrops on a spider’s web” … love those kind of shots! So happy you shared the Redwing. Always share a “lifer” 😊 A beautiful sunset to close the post and to close my comments. Forgive me if I go on too long with my comments. Just really enjoy your blog and thank you so much for your thoughtful comments on mine. Wishing you a happy week ahead! John

Veronica Lee said...

Incredible photography!

Love the amazing series of photos! 🧡🧡🧡

roughterrain crane said...

Hello. I love sasanquas, too. They are really beautiful.

Anni said...

I'm back to give you thanks for taking time to link in with us at I'd Rather B Birdin'.

roughterrain crane said...

Thanks for your visit to my blog. Yours are full of beautiful birds and plants. I am looking forward to enjoying your new photos.

Sharon Wagner said...

A cacophony of critters. Each one beautifully photographed. Happy Thanksgiving!

Judy Biggerstaff said...

Lots of beautiful pics of the birds, flowers and the sky. Love the pink Camelia, we don't grow them in my area. Your bird bath and feeder work for the visitors. I did something very similar in my yard too.

John's Island said...

Hello Dear Sonija, I’m leaving this comment for your post of Nov 27, despite “Comments Off.” I just wanted you to know that I am keeping you in my thoughts. God bless you. Take good care of yourself and, please, no reply necessary! John

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