THE RAMBLINGS OF A STRUGGLING ARTIST ON LIFE WITH TWO TERRIERS, A PONY WITH ISSUES AND OTHER WILDLIFE AND BIRDS THAT CROSS OUR PATH

11 April 2014

KANGAROO GREAT TIT


Perhaps I'm alone in never having seen our garden birds acting like Kangaroos, using their tails as a third leg, but this was a new one for me today; it was putting real pressure on those tail feathers. 



The Nuthatch was acting strangely too on its tippee toes:


I love its feathers in this one:


Blue Tits behaving normally:



Sparrows too:



At last, leaves are beginning to emerge on the trees and in the hedge. This is the lovely red Acer that we inherited here:


Alder:


Blackthorn:


Hornbeam:


Willow:


Guelder Rose:


The sunrises have been more spectacular than the sunsets over the last few days:




Yesterday we went looking for Newts in remote pools out on the moor. This one was about to be eaten by Jack so we were faced with a split second decision: save it and break the law, or let it die in the jaws of a terrier. We saved it and it swam off safely.


We also found this Water Scorpion - not a great picture I'm afraid.


A short one today. It's been a very difficult day. I won't go into why at the moment. I've written this paragraph three times and deleted it. I'm not in the right frame of mind. So, until next time, have a lovely weekend and here are a couple of pics of Snippet and Jack. they can always cheer me up.....well unless they're digging up the garden, barking the place down or escaping from the garden....hmmmm.



32 comments:

  1. Wow, a Newt! Such things dont exist in Australia - as far as Amphibians go, it's frogs or nothing! I'm guessing its against the law to touch, disturb or move them? In this instance, it's good that you did.

    The Kangaroo-Bird is also interesting. There's no bones in the tail so it shows how strong the feathers are.

    I hope that whatever is giving you cause to worry resolves itself somewhat by days end!

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    1. It was really putting a lot of pressure on those feathers. Really interesting that there is no Australian equivalent of the newt. I kind of imagined you were awash with amphibious delights!

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  2. The woodpecker's tail feathers have adapted to support it while climbing or resting on tree trunks, but I've not heard of any other bird use them in the same way.
    Hope you're OK Em, take care x

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    1. Thanks Jess. It's really odd isn't it? I saw the same one again today with another who didn't do it. Perhaps it will teach them like the Nuthatches did when they started breaking into the peanut feeder. Only the Chaffinches failed to copy them!

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  3. Your birds definitely have their own personalities. I hope that the difficult times will be resolved, thinking of you in the meantime. Take care. Hugs. xx

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  4. I love the Blue Tits!

    Our pets have a way of raising our spirits in time of stress. Hopefully you will have a better day tomorrow. I will keep you in my thoughts. (((HUGS)))

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    1. The Blue Tits are SO tiny. I love them too. Hugs to you too Gail. x

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  5. Hi Em! I'm sorry its been a difficult day. I hope you find the needed peace and I hope you have a good weekend too!

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    1. It's been a lovely day today with no pressure thank goodness. We often find we're trying to fit too much into the two days and all get stressed by it. Hope your' weekend is going well too. x

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  6. Your blog is relatively new to me but I'm glad I found it. Your photographs are really, really nice.

    Thanks.

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    1. Thanks Cathy. I hope you come back and visit again.

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  7. You have the best photos ever. I am always amazed by how clear and detailed your bird photos are.
    I am sorry your having a difficult day(s). Sending some Tucson sunshine and a hug.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. Sunshine and hug much appreciated Parsnip - thank you.

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  8. Love the newt. Hope you are OK? xx

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    1. Feeling a lot better today - thank you. I was out looking for Newts again today; they're everywhere, in every puddle and pool. So beautiful.

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  9. Ewww that Newt looks slimy, Em. LOL ... best you be slimy then I ! Enjoy your weekend. xx

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    1. They're so beautiful though Cindy. Could you be converted??? x

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  10. You ALWAYS cheer me up with your fantastic shots. Feel better soon.
    Jane xx

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  11. Lovely photos - interesting to see the Great Tit using its tail in that way and wonderful photo of the newt. Sorry to hear about your difficult day - I really do hope problems resolve themselves soon.

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    1. Lifelong I'm afraid - I just let it get to me. Much better today, thank you.

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  12. Wonderful pics and well done for breaking the law ;-) sometimes it's gotta be done!

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  13. Hope things are better for you by now Em

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  14. Glad to read in your comments/replies that things evened out a bit. Some problems never really go away--especially health issues.
    I find your photos almost startlingly detailed--your 'eye' and your camera skills help us to view things afresh. I feel more cheerful and settled when I take time for something lovely, even on a day of piled up aggravations.
    BTW: I appreciated your comparison of the old Whitehurst Station Store to that of Ike Godsey in the Waltons. I'll bet Miss Corabeth made him keep it tidier than the one we peeked into.

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  15. The Walton's was such an important part of my childhood. Monday nights on BBC2 at 8.10pm. Too much TV choice these days!

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  16. It's great to see all your garden birds and their agility! I love the little newt. And as for sunrises over the moor...I think I'd manage very early mornings to see them, too.
    I'm glad to read from your comments that things are better for you after your difficult day x

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    1. Thanks Wendy. I'd like to get out earlier in the morning but breakfast has to come first. When my old horse died very suddenly about five years ago, I didn't sleep all night and went up to Kestor at about 4.00am. It was so beautiful, if sad, to watch the sun come up.

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  17. Hi EM Great birds shots and I love the signs of spring in your photos. Also love the dogs seen through the grasses.

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    1. I hope that grass might start going green soon. The moor seems to have been brown for SO long.

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